A Day At The Beach

Experiencing the islands is a quintessential part of visiting or living near the Whitsunday region.

People flock to see the crystal-clear waters, stark-white beaches, and unspoiled bushland atop the rugged peaks of rock.

There are a bevy of options available for people seeking this serene experience, but there are not many better than Sealink’s Whitehaven Beach Big Island Day Tour.

Excitement is high as tour goers of all ages board the classy catamaran at Shute Harbour Marine Terminal.

People roam between the three levels that make up Nancy Wake, the 29 metre catamaran that will traverse the islands – guests can decide between the air-conditioned comfort inside or enjoy the 360-degree vistas of the al fresco top level.

As the boat departs at 9am and weaves through Daydream, Molle, and Cid Islands, the skipper tells the story of the islands through the loudspeaker, thus beginning a day of informative adventure facilitated by friendly, vibrant, and knowledgeable crewmembers.

The vessel starts its circumnavigation of Whitsunday Island towards the first stop of the tour, Hill Inlet lookout; if you’ve seen photos of Whitehaven Beach, they were probably taken from here.

The view is vast and dreamlike and sea life can even be spotted in the depths below.

The next stop is the iconic Whitehaven Beach, where the sand’s magical white sheen can be attributed to the 98.9 per cent pure silica it consists of.

Here, passengers have the option of walking to another lookout, playing some beach sport, swimming, or simply lounging in the sun, and there is plenty of time for all of the above.

The lookout provides vistas that ever-so-slightly surpass the beauty of the first lookout, and the water is so clear and invigorating that it’s near impossible to get out when the time inevitably comes.

After leaving Whitehaven, the boat heads around the south of Whitsunday Island past the high rises of Hamilton Island, making the rooftop observation deck the place to be, to take in the impressive views.

Complimenting the tour is a terrific variety of food provided, including muffins and fruit for morning tea, meat and salads for lunch, and an Instagram-worthy cheese platter perfect for finishing off the day with a cold drink from the fully licensed bar.

Nancy Wake docks back at Shute Harbour at 5pm, ending an inspiring yet relaxing day on the water that is a must for anyone in the region.

Sealink’s modern vessel is the epitome of style and comfort

Whitehaven Beach is a sight to behold. Pictures supplied

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