Airlie Beach 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

Airlie Beach has a tropical climate, so any time of year is a good time to visit. August to October is considered a particularly good period as the weather is dry. June to October also offers whale watching opportunities, when humpbacks migrate to the warm Whitsunday waters to birth their young.

If you're visiting Airlie Beach between October and May, it's advisable to wear a stinger suit when swimming in the ocean to protect yourself from possible jellyfish stings.

Airlie Beach is a laidback destination where casual clothes or active wear are fine during the day, but smart casual is the usual dress code at restaurants.

Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat are a must, even in winter, as the sun reflects off the Coral Sea. There's a supermarket in the heart of town, which is handy in case you forget to pack any essentials.

You can swim in certain areas of Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays, but only if you follow local advice and observe warning signs for jellyfish.

Stinger season is from November to May, when large populations of the box and Irukandji jellyfish arrive in warmer weather. Being stung can be extremely painful and even deadly.

If you're swimming in unprotected areas, it’s heavily recommended you wear a stinger suit to protect your body, arms and legs. Your hands, feet and head will still be exposed, so take extra caution when in the water.

One of the most popular swimming spots is the Airlie Beach Lagoon on the oceanfront, which is a man-made pool filled with chlorinated saltwater and patrolled by lifeguards.

You can also swim at Boathaven Beach near the Port of Airlie Marina and Canonvale Beach, which is 3 km west of the town. This beach contains stinger nets to protect you from jellyfish; however, it’s recommended to swim only in the designated areas to stay safe.

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.