Airlie Beach

The Whitsundays, a group of 74 islands off the coast of Airlie Beach. Many of our adventures end up taking us off then main land and this is no different... Many people opt for 3 days and 2 nights yachting around the islands with a visit to the main beach Whitehaven beach but we don't have that time and spending too much time in a boat doesn't appeal. We opt to stay in a hostel in Airlie Beach and arrive after a bus ride halted for an extra 2 hours because of a bus break down but 9pm arrival gives us chance to wander around and realise this is a real buzz to the place. Lots of bars and clubs and hostels / backpackers all along one main strip. We however have to get to bed for a good nights sleep as we are going on a day trip around the Whitsunday Islands, out mode of transport is a speed raft and promises to cover 3 days in one day!!! We are picked up and are taken to the harbour, sign a few papers and collect our stinger suits for our snorkeling. We jump onto a raft that holds about 28 people with inflatable sides and we are told by our guides will be a thrilling 100km/h ride across the sea to our first stop to collect a few extras then around some if the islands that make up the Whitsundays.... Wow!!! Exhilarating and certainly covers the distance! There are a few seats available on the actual side of the raft if you hold tight to the straps... We decide to pass, but as the guides said 'you'll all want to have a go by the end of the day' you can be sure we had to!!! We anchor at
A lovely spot of Reef that only this operator can stop at and get out to snorkel ... Amazing fish and amazing Reef, a must for anyone especially if you like to be in a tropical fish tank and a definite for
those who aren't bothered because once you've done it you're hooked!!! When our time is up it's a speed raft around to the bottom end of Whitehaven beach for a bush walk to a view point. It is now Sarah and I choose the side of the boat to ride on... Much fun and some good tunes playing too!! We are suppose to be dropped off at the point where you can't see the Whitehaven beach in all it's glory but the tide was going out so it was too low, we meandered round the corner and blow me it is the most amazing beach we have ever seen... Look at the pictures!!! Jumping off the raft into the most amazing white sand, silica sand in fact made the view come alive with the tactile effect!!! We all wandered across this picturesque scene to walk for about 15 minutes through tropic bush up to a view point.... Wowzers!!! You could see the swirls of sea and sand effect from height and it really does take your breath away and makes the most glorious photos... So look and you'll see what we mean!! Walking back to the raft we see some Spider Crabs the phenomenon that was in front of us was thousands moving across the wet sand as the tide was going out... We avoided walk through them though!!! Back on the raft we take our seat to speed along the 7 km of beach to the south side where we were to have lunch and chill on the amazing beach! The buffet lunch was lovely, as long as the cheeky little sea gulls didn't get it!!! An hour on this lovely silica beach and we were back on the raft. We took up the thrill seekers seats on the side and sped through the Whitsunday Channel weaving and jumping waves... We likened it to a banana boat ride, without the falling off part!!! We did offer others the thrill seats but no one wanted a go!! So we held on and sang along to the good tunes in the blazing sun back to the harbour. A fab day! Back at Airlie beach we went for a few beers and decided to have an Indian as an evening meal... Lovely! The next day we awoke to rain but after a slow start to the day, some breakfast and charging of electrical equipment the rain cleared and we made our way to the lagoon. A few hours basking in the sun and dip in the lagoon we grabbed a beer to go back to catch our bus. An overnight ride to our next stop.