Whitsunday Islands tours & holidays

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance

Any time of year is a good time to visit the Whitsundays. As a tropical destination, the archipelago experiences hot, rainy summers and warm, dry winters. Average high temperatures linger between 23°C and 31°C, while lows average a mild 17°C to 25°C. The water temperature averages 23°C to 28°C throughout the year.

If you want to go snorkelling or diving, you may be better off planning your trip in the winter (dry) season. Rainfall in the summer tends to come in the form of brief tropical downpours, but it can impact water visibility.

Whales can also be spotted in winter from May to October during their annual migration from Antarctica.

If you visit between October and May, AKA stinger season, take extra caution when swimming in the ocean by wearing a 'stinger suit' to protect yourself from possible jellyfish stings.

The Whitsundays tend to be a casual place, so you can leave your fancy clothes at home.

As a top destination for water-based adventures, swimwear is a must. The same goes for sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (even in winter) as the sun reflects off the water and white sand.

Casual clothes or active wear are fine during the day. Smart casual (think jeans and a t-shirt) is the norm for evenings.

It is generally safe to swim in the Whitsundays; however, there are some no-swimming zones. Ensure you listen to local advice and stay alert at all times.

We take the health and safety of our travellers seriously and take every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and inclusive for everyone. When you travel with us, you have access to our global support network and local on‑ground leadership, and you can rest easy knowing we have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination.

We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure. The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Travelling from Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to: Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to: Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to: US Department of State

Learn more about safe travels with Intrepid

We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.

Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.