Airlie Beach: Sun, Sarongs & (Mild) Jellyfish Risk

We hopped off the boat around 10am and hopped a water taxi into Airlie Beach, a tropical postcard of a town, but with more zinc, fewer filters, and at least one rogue seagull eyeing your chips like it’s got beef from a past life.

Airlie is basically the gateway to the Whitsundays, but don’t be fooled, this little seaside stunner holds her own.

Think turquoise water, palm trees, backpacker bars, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. The town was literally flattened by Cyclone Debbie in 2017 and bounced back. Iconic.

It’s got a bit of everything:
☀️ Beach-town vibes
🍹 Party energy
🦈 The occasional reminder that stinger season is not a joke.

Ocean Dippers vs Lagoon Lounge Lizards

Jack and Dani decided to challenge fate by swimming in the actual ocean, in stinger season. You know, that delightful time of year when the ocean is basically a jellyfish minefield and you have to wear a full-body wetsuit like you’re in a low-budget sci-fi film. Bold. Brave. Possibly unwell.

The rest of us played it smart.

Airlie Beach Lagoon, baby.

It’s a glorious, free public pool with views of the Coral Sea, zero jellyfish, and only a mild risk of getting splashed by a small child. A bit fresh, sure, but way better than cruise pool water marinated in SPF and pee.

Sarongs, Snacks, & Sabotage

We lunched. We shopped. We made eye contact with questionable tourist tattoos. We flirted with the idea of buying a sarong. You know, for ✨island aesthetic✨… but realised we already packed 12 outfits for a 9-day trip. Growth.

Then it was back to the ship for TRIVIA: ROUND ELEVEN (probably more).

We lost.

By one point. AGAIN.

I’m not saying it’s rigged, but if this were a true-crime docuseries, the dramatic piano music would be playing while we stare down the scorekeeper like they just pocketed our inheritance.

Where’s the justice?

Final Thoughts

Airlie Beach is nice!
Great views, warm breeze, suspiciously photogenic.