Airlie Beach and Whitsunday Islands - Scuba Diving and Sailing

Airlie Beach is the main town of the Whitsundays and Airlie Beach is a colourful, cosmopolitan and attractive holiday town lying on the shores of a palm fringed beach and overlooking the calm waters of Pioneer Bay. A favourite anchorage for cruising yachts, Airlie is part of a picturesque peninsula that reaches out to the Whitsunday Passage and provides the ideal mainland base for holiday fun, sailing, diving and cruising in the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef.

As you drive into Airlie Beach through the neighbouring community of Cannonvale the road climbs above Abel Point Marina, providing expansive views of the indented coastline, the crystal blue sea and the shapes of distant islands on the horizon (see slideshow). You are immediately captured by a powerful holiday feeling of relaxed tropical ambience as you wander around the village streets and down to the picturesque swimming lagoon. Set in landscaped parkland overlooking the bay, Airlie Lagoon provides stinger free swimming with lifeguard attendants and a children's pool.

Veiw slideshow of Airlie Beach ......

Airlie Beach offers visitors a broad array of accommodation from stylish resort hotels on the water's edge and apartments on the hillside overlooking the panorama of beach, bay and islands, to bed and breakfast options, motels, camping and caravan parks as well as a host of backpacker accommodation. Airlie provides many of the essential services for travellers in the region and the town's shopping areas are open seven days a week. Every Saturday the foreshore parkland turns into a bustling market with stalls selling fresh fruit and veggies, local arts and crafts and all manner of goods under the shade of coconut palms.

The mainland's dining and entertainment options centre around Airlie Beach, ranging from silver service resort dining to al fresco cafes and cheap eats, while Airlie's clubs and bars provide plenty of entertainment well into the night.

Nearest Highway: Bruce Highway, 23 kilometres

Airlie Beach Diving

Well appointed, crewed sailing boats provide the best platforms for enjoying the scuba diving opportunites around the Whitsunday Islands and on the nearby Great Barrier Reef. Spend a few days of sailing and diving adventures aboard a luxurious tallship or climb aboard a classic yacht or catamaran. Great food, great company and comfortable accommodation go with an unforgettable experience and on that you can take an active part in from hoisting the sails to feeling what it's like to be at the helm of one of these graceful sailing classics. Sail/dive cruises embark for 3 days and nights of exploring the islands and Great Barrier Reef. Itineraries can vary in some cases depending on the conditions and the wishes of the passengers but the highlights of Whitehaven Beach and Solway Passage are high on the list of 'must do' visits along with snorkelling on the reef. Diving is optional and varies from boat to boat. Full details are included for each vessel- a great preparation for your next sailing adventure in the Whitsundays.