Whitehaven Beach is located on the east coast of Whitsunday Island, the largest island in the Whitsunday Group.

Whitehaven Beach is an icon for the region and is recognised as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The magical white silica sands (approximately 98 per cent pure silica) of Whitehaven Beach stretch for 7 km.

Whitehaven Beach is used for sightseeing, walking, swimming, relaxing, beach games and as a scenic flight landing area.

Access to the waters adjacent to Whitehaven Beach is managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). A Standard Tourism Permit grants up to 50 days access to the Whitsundays Planning Area (excluding the Setting 5 area) with a booking from QPWS. 

Site Map of the Whitehaven Beach Area

Accessing the Area

The waters adjacent to Whitehaven Beach are located in a Marine National Park (Green) Zone.

This zone provides for the protection and natural integrity and values of areas of the Marine Park, generally free from extractive activities, whilst providing opportunities for certain activities, including the presentation of the values of the Marine Park.

Please refer to the Zoning Maps and the Zoning Plan for detailed information and the Activities Guide for a simplified explanation of activities you can do in each zone.

Whitsundays Plan of Management (WPOM)

The Setting classifications for this area are outlined below.

Table 1: WPOM Setting Limits for Whitehaven Beach:

Setting	Description	Restrictions	Locations
2	High Use	Max vessel length: 35m	Southern end of Whitehaven Beach
3	Moderate Use	Max vessel length: 35m Max group size: 40	Tongue Bay Whitehaven Beach
4	Natural	Max vessel length: 35m Max group size: 15	Whitehaven Beach
5	Protected	Refer to individual permit specification	Hill Inlet Northern end of Whitehaven Beach

Regular Aircraft Landing Area

South Whitehaven Beach has a Regular Aircraft Landing Area. Seaplanes and helicopters can land and depart between 7am and 5pm. Coordinates are provided in Schedule 7 of the WPOM.

It is recommended that vessels remain clear of the regular aircraft landing area.

Related Links

• Zoning Map
• Whitsundays Plan of Management