Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Day Trip: Chill and Grill

Great day out

Our trip was amazing, beautiful place and will definitely be back! The order of the day was great we did the walk first then beach and lunch for the rest of the day, the length of time doing each activity was spot on, lunch was great, and on board they throw in some extras with teas coffees fruit & cookies then on the way back they serve cheese biscuits olives and brownies which is good! Staff were very friendly and helpful, would recommend everyone doing the full day

Whitehaven and The Hill Inlet

This was amazing! I highly recommend this trip with Cruise Whitsundays. We did the full day. The staff are awesome! Even before we left, I emailed them and they responded quickly. Everyone was kind and helpful. We departed Hamilton Island and went to Whitehaven. This beach is so beautiful! We then took a boat ride out to the end of the beach to hike to The Hill Inlet. The hike was about 40 minutes. It was not strenuous. A nice nature hike before you get to the amazing view of The Hill Inlet. After we got back, had a great lunch of burgers and salads. Then just relaxed on Whitehaven. Bucket list day!!

Whitehaven Beach is spectacular.

Great day out despite the torrential rain. Guides were very knowledgeable and helpful. BBQ on the beach was excellent. Watch out for the seagulls; they are very fast and accurate at picking food off your plate or out of your hands! We purchased the drinks package at $55 per person which advertised all day beer, wine, cider and soft drink. However wine was not allowed on the island. My wife does not drink beer and only received a very expensive small plastic glass of bubbles at 3:45pm. I have relayed my concerns about this but have yet to hear from Cruise Whitsundays.

A Great Day at Whitehaven Beach

We love coming back and spending the whole day at Whitehaven Beach with lots of activities including swimming and walking it's surrounds.

What a day🤩

Fantastic day from start to finish Sea a bit rough but crew all geared up for that Morning in the bay was just brilliant, lemon sharks, baby rays, soldier crabs and a great walk up through the estuary. Tour guide (Paige) was super enthusiastic, a real live wire, had us all moving in the right places at the right time. BBQ was really well organised and plenty of food for all. (Mind the seagulls!) Bonus Iguanas on the beach fringes Bought the drink package, probably worth it but not necessarily the alcohol option. All the crew of the various vessels were great and ensured you felt safe on all the various transfers

Best tour for Whitehaven

Greta tour and loved very minute. We were blessed with lovely weather and the swirls were unimaginably beautiful!

Fun and chilled

Walking to lookouts at Hill inlet was beautiful and well worth it. Then having plenty of time to chill at Whitehaven beach made it a perfect day.

When a nail sticks out of your chair, you expect someone from Cruise Whitsundays to contact you. So far, they haven't.

On 3 February, 2024, we took a trip on the Whitehaven Beach Chill & Grill tour. There was a nail sticking about 1 cm out of my chair, and it got my leg multiple times before I figured out what it was. I spoke to one of the uniformed crew members, and they apologised and offered me a free drink (which I actually didn't want, but ultimately, I got a soft drink for one of my companions who wanted it). They took down my name and contact info and told me that someone would be in touch with me over this, and that there would be an incident report. No one contacted me. I even reviewed this trip on their own site and brought up the incident again, and still no one contacted me. I have to say, this is the second tour I have taken with Cruise Whitsundays, and the first time around, I had a nice time. I would have walked away with a favourable impression of their operations if I didn't do this tour. No matter what any experience is like, when you have a nail sticking out of your chair and no one bothers to follow up about it, I can't possibly recommend this company to other people. Did anyone read the review that I posted from their own site? Was an incident report ever even filed? I know that somebody from Cruise Whitsundays responds to these Tripadvisor reviews, and it's nice that they actually read these ones. Maybe that person will post a public apology when they see this review. But that's not what I'm looking for. I'm still waiting to hear from the person at Cruise Whitsundays whose job it is to ensure that nails don't stick out of their chairs. I want to hear their plan to ensure that this never happens again. What would have happened if I contracted tetanus from that nail? But hey, thanks for the free Bundaberg.

VIATOR HAS NO SYMPATHY AND ARE ONLY MONEY HUNGRY.

I would never recommend Viator to anyone ever!! We unfortunately had an issue with getting to the terminal on time due to a miscommunication with a staff member. We booked to leave from Airlie, but instead booked us from Hamilton. We had to get this changed and they didn’t mention to us of a time change on the phone. We arrived 15mins late and lost our $1300 booking. When trying to explain this to staff on the phone and asking if we were allowed a refund on any kind we received the dreaded email of no refund is available at this time. No reason, No compassion just a company taking peoples money without remorse. Our family was heart broken. This is happened in January 2024.

service and food

The crews are nice and friendly, they provide Wonderful service. All the food are really well too. Will recommend them to others.

