Whitsunday Islands

Great Barrier Reef:

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is the only living thing on earth that is visible from space. It stretches for a whopping 2600 kilometers and comprises of over 3000 individual reef, coral cays and tropical islands including the picturesque Whitsunday Islands.

Whitsunday Islands:

The Whitsunday Islands are a group of 74 Islands, located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, with a fantastic climate all year and blue clear water and beautiful scenery the islands are regarded as paradise.

The Whitsundays are famous for being on of the most scenic sailing destinations. With deserted islands and sheltered bays offering snorkeling and diving, it is a popular destination for people to enjoy above and below the water.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protects the islands and surrounding areas with 32 islands protected and only 8 of the 74 inhabited.

Whitehaven Beach:

Located on Whitsunday Islands the largest island in the group. Whitehaven Beach stretches over 7km and has won numerous awards for its pristine sands and tropical views.

Whitehaven beach is world famous for its white silica pristine sands. The sand consists of 98% pure silica which gives it a bright white colour. On the hottest days of the year the sand is so fine it will not retain heat making it a pleasure to walk on. Sink you feet into the sand and wade in the the warm tropical waters and you will soon realise why Whitehaven has won so many awards.

Hill Inlet Lookout:

At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach you will see Hill Inlet. The picturesque inlet where the tidal movement shifts the sand and water giving the swirling effects visible from Hill Inlet Lookout. This natural movement means that it will never look the same twice as it changes with every tidal change.

Hill inlet lookout is easily reached via a pleasant 15 minute bush walk taking you along a trail lined with pandanus, melaleucas and casuarina trees.

Outer Great Barrier Reef:

The Outer Great Barrier Reef is only 34 nautical miles from the Whitsunday Islands making it easily accessible from Airlie Beach. The closet reef to the Whitsunday’s is Bait Reef home to some of the best dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef.

Unlike the more popular destinations to get to the Outer Reef, Airlie Beach offers guests the opportunity to visit the outer reef with less passengers offering more personal experience. At Wings Diving we aim to give passengers an experience that is ‘less fins more fish’ its is highly unlikely to see other scuba diving groups whilst diving at Bait Reef giving guest the feeling of peacefulness and tranquility.

FAQ about the Great Barrier Reef:

• The largest reef system in the world
• 2,900 individual reefs
• 900 islands (74 within the Whitsunday Islands)
• Is approximately 344,000 square kilometers
• 1500 species of fish live on reef
• Six species of turtles
• Thirty species of whales, dolphins and porpoises
• Seventeen species of sea snakes
• Coral spawning happens between the months of October and November depending on the luna cycle