Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island (with Map & Photos)

With over 85 percent of all Australians living on the coast, it's no surprise that the country's beaches are among the best in the world. In the heart of the Great Barrier Reef is the small but award-winning Whitehaven Beach, which is known for its impeccable reputation. This is the seven kilometers of perfectly white sand on Whitsunday Island, which is so loved by vacationers.

Whitehaven Beach Whitsunday Island Australia
Whitehaven Beach Whitsunday Island Australia

Unlike most beaches in the world, the sand here is 98% pure silica, which gives it its snow-white color. But this sand has other unique properties. Its fraction is finer than that of ordinary sand, which consists of various minerals. Thanks to this, the white sand is softer and velvety. In addition, silica does not retain heat, so the sand does not heat up in the summer sun. This makes the beach an ideal place to relax and sunbathe!

The researchers found that the local rocks do not contain silica, which means that the sand has been brought here by ocean currents for millions of years. It is also very small and abrasive, and therefore can easily damage the glass of an accidentally dropped phone or camera.

Whitehaven Beach Whitsunday Island Australia
Whitehaven Beach Whitsunday Island Australia

Whitehaven Beach is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Australians. Despite the fact that it looks like a pristine untouched piece of nature, it still has everything you need for a comfortable stay: camping sites and even a barbecue. In 2017, TripAdvisor named it the best beach in the South Pacific.

Locals claim that the local sand, due to its amazing purity, was used in the smelting of the lens for the Hubble telescope. However, NASA refuses to confirm this fact.

Whitehaven Beach Whitsunday Island Australia
Whitehaven Beach Whitsunday Island Australia

In order to preserve the beach in its original form, strict rules have been introduced. You can’t smoke here and bring dogs with you, because this can spoil the surrounding beauty.

At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach is the Whitsunday Islands National Park. Here you can take a short 10-minute walk through the rainforest, which leads to a very beautiful hill.

Whitehaven Beach Whitsunday Island Australia
Whitehaven Beach Whitsunday Island Australia

3 reasons to visit Whitehaven Beach:


  • Primordial nature.
  • Whitehaven Beach, protected by the Whitsunday Islands National Park, is located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. It is recognized as the best eco-friendly beach in the world and the cleanest beach in Queensland.
  • This is a fascinating journey from Hamilton Island.
  • Whitehaven Beach is only thirty minutes away by speed catamaran, making it the perfect place for a day trip. You can explore the beach from the island by helicopter or seaplane, or you can just lie down on the perfect sand.
  • Incredible white sand.
  • The famous beach of the Whitsunday Island stretches for seven kilometers and is washed by turquoise, blue and green water. The sand is 98% pure white silica, which gives it a brilliant, almost luminous color.

Whitehaven Beach Map