Tongue Point juts from the northern tip of Whitsunday Island, flanking the entrance to the iconic Hill Inlet. The point offers fringing coral gardens in clear, warm waters, with sandy patches between bommies attracting reef fish. Snorkelers drift along the edges of the channel where tidal flow brings in nutrient-rich water, and the famous swirling white sands of Hill Inlet are just a short walk away. The backdrop of dense national park foreshore and the turquoise swirls of the inlet make this one of the Whitsundays' most photographed snorkel destinations.
Tongue Point
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Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 2.6 sWind Speed 8.9 knPrecipitation 3.3 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
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Moderate risk: Tidal currents in Tongue Bay channel
Tidal currents can be strong in the channel between Tongue Point and the mainland islands, especially during outgoing tides. Snorkel only when the tide is slack or mid-rising.
Moderate risk: Marine stingers (jellyfish)
Stinger season in tropical Queensland waters brings box jellyfish and Irukandji. Wear a stinger suit when swimming from November to May.
Low risk: Boat traffic
Marine traffic including charter vessels, yachts, and water taxis use Tongue Bay as an anchorage and access point. Stay aware of boat movements.
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Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Tongue Point is on the north-eastern tip of Whitsunday Island. Accessible only by boat — most visitors arrive via commercial snorkel tours, charter yachts, or water taxis departing from Shute Harbour and Airlie Beach. Tongue Bay is the primary anchorage, from which a short walking track leads to the Hill Inlet lookout.
Parking & facilities
No parking at Tongue Point itself. Leave vehicles at Shute Harbour or Airlie Beach marinas where long-term parking is available for a fee (check with local tour operators).
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports