Boathaven Beach is the man-made white-sand beach on The Beacons at Port of Airlie, a 10-minute walk from Airlie Beach town. The Boathaven Beach stinger net is the safest ocean swim in town during stinger season, with toilets, Boathaven Beach parking and dog friendly Boathaven Beach hours from 5.30am to 8.30am outside the net.

🏖️ Why Visit Boathaven Beach Airlie Beach?

Boathaven Beach is the only white-sand ocean swim you can walk to from Airlie Beach town, sitting on The Beacons at Port of Airlie with the Boathaven Beach stinger net, toilets and Boathaven Beach parking on the reserve. It is the calm alternative to the busy lagoon, with dog friendly Boathaven Beach access only in the official 5.30am to 8.30am window outside the net.

🤿 Things to Do

🏊 Swim — Calm water inside the stinger net during stinger season.
☀️ Sunbathe — Soft white sand. Shade is poor, bring an umbrella.
🚶 Walk — Foreshore path to Port of Airlie and on to the Bicentennial Walkway.
🧺 Picnic — Pack food and water. Cafes sit next door at Port of Airlie.
🎣 Fish the rock walls — Both ends of the cove, not inside the swim enclosure.

🦮 Dog Friendly Boathaven Beach

🐕 Off-leash 5.30am to 8.30am — Every day on the sand outside the net.
🚫 No dogs in the net — Dogs are banned inside the stinger net and 10 metres either side at all times.
🦮 On-leash after 8.30am — Leash on for the rest of the day. Read the signs.
🧹 Clean up — Bags and bins. Unattended dogs are not under effective control.
🏖️ All-day off-leash is Shingley — Eastern end of Shingley Beach, not this sand.

🪼Boathaven Beach Stinger Net and Swimming

🪼 Stinger net — Council enclosure for ocean swimming, typically in place November to May.
⚠️ Not 100 percent protection — The net blocks larger box jellyfish. Small Irukandji can still pass through.
🩱 Stinger suit — Extra cover inside the net in stinger season if you want it.
🚩 Unpatrolled — No daily lifeguard service. Swim inside the enclosure when the net is in.
🚫 Do not swim outside the net — November to May stay inside the marked enclosure.
🏊 Airlie Beach Lagoon — Fully stinger-free town swim if you want zero ocean risk.

🛠️ Facilities & Accessibility

🚻 Public toilets and outdoor showers available adjacent to the beach
🅿️ Free public parking at Port of Airlie / nearby
🚩 Large stinger-net swimming enclosure for safe ocean access
☂️ Limited natural shade on the sand — bring an umbrella or beach tent
🍽️ Cafés, ice-cream and dining at the adjacent Port of Airlie Marina
🦮 Dogs permitted with strict time restrictions (see Dog-Friendly Rules)

🌞 Best Time to Visit

☀️ April to October: Ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and sightseeing.
🪸 November to May: Warm, humid months — stinger suit recommended.
🌧️ Wet Season: Short tropical showers, usually followed by sunshine.
🌴 Year-round: Calm, protected conditions make it perfect any day of the year.

🗺️ Boathaven Beach Parking

🚶 Flat 10-minute paved walk from Airlie Beach town centre
🚗 2-minute drive via Port of Airlie Drive (off Shute Harbour Road) to The Beacons
🅿️ Free and paid parking available at Port of Airlie Marina and nearby Waterson Way
🚌 Whitsunday Transit buses stop along Shute Harbour Road — short walk to the beach

💡 Info correct at time of writing — check Whitsunday Regional Council and Tourism Whitsundays for current access and safety updates.

💡 Local Tips

🌴 Boathaven Beach is a man-made white-sand beach created as part of the Port of Airlie Marina development, offering calm, family-friendly swimming just minutes from town.
🏖️ The beach features a stinger net enclosure during the marine stinger season (November–May), providing safe year-round swimming.
☀️ It’s a favourite local spot for sunbathing, picnics, and sunset views over the Coral Sea.
🚶‍♀️ The beach connects to The Bicentennial Walkway, a scenic foreshore path stretching to Airlie Lagoon and Cannonvale Beach.

🧭 Nearby Attractions

🏝️ Airlie Beach Lagoon: Free public swimming area with pools and lawns.
🚤 Port of Airlie Marina: Departure point for island and reef tours.
🌿 Bicentennial Walkway: Scenic coastal trail linking Airlie to Cannonvale.
🌊 Coral Sea Marina: Shops, restaurants, and yacht charters.
🌄 Conway National Park: Walking trails, waterfalls, and lookouts nearby.

🏄 Ocean Rafting — Fast raft to Whitehaven Beach, the Hill Inlet lookout and a reef snorkel.

✈️ Heart Reef Scenic Flight — One-hour flight over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and Heart Reef from Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour

📅 Events & Markets Nearby

Boathaven Beach is located at Airlie Beach’s Port of Airlie precinct and is close to all major Whitsundays markets and events.

🛍️ Airlie Beach Markets (Saturdays): Handmade goods, plants, clothing, art, food stalls, and gifts.
🍉 Bowen Community Markets (Sundays): Local produce, crafts, plants, and gourmet items.
🌴 Lions Airlie Beach Community Markets (Seasonal): Coastal stalls, handmade crafts, food vans, and entertainment.
🎶 Airlie Beach Festival of Music (Annual): Beachside stages, live bands, food trucks, and entertainment.
🎄 Whitsundays Christmas Markets (December): Festive stalls, handmade products, food vendors, and seasonal fun.

• For a full list of what’s on in the region, visit the
• 👉 Whitsundays Attractions | Best Things to Do in the Whitsundays Region

🏡 Accommodation

• 🏨 Mantra Boathouse Apartments – ocean-view suites above the marina.
• 🏠 Heart Hotel & Gallery Whitsundays – boutique rooms steps from the beach.
• 🏕️ NRMA Airlie Beach Holiday Park – family-friendly cabins and powered sites.

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🍴 Places to Eat & Drink

Boathaven Beach is surrounded by Airlie Beach’s vibrant dining scene. Enjoy breakfast at a waterfront café, grab takeaway fish and chips for a picnic, or dine in style at Port of Airlie’s marina restaurants. At sunset, head to one of Airlie’s rooftop bars for cocktails overlooking the bay.

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🧭 Plan Your Trip

Boathaven Beach brings island beauty right to Airlie’s doorstep. With its calm turquoise water, pure white sand, and easy facilities, it’s a favourite for swimming, relaxing, and watching the yachts glide by. Whether you’re stopping before a Whitsundays sailing adventure or enjoying a lazy afternoon in town, Boathaven Beach offers the perfect Whitsunday welcome — tropical, tranquil, and effortlessly beautiful.

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💙 Explore More Beaches Nearby

Discover more of the Whitsundays Region:
Airlie Beach ➜ | Cannonvale Beach ➜ | Daydream Island ➜ | Hamilton Island ➜

🌊 About This Beach Directory

🌴 Note: This directory doesn’t include every beach in Queensland — there are simply too many! We’ve selected the most significant and unique beaches based on a range of factors including natural beauty, accessibility, and local popularity.

💌 If you think we’ve missed one that deserves to be featured, we’d love to hear from you!

📧 Email us at Admin@QldBeach.com with your photos and tell us why your favourite beach should be added.

☀️ Happy surfing, swimming and sunning from the Queensland Beach Guide team!

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_{Last updated: June 2026}

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