Spero di poter tornare un giorno, per vedere whiteven beach, ma cambierò tour operetor. Siamo rimasti delusi

I took this trip with my husband to see this beach, it was the dream of my life. But they took us to another beach I was only notified at check in. Incorrect. The excursion was also expensive.

I hope to come back in the future to see whiteven beach, but with another operator.

Unfortunately this trip was a disappointment. My husband and I paid quite a bit to see whiteven beach, but they took us to another beach. Notify us at check in. It was my dream . I suggest doing this excursion with another transport company.

Good experience

I had a really good experience with the cruise, nice staff good food, and the morning tea so delicious, not a small group we had a huge number on the cruise but they separated into the small groups when we were walking to see the viewpoint on the Whitehaven beach

The staff were very nice...

The staff were very nice all the time. Food really good. I enjoyed a lot my day with this company. 100% recommended

The perfect day

Could not have been a better day. Staff was amazing. Tons of free time at the beach and for hiking to look outs. The lunch was very tasty 😋. There were 4 of us, and we loved it all. Stunning day!!!!

Terrible customer service

Booked and paid for a full Day online, surprise when i arrived they had not sent the reservation leaving me 30min before departure with no spot on the boat and refusing to refond me. 250 dollars

Cancelled our trip with little notice - still waiting for refund!!

Cancelled our trip with little notice. No suggestions to rebook elsewhere or any compensation. Have come all the way from England during our travelles and only booked to come to Airlie specifically for this cruise. Which now being here is a complete waste of time and money as it’s expensive to stay here and sat 17 hours on a coach all to have our trip we’ve been so looking forward to since we booked months ago. We have struggled to find anywhere that isn’t fully booked to get onto another cruise- Awful timing with school holidays and travelling season! All these other companies trying to accommodate but nothing as good of an itinerary that this was supposed to be. No idea when we will get our refund and really poor communication as heard nothing off them since they cancelled- this could have been totally avoidable! Not happy Would give 0 stars if I could

Good day out, sad about the workers.

Had a great day on the water, the crew made our day, they looked after the kids as if they were their own . Sad to see the crew are underpaid they deserve everything they get. They made our experience.

Great trip

Great trip, beautiful walk with beautiful views and plenty of time to spend on the beach. Lunch is good, lots of selection. There's also activities provided on the beach - volleyball net, paddle boarding, beach toys etc. You also have a private section of the boat, so guaranteed seats which is good.

Fantastic family day

Staff are brilliant all super helpful and lovely Great day ! Really looked after us all, beautiful scenery! World class

A very nice trip, hill...

A very nice trip, hill inlet is very beautiful , white heaven beach water is crystal clear, it’s worth going definitely.

Insane views, even with cold and rainy wheather

We booked a whole day including a bbq at Whitehaven Beach. The wheather was bad, cold and rain. Luckily we could visit the Hill Inlet. The sun came out a bit, enough to show us how grand the views are. It was too cold and rainy for us to do the bbq. Our kids were happy we could join the half day people, back to Hamilton Island.

Best excursion

The best excursion we have ever done ANYWHERE! Food selection in the BBQ was amazing - great options for special deitry requirements. Crew and servcie was amazing. Defineitly the best excursion in the WhitSundays.

Very good tour!

Awesome crew. Guide you properly on what to do and not to do! Linch is good, not the best but filled you up. Fun day with joyride team!!

White Sunday beach

My trip was cancelled no one came for pick up and no communication from your operator when we contacted them they replied as it is thru Viator we are not happy to help you. My whole days ruined as it wax short trip and we wasted one full day doing nothing and get bored

Must Go

The experience, trip, organization and service is excellent and the crew isultra professional and kind. 100% recomended. 🇦🇷👏👏👏

Beautiful beach - wow!

A must do if you visit Hamilton island. The beach is beyond stunning. I am a beach snob this was in my top 5 best beaches in the world. I just wish that i would have chose another option. Its a bit boring to do a full day of just chilling on the beach. There is literally NOTHING there. We should of did half day or maybe the snorkel option. For those who are sensitive to the sun there is rarely any shade, bring block and towels. Those stinger suits are annoying and you still burn!

Too expensive for the experience, not worth it,

Whitehaven is a beautiful place to visit but this cruise was way over priced for what they give you. We boarded from Hamilton Island and the cruise was packed with people. For a short transfer there and back to pay $250 per person is excessive. Food was very average, morning tea didn’t look great and afternoon tea was terrible with some bucket hummus, a tiny lamination and fruit on a tiny plates. The bbq meat was frozen meat paddies for a self made burger. For that fee, it should of been a lot better. The stringer wear had holes. Also, it’s not accessible at all. Also the weather was extremely hot and people were not advised to order shade tent and pay extra. Tents should should be set up in that scorching heat.

