When planning a trip to the stunning Whitsundays, timing is key. This paradise of 74 pristine islands offers an array of experiences throughout the year, each season bringing its own charm. Whether you’re seeking vibrant marine life, perfect weather for sailing, or a secluded beach getaway, understanding the best times to visit the Whitsundays will enhance your holiday experience. 

While each season in the Whitsundays offers its own unique appeal, the best time to visit ultimately depends on your preferences and interests. Our personal favourite season to visit the Whitsundays is Spring, and our winning month is September. Think clear skies, sunny but crisp days, mild temperatures, providing an escape from colder states, PLUS it’s the best time to the witness the majestic humpback whale migration through the warmer Whitsunday waters. 

Can you visit all year round? 

You sure can! While Spring combines comfortable temperatures with blooming landscapes, each season has its own pros. Winter is a close second in favourite seasons, with clear water, minimal rainfall and kickstarts the whale season. Autumn offers milder temperatures and fewer crowds, making it perfect for a peaceful getaway. For those seeking warm, Hawaii-like tropical weather, summer’s your go to. Here’s our recap of what to expect each month in the Whitsundays. 

1. Summer (December - February)

Summer in the Whitsundays is the wet season with long days and balmy temperatures, making it ideal for water-based activities such as snorkelling, island hopping, and sailing. Average temperatures range from 25°C to 31°C (77°F to 88°F). The summer months also coincide with Australian school holidays, making it perfect for family holidays. However, be prepared for frequent but often short-lived showers and higher humidity levels during this season.

2. Autumn (March - May)

Autumn brings mild temperatures and less humidity, making it a favourite time for many travellers to visit the Whitsundays. With temperatures ranging from 22°C to 28°C (72°F to 82°F), the weather is perfect for outdoor activities like bushwalking, island hopping, and relaxing on the beaches. This season offers a quieter atmosphere compared to the peak summer months, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of the Whitsundays without the crowds. 

3. Winter (June - August)

Winter in the Whitsundays is a delightful escape for those seeking warmth during the colder months elsewhere. Although temperatures dip slightly, ranging from 17°C to 24°C (63°F to 75°F), the days are still sunny and pleasant. Winter also marks the annual migration of humpback whales, providing the opportunity for unforgettable whale-watching experiences. Winter can also bring fewer crowds outside of school holidays. 

4. Spring (September - November)

Springtime (our favourite) in the Whitsundays heralds the arrival of warmer temperatures and blossoming surrounds. With temperatures ranging from 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 81°F), the weather is perfect for outdoor adventures such as snorkelling, kayaking, and scenic walks. Spring also marks the beginning of the sailing season, with favourable winds and clear skies providing ideal conditions for sailing enthusiasts. T

Choosing the Best Time for Your Whitsundays Adventure

No matter when you choose to visit the Whitsundays, you're in for an unforgettable experience. From pristine beaches to vibrant coral reefs, this tropical paradise offers something for every type of traveller. By considering the weather, activities, and crowds during each season, you can plan your Whitsundays adventure with confidence, knowing that you'll be experiencing this stunning destination at its best.

Thinking of visiting The Whitsundays in the wet season? Its not all about sitting in your hotel room watching Netflix and waiting for the weather to clear. Here in our sub tropical climate we experience two seasons a year, the dry and the wet. Our wet season runs from January - March and can still be a beautiful time to visit. Think green, everything - grass, trees, rain forest, the whole region comes alive after the long dry season. But what to do?

1. Chase Waterfalls 

We are lucky enough to live near some beautiful waterfalls and swimming holes. Cedar Creek falls, a 45 minute drive away, only flows in our wet season. You can self drive or why not let someone else do the hard work and do a bus tour, also stopping at Whitsunday Gold Coffee plantation and Hydeaway Bay.

2. Cuddle Aussie animals

Not up for getting wet? What about a trip to Bredl’s wild farm? Jump in the back of their covered truck as they drive into the crocodile pens to feed and inform you about these magnificent creatures. Then join your fellow tourists in the under cover arena to cuddle the koalas, wombats, kangaroos and even a snake or baby crocodile should you choose. A truly unforgettable experience, no matter what the weather is doing

3. Island Hopping

Did you know there are 74 Islands within the Whitsunday Group? The majority are 100% national park but when its raining why not visit a resort Island? Hamilton and Daydream Islands are only a stones throw from Airlie Beach and a great way to spend a showery day. Jump in the resort pools and go for a swim, use the hop on hop off bus at Hamilton Island or check out the living reef at Daydream Island. There are plenty of under cover activities to enjoy.

4. Go for a blast on a Jet Ski

You’re going to get wet anyway right?! Beginner or experienced there’s a jet ski tour for everyone. From a short 1 hour blast around the bay to a longer adventure to a resort island.

