Xmas Whitsundays or Great Barrier Reef Recs

[wise_rita]

Over Christmas I am hoping to take a week or so and do/see the Whitsundays (by sailing, I imagine) or GBR.

I'm really at a loss for where to begin. I need recommendations of where to go, what to do and what to see.

HALP! TYIA.

[blackkitty]

If you go to the Whitsunday Islands I recommend Hamilton Island and staying at the Beach Club. Awesome place!

[Deleted]

We've done from Cairns/Daintree and also Wilson island (southern part of the reef), no sailing and both very different trips. i would recommend basing yourself out of the Daintree/Port Douglass if you want to do more than see the reef.
aroundtheworldwithrebecca.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Great%20Barrier%20Reef
aroundtheworldwithrebecca.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Daintree

[mastistyle]

We went to the Whitsundays-it was gorgeous-but I felt all the hotels were the same. ANother option is to rent a house/apartment.

GBR-our home base was Port Douglas which we loved. Carins seemed to busy and touristy for us.

[Waffles]

We went to Hamilton island in February (wanted to go to Port Douglas initially but it was the wrong season) & stayed at the Reef View hotel.

While it was amazing to snorkel/dive at the reef, the island is very small and is basically a resort in disguise.

We didn't mind as we were escaping the ILs for 5 days & just wanted to chill, swim, snorkel, etc. but I would base myself at Port Douglas next time we go to be able to do some more exploring & have more options on places to stay.