Overview
The islands are the drowned peaks of a coastal range, which is why they are hilly and forested rather than flat coral cays. The sheltered water between them, the Whitsunday Passage, gives reliable trade winds and calm anchorages — the reason bareboat charter is a normal way to visit here and rare elsewhere. Fringing reef sits close to shore on many islands, so snorkelling does not require the outer reef.
Highlights
Whitehaven Beach and the Hill Inlet lookout are the fixed points of any itinerary. Hamilton Island has the airport and the resorts; Airlie Beach on the mainland is where boats and budget beds are. A two- or three-night sailing trip covers more than any day boat, and the Ngaro Sea Trail links island walks for those who want to go ashore.