Sensational

It’s was a wonderful experience, food was really good and plenty of time available to enjoy the location.

A true chill and grill experience

A great day out from start to finish. Very well looked after. Great guided tour at Hill Inlet with Gary. Enjoyable beach bar b q and a lovely relaxing afternoon on the beach and in the sea. The sea and sand colours are spectacular.

Mis-Sold Tour

Starting with the positives - check in was great, the journey was great (even with windy conditions), the lunch was great, the beach is definitely worth a visit. However, do not be misled by the incorrect advertising of this tour. There is NOT a maximum of 32 passengers. In fact there is over 100+ passengers. You are separated from them on the way, but staff gave up on the way back and just herded everyone back. I’ve done multiple Cruise Whitsundays tours and this was by far the worse one. Feel very disappointed that it was mis-sold. Would highly recommend visiting Whitehaven Beach, but would do your research on which your guide prior to booking.

Amazing hosts

Thank you Rosie and Gary! You are both very kind, friendly, helpful and awesome hosts!! Your guests very well looked after at all times and it’s only fair to commend you both for a great job well done!!! Thank you for bringing cold water to the Whiteheaven beach, when everyone else had hot water for their guests Thank you

Brilliant day from start to end!

Absolutely brilliant day from start to finish!! So glad we did the full day we had hours and hours of fun in the bluest and clearest water I have ever seen! The staff went over and beyond to make sure we were taken care of. The food was really delicious with lots of choices morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea as much as you want. Watch out for the naughty seagulls that try to steal your food. Take lots of sunscreen and leave any really expensive or heavy cameras at home. Can’t recommend this tour enough!! 😊

Wonderful day trip to Australia‘s most beautiful beach and Hill Inlet

Amazing day trip to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet lookout with plenty of activities, hikes or just chilling by the beach. Explore Australia‘s most beautiful beach, including lunch and afternoon tea / snacks on the boat. Only downside of the day was splitting the group into 2 for the Hill Inlet walk and when coming back, the 1st group already has had lunch and the luxury to sit in tents and on benched whereas the 2nd group has to see where to sit with their food (nobody seemed to have told the 1st group to leave some space for the 2nd group, maybe it was me being hangry but it enraged me to see people chilling on the benches where we could have sat for lunch), I think I ingested at least a hand full of sand with my food that day. Otherwise, everything was perfectly organised.

Whitehaven beach

We had a lovely time apart from motion sickness on the boat on the way. Nice lunch, nice crew and nice walk

Stunning trip to one of the top beaches in the world - not to be missed!

Absolutely fantastic day out. Boarded from Hamilton Island. This trip occupies an exclusive cabin on the catamaran (vessel is also used for the half day cruise guests and as a ferry from Airlie to Hamilton). Our guide gave us a full briefing on the day whilst we sailed & refreshments were provided. The group is split into two for the purposes of the guided walk with one group dropped at the north end of the beach & the second towards the southern end. The latter group has about an hour’s free time which is great to walk the shore line m/photograph whilst relatively quiet. After about an hour, groups are swapped. Before the ascent to the lookout, time for photos by the tree in the bay and to look for stingrays in the water. During the ascent, our guide Gary talked about the local flora & fauna. He has a plentiful supply of water with which to top up your own bottles. The views from the lookouts are simply stunning, although even that description seems inadequate! After the walk, back to the southern end of the branch for lunch; very good burgers, chicken, prawns & salads with a soft drink. The afternoon is free to do as you please until departure time. A range of beach games & paddle boards are available for use. During the return trip, afternoon tea is served - cheese & biscuits, salami, cakes & fruit. A full day’s tour. We left Hamilton c 8.30 am, arriving back c 5pm

Amazing day trip to Whitehaven

Cruise Whitsundays have a great standard across their trips. What an amazing spot to visit, the sand and water at Whitehaven is picture postcard perfect. The guided small tour groups are well looked after. The transfer vessels are easy to get on & off. The BBQ was excellent, a great selection of food & drinks were on offer and the crew were all fabulous & helpful. Great way to visit this beautiful spot

Great day trip to whitsundays

Definitely book the full day trip so you can see the hill inlet! Amazing views and well run tour, good lunch provided and lovely to chill on the beach in the afternoon. They even provided shade!

If you have one tour to choose - choose this one!

