Queensland Islands & Reef Luxury Escape

Board a luxury sailing catamaran at the marina around 9 am for the day's highlight. Cruise through the Whitsunday Passage to the northern end of Whitsunday Island and walk up to the Hill Inlet lookout, where tidal channels swirl blue and white across the sand. Below lies Whitehaven Beach: 7 km of sand made of around 98% pure silica, so fine and white that it stays cool underfoot even in the midday sun. Swim, beachcomb and enjoy a gourmet lunch and sparkling wine on board before sailing home in the late-afternoon breeze (back around 5 pm).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch on board  ·  Overnight: 5-star resort, Hamilton Island

Recover in style. Book a treatment at the resort spa, laze by the pool or paddle a complimentary kayak or stand-up paddleboard on Catseye Beach, the island's main stretch of sand. Energetic guests can climb Passage Peak, at 239 m the highest point on Hamilton Island – about 1.5–2 hours return on a steep but well-marked track, with 360-degree views across the islands. Tonight, try one of the marina restaurants for fresh coral trout or Moreton Bay bugs.

Meals: Breakfast  ·  Overnight: 5-star resort, Hamilton Island

This morning you take to the skies on your scenic helicopter flight. Flying out over the turquoise channels of the outer reef, you reach Heart Reef, a naturally heart-shaped coral formation within Hardy Reef. It is only around 17 metres across and, because the area is protected, it can only be seen from the air – no swimming, snorkelling or boats are allowed on it. Your pilot circles for photos, then tracks back over Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. We book a morning flight when the light and water clarity are usually at their best.

Meals: Breakfast  ·  Overnight: 5-star resort, Hamilton Island

A high-speed catamaran leaves the marina around 8 am for the roughly 2-hour crossing to a permanent pontoon on the outer Great Barrier Reef. You have about 3 hours on the reef – snorkel straight off the platform with all equipment provided, ride the semi-submersible for a dry look at the coral gardens, and visit the underwater observatory. Look out for giant Maori wrasse, parrotfish, giant clams and, with luck, green turtles. A buffet lunch is served on board, and optional extras include guided snorkel safaris, introductory dives and a helicopter joy flight from the pontoon. Back on Hamilton by about 5 pm.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch  ·  Overnight: 5-star resort, Hamilton Island

A free day to tailor. Ideas from our team: breakfast with the koalas at the island's wildlife park, a round on the championship golf course on neighbouring Dent Island, a private sunset sail with champagne, or a half-day "hide-away" picnic dropped by boat on a deserted beach. We are happy to book any of these before you travel.

Meals: Breakfast  ·  Overnight: 5-star resort, Hamilton Island

Enjoy a final swim and a long lunch overlooking the water. In the evening, celebrate the trip with a farewell dinner at one of the island's fine-dining restaurants – we recommend reserving a table with a view of the sunset over the Whitsunday Passage.

Meals: Breakfast  ·  Overnight: 5-star resort, Hamilton Island

A leisurely breakfast, then your included transfer to Hamilton Island Airport for your onward flight. If your flight is late, the resort can usually store luggage and offer late check-out on request.

Meals: Breakfast  ·  Overnight: End of tour

From roughly November to May, marine stingers – including box jellyfish and the tiny Irukandji – can be present in tropical Queensland waters. All our reef and Whitehaven excursions supply full-length lycra stinger suits, and we strongly recommend wearing one whenever you swim in the open sea. Always follow lifeguard and crew advice.

No. Heart Reef lies in a protected area, so the only way to see it is from the air on a scenic helicopter or seaplane flight, as included in this tour.

Not at all. Flotation vests, noodles and lookouts are provided, the semi-submersible and underwater observatory keep you completely dry, and the crew includes trained lifeguards.

June to October brings dry, sunny days and calm seas, with humpback whales passing from roughly July to September. November to May is warmer and more humid, with tropical showers and the stinger season.

Very much so. Tell us when you book and we can add touches such as a private sunset sail, spa treatments for two or an in-room celebration.