8 of the best Hamilton Island beaches and pools for island bliss

It isn’t a tropical escape until you dip your toes into a magical Hamilton Island beach, pool or secluded swimming spot.

When the sun’s beaming, adventure-fuelled day trips and fancy dining experiences are often switched out for a picture-perfect Hamilton Island beach or pool. Situated right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, emerald green and brilliant blue waters prove too tempting to refuse, and so, treasured holiday memories are made while gentle waves wander, sea life drifts and scoots, and cocktails are shaken around you.

Hamilton Island beaches and coves

A small but sensational spread of Hamilton Island beaches and coves offer a calming remedy to thick tropical heat. While the island’s most popular beach is easy to access and houses ample real estate to frolic, more secluded options also beckon. Pick your poison after taking stock of what you’re dreaming about — secluded beauty, once-in-a-lifetime snorkelling, or something in between?

1. CATSEYE BEACH

Relax in a hammock on Catseye Beach. (Image: Jason Hill/Tourism & Events Queensland)

With its soft ocean sway and extra-long stretch of white sand, Catseye Beach will always top everyone’s most majestic Hamilton Island beaches list. Located right in front of many of the Island’s big hotels and boutique accommodation options, it may get busy, but it’s never crammed. When sand flats rise at low tide, young families should seize the opportunity to splash safely with their youngsters. If you prefer swimming and a show, grab a snorkel and flippers from Catseye’s Hamilton Island Beach Sports hut and venture out to multiple Hamilton Island snorkelling spots right off the shore. Sea turtles and even whales are known to drop by, providing cosy company to resident marine life.

2. CORAL COVE

Don’t be surprised if you fail to spot another beach-hopper during your visit to Coral Cove, found via a one-hour, one-way walk from the start of the Coral Cove walking trail’s Scenic Trail entrance (which also made our list of the best Hamilton Island hikes). This paradise on earth is one of the most secluded beaches to explore.

It’s the stuff of holiday dreams – powdery, golden sand, an entire azure colour wheel to slink into, and uninterrupted views out to Lindeman Islands. The icing on the cake is the giant wooden swing, built into the sand and ready to ride.

3. ESCAPE BEACH

two people arriving at Escape Beach, Hamilton Island

Escape Beach offers respite from the heat. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

If you’re prepared to hot-foot it beyond Coral Cove, Escape Beach is another beautiful Hamilton Island beach dishing up respite from the heat. As the name suggests, you’ll feel completely off-grid here, protected from many natural elements by huge dramatic rock outcrops. Light waves crash with ease, often making for slightly more active swimming conditions than fellow beaches, but like everything on Hamilton Island, the mood on Escape Beach is mellow, welcoming and warm. You’ll also spy a giant hammock to photograph, sure to break up your camera’s all-blue-everything photo roll.

4. HIDEAWAY BEACH

Situated far closer to that Scenic Trail entrance is Hideaway Bay, a gorgeous Hamilton Island beach that offers spectacular views out to the Whitsunday Islands and peaceful waters to wade in. It’s a little bit rockier than Catseye Beach, but the lack of loud groups and constant foot traffic adds to the unmistakable laid-back atmosphere of this secret spot. Even better news, the trail to the beach is flat and easy to navigate, making for a relatively easy journey with your beach gear in tow.

5. SOUTHERN LEADS BEACH

A great option for holidaymakers on the verge of flying out of the island is Southern Leads Beach, located next to Hamilton Island airport. Offering calm swimming conditions, picnic tables, palm trees serving welcomed shade and soft golden sand, the Hamilton Island beach is a quiet stretch that attracts only a few at a time. Glittering waters abound, however, making it a bit of a local’s secret.

Hamilton Island swimming pools

Connecting to nature at a Hamilton Island beach certainly has its place – but so does unwinding in the destination’s luxurious, painstakingly maintained pools. Each one purpose-built for visitors of varying descriptions, the pools shimmer with sparkling clear waters and comfortable, creative ways to keep those trademark views in sight. From infinity and resort-style designs to splash zones for the littlest of bubs, Hamilton Island pools deserve dedicated time of their own.

6. MAIN POOL

the expansive Main Pool on Hamilton Island

The Main Pool has a swim-up bar for an added indulgence. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Did somebody say swim-up bar? If you’ve been craving a quintessential tropical holiday experience, heading to Main Pool’s swim-up bar to set up shop for the afternoon is highly advised. Mixing up cocktail classics, including non-negotiable frozen Pina Coladas, the thatched-roofed sanctuary is undoubtedly the beating heart of this Hamilton Island pool. It’s open from sunrise to sunset daily. If you can’t manage to squeeze your smaller kids into the nearby Clownfish Kids Club, head to the northern end of Main Pool, away from the bar and right beside a children’s playground, for a less-populated slice of swimming heaven tailored to kids.

