QLD - Airlie Beach: Whitsunday Islands

The boat we took today was slightly smaller and held maybe 50 people. We took a similar route to yesterday, with a pick up at Hamilton Island which is the most developed island, and slightly ugly, with sky rise hotels on the beach. We then cruised past the more natural Hook Island which is where the backpackers tend to go, just because its undeveloped; so cheaper. All these islands are really beautiful with gorgeous beaches and forests inland.

We then headed out to choppier waters, as the weather today is a bit worse than yesterday, and with the wind up, the waves are a bit higher. We were sat out the back, and it wasn't long before we moved as we got soaked from the back spray of taking off, and landing back down on the waves ;)

As we got close to Tongue Bay, our first stop of the day, we slowed and saw quite a few turtles swimming passed the side of our boat. After dropping anchor about 200mtrs from shore, the dingy was lowered to take us to the beach (none of us were too keen on swimming ;)

We landed on the beach, and then took the 15 minute walk through the forest to the lookout over Whitehaven beach. This is one of the most amazing beaches we've seen, with the gorgeous blue of the sea in contrast with the brilliant white silica sand banks swirling just below the surface. It seemed we were here at the perfect time, between high and low tides, so the sand banks were just below the surface of the sea.

The next stop was down on the beach itself and as the beach has quite steep banks, the boat could moor within 10mts of the beach itself. The anchor was dropped onto the beach, and the crew had to dig a hole and bury the anchor before the tide dragged the boat back out to sea!! We stayed here for an hour or so, just chilling, laying on the soft silky sand, which is so fine it squeaked as we walked on it.

We then headed off to a small secluded bay at Hook Island for a bit of snorkeling. It got a bit crowded here, and with strong currents and the tide going out, it was difficult to avoid other people and the reef!! We were careful, but a few people probably bashed the reef a bit ;( Despite visibility only 5mtrs or so, this was one of the best snorkel sights we've been to. There was lots of soft coral here, which just floats in the water, moving with the tide. This is more attractive than the hard coral we've seen at most of the other dive sites. Again, there was a fantastic array of colourful fish, clams, etc

This was the perfect end to our Whitsundays adventures...