I love words and have far more experience of writing them than I do taking pictures. But sometimes you need to let the pictures do the talking. My recent experience of flying in a helicopter over the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays is one of those occasions. The pictures say it all really.
In pictures: Helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef & Whitsunday Islands
First glimpse of Whitsunday Island, Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach
But let me give you a little context.
Last month I flew to Hamilton Island, the largest inhabited island in the Whitsundays and a very stylish place to base yourself whilst exploring the Great Barrier Reef and surrounding islands. From Hamilton Island I took a boat out to Reef World, where I spent a night sleeping on the Great Barrier Reef, swimming with sea turtles and viewing the most incredible sunrise I’ve ever seen in my life.
In my previous post I mentioned how I then transferred from the Reef World pontoon back to Hamilton Island in a helicopter. I hinted that it was one of the best experiences I had at the Great Barrier Reef but I felt I really wanted to show you why.
So without further ado..
Helicopter ride from Reef World to Hamilton Island
Reef World has two helipads floating a short distance away from the main pontoon. My ride is the one landing in the background.
The take off was incredibly smooth. You only need a little height before you start to see the stunning patterns of the reef.
From above the Great Barrier Reef looks like a giant mass of veins – or maybe a confused world map?!
Heart Reef – the most photographed & famous section of the Great Barrier Reef is a short distance from Reef World.
Our pilot looped the Heart Reef so we could see it from every angle.
The aircraft rises into the clouds as we head towards Hamilton Island.
But first we flew over something pretty special.
The pilot eyes up Hill Inlet on Whitsunday Island
Then flies us over the famous Whitehaven Beach -7 kms of practically pure silica sand.
Whitehaven is regularly voted one of Australia’s best beaches.
An incredible tricolour formed by the trees, sand and water.
How tempting is that water?
We pass more of the Whitsunday Islands (there are 74 in total) on the way back to Hamilton Island.
I think I’d like to live on this one.
If your budget doesn’t stretch to a helicopter ride you get a pretty good view from Jetstar flights from Hamilton Island too!
More Info
Scenic helicopter rides from Reef World start from $135 per person for a 10 minute joy flight. Transfers from Reef World to Hamilton Island take approximately 35 minutes and cost $499 per person.
I travelled to the Whitsundays with Round The World Experts who arranged all my accommodation, transfers and activities with Cruise Whitsundays, Hamilton Island and Hamilton Island Air. Speak to one of the Round The World Experts about creating your dream Australia holiday.
Ahhh… we had this booked when we were there but had to cancel cos it was pouring with rain. So guttted, your pictures are incredible!
Lots of love,
Angie
SilverSpoon London
Author
Ah Angie so sorry to hear that – what bad timing. Next time 😉
Oh. Wow.
I’ve visited the Whitsundays by boat but now I wish I had done it from the sky! I may just have to take a trip back as those views are simply stunning!
Author
I did it by boat on my first trip so was incredibly lucky to go back and see it from above. It was even prettier than I imagined from up there!
Amazing pictures, I would love to do this trip on the helicopter over the Great Barrier Reef. Thanks for sharing!
Author
You’re welcome. Hop you get a chance to one day 🙂
The color of that water is absolutely beautiful – and it really gives you a perspective on how HUGE the GBR is!
Author
For sure – it goes on for MILES!
I have no words. This is incredibly beautiful, and enough to convince me that it would be worth every penny! I’ve been to the Whitsundays and loved it, but now I have to go back and do this!
Author
Aw thanks Kirsten. That’s what I was trying to express but was struggling to say!! I felt exactly the same though. I loved sailing the Whitsundays but felt I saw how truly beautiful they were from the sky.
What an incredible experience. I’ve visited the Great Barrier reef a number of times, I even learnt to dive on the reef but this is something special. What a beautiful day you had to take photos. Am just slightly envious!! 🙂
Author
O wow, learning to dive out there must have been incredible. I did an introductory dive and it was a great place to start 😉
Hi Jayne,
Looks amazing. Definately a must do on my list, when I finally get back over there again.
🙂
So gorgeous! I can’t believe those colors actually exist in nature!
Author
Me neither – and I saw them with my own eyes 😉
I took my first helicopter ride this year, out of the Grand Canyon – what a spectacular way to photograph scenery. Honestly, these photos of the reef are the first ones I’ve seen that make me actually consider Australia as a destination…who knows?! It definitely is gorgeous!
Author
O wow, that’s awesome if it’s made you consider visiting Oz. It really is an incredibly beautiful and diverse country.
Wow I live and work in the Whitsundays but only travelled around by boat , those pictures are amazing and I’m definitely going to take my next trip by air 🙂
Author
You won’t regret it 🙂
WOW! What a stunning set of images! You just pushed this up on my bucket-list.
Author
Awesome! It’s totally worth it 🙂
oh my oh my, that looks so good! almost like they are pics from another planet. You wont find a sea view like that in England for sure. I would love to experience that.
So gnarly! Loved the pictures — thanks for sharing 🙂
What incredible photos! I would be tempted to jump out of the helicopter into that water haha!