Chalkies Beach

Chalkie’s Beach sits on the west side of Haslewood Island, directly across the water from Whitehaven Beach. It is one of only a handful of beaches in the Whitsundays with the same soft, white silica sand as Whitehaven, with coral reef at either end that is great for snorkelling. In the evening, the view across to Whitehaven Beach at sunset is hard to beat. With 11 free moorings and good shelter in south-east winds, it is a lovely, quieter alternative to its famous neighbour.

Snorkelling at Chalkie’s Beach

The fringing reef runs along the beach, with coral gardens at either end and a sandy bottom in between. Snorkel straight off the beach and look for colourful reef fish, coral and turtles.

• Best tide: snorkelling is usually best between quarter and three-quarter tide, when the water is 1 to 2.5 m above the reef. The reef here is often at its best around mid to low tide.
• Gear: every guest on a Whitsunday Escape charter, including children, gets a mask, fins and snorkel free of charge. Prescription masks and wetsuits can be hired .
• Snorkel from the shore: swim out from the beach rather than the boat, so you can see the bottom.
• Stay safe: don’t swim or snorkel between dusk and dawn, in murky water, or where fish are being caught or cleaned. Always swim with a buddy, and wear a stinger suit from about November to May.

Haslewood Island lookout

A short track climbs from the beach through eucalypt forest to a lookout over Haslewood Island, with views across the Coral Sea to Whitehaven Beach. The walk is about 300 m each way. Wear sturdy shoes and take water, a hat and sunscreen.

Sunsets and photography

Chalkie’s Beach faces west towards Whitehaven Beach, so the sun sets over Whitsunday Island. Bring your camera to the beach in the late afternoon, or enjoy the view from the deck. The pure white sand also makes for great photos and beachcombing during the day.

Birdlife

Haslewood Island is home to plenty of birdlife. Some small islands have seasonal exclusion zones to protect nesting birds, so check the updates in 100 Magic Miles before going ashore.

Going ashore

Approach slowly, then stop the outboard, raise it and paddle the last part. Never drag the dinghy or walk across live coral, and anchor the dinghy on sand, never on coral. Take all rubbish back to the boat.

Fishing

The current page lists fishing as a highlight. Check the zoning map on board before you put a line in, and never throw bait or fish scraps into the anchorage.  For zones, species, limits and closure dates, see Fishing in the Whitsundays.

Nearby

• • Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island: the famous white silica beach, directly across the water.
  • Tongue Bay and Hill Inlet, Whitsunday Island: the walk to the Hill Inlet lookout.
  • Windy Bay, Haslewood Island: another approved anchorage in south and south-east winds, though it can be uncomfortable over 20 knots.
  • Cateran Bay, Border Island: long-protected coral, batfish and giant clams.

Best time to visit Chalkie’s Beach

Chalkie’s Beach is a good stop all year in south and south-east winds, and a useful option when the wind moves to the east. You can snorkel here all year, with water of about 23°C in winter and 27°C in summer. Stinger season runs from about November to May, so wear a stinger suit when you swim. Stay into the late afternoon for the sunset over Whitehaven Beach.

How to get to Chalkie’s Beach

• Sail yourself: Whitsunday Escape is based at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach, and you get a full briefing on the boat, navigation, tides and anchorages before you leave.
• Travel time from Airlie Beach: Chalkies Beach is best suited as a stop on day 2 or 3 of your charter. It is about 4 – 5 hours travel time from Airlie Beach in a power or sailing catamaran,
• Route: If you travel through Solway Passage, follow the route marked in 100 Magic Miles, and avoid it in south-east winds over 15 knots.

Where to moor at Chalkie’s Beach

Public moorings. 11 free public moorings sit off the beach. They are first come, first served, with one boat per mooring. You can use a mooring for 2 hours between 7am and 4pm. To stay overnight, pick up the mooring after 2pm and leave by 9am the next morning.

Anchoring. No anchoring is permitted at Chalkie’s Beach. Use the moorings only. If they are all taken, move on to another approved anchorage.

Overnight. Approved in south and south-east winds. Confirm your plans at the morning radio schedule and be moored by 4pm.

Mooring tip: the fringing reef drops off quickly, so approach at under 3 knots with a lookout on the bow and the sun behind you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Chalkie’s Beach? On the west side of Haslewood Island, directly across the water from Whitehaven Beach.

Can you anchor at Chalkie’s Beach? No. Anchoring is not permitted. Use one of the 11 free public moorings.

Can you stay overnight at Chalkie’s Beach? Yes, in south and south-east winds. Pick up a mooring after 2pm and leave by 9am the next morning.

Is the sand at Chalkie’s Beach the same as Whitehaven? Yes. Chalkie’s Beach has the same soft, white silica sand as Whitehaven Beach.

When is the best time to snorkel at Chalkie’s Beach? Between quarter and three-quarter tide, with mid to low tide often best on this reef.