Whitehaven beach
The wild Whitehaven beach with fabulously white sand makes an indelible impression. This miracle of unspoiled nature is located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, on the largest of the 74 islands of Whitsunday. Repeated winner of prestigious contests, Whitehaven deservedly enjoys the fame of Australia's most photogenic beach.
Photos
Beach description
Whiteheaven the pearl of southern Pacific waters, has a length of 7 kilometers. Numerous wonderful bays, lagoons, and gulfs with natural viewing points surround it. Hill Inlet bay located in the beach northern part is especially enchanting. Here, snow white sand merges with sea depth at the flow time, creating the surrealistic palette that no photography is able to convey. Tongue Point -is the best place to observe "sand whirls" of the Hill Gulf.
The main treasure of Whitehaven is under your knees. It is rare sand, 98% of its composition is represented by dust-like silica. The absence of impurities makes it very white, clean, soft and sparkling at teh sun.
Since local rock contains no silica, scientists consider that unique sand is the result of "work" of sea currents that lasted for thousands of years.
Properties of local sand:
- doesn't keep heat, so it's very comfortable to walk here in a hot day;
- polishes jewellery in an excellent way;
- can damage electronic equipment, so tourists are advised to monitor their telephones and video cameras.
Turquoise waters of Whitehaven, matching the sand cover, are surprisingly crystal clear. Even without underwater glasses, one can notice swift fishes.
Whitehaven is a part of Whitsunday National Park. It wa recognized the best one in terms of ecology, and the cleanest in Queensland. Smoking, building of bonfires and dog walking are prohibited on this beach.
When is it better to go
The busiest swimming season in Australia lasts from December to February. In this summer, for the southern latitudes, the mainland heats up to 25-30 °C, in places up to 40 °C. In winter (June to August) the air is cooled down to 11 °C. May and September are considered the best beach months with a cloudless sky and not too active sun.
Video: Beach Whitehaven
Infrastructure
Going to Whitehaven Beach, you must be prepared for the absence of the usual benefits of civilization. There are no hotels or shops on the beach. Tourists can spend the night on a moored ship or in a campsite located at the southern end of the beach.
Accommodation in a tent camp will provide the necessary minimum of amenities: a bed, a table, a shower and a barbecue. The tourist should take care of fresh water and food, as well as sunscreens and repellents that protect against insect bites.
A one-day stay at the beach is ideal for relaxing in a fusion with pristine nature. A lot of opportunities are open for vacationers:
- you can swim or dive;
- feed the fish;
- build sand castles;
- watch the lizards scurrying around;
- take walks along convenient forest trails;
- swing on the north side of the beach;
- explore Hill Bay during a boat trip;
- go snorkeling (underwater exploration will reward encounters with sharks, rays, turtles, dolphins and other animals).
There are no reefs in the beach area, but you can find wonderful snorkeling spots nearby, abounding with corals and inhabitants of the seabed.
Even during high tourist season, Whitehaven is rarely crowded enough to deprive its guests of a relaxing and peaceful holiday. However, due to its worldwide popularity, the campsite should be booked in advance.
Weather in Whitehaven
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All hotels of WhitehavenUseful information
- The beach was opened and named in 1879 by the British naval officer E. P. Bedwell. "Whitehaven" became on of the many names of the then English country of Cumberland.
- For ten years now, open beach competitions have been held on the beach for 2 kilometers of Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim.
- Whitehaven Beach is featured in the Forza Horizon racing video game.