Whitsundays Sea Kayaking – Adventurous Journey

The Whitsundays is renowned for its beautiful beaches, snorkelling and soaking up the warmth. But for 12 Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award students, their trip looked a bit different. It entailed an adventurous kayaking journey around the islands – camping in tents, paddling with turtles and cooking dinner on the beach. It was a deeper style of journey where students embarked on the adventure of a lifetime in the tropics.

The journey began on the famous Whitehaven Beach – a significant and beautiful place. The group paddled to local reefs and islands to go snorkelling! They embarked on a long travel day as they kayaked (with turtles and dolphins) to the infamous Hill Inlet Lookout which has beautiful views of Whitehaven Beach and the surroundings. The start of the journey was smooth and the girls were getting into the rhythm of the trip and enjoying their surroundings.

From here, the journey travelled south along Whitsunday Island. Strong winds made it unsuitable to paddle, so we ended up taking a water taxi to Henning Island – a  secluded island where we would continue our journey! The group enjoyed a day of relaxing and soaking up the surroundings.

Next we travelled to Sid Harbour. The group took a day hike through the rainforest up to Whitsunday Peak for the glorious views of the region. The hike, whilst challenging, was a highlight for the girls as they were able to see where they had paddled and the parts of the journey before them. As the group paddled to their campsite for the night, they were fortunate to have the best sunset views of the trip.

Sea kayaking journeys are often dictated by the winds, currents and tides. The group was aiming to embark on a crossing of Whitsundays Passage, but the unsuitable weather conditions didn’t allow us to travel. As we turned our boats back to camp, the group learnt that we can only control our controllables – our attitude and preparation. The weather is out of our hands and we had to adapt. As we reflected on the journey of the final night – we appreciated the challenges that we had and the beauty of the places we had travelled.

Sea kayaking is a team effort and the journeys move with the ebbs, flows and rhythm of the ocean. The group had to work together to move kayaks from the tide, pack boats and paddle together. We adapted to the conditions and had the adventure of a lifetime. Well done to the 12 students who embarked on this journey in paradise for their Gold Award.

Student Reflections:

Kayaking through the Whitsundays was unforgettable. This Duke of Edinburgh journey was one to remember, which my peers and I spent days kayaking around Whitsunday Island and more, completely surrounded by ocean and sky. We camped on quiet beaches, cooked together, dealt with salt, sunburns, and sore arms, and somehow had the best time doing it. It wasn’t glamorous, but that was the point. We had to rely on each other, laugh through exhaustion, and take in the kind of beauty you can’t get from a photo. It pushed us, and it bonded us in a way that’s hard to explain, but impossible to forget.
Eva Villarroel

The 8-day sea kayaking trip at the Whitsundays Islands as part of my Gold Duke of Edinburgh experience was both challenging and transformative. From unpredictable weather to long stretches of paddling, the expedition demanded endurance, resilience, and trust. Our camp leader Bess brought a steady, encouraging presence that grounded us and brought such a positive vibe to the trip.

Across the group of 12, we cultivated a deep sense of camaraderie through teamwork and shared effort. Everyone leaned into communication and collaboration, whether they were leaders of the day or setting up camp and even helping all of us with the morning packing before a long trip.

What stood out most was how we fostered relationships with people we hadn’t connected with before, breaking down social barriers and forming bonds throughout this trip, creating memories we will always cherish. This journey taught me that growth often comes with challenges and building resilience, and when your team works well together, all the challenges become much easier to overcome. It was an unforgettable trip of personal growth and disconnection from everyday life.
Caitlin Leong

Our eight days in the Whitsundays on a sea kayaking expedition for the Gold Duke of Edinburgh was a challenge that pushed us beyond any of our expectations. The conditions tested our endurance through long paddles, strong winds and unpredictable weather. But through these moments, we built resilience and learned how to support all members of our group, whether that was through UNO, singing or camping under the stars. As the trip unfolded our group embraced each other, becoming a team, a team that relied on each other and strengthened our friendships that we gained along the way.

Our kayaking guide, Bess, helped us in more ways than we could’ve imagined, her wealth of experience and knowledge (at just 20!) helped us build our confidence, learning how to pack our kayaks and paddle efficiently. Mr Walker’s tight planning and broad capabilities helped us throughout the journey, ensuring we were always sun-safe and enjoying the expedition to the fullest. Our journey was rich in knowledge and excitement, whilst only eight days the trip will stay with us for a lifetime.
Emma Kearns

Our Gold Duke of Edinburgh trip to the Whitsundays was a truly incredible, and unforgettable experience which was a mix of adventure and learning. We kayaked through crystal waters, hiked through stunning terrains, and camped under a sky filled with stars. From snorkelling, to eating dinner on the beach, every moment brought laughter, loads of singing, teamwork, and lasting memories.
Abigail Middleton

The Whitsundays Gold Duke of Ed trip was an amazing opportunity where I learnt how to kayak and spent time learning how to find directions using the stars and how tides impact our travel kayaking. I really enjoyed sleeping outside and seeing the stars and sunrise from my sleeping bag. Another highlight was singing together on the kayaks and all of the fun games that we played on land.
Annelies Notelears