Charter Spotlight: Top 3 Places to Visit by Yacht in The Whitsundays

A group of 74 islands located off the coast of Queensland, the Whitsundays are part of one of the world’s natural wonders – the Great Barrier Reef.

A popular destination for travellers, who can enjoy hiking trails, snorkelling, diving, fishing, and relaxing on the white sandy beaches, it’s easy to see why this idyllic destination is so-loved the world-over. Check out 3 of the top places to visit by yacht in The Whitsundays!

BLUE PEARL BAY

One of the absolute favourites among charter guests and naturally one of the best places to visit by yacht in The Whitsundays, Blue Pearl Bay is a beautiful bay on the north-western side of Hayman Island. A popular spot for snorkelling, diving, and sightseeing, you can see a variety of coral and fish life.

FUN FACTS

• Blue Pearl Bay is named after a blue pearl that was found there by a local fisherman in the 1920s. The pearl was sold for a large sum of money and became a legend in the area.
• Blue Pearl Bay is home to a resident Maori Wrasse nicknamed Elvis because of its blue lips and flashy appearance.
• Blue Pearl Bay has a shipwreck that lies on the seabed, about 15 metres deep. The ship was a cargo vessel that sank in a storm in 1987.

CHALKIES BEACH

Chalkies Beach is a stunning beach on Haslewood Island, opposite to Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays. It has the same soft, white silica sand as Whitehaven Beach, but is less crowded and more secluded. It is also a great spot for snorkelling, as it has a fringing coral reef with diverse marine life.

FUN FACTS

• Chalkies Beach is also known as Stockyard Beach, because it was once used as a stockyard for cattle.
• Chalkies Beach is home to a resident Maori Wrasse, a large and friendly fish that often swims with snorkelers and divers.
• Another secret little spot on the northern tip of Haslewood Island is Katie’s Cove, which was used as a set for Pirates of the Caribbean.

WHITEHAVEN BEACH

Last but certainly not least on our list of places to visit by yacht in The Whitsundays, world-famous Whitehaven Beach is a stunning beach on Whitsunday Island. Whitsunday Island is the largest of the 74 Whitsunday islands. It is famous for its pure white silica sand, which is the whitest sand in the world. The beach stretches across 7 km of turquoise waters and is considered a “must-do” when visiting the region.

FUN FACTS

• Whitehaven has been voted the world’s top eco-friendly beach and the number 1 beach in the world by TripAdvisor in 2021.
• Whitehaven was discovered and named by staff commander EP Bedwell in 1879, but it has a much longer history of being inhabited by the Ngaro peoples for roughly 9,000 years. The Ngaro peoples called the beach “whispering sands” because of the squeaky sounds made by the sand.
• The sand never retains heat, so you can walk on it barefoot even on the hottest day.

Ready to dive into your own Whitsundays adventure? Contact our charter broker, Chloe James who will match you with the best vessel for your Whitsundays charter.

Where can YM Charter take you? Learn more about all our luxury yacht charter destinations.