9 perfect places to visit by boat north of Airlie Beach - Whitsunday Escape
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9 perfect places to visit by boat north of Airlie Beach

Explore 9 beautiful destinations amongst the pristine northern Whitsunday Islands. Rarely visited, these hand-picked beaches and bays are waiting for you just north of our Airlie Beach base.

You can achieve this itinerary in 7 days, or take your time and stay longer.

Woodwark Bay

About an hour's cruising time from your departure and return point of Airlie Beach, Woodwark Bay feels like a million miles away. This protected anchorage features a lovely sandy beach with access at any tide just south of the entrance. The low lying hills give protection from the sea but allow the cool sea breezes to blow through the boat.

Double Bay

Double Bay east and west both have large well protected bays surrounded by uninhabited woody hillsides and extensive tropical mangroves forests. This is a fisherman’s delight.

Grassy Island

As the name states a small grassy island with sandy beaches.

Armit Island

A great anchorage in settled conditions, with beaches that are accessible at any tide. Good snorkelling on extensive coral reefs in the right conditions.

Saddleback Island

A great day stop near Dingo Beach with good snorkelling in settled conditions. Some beautiful deep bommies line the 'saddle' that are well worth exploring.

George Bay

Just north of George Point on the mainland, amongst the coastal National Park, another perfect bay with a great beach. Like most of the other bays in this section, you will probably have the anchorage all to yourself.

Cape Gloucester

Home to Cape Gloucester Resort and Montes Reef Resort, enjoy a meal at restaurants on the beach under a coconut tree, or cocktails by the pool at Cape Gloucester Resort. An extensive beach with access at any tide, Moorings are available or anchor nearly anywhere in this protected bay.

Shag Island

A non-descript small rocky island just of the beach at Cape Gloucester. This rocky outcrop is famous as the location of the Shag Island Cruising Yacht Club. All members of the yacht club are vice commodores and membership and funds raised go towards prostate cancer research. The annual rendezvous is held at the Island during August each year.

Gloucester Island

Bona Bay on the western side of Gloucester Island another perfect sandy beach where you will most likely have the place to yourself, a seasonal freshwater creek flows just up from the beach.

Learn more about the organisations and businesses featured above:

Shag Island Cruising Yacht Club Cape Gloucester Resort

Montes Reef Resort Dingo Beach Hotel