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How Far Is Airlie Beach From The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays is a collective term that refers to The Whitsunday group of islands just off the coast from Airlie Beach.  Technically there is an invisible line that separates The Whitsundays from Airlie Beach.

This invisible line is only located 1 nautical mile outside of Coral Sea Marina which means that you will generally be in ‘The Whitsundays’ only minutes after departing on your boat tour from Airlie Beach.

It’s quite common for us as tour guides to be asked, ‘When do we get to The Whitsundays?’, luckily the answer is straight forward to explain.

Consider yourself to be in The Whitsundays as soon as you leave the marina.  If travelling on Thundercat, you will be out of the bay and amongst the islands within 10 minutes. 

  • How Far Is Airlie Beach From The Whitsundays

From the marina entrance, you will already be able to see Hayman Island and Hook Island, and about 20 minutes into your tour you will be able to see around 10 more islands.

Travelling at 25 knots it takes one hour to reach Whitehaven Beach on Thundercat which means the distance covered is 25 Nautical Miles.  Converted to kilometres, that is 46 Km.  This is obviously not as the crow flies because boats need to stay in the water.

Whitsunday Islands Zone Map

  • Whitsunday Islands Zone Map

Zone map from GBRMPA

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Thundercat Whitsundays - All Inclusive Day Tour

Thundercat offers an exhilarating ride around the Whitsunday Islands all in one day. The three-time Australian Gold Award-winning tour visits the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet lookout and offers two snorkelling opportunities on the fringing Great Barrier Reef. Thundercat is designed for stability and speed, so it’s perfect for passengers concerned about seasickness. The all-inclusive package departing from Airlie Beach is suitable for families, couples, and groups wanting to experience once-in-a-lifetime moments.

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As we sail back to Airlie Beach, enjoy some cold drinks and snacks while we catch an epic sunset. Adventure, good vibes, great tunes, and a whole lot of fun—this is the Whitsundays like you’ve never seen it before!

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