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A simply unmissable and amazing way to experience the Whitsundays is an Airlie Beach cruise.

There are many tours that go out to the Whitsunday Islands, and maybe you’re wondering what a day on an Airlie Beach cruise is like! Today, we’re going to walk you through a day on one of our own tours, Thundercat Whitsundays.

A Day On An Airlie Beach Cruise Departure

Your day starts at award-winning Abell Point Marina, where you will depart at 9 am and begin your journey across the Whitsunday waters. Getting to Abell Point Marina is easy—it’s a short walk from Airlie Beach (just follow the boardwalk), but there are also free bus transfers from Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and Jubilee Pocket if needed.

You’ll want to bring practical clothing and footwear, your waterproof cameras, sunscreen, a towel and hat, and your favourite pair of sunnies.

Once you depart, the crew will brief you and give some local knowledge of the sights you see in passing as you travel to the first destination in store—stunning Whitehaven Beach.

Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach is ranked the fifth best beach in Australia (according to TripAdvisor) and is famous for it’s uniquely soft, 98% silica white sand. This beach is an absolute haven for photographers and travellers alike.

Step out onto the softest sand you’ve ever felt and swim in the most dazzling, crystal clear waters you’ve ever seen. While here, enjoy a guided bushwalk up to Hill Inlet Lookout located at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach, where you’ll be able to see the shifting tides and swirling sands blending together.

After a delicious morning tea of homemade, gluten-free brownies, you’ll climb aboard Thundercat once more and enjoy a buffet lunch of salads, meats and cheeses, pasta, quiche lorraine and zucchini frittatas.

Peter Bay

No Airlie Beach cruise is complete without getting to see the Great Barrier Reef—so next up on the destination list, you’ll be taken to two snorkelling locations fringing the reef.

The first one is Peter Bay— a beautiful location on the northeast side of Whitsunday Island. As part of the Thundercat tour, you’ll be given free use of snorkelling equipment, as well as stinger suit hire during the winter months.

Jump into the refreshing waters and see the beautiful coral formations and friendly marine life up close. Peter Bay is one of the quietest snorkelling spots in the Whitsundays, making it the perfect location to experience turtles, fish, and even friendly baby sharks.

Manta Ray Bay

Manta Ray Bay is the second snorkelling location—and one of the most popular spots in the Whitsunday Islands. Situated on the northern tip of Hook Island, it has an amazing array of underwater valleys and caves.

Home to plenty of different fish types, this is a fantastic place to see and swim with marine life.

After an exciting afternoon of snorkelling, enjoy an afternoon tea of fruit kebabs before journeying back to Airlie Beach. You’ll arrive back at Abell Point Marina by 5pm—giving you time to freshen up, rest, and venture out again to explore the Airlie Beach nightlife after an amazing day!

Airlie Beach Cruise Summary

Though there are plenty of cruises in Airlie Beach to choose from, Thundercat is particularly popular due to it being a multi-award-winning tour that fits a massive list of experiences into a single day. It’s perfect for travellers on a budget, or short on time.

For more information, or to book your Airlie Beach cruise on Thundercat, head here: https://redcatadventures.com.au/package/thundercat/