The Whitsundays is one of the best scenic-flight bases in Australia. Three airports, a heliport, a seaplane base on Airlie Beach Lagoon — and the Great Barrier Reef, Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach all within 20 minutes flying time.
Most travellers fly from Airlie Beach (helicopter and seaplane), Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine (fixed-wing) or Hamilton Island (helicopter, seaplane and fixed-wing). All three give access to the same icons; price and aircraft are the main difference.
Helicopter and seaplane base. Walking distance from town. Best for short scenics.
40 min from Airlie Beach. Fixed-wing scenic flights. Most affordable option.
On-island base. Helicopter, seaplane and fixed-wing. Premium pricing.
Heart Reef is a naturally occurring coral formation in Hardy Reef, sitting roughly 70 km off the coast of Airlie Beach. It can only be seen …
Read destination guide →DestinationGreat Barrier ReefQueenslandThe Great Barrier Reef stretches 2,300 km along the Queensland coast. A scenic flight is the only way to grasp its scale — from the air you …
Read destination guide →Airlie Beach Lagoon
The original Whitsundays seaplane operator. Lands on Whitehaven Beach and at Hardy Reef pontoon — one of the only ways to combine a beach landing with a Heart Reef flyover in a single trip.
Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine) & Hamilton Island
Best-value scenic flights in the Whitsundays. Fixed-wing high-wing aircraft give every seat a window — the budget pick for Heart Reef and Whitehaven from above.
Airlie Beach Heliport & Hamilton Island
Doors-on and doors-off helicopters with remote sandbar landings and reef pontoon transfers. Strong on private charters, photography flights and proposals.
Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine)
Locally owned and small-group focused. Every passenger gets a window seat and pilot commentary on the iconic Whitsundays icons.
Hamilton Island Airport (HTI)
The on-island operator. Helicopter and seaplane departures direct from Hamilton Island — no transfer to Airlie Beach required. Premium pricing matched to a premium fleet.
Airlie Beach Heliport
Boutique two- and three-seat helicopter operator — joy flights, proposals and private charters with a personal touch.