Long Island

Travel Guide

A beach with clear turquoise water, white sand, and rocky outcrops.
A stingray on a sandy beach with clear water.
A sunset over a lake with silhouettes of people on kayaks.
A waterfall cascading over rocks into a clear pond surrounded by lush greenery.
People observing sharks in a pool at a zoo.

Take a trip to Long Island for its stunning beaches, natural landscapes, and access to nearby coastal destinations.

Long Island is an ideal destination for beach and scenery travelers. You can explore its natural features like Pelican Island, known for its coastal beauty, and Cid Island, which attracts beach tourism. For outdoor activities, South Molle Island offers opportunities for both beach and outdoor tourism. Nearby, you can find attractions such as Hamilton Island Marina and Conway National Park, which provide additional scenic experiences and recreational options.

While you're in Long Island, consider visiting some nearby areas that enhance your experience. Conway Beach is recognized for its outdoor and scenic offerings, making it a great spot for leisurely exploration. Daydream Island and Shute Harbour also provide beautiful beach experiences; Daydream Island features Sunset Beach and Coral Beach, while Shute Harbour has the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal, a key access point for maritime activities.

The best time to visit Long Island is from October to December, when the weather is warm, mostly dry, and often sunny, with temperatures ranging from 75 to 80°F. During this period, you can enjoy the outdoor attractions without the crowds that come with the wetter months of January to March, making it an ideal time for your trip.

Palm Bay Resort

Palm Bay Resort

4 out of 5
Palm Bay Resort Whitsundays QLD
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Whitsundays. Enjoy a full-service spa, a beach locale, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (372 reviews)
"Palm Bay was a beautiful location to spend our honeymoon. Staff were very friendly, so many national park trails to walk, plenty of places to snorkel and high quality food from the restaurant. We loved going out on the supplied paddle boards to check out coral or watch the sunset. Definitely recommend ..."

Reviewed on Oct 21, 2026

Palm Bay Resort
 Elysian Luxury Eco Island Retreat

Elysian Luxury Eco Island Retreat

4.5 out of 5
Long Island Whitsundays QLD
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Whitsundays. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Palm Bay Beach and Pelican Island ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (54 reviews)
"This is the perfect place to stay if you want the things it offers. The list includes being a small resort, limited to 20 people in 10 villas, brilliant staff who constantly go above and beyond to care for you, excellent food, and peace and quiet. This is a remote island location with no shops or ..."

Reviewed on Oct 30, 2026

Elysian Luxury Eco Island Retreat
Airlie Beach Hotel

Airlie Beach Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Corner The Esplanade and Coconut Grove Airlie Beach QLD
$114 nightly
The price is $126 total per night from Dec 6 to Dec 7
$126 total
Dec 6 - Dec 7
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Airlie Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"Best place to stay in Airlie beach and worth the extra money! Amazing bars and restaurants right next to the hotel and seafront out the front door! Deffo recommend."

Reviewed on Nov 14, 2026

Airlie Beach Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Whitsunday Apartments

Whitsunday Apartments

4 out of 5
14 Resort Drive Whitsundays QLD
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Whitsundays. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,658 reviews)
"First time staying here & definitely not the last! Our room was perfect, spacious & having a proper kitchen a bonus :) The view was AMAZING!!! Staff were so welcoming and helpful :) Very relaxing stay, will be booking again!"

Reviewed on Nov 12, 2026

Whitsunday Apartments
Mirage Whitsundays

Mirage Whitsundays

4 out of 5
11 Altmann Avenue Cannonvale QLD
Book a stay at this spa aparthotel in Cannonvale. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (841 reviews)
"We had the most amazing stay at Mirage Whitsundays! Our room was absolutely beautiful and honestly even better than the pictures. The views were incredible, and waking up to them every morning was just breathtaking. The apartment was spacious, beautifully presented and had everything we could have ..."

Reviewed on Nov 4, 2026

Mirage Whitsundays
Club Wyndham Airlie Beach

Club Wyndham Airlie Beach

4.5 out of 5
Mount Whitsunday Drive Airlie Beach QLD
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Airlie Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (292 reviews)
"A really nice week, the only issues were a few maintenance problems in the property, but the team reacted quickly to deal with them"

Reviewed on Nov 13, 2026

Club Wyndham Airlie Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Things to do

Frequently asked questions

What is a good itinerary length for Long Island?
A good itinerary length for Long Island is one to two days to enjoy key highlights like Palm Bay Beach and Pelican Island. For a more relaxed trip, travelers can extend their stay to three or four days to fully explore these natural areas and beaches.
What are the top things to do in and around Long Island?
Long Island presents travelers with natural beauty and tranquil areas to discover:


Can I book a refundable hotel in Long Island?
Yes, Expedia offers many flexible booking options, and you can look for refundable hotels in Long Island by entering your dates and using the refundable or fully refundable filter. Always check the hotel's cancellation policy before you book, since terms can vary by hotel, and visit Expedia help center for further details.
Why book a trip to Long Island with Expedia?
Expedia makes it easier to plan your Long Island trip with travel tools, flexible search options, and