Whitehaven Beach: Is it really the best in the world?

Whitehaven Beach: Is it really the best in the world?

With its white sandy beaches curving like a dervish around a brilliant blue sea and a reputation for unrivaled beauty, would Whitehaven Beach surpass anything we've seen?

It's fair to say that Peter is not a beach babe. Give him a piece of sand and he will look for a kayak to explore. Give him a sunny sky and he'll plan a day of solo sailing. It's no surprise that he doubted our visit to Whitehaven Beach. As he boarded the Providence V, he was clearly more excited about the trip there and back than the beach itself.

I, on the other hand, was excited to see Whitehaven Beach. I had seen it in a gallery during my time at Rough Guides: delicate wisps of sand curving like a dervish around a bright blue sea. Could it be worthy of the best beaches we've seen?

alt="Whitehaven Beach">Fair useWhitehaven Beach like something out of a picture book

We joined the Providence V at the respectable hour of 7am. With 20 other passengers, it was less intimate than our previous day sailing the Whitsunday Islands, but made up for it with plenty of charm.

The Providence V, a schooner out of Gloucester, is described as a "baby tall ship" and is one of the few boats in the area that can sail to Whitehaven Beach and back in a single day. To the uninitiated (i.e. me), it looks like a pirate ship built for fearless exploration of unfriendly seas.

alt="Aboard the Providence V">Atlas & BootsOn board the Providence V

Starting with morning tea we set off on our three hour sail to Whitehaven Beach. The waves weren't entirely unfriendly, but they were certainly brisk, often whipping us as we cut a line through the bright blue sea.

Our two-man crew of burly Scotsmen invited passengers to join in - an added boon for aspiring sailors like Peter, who enjoy hoisting ropes and hoisting sails.

We navigated past lush green islands reminiscent of Peter Pan's Never Land and sailed via the Whitsunday Passage through the Hook Passage to Whitsunday Island itself, home of the famous Whitehaven Beach.

We anchored in Tongue Bay and went to the Hill Inlet lookout to get our first look. Under a higher tide, Whitehaven Beach wasn't quite as fantastic as the pictures promised, but it was still lovely.

alt="Things to know about Australia Whitehaven Beach">Atlas & BootsOur first look at Whitehaven Beach

Swathes of bone-white sand sank gently into the sea: great, unpredictable strokes painted by the hand of an impetuous artist. Whitehaven Beach was clearly lovely - but was it one of the best we'd seen? We had to take a closer look.

Zipped into stinger suits, we headed for the beach itself. The water - warm despite the gathering clouds - was as blue and vibrant as we've ever seen. Of course we dove right in.

After an hour of fun and frolic, we met for our dinghy transfer back to Providence V. On board we enjoyed a delicious lunch of pasta for the vegetarians and meat and salad for the none. With plenty of time to sunbathe after lunch, we sailed to Dumbbell Island for some snorkeling.

At Dumbbell there is the opportunity to see turtles, dolphins and even whales in August and July. Unfortunately we didn't see any, but we enjoyed the corals full of fish.

alt="Stunning blue waters ideal for swimming at White Haven Beach">Atlas & BootsStunning blue waters offer excellent swimming opportunities

We soon reboarded the Providence V to return to the mainland, with plenty of time to debate whether or not Whitehaven Beach really was the best in the world.

It certainly competes with the best we've seen, but its relative popularity waned somewhat. There were no large uninterrupted stretches like Tortuga Bay or the complete isolation of Baros Island. Nonetheless, the visit to Whitehaven Beach had all the hallmarks of a perfect day: sailing between lively seas, gorgeous views of a stunning beach, and plenty of time for snorkeling and swimming. Whitehaven Beach is certainly one of the best we have ever seen.

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Atlas & Boots

Whitehaven Beach: the essentials

What: Visiting Whitehaven Beach from Airlie Beach in Queensland, Australia.

When: The best time to visit Whitehaven Beach and Queensland is during the shoulder seasons of April to May and October to November, when the area enjoys warm and pleasant temperatures with longer days.

The region can be visited all year round, but summer (December to March) is hotter and wetter, while winter (June to September) is generally drier and cooler, although accommodation prices can skyrocket. Australian school holidays are busier, particularly the September to October breaks.

It's worth noting that October to May is stinging season (although there are always jellyfish).

Where: We stayed at Coral Sea Vista Apartments, a family-run apartment complex just 10 minutes from central Airlie Beach and the nearby Abell Point Marina, where the Providence V is anchored.

The Coral Sea Apartments are set back on a quiet hillside street, just a few minutes' walk from the waterfront. All apartments have north-facing balconies with wonderful views over the city and bay.

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Atlas & Boots

The apartments are spacious and fully equipped for self-catering. They feature air conditioning, kitchenware, a dining area and a flat-screen TV. The complex also includes a swimming pool. The owner Scott and his family are always available to provide advice or help organize tours.

How: Book a trip to Whitehaven Beach aboard Providence V through Providence Sailing. We booked the Day Sail Snorkelling & Whitehaven Beach for A$179 ($132) per person, which includes hotel pickup and drop-off, travel to and from Whitehaven Beach via Whitsunday Passage, morning tea or coffee, snacks and a Packed lunch includes and fruit plate. All snorkeling equipment and stinger suits are also provided.

Providence V also offers Sunset Sails every evening for A$75 (US$55) per person and is available for private charters and specialty cruises upon request. Contact them via their website, by phone on +61 427 882 062 or by email at info@providencesailing.com.au.

Airlie Beach and much of the Queensland coast are easily accessible with Greyhound Australia. We used our Greyhound Travel Pass to explore much of the country, including booking the Uluru Rock Tour, one of their outback experiences.

Car rental is also an option for visiting the area. We recommend Hertz Australia, with whom we did a road trip along the southeast coast from Adelaide to Sydney via Phillip Island, Kangaroo Island, Mount Kosciuszko and the Great Ocean Road.

The nearest airport is Whitsunday Coast Airport, Proserpine (PPP), which is approximately 30 minutes' drive from Airlie Beach. Book domestic or international flights with Skyscanner at the best prices.

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Lonely Planet Australia is a comprehensive travel guide to the country, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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