The island contains many popular destinations for both day visitors and
overnight sailors, including the magnificent pure-white sands of
Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, the secure anchorage of Cid Harbour,
and the sheltered waterway of Gulnare Inlet. Whitehaven Beach was rated
as the top Eco Friendly Beach in the world by CNN.com in July 2010.
The island is accessible by boat from the mainland tourist ports of Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour.
Captain
James Cook named the island in early June 1770. This island should not
be confused with Pinaki in the Tuamotu group which was named "Whitsunday
Island" by Samuel Wallis in 1767.
Whitsunday Island covers 27,508 ha (275.08 km) in area. The island has six campgrounds.
Around
the northern bays of the island are sea grass beds which support a
diverse range of marine life. Unadorned Rock-wallabies are found on the
island