7. SAILS POOL

Enjoy the unobstructed backdrop of Catseye Bay and mountain-dotted horizon views. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Ready for your pool selfie moment? The tiny-but-mighty Sails Pool can be found in the centre of the action right opposite Main Pool and next to Sails restaurant. While it lacks the sun lounges and vast shade other Hamilton Island pools boast, this pool is treated to an unobstructed backdrop of Catseye Bay and mountain-dotted horizon views. A dreamy spot to immortalise your escape.

8. BOUGAINVILLEA POOL

an aerial view of Bougainvillea Pool on Catseye Beach

Bougainvillea Pool is a tranquil oasis behind Catseye Beach.

Designed with the littlest of humans in mind, Bougainvillea Pool is the place to be for families. A shallow toddler-friendly section is littered with tiny feet and an adjacent splash pool offers further fun, all while ensuring kids enjoy Hamilton Island safely.

Even better, the pool is right behind Catseye Beach, so if attention spans are waning, scooping bubs up and heading to the sand for a change of scenery should do the trick.

Hamilton Island pools for hotel guests

the swimming pool at the Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island

The 35-metre Reef View Hotel Pool is surrounded by palm trees. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Craving smaller crowds and convenient on-site access? If you’re staying at several Hamilton Island hotels, exclusive swimming sanctuaries have your name all over it.

Beloved options include the Reef View Hotel Pool, located out front of the hotel’s Pool Terrace restaurant, Beach Club’s infinity-edge pool, right off Catseye Beach and heated for an optimal cooler month-dips, Yacht Club Villas’ waterfront pool, and Hidden Cove Hamilton Island’s infinity pool. Rest assured that if you’re paying top dollar, you’ll be rewarded for it.

Discover the best things to do on Hamilton Island.

Evergreen editor Rachael Thompson checked into the first new hotel to open on Hamilton Island since 2007.

Designed to deliver an elevated holiday experience with families in mind, The Sundays is the first new hotel on Hamilton Island since the opening of qualia in 2007. With contemporary spaces that echo the island’s surroundings, a world-class restaurant by renowned culinary duo Josh and Julie Niland and spectacular Coral Sea views, The Sundays has positioned itself as the new must-stay accommodation in The Whitsundays. It has successfully filled the gap for families who want a luxurious stay on Hamilton Island without compromising comfort or kid-friendly amenities.

Returning to the island two decades later offered a unique perspective on the island’s transformation, made all the more compelling by the debut of this highly anticipated resort.

Location

View over the pool to Catseye Bay from The Sundays Hamilton Island.

The Sundays looks across Catseye Bay.

The Sundays is located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef on the reef’s most iconic island, Hamilton Island. The resort sits on the arc of white sand, at the northern end of Catseye Beach.

Hamilton Island is the most accessible and commercially serviced island in the Whitsundays, with direct flights from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, plus convenient boat transfers from the Queensland mainland. The Sundays is a 15-minute walk from Hamilton Island Airport, or a few minutes drive with return shuttle bus transfers to and from Hamilton Island Airport and Marina are included with all bookings.

You’ll be spoilt for choice with great bars and eateries, scenic walking tracks, beautiful beaches and a year-round average temperature of 27°C. The island is also a prime launching point for two of the region’s must-do experiences: Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef.

Find out everything you need to know before visiting the island in our guide.

Style and character

The modern coastal foyer at The Sundays Hamilton Island.

Common spaces are breezy and channel relaxed coastal vibes.

The Sundays occupies the site of the first Hamilton Island hotel, the Hamilton Island Palm Terrace Hotel, which first opened in 1990. Where a dated property once stood, there is now a breezy, modern resort featuring contemporary rooms that open to Coral Sea views.

Designer Carrie Williams was called upon to infuse the accommodation with laid-back tropical vibes. Drawing inspiration from the island’s natural surroundings, she created interiors that feel both relaxed and refined, using natural textures and a Whitsundays-inspired palette of cool aquas, lush greens, sand-toned floor tiles and blonde timber furniture.

The Sundays partnered with young First Nations and Hungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg from the Kuku Yalanji/Kuku Nyungkul Warra people, whose large colourful works make a statement throughout the public areas, with smaller pieces elevating the guestrooms.

Facilities

The Coral Sea view from Catseye Pool Club.

Catseye Pool Club is helmed by renowned chef Josh Niland.