5. See Crocodiles in the Wild

Why not head out on a real life Crocodile Safari? Get out on a covered boat and head up the Proserpine River, which is said to have the highest population of Crocodiles per square meter out of anywhere in Queensland. Enjoy a scrumptious BBQ lunch before embarking on a wetland tour in a tractor drawn wagon train.

6. Head out for a Hike

Hiking in the rain, especially in our warm, wet season is a lovely way to spend some time. Enjoy the wildlife that comes out in the wet, birds especially love to play in the rain. We are surrounded by some of the most beautiful National Parks right here in Airlie Beach (go to the Conway National Park section of the National Parks guide). You can literally start a hike 5 minutes from the Main Street of town. The Honey Eater walk is one of our most popular walks and takes in the amazing views over the islands to the north of The Whitsundays. There are also some great walks out at Shute Harbour, Mt Rooper and The Coral Beach walks are both worth a mention. If you don’t have your own transport a Whitsunday Transit bus can take you there.

7. Paddle a Sea Kayak

Summer in the Whitsundays GETS HOT! So why not enjoy a guided Sea Kayak tour on a cool rainy day? Bonus, you won’t get burnt to a crisp and its less likely to be windy on an overcast day. Get picked up from your accomodation in Airlie Beach and taken out to Shute Harbour to enjoy a leisurely paddle out to a small uninhabited island. Stop and have a swim and a bite to eat before kayaking home.

The Whitsundays are AMAZING even when the weather is wet!

This is just a taste of what is available when the weather is a little inclement. Ultimately it doesn’t matter what the weather is doing, a trip to The Whitsundays will not disappoint. One of my most memorable trips to Whitehaven Beach was with a light hearted group of tourists. We were caught out in a torrential rain storm just as we landed at Hill Inlet. We laughed all the way to the lookout, stomping in puddles and having a great laugh. Life really is what you make it.

Want to do a tour while you're in the Whitsundays but don’t want a big day with a tired child at the end of it? Read on to find the best Whitsunday tours for kids. 

When I am asked the question, what is the best tour for kids in Airlie Beach, Whitsundays? I always answer it the same way, it really depends on your kids. All kids are different and what one child may enjoy, the next may not. Ive met parents who have traveled from overseas with their brand new 6 week old baby and bought them out on a boat for a full (nine hour) day trip. Conversely Ive also met parents with a 3 year old who knew their child couldn’t handle any longer than a half day trip. As a parent you’ll have a pretty good idea of what your child is capable of. Below are a few of the more popular tours we book for children.

The most under rated trip in The Whitsundays - Bredl’s Wild Farm. Jump in the back of their covered truck as they drive into the crocodile pens to feed and inform you about these magnificent creatures. Then join your fellow tourists in the under cover arena to cuddle the koalas, wombats, kangaroos and even a snake or baby crocodile should you choose. A truly unforgettable experience, Kids of all ages LOVE IT!!

Would rather see Crocodiles in the wild? The Crocodile Safari will take you out in a boat on the Proserpine River to spot crocodiles in their natural habitat. After a scrumptious BBQ lunch enjoy a wetland tour in an open wagon. A great trip for kids of any age.

If you’re chasing a land based tour for the whole family, The Hydeaway Bay bus tour is a great option. They will take you down to Cedar Creek Falls for a swim, stop at The Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation - coffee for the adults and an animal menagerie for the kids. Finally sit back and enjoy the 45 minute drive up to the beautiful Hydeaway Bay for lunch and a swim or walk on the beach. 

If your kids are too young for snorkeling but old enough too appreciate seeing coral, fish, turtles and rays, you should definitely check out the Glass Bottom Boat tour. Its only a short 70 minute tour that runs out of Shute Harbour (10 minutes out of Airlie). This tour would be in my top 5 tours for under 5’s, its short and smaller children are usually fascinated with the underwater world. 

Wanting The Whitehaven Beach Experience? Not all boats to Whitehaven are child friendly, in fact we even have boats who refuse to take younger children. For very young children or children who may not be up for a long day on a boat, the Whitehaven Beach and Hamilton Island self guided tour is a brilliant option. What I love about this tour is the flexibility. Most children are up early so I recommend going to Whitehaven Beach in the morning (you spend about two and a half hours on the Southern End of Whitehaven, please note this will not take you anywhere near the Hill Inlet Lookout). The boat then drops you at Hamilton Island (you can bring a pram onto the boat to use at Hamilton) for lunch at the Marina Tavern and you have the afternoon to explore the island at your leisure. There is a free hop on, hop off bus that loops the island, have a swim in the resort pools at Catseye beach, or have a wander through the wildlife park. At anytime during the afternoon you can jump on a ferry and head back to the mainland if your little one has had enough.