Such a great day out. Boat is amazing, very well coordinated for shore visits and transfers from the main boat to Hills Inlet and Whitehaven beach. Morning tea is served between Hamilton island and Whitehaven beach (45min boat ride) Timings were perfect and not rushed. Unlike other tour groups that are herded into groups of 10 like kids on a school excursion, this tour gives you the freedom to explore hills inlet at your leisure. The walk up is gradual but lots of steps for those that are less mobile. Plenty of time to take it at your pace and to soak in the incredible views. Due to the tides we were fortunate enough that swim time was also offered in hills inlet - breathtaking. Once we arrived back at the opposite end of Whitehaven beach the set up for relaxation was complete. Bbq was cooking, cricket was set up, stand up paddle boards were available as was sun shades/tents for those that can’t take the Aussie heat for hours on end. There is also limited shade up near the bush line too. Lunch was a bbq burger with accompaniments of potato salad, pasta salad, fresh prawns, chicken, chorizos and salad. Soft drinks and bottled were also provided. 3 hours of relaxation on the beach and a swim in the pristine waters was enough time to appreciate the beauty that is Australia’s best beach. Word of advise - position yourself the opposite end of where the toilets are to avoid the half day cruises taking away the serenity. Transfer back to Hamilton Island was 30 mins and afternoon tea was served for the cruise home along with an open bar. Fantastic trip and highly recommend that if you only have time for one activity - choose this one!

A must do for everyone who visits the Whitsundays!

What a fabulous day trip! We have some amazing memories from this visit. The sights are incredible and all the better with commentary from excellent knowledgeable staff (especially Gary) love Gary! Definitely one for the bucket list. Great food and drinks, games and stinger suits all contributed to make this a memorable experience. We will be returning later this year for another visit, new favourite holiday destination! Thanks to everyone who helped make this a very special day out.

Fantastic day to explore the island

It was an amazing day at the spectacular Whitehaven beach. Gary, our guide, was very knowledgeable and a fun, easy-going person at the same time. He really took care of everything we needed and organized the day wonderfully. We could see every part of the island and had a great beach BBQ with plenty of food. We would recommend this whole-day tour for those who would love to explore the entire island.

Wow wow and wow

What an amazing day and even better with our guide Gary - would give it an 11/10 - the overall experience will definitely go into my memory bank

Right amount of relaxing and adventure

So good! Quite possibly my favourite experience in the Whitsundays! If you’re only going to do one activity, make it this one.

Caters for everyone tour

I chose to go on both walks. Our guide Cameron was not only personable and caring. The information he shared about local history, flora and fauna and past indigenous practises was really fascinating. Two he demonstrated - creating soap with the leaves of a particular eucalypt, and finding a particular ant that tastes like lime cordial (as confirmed by another participant). He also went out of his way to relate to some of the kids in the group.

Awesome day!

The staff were wonderful on this trip. Full of knowledge and a really good time all around! The beach itself is stunning and you can really see why it’s voted the best beach. Although it was really busy it was still fun. The wildlife are really cool and you get heaps of time to relax in between the walks and other activities. The beers are cold and the food was delicious too. Full barbecue with heaps of stuff available. Highly recommend this full day trip!

Still amazing on an overcast day

We had pre-booked this tour in advance so went out on a cold and blustery day. The boat ride over to Whitehaven was a bit hairy as it got quite rough in some parts - for those that get seasick make sure you take tablets before the trip. The boat ride took 2 hours as we stopped at Daydream and Hamilton Island to pick up passengers. Our tour guide was excellent and looked after us well. Even though it was overcast the view from Hill Inlet was still amazing and the white sand of Whitehaven absolutely beautiful. There's not a lot on the island when you're there (there's a few shelters and toilets but that's about it) but it's nice to do one of the walks up to other views and enjoy nature. We saw heaps of beautiful butterflies and came up close with a lace monitor. Lunch was interesting in that you had to fight off the seagulls that aggressively tried to steal your burger. We worked out that if you walked slowly up the beach you were okay, run and they were onto you! Overall this was a well organised tour and the beaches were as beautiful as expected. We would have liked to go swimming in the crystal clear water (stinger suits provided) but it was too cold!

Great day

Great day with the crew of Seaquest to one of Australia’s outstanding places. Special congratulations to way the crew handled the missing pair at the end of the day. Several head counts and the crew kept us informed at all times. How they got to the other end of the island?!? Well done to the crew

Top class

It was a great experience and one of the memorable day we had. Hill inlet was so amazing and there is no words to explain it.

Whitehaven beach tour

Tour was amazing. What a magical place. Tour guide was excellent. I loved having an extended stay on the beach. If you don’t like spending a full day at the beach maybe just do a half day tour. I love the beach so I enjoyed the full day tour.

Must do while in the whitsundays

Worth every cent! My husband and I went out for full day and we received the VIP treatment from Cherene and the crew. The hill inlet walking track is not difficult and worth the amazing views. It really does look like the brochures. Lunch was amazing (and huge) and we spent the afternoon swimming in the beautiful Whitehaven beach and walking up to another great lookout. Would highly recommend this trip to anyone going to the whitsunday area.