At The Sundays, every detail has been curated to feel like an indulgent escape – from the world-class restaurant to the sparkling swimming pool.

The Sundays is focused on delivering against the challenges and realities of family holidays via some practical but thoughtful services and amenities that set it apart from other accommodations. The deck area has magnificent views of the entire bay and sea, and also serves as a stage for kids’ activities like movie nights and family morning yoga. Poolside private cabanas feature family-sized day beds and amenities that allow one to spend a relaxing day soaking up the views and holiday vibes. The Ice Cream Happy Hour is a hit, offering an alternative to a turn-down service, where kids and families are offered a complimentary cone or cup with a scoop or two – kids will delight at seeing the small gold coin used to pay for the ice-cream scoop that appears in your room each day.

Complimentary transport around the Island makes things smooth, while complimentary non-motorised watersports, including stand-up paddleboards, catamarans, kayaks and snorkelling equipment, will keep active ones entertained.

Prams, cots and the whole accoutrements that a family may need are on hand.

Rooms

A sliding window looking out the balcony with Coral Sea views.

Soak up stunning water views from your room.

59 generously-sized rooms (including eight family connecting rooms and three accessible rooms) make way for sparkling Coral Sea views. A sliding window separates the bathroom from the living area and can be drawn back to reveal the palms and Catseye Beach. Every bathroom features a freestanding bath with bath salts – the perfect way to end your day. There are also luxurious Leif hair and body products, robes, umbrellas and yoga mats,

Each room includes a large balcony or terrace to make the most of the view and enjoy the fresh coastal. I stayed in one of the terrace rooms, which open onto the grass, offering easy access to the restaurant and pool. If your priority is a fabulous view, opt for one of the balcony rooms with beds that face the sea. Kitchenettes with sinks DeLonghi kettles/coffee machines, and microwaves are particularly useful for young families.

The Sundays Hamilton Island bathroom with a freestanding bath.

Every room has an indulgent freestanding bath.

I was pleased to find how carefully considered the mini-bar was, offering a range of treats I indulge in at home. Tony’s Chocolonely, Cobs popcorn, FUNDAY lollies, Kettle chips, corn chips and salsa, The Everleigh Bottling Co’s pre-made cocktails, Charles Heidsieck (the island’s preferred Champagne) and juice. They were hard to resist, and frankly, I didn’t. Milklab milk – full cream, oat and almond – and T2 tea are complimentary.

Food and drink

The restaurant’s menu appeals to both adults and children alike.

Hamilton Island was ready for a new dining experience, and Cateseye Pool Club has more than filled the gap. Helmed by Josh and Julie Niland, this restaurant unsurprisingly delivers big on flavour. Unlike the pair’s fine-dining Sydney restaurant Saint Peter, Catseye Pool Club offers a more approachable menu that appeals to a wider audience

Lounge by the pool while enjoying laid-back bites and punchy cocktails, including the refreshing house salad tossed with goat’s feta, avocado, tomato, radishes, gem lettuce, and mint or the satisfying souvas packed with garlic yoghurt, fries, tomato, onions and parsley.

Indoors, you’ll find a menu featuring a mix of local seafood, native ingredients and elevated comfort food in the form of share plates. Expect pillowy pizza bread, perfectly cooked coral trout, Tweed Heads Eastern Rock Lobster, grilled Elgin Valley chicken skewers and battered fried wild fish tacos with fermented pineapple hot sauce — the latter a standout I won’t forget anytime soon. The meal was perfectly rounded off with a raspberry and coconut trifle.

It’s worth noting that the menu heavily focuses on seafood and meat, with only a few vegetarian-friendly plates.

Ice cream at The Sundays Hamilton Island.

Enjoy a complimentary scoop of ice cream every day.

Breakfast is complimentary, and watching the sunrise while tucking into the best zucchini fritters I’ve ever eaten definitely put me in a good mood. Freshly baked pastries are also on the menu – I heard multiple people rave about the chocolate croissants.

Every day from 2-4pm, take your MerMoney gold coin down to the pool and treat yourself to complimentary scoops of ice cream.

Does The Sundays have access for guests with disabilities?

There are three rooms specifically designed to accommodate guests with accessibility needs.

Is The Sundays family-friendly?

The view from The Sundays swimming pool to the rooms.

The al fresco area features poolside private cabanas feature family-sized day beds.

Spacious connecting rooms, a kids’ club and family-friendly dining make The Sundays about as family-friendly as hotels get.

Details

Best for: Families

Address: 10 Palm Terrace Way, Whitsundays

Price: From $891 per night.

Discover the best things to do on the island while you’re there