Are you a fishing enthusiast looking for your next family holiday destination? Then look no further than Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef.
Why Fish Hamilton Island?
Hamilton Island, the gateway to the Whitsunday’s barely needs an introduction. The beauty of the reefs, golden sand beaches, and near-perfect year round weather make it the ideal family fishing holiday destination.
You will truly be spoilt for choice when visiting Hamilton Island. Whether you decide to throw a line in the harbour or head out on a charter, you won’t struggle to get a bite.
If the idea of fishing in one of the most beautiful places in the world isn’t enough, maybe the abundance of fish will convince you. Almost 10% of the entire world’s fish species can be found in these waters – all you need to do is catch one!
Topwater
When it comes to topwater, the reefs and islands along with the good tidal movements make the Whitsunday’s a G.T haven. Reef edges and bombies surrounding the islands team with banana fish and fusiliers. This means you get a pretty good chance at going toe to toe with a giant trevally.
Bottom Fishing
The bottom fishing around Hamilton is amazing. Prized table fish such as coral trout, red emperor and large mouth nannygai all inhabit the area. Head out bottom bashing with the kids, then throw the spoils on the BBQ after a great day on the water.
Trolling
If pelagics are your preference, the Whitsundays offer the perfect sport fishing destination. Fishing throughout the 74 islands that make up the island chain, expect to encounter blue water speedsters including spanish and spotted mackerel, longtail tuna, sailfish and juvenile black marlin.
Fishing Tournaments & Events
There are no fishing tournaments scheduled at Hamilton Island in the foreseeable future. However, if you head to the mainland you can find the Rippa Rods Family Fishing Competition.
And if you are hoping to participate in – or simply watch – a blue water competition, then the annual Hamilton Island Race Week is where you should be. This takes place every August and is the largest offshore keelboat regatta in Australia.
For other events, visit Hamilton Island in July for a culinary weekend during ‘The Great Barrier Feast’. If you’re a fitness fanatic then travel in April to take part in the Hilly Half Marathon or November for the Hamilton Island Triathlon. During November Hamilton also hosts the PGA Professionals Championship.
Activities for the Family
If you’re heading out fishing on your own, there’s no need to worry about the family being bored as there is plenty for them to do.
Snorkelling
Swim straight off the beach and be surrounded by colourful reef and reef fish. There are plenty of tour operators that offer day trips out to other islands and outer reefs. It is recommended that you bring a stinger suit with you between October and May as jellyfish such as Irukandji can be prevalent during these months.
Racing
If your kids enjoy a bit of adrenaline they can jump on a quad bike or get the whole family racing each other on the go-karts. Both activities are located in Palm Valley.
Jetski
If high powered, fuel-burning water sleds are more your thing you can book a guided jetski tour. This is a great way to experience nearby waterways while satisfying your need for speed!
Day Spas
Hamilton Island offers a variety of day spa options. If you are in the mood to treat yourself or your partner to a day of pampering and relaxing, Qualia offers an amazing spa and wellness experience.
Much More
There are a range of other activities on offer. From mini-golf, off-road buggies, bowling, scuba diving and even a wildlife park. So rest assured, your family will always have something to do while you go wet a line.
Best Time to Visit Hamilton Island
The best time to visit Hamilton island is during the shoulder seasons (September to November & March to May). During these periods, the weather is more moderate and there is less rainfall to interrupt your fishing.
The summer months (December to February) bring the wet season, where you are likely to experience warm rainy days. You may need to slap on a rain jacket for some tropical summer fishing.
Places to Stay on Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is one of the leading resort islands in Queensland and has plenty of accommodation options to choose from.
Live Like Royalty
There is no shortage of luxury accommodation to be found on the island. Places like the Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows and Qualia all stand out as favourite choices.
Comfortable Vacation Rentals
There are a growing number of vacation rentals available on the island. Most of these come at a slightly lower price tag, allowing you to spend more of your money on fishing. You won’t, however, find many places that are cheap on Hamilton. But for the quality of the accommodation, you won’t be disappointed.
Live on Board a Private Yacht
If you’re looking for a next-level experience, then Alani Liveaboard is a perfect choice. Book the unforgettable experience of living on the Great Barrier Reef – as close to the fishing spots as humanly possible. Enjoy a week long bespoke island adventure aboard Alani.
How to Reach Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is located in northern Australia and is part of the Whitsunday Islands archipelago.
Hamilton is the only island in the area that has its own airport. Flights from most major Australian capitals fly directly into Hamilton. Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar offer regular services daily.
The other option is to fly to Whitsunday Islands Airport in Proserpine. This is a great option if you’re combining a stay at Airlie Beach with a stay at Hamilton. There are daily fast catamaran services from Airlie Beach to Hamilton Island.
Everything You Need to Know About Hamilton Island Fishing
One of the most important things to consider before going on a fishing trip is the local law. Luckily, Queensland does not require fishing permits for recreational fishing. You will, however, still need to abide by the catch limits (quantity and size), fishing zones, and fishing closures.
Fishing zones are how the Australian authorities divide areas of their coastline into different categories. Each area of the country has its own zones, but fishing charters will have copies of the Whitsunday fishing zones available.
Fishing closures are short periods of the year where you aren’t allowed to fish for certain species. It varies from year to year, but expect to be grounded for a few days in October as well as November.
Planning Your Trip
When planning a fishing trip to Hamilton Island, you need to make sure you are prepared. Although you could try your luck making last-minute reservations, this popular holiday destination gets booked up quickly.
While shore fishing is fun and a great way to get your line wet, we’d recommend getting out on a charter to get the most from your Whitsunday fishing holiday. There are numerous fishing charters and tinnie rentals available in Hamilton Island so you won’t have trouble finding one that suits your needs.
New COVID-19 Rules
Travel in Australia has been disrupted recently due to COVID-19. You should always check for domestic travel restrictions before making any trips and ensure you’re travel plans go smoothly.
Head Out to the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef should be on every angler’s bucket list. While there are plenty of islands and coastlines to explore in northeast Australia, you be hard pressed to beat the spectacular Whitsunday Islands.
Hamilton Island offers fantastic fishing, a great tourist and vacation spot, and beautiful scenery. What’s covered here only scratches the surface of what this Island has to offer!
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