Hook Island

No visit to the Whitsundays is complete without seeing a few islands and Hook Island offers spectacular natural surroundings and excellent snorkelling and diving sites. The second largest island in the Cumberland group, it is 58 square kilometres in size and includes sheltered, picturesque bays, deep fjord-like inlets, ideal sailing and kayaking conditions, multiple moorings and safe anchorages, pristine fringing reefs, secluded beach campsites and the opportunity to see abundant wildlife including sea eagles, kites and ospreys, turtles, reef fish, dolphins, manta rays and humpback whales frolicking in Whitsunday Passage (between June to September).

Many of the local tours will bring you to Hook Island to experience the quality snorkelling at Maureen's Cove and Luncheon Bay or stay overnight at picturesque Stonehaven beach. Macona and Nara inlets offer gorgeous, sheltered overnight anchorages. At the very bottom end of Nara inlet you will find a magic fresh-water rock pool and stunning waterfall after season rains. Walk up the short rocky path to the Ngaro cultural site where you will see ancient rock wall paintings and an interactive display on the history of the Ngaro Aboriginal people.

If you are sailing or camping around the Whitsundays you can spend days exploring all the different coves and fringing reefs of Hook Island. Along the north coast visit Butterfly Bay and Manta Ray Bay. Discover large coral bommies diving or snorkelling at the Woodpile and the Pinnacles. Set up camp on Steen's Beach or Maureen's Cove. On the eastern side of the island you will find Crayfish Beach with a campsite and on the western side, near Hayman Island, is the Stonehaven Anchorage where you can often enjoy glorious sunsets. Both Nara and Macona inlets are on the southern side of the island and there is a campsite just inside Macona at Curlew Beach.