WHITEHAVEN BEACH
Voted Australia’s Top Beach in Trip Advisor’s Travellers Choice Awards, the silica white sand and clear blue water make Whitehaven Beach simply the most stunning and unique location to be married. With your feet in the sand you’ll feel a million miles from anywhere, but you are only a short helicopter flight away from Hamilton Island. Allow us to take care of everything, so all you need to do is relax and soak up the love.
Whitehaven wedding ceremonies can accommodate couple only elopements and large scale weddings.
Whilst our elopement and wedding packages remain the same whether you decide to get married on Whitehaven or Hamilton Island, please keep in mind that transfer costs such as Helicopters and boat transfers need to be considered depending on your group size’
VIEW OUR ELOPEMENT PACKAGE
Styling, music and flowers
Due to Queensland Government legislation, you are unable to take fresh floral to Whitehaven Beach.
Low volume amplified music can be used, provided it does not impact the enjoyment of the area by other members of the public.
Generally, limited styling is allowed on Whitehaven Beach and can be provided by AVPartners, Hamilton Island Weddings styling specialists.
Marine Parks -Information Sheet
Wedding Ceremonies on beaches in the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park (September 2013).
Background
Beaches are popular places to conduct wedding ceremonies. These are generally organised privately by the wedding party but increasingly, on popular beaches such as Palm Cove near Cairns, Four Mile Beach at Port Douglas and Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, weddings are organised as part of a business.
For most of the East Coast of Queensland and offshore (islands and coral cays) beaches are within Queensland Marine Parks (Moreton Bay, Great Sandy and Great Barrier Reef Coast). Beaches between Bundaberg in the South and the tip of Cape York in the North are within the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park.
On a National Park and Recreation Area any commercial activity requires a permit. However in a Marine Park the same is not necessarily true. Certain activities such as ‘tourist programs’ require permission however ‘low impact’ activities that are not of a category specifically listed in the Zoning Plan can occur without the requirement for a permit.
Within certain parameters, weddings are low impact activities and do not require a marine park permit regardless of whether they are organised privately or as part of a business. The parameters that define ‘low impact’ apply to everyone.
In recognition of the sensitivity of island national parks to the introduction of weeds and pests, no plants or plant parts (including flowers) are allowed.
Parameters for low impact wedding ceremonies on State Marine Park beaches:
- The activity should not impinge on other people’s reasonable use of the area. The organisers should take all reasonable precautions to ensure that their activities do not impinge on the enjoyment of other park visitors nor interfere with the general public’s access to an area.
- Simple equipment and accessories are allowed for the duration of the wedding ceremony and should be removed from the Marine Park as soon as practicable after the ceremony. This equipment must be able to be carried by a person, easily assembled and disassembled, and free standing. Such equipment and accessories include for example an archway, a table, chairs, aisle carpet and a small sun shade.
- It is the organisers responsibility to ensure that the area is left without any litter. To this end confetti, rice, flower petals and the like should not be used as it cannot be contained or cleaned up. Likewise, the release of balloons or lanterns into the air or ocean is not allowed . All rubbish such as cigarette butts should be collected and removed.
- Our natural environments must be protected from weeds and pests. Islands are particularly sensitive to the introduction of weeds and pests. For this reason, for SMP beaches adjacent to island national parks, no flowers, plants or plant parts are allowed.
- For SMP beaches adjacent to non-protected areas, plants or plant parts (particularly flowers) should be:
In the form of non-seeding cut plants restrained in bunches, baskets or similar devices; and free from soil, insects and larvae (i.e. plant material should be treated with insecticide prior to being brought on the State Marine park); and removed from the site at the conclusion of the ceremony (e.g. please don’t leave them in bins.) Environmental weeds are not permitted for use. - No animals are to be brought into the Marine Park (with the exception of guide dogs for assistance).
Further Information:
- Some SMP beaches fall within Regional Council managed areas and approvals and booking requirements may apply. Please contact your local council for further information on their requirements.
- Marine Parks are natural areas, please check our park alerts on our website www.nprsr.gld.gov.au for information relating to site closures and fire restrictions.
- If you are a commercial business such as a wedding celebrant, and would like to conduct weddings on a QPWS Managed Area (excluding State Marine Parks) or the Green Island Recreation Area you will require a Commercial Activity Permit. Please visit our industry portal at www.business.gld.gov.au for further information on Commercial Activity Permits or phone us on 13QGOV (13 74 68).
