Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim

Weather and sea conditions were ideal for the annual November Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim, hosted by Hamilton Island in the beautiful Whitsundays last Sunday.

The seven kilometre stretch of pure white silica sand on Whitsunday Island National Park is one of the world's most pristine beaches and a draw card for international and Australian visitors alike, so it was an unique opportunity to take part in the event.

Silica sands of Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach

The 2 kilometre or 750 metre swim followed on from Saturday's Hamilton Island Triathlon. As part of the entry fee, ferry transfers were included from either Hamilton Island or the mainland resort town of Airlie Beach. From Port of Airlie, the ferry takes 45 minutes to Hamilton Island, then the same time again to the azure blue waters of Whitehaven Beach in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Rail transfer from Cruise Whitsundays ferry to Whitehaven Beach

There were a record 340 competitors, plus spectators: adding those to the usual number of day visitors it made for a very busy day on the beach.

On our arrival we thought we'd warm up with a walk around 1.5 kilometre Solway circuit to the lookout on the southern end for spectacular views of Pentecost Island across the Solway Passage.

 

As we returned back to the event area to wait for the start, a light easterly breeze was blowing, water temperature was 25 degrees and the last of the tide was ebbing north. That meant for an easy swim on the outward leg but more challenging conditions as we turned south against the tide and into the wind.

Resting before the big swim

I swam the 2 kilometres and was pleased with my time of 42:39 even if I was 16 minutes slower than the first lady home in my age group, Olympic swimmer Susie O'Neill, OAM. As we like to say, I put in a solid midfield performance. So too did Gary in his first ever 750 metre event, finishing 29 out of 35 men with a time of 22:00.

Starters for the 750 metre ocean swim

Post race massage

Whilst it was a well organised day, next time we will charter a private boat and spend a night anchored off Whitehaven Beach to avoid the ferry transfers and waiting around.