Kayak the Whitsundays August 2024

Talk about an incredible place to start our adventure - world-famous Whitehaven Beach. Seven kilometers of white silica sand, azure blue waters, and the title of Best Beach in the World on a number of occasions. Arriving by private launch we check into our luxurious campsite (which we have to build of course), meet the team, and set up the kayaks to prepare for the adventure ahead. We spend the afternoon exploring Whitsunday Island, diving underwater to meet the fish, before returning to camp to farewell the day boats which leaves us as the exclusive residents of Whitehaven Beach. 

Dinner is served under a carpet of stars before turning in for an early night to prepare for a big day on the water.

Overnight: Camping at Whitehaven Beach campground

FLIGHTS – At the start of the expedition, you can meet us at either Shute Harbour or Hamilton Island marina, depending on where you fly into. Due to our early departure time, we advise flying into either Proserpine Airport/Whitsunday Coast (PPP) or Hamilton Island (HTI) the day before the expedition starts, and overnighting so you’re ready to roll the next day. There will be an extra charge for any collection/drop-off at Hamilton Island Marina.

DEPARTURE / RETURN TIMES – Please ensure you are at either of the locations at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departures times.

We head out for the day on a mission to explore Whitsunday Island and its closest neighbour, Haslewood - home to gorgeous Chalkie's Beach and a brand new walking trail.

Chalkie's looks pretty similar to Whitehaven, but that's where the comparison ends. There's a fringing coral reef to snorkel, fish to eyeball and maybe even a few turtles to befriend. Our challenge for the day is getting safely across the Whitsunday Passage - a narrow tidal channel that runs between the islands, affectionately referred to as The Washing Machine by the locals. 

We head back to Whitehaven Beach for our second night under canvas.

Overnight: Camping at Whitehaven Beach campground

After a hearty breakfast, we hit the water ready for the first big day of our expedition. Heading north we paddle along Whitehaven Beach, and head into Hill Inlet to explore the shallow, sheltered waters taking stingrays and turtles by surprise.

After a swim and explore we climb to the viewpoint to look back down Whitehaven where we started the day. It's then back into our boats for the long paddle around Tongue Point, up the eastern side of Whitsunday Island, and into Cairn Campsite, where we end our day.

Overnight: Camping at Cairn Campground

One of our traditions at Best Life Adventures is witnessing the sunrise from a summit. Today is the day. We start the 300m ascent under headtorch from Whitsunday Island’s most northerly beach—up to a ridge covered with giant grass trees. It’s steep and challenging, but there's an amazing view of the islands from the top. 

After breakfast, we break camp, load the kayaks, before crossing Hook Passage to start the paddle around Hook Island. We're into the open ocean here, so the swell picks up and hopefully the last of the season's whales will pull alongside and say "hi". 

Our lunch location feels a million miles from the tourist world of the Whitsundays, with expansive views of nothingness north and south, driftwood to clamber over and just the sound of the ocean to enjoy. 

Late in the afternoon, we pull into a sheltered beach on the northern side of Hook Island to build our camp.

Overnight: Camping at Maureen's Cove campground

We head west from our overnight campground for a day on the water. We'll circumnavigate Hayman Island, stop at Blue Pearl Bay, swim with the maori wrasse and manta rays, before turning south towards our destination Bali Hai and Langford Spit, where lunch is served on the beach.

Overnight: Just you wait and see...

Who knows what you'll get up to today? 

One of the best parts of this Best Life expedition is you don't find out about the last 24 hours until it's happening. Prepare for a seriously, epic adventure into the unknown - all you need to do is sit back and soak it up.

Oh, and bring a Black Tie or Cocktail dress you don't mind getting wet - is your mind boggling yet? 

Overnight: the same as the night before - a mystery!