Whitehaven Beach ceremony times
Due to pre-set flight schedules, only the following ceremony times are available for Whitehaven Beach Ceremony:
10.00am, 12.00pm and 4.00pm
See below if your chosen ceremony time allows for a Whitehaven Beach ceremony within the existing Hamilton Island Air flight schedule.
10am ceremony timeslot
Whitehaven ceremony available
Briefing begins at 9.20am
Helicopters depart at 9.30am and 9.40am
Helicopter must return by 11.00am
12pm ceremony timeslot
Whitehaven ceremony available
Briefing begins at 11.35am
Helicopters depart at 11.45am and 11.55am
Helicopter to return by 1.15pm
2pm ceremony timeslot
Whitehaven ceremony not available
4pm ceremony timeslot
Whitehaven ceremony available
Briefing begins at 3.20pm
Helicopters depart at 3.30pm and 3.40pm
Helicopter to return by 5.15pm
Planning a Wedding
Two 3-seater helicopters are required to transport the wedding couple, photographer, wedding coordinator and videographer (if video is booked)
$1,020 each = $2,040
All helicopter transfers and prices are subject to change and weight limitations of 230kgs per helicopter applies.
Guest transport options
For larger ceremonies on Whitehaven Beach there are a number of options available to transport your guests to Whitehaven Beach.
Keep in mind that your celebrant, coordinator, photographer and videographer also need to be included in your numbers, and are required to be transported to and from Whitehaven Beach via helicopter.
When choosing a boat option for guest transfers we recommend you still utilise the helicopters transfers for your own arrival (travelling separately). This adds a unique and exciting twist to your arrival!
Please note: Destinations also vary for different styles of vessels and aircraft, therefore your ceremony location must be approved and confirmed by all individual skippers and Hamilton Island Air. Ceremony location is subject to weather conditions and skipper/pilot discretion.
When disembarking from a tender boat, it will be necessary to step into the water. The height of water will depend on tide times and water/weather conditions and typically varies from calf height to thighs; if you want a romantic arrival, groom may assist in carrying his bride through the shallow water.
La Mar
Up to 12 people excluding staff (day charter)
Up to 6 people excluding staff (overnight)
Guests enjoy a leisurely cruise (approximately 60 minutes each way) aboard this magnificent 78 foot custom motor yacht, wedding couple can arrive a few minutes after each other to their awaiting guests via the two helicopter transfers. Your celebrant, coordinator, photographer and videographer will return after the ceremony via helicopters, couple and guests cruise home on La Mar. In less smooth waters the trip to Whitehaven Beach can be 1.5 hours.
Full day charter rate (6 hours)
$8,580
More Info
MY Alani
Up to 35 people exc. staff
Guests enjoy a leisurely cruise (approximately. 1 hour each way) aboard this magnificent 82 foot Sunseeker, wedding couple can arrive a few minutes after each other to their awaiting guests via the two helicopter transfers. Your celebrant, coordinator, photographer and videographer will return after the ceremony via helicopters, couple and guests cruise home on Alani.
Prices start from $7,200 for up to 14 people
Extras
$1,500 essential beach tender transfer (for 15+ passengers)
$1,800 each additional hour
Drinks and catering additional
MV Reef Explorer or MV Island Explorer
Up to 70 people excluding staff
Guests will enjoy a fast, comfortable transfer to Whitehaven Beach (only 45 – 60 minutes each way, depending on location on Whitehaven Beach), wedding couple can arrive a few minutes after each other to their awaiting guests via the two helicopter transfers. Your celebrant, coordinator, photographer and videographer will return after the ceremony via helicopters, couple and guests motor home while enjoying a nice cold celebratory drink. Maximum passengers 70 people per vessel.
Please note: It will take approximately 30 – 60 minutes to transfer all your guests to the beach, in multiple trips of 12 people, and again to return everyone to the boat. Additional tender can be hired at additional cost, approximately $750, this would halve transfer time.
8 hour charter rate (minimum hire price)
$12,100 up to a maximum of 50 people
Have you considered Catseye Beach?
If Whitehaven Beach doesn’t suit the requirements of your wedding, due to number of guests or logistics, why not consider stunning Catseye Beach on Hamilton Island? Then choose to have a 20 minute photo and video tour on Whitehaven Beach by helicopter, immediately after your ceremony. Learn more about Catseye Beach weddings.
