What to bring on a Whitehaven Beach day trip: a local's packing list

Quick answer: For a Whitehaven Beach day trip from Airlie Beach, bring swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a camera, a light jacket for the boat, and extra snacks if you need them. On GSL Marine’s tours, lunch, a morning snack, afternoon fruit, water refills, National Park fees and beach club shade are included. There are no shops on Whitehaven, so anything else you want, you need to bring.

The essentials

This is the list we give every guest:

• Swimwear. Wear it under your clothes so you’re ready when the boat reaches the beach.
• A towel. We have a few spare towels on board, but not many, so bring your own.
• Reef-safe sunscreen. You’ll be in the sun for most of the day, and it’s kinder to the reef.
• A hat and sunglasses. The white silica sand reflects a lot of light. Polarised lenses also help you see the colours in the water.
• A camera or phone, fully charged. You’ll want photos of the beach, and of Hill Inlet if your tour goes to the lookout.
• A light jacket or jumper. The ride back in the afternoon can feel cool with the breeze and wet hair, even in summer.
• A refillable water bottle. You can refill it on board.

Nice to have

• A dry bag or zip-lock bag for your phone and wallet, especially when you step off the bow ramp or into the tender.
• Shoes for walking. On the Whitehaven Wanderer or the Ultimate Whitehaven Experience, the Hill Inlet lookout track climbs uphill. Queensland Parks lists it at about 1.3 to 1.4 km return, so sturdy sandals or sneakers beat thongs.
• A rash vest or long-sleeved swim top for extra sun protection in the water.
• An underwater camera if you’re snorkelling. Camera hire isn’t included in the tour price.
• Money for the onboard kiosk if you’d like extra drinks or snacks.
• Any medication you might need, such as sea-sickness tablets. Take them before you board, as directed.

What’s already included

You don’t need to pack any of this on a GSL Marine Whitehaven day:

• Lunch: a buffet-style lunch served on the beach when weather and conditions permit.
• Morning snack and afternoon fruit on board.
• Beach club access with shaded areas and beach games.
• National Park fees.
• Guides and crew.
• Water bottle refills on board.
• Snorkelling gear and stinger suits (in season) on the Reef & Beach Experience and the Ultimate Whitehaven Experience.
• Paddle boards on the Whitehaven Beach Club Pass.

Food and drink: what’s covered

The lunch is buffet-style, but it isn’t all-you-can-eat. It usually includes a cold meat tray and salads, with extra salad for vegetarians and vegans. There’s no seafood and no nuts on the menu.

Whitehaven is remote, and there’s no other food on the island. If you have allergies, strict dietary needs or a big appetite, bring your own extra snacks. Let the crew know about any allergies on the day, too. The onboard kiosk sells drinks and snacks.

What to leave at home

• Valuables you don’t need. There’s sand, salt water and possibly a tender ride involved. Whitehaven is national park, so plan to take everything you bring back with you.
• Anything you’d hate to get sandy. The silica sand is very fine and gets everywhere. Many guests love that it stays cool underfoot, as Tourism Whitsundays points out.

Packing for the season

• November to May: this is the higher-risk marine stinger season. Snorkelling tours include stinger suits. If you’re just swimming off the beach, a full-body lycra suit of your own is worth having. Read our stinger season guide.
• April to October: Tourism Whitsundays describes these months as milder, with lower humidity. Pack the jumper for the boat ride.
• Any time: tides and weather can change the order of the day, so be ready for the beach, the walk or the water first.

Before you leave your accommodation

1. Check your booking confirmation email for your tour and time.
2. Head to Rufus & Co Cafe, 33 Port Drive, Port of Airlie, by 8:30am. It opens at 7am if you want breakfast or a coffee first.
3. Come to the cafe, not straight to the boat. Pina Colada leaves at 9:00am.
4. Parking is available at Port of Airlie. The cafe is a five-minute walk from the Airlie Beach main street.

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