IN SEASON
Winter in The Whitsundays
Breathe in the air, jump in the water and experience a festival that’ll make you fall in love with the Whitsundays all over again. WORDS Tess Durack
Winter usually conjures images of cold, grey days and bundling up in layers – but not in the Whitsundays (Ngaro Country). Here, winter means endless blue skies, warm temperatures, perfect swimming conditions, and a lively community celebrating the extraordinary wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. And you can forget the woollies: The most you’ll need is a light sweater to counter a balmy evening breeze after a long day of exploring. Here are three reasons to make the Whitsundays your next winter getaway.
A FESTIVAL AS VIBRANT AS THE REEF
Marking its tenth anniversary in 2025, the Great Barrier Reef Festival brings the reef to life in the heart of Airlie Beach. A four-day celebration from Friday, August 1, through to Monday, August 3, beloved by locals and visitors alike, this vibrant event combines the fun of live performances, creative workshops, family-friendly activities, fireworks and street parades, with a strong focus on reef conservation. The Cruise Whitsundays’ Camira Twilight and Firework Cruise returns this year, setting sail for an unforgettable evening aboard purple catamaran Camira. This all-inclusive twilight cruise offers front-row seats to the iconic fireworks spectacular, all from the best vantage point on the water. With an extensive festival program, also returning is the Lantern Parade, Immerse Art Installations and Fireworks on the Foreshore, ensuring the festival glows as brightly as the waters it honours. For those travelling with kids, Sunday’s Family Fun Day promises a packed program of activities designed to inspire a love for the reef in the next generation. The festival vividly reminds us of the communities near the reef and their vital role in celebrating and protecting this extraordinary and precious natural wonder.
CALM SEAS AND CRYSTAL-CLEAR WATERS
With little rainfall to cloud the ocean, Whitsunday waters remain exceptionally clear during winter. With a consistently comfortable 22-degree temperature, conditions are almost always perfect for snorkelling and diving. There are myriad reefs, bays, and beaches offering unforgettable experiences. You’ll see stunning coral gardens, giant clams, majestic sea turtles, sleek reef sharks, and schools of colourful parrotfish – listen carefully, and you’ll hear them scraping away at the coral as they nibble on algae and other detritus. Best of all, the waters will be largely jellyfish-free, a welcome relief from the stingers common in warmer months. If getting wet’s not your thing, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the reef ’s magic from underwater observatories, scenic flights, or even a night spent in an underwater suite. And winter’s milder temperatures make it an ideal time to enjoy the region’s stunning walks and hikes, with dense rainforests and breathtaking vistas.
A FRONT-ROW SEAT WHALE WATCHING
Most of us associate the Great Barrier Reef with bright schools of fish and spectacular coral. But there’s another creature for whom this part of the world is a vital sanctuary. Each year, between June and September, humpback whales travel north from the Antarctic to give birth in the Great Barrier Reef ’s warm waters. Chances are you’ll be lucky enough to witness the spectacular sight of a breaching whale, an enormous tail splash, or even a mother teaching its calf to swim in the protected bays around Hook Island and Cid Harbour. Look out also for the distinctive manta rays, also visiting the reef. Known to be curious creatures, don’t be surprised if they come in for a closer look as you’re snorkelling!
THE DETAILS
Whether you’re looking to learn about reef conservation, sail the crystalline waters, or witness the breathtaking sight of humpback whales, Cruise Whitsundays has the perfect adventure for you. From full-day reef excursions and sailing expeditions to relaxing cruises to Whitehaven Beach, and overnight stays on and below the water line on the Great Barrier Reef, their dedicated team will ensure an unforgettable holiday. A full day on the reef starts at $319 pp, Whitehaven Beach tours start from $149 pp, Daydream Island escapes start at $149 pp, and Reefsleep starting from $695 pp.