Alternatively if you think you’re kids aren’t up to a morning at the beach (or maybe the weather isn’t so good, especially if its windy) another great option is Daydream and Hamilton Islands. There are two different options, the only difference being with or without lunch, The Twin Island Escape ($179 per adult including lunch) or the Island Hopper pass ($159 per adult without lunch) 

If you have older children or think that you’re kids would be okay with a bigger day, why not try one of the day trips to Whitehaven Beach? The Whitsunday Bullet, Ocean Rafting and Whitehaven Xpress all run a great trip if you have children. Definitely check out the weather before booking any of these trips though, travel on a day with the least amount of wind possible. 

If you’re kids LOVE the water why not head to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. This is a trip I would recommend for older kids or younger kids who have grown up on boats. Its 3 hours on a boat to get out there (unless you’re doing the half day trip in the school holidays) and you absolutely should check the weather first to find a day with under 20 knots of wind (less is best - under 10 knots is a perfect day). 

If you’re looking for a super special once in a lifetime experience with your older children why not consider a scenic flight or an overnight boat. The most popular scenic flights are one hour in duration, and fly over Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach and then all the way to the outer Great Barrier Reef and the infamous Heart Reef. Alternatively an overnight sailing boat will go to Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach and a number of snorkel stops. The truly unforgettable part of being on an overnight boat is enjoying dinner under the stars, falling asleep to the gentle rock of the boat and waking up to a beautiful sunrise in a secluded little bay. 

No matter which tour you choose, all of our operators travel daily with kids and are very professional. Check the weather before you book and think about what you need to take to keep your kids comfortable, hat, water, sunscreen, snacks, maybe goggles if they aren’t used to snorkeling and warm clothes for the trip home.

Not sure what to do in Airlie Beach and The Whitsundays with kids? Read on to find all the best playgrounds, swimming spots and other free things to do, to maximise your holiday fun with little people in tow.

1. Parks & Playgrounds 

Chasing The tallest playground in the area? Check out the multi story playground on the foreshore in Airlie Beach. Just head along The Esplanade towards the sailing club and you can’t miss it. They also have some smaller equipment for the littler kids. 

If watching your kids scale great heights make you nervous, then just five minutes out of town you’ll find Cannonvale Beach and Logans Adventure Playground. Complete with flying fox, jungle gyms, giant swings and more, all of this right across the road from the beach. While you’re there check out The Fat Frog Cafe for great coffee and eats. If you’re kids are a bit too young for the adventure playground, in the park directly beside is a smaller fenced playground for toddlers, and another on the beachfront just a few hundred meters up the road.

2. Swimming

Are your kids water babies? In the middle of the Main street of Airlie Beach is the lagoon, completely free and totally safe to swim in. At one end is a shallow pool for toddlers to wade in which connects to the main area of the lagoon, complete with lane markings for the more serious swimmers. Alternatively if you have transport while you are here, take a drive out to the council pool at Proserpine. They have an Olympic sized swimming pool as well as an awesome water park and best of all, its completely free. 

Prefer something salty? Boathaven Beach (also called New Beach by the locals because it is literally our New Beach, ha, ha) is probably the best beach in town short of getting on a boat to Whitehaven. Its an all tide beach, so unlike Cannonvale Beach, you can swim at Boathaven Beach no matter if its high or low tide. Stinger nets are installed during stinger season, however it is still a good idea to wear a stinger suit as the nets only reduce the chance of stingers in the enclosure.

3. Cedar Creek Falls 

If you are here in the wet season (January - May) and you have a car, you could head out to Cedar Creek Falls. Its a beautiful safe (no crocodiles or stingers) waterfall with a deep swimming hole. My 18 month old loves to try walking in the shallows or sit and move rocks from one spot to another. 

On the way home from Cedar Creek Falls you could stop at Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation. Its a great stop for adults and kids alike. Coffee and tasty food for the adults and an animal menagerie (pigs, chickens, horses, goats, birds etc) as well as an indoor climbing gym for the kids. 

If you do not have a car you could do a bus tour, our local bus company run a tour which stops at Cedar Creek falls, Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation and then goes up to Hydeaway Bay for lunch. 

We are very lucky to have some of the most beautiful National Park walks right on our doorstep. Depending on the age and ability of your kids, one of the more interesting walks for kids (i’m thinking kids over the age of five or six?) is the Coral Beach walk. Its about 4km return walk (including an optional walk to The Beak Lookout) and hence the name takes you to a beach covered in bits of broken coral. 

If you have younger kids check out the Airlie Beach to Cannonvale bicentennial Boardwalk. Its a flat walk that starts at the Lagoon behind the Main street in Airlie Beach and continues along the waterfront so perfect for prams or little ones learning how to ride their bikes. You can walk for as much or little as you like. Its a lovely walk to do at sunset, especially when walking through the Coral Sea Marina.

If you are thinking about doing any of the local tours while you are here, why not check out our blog post, Child friendly tours in The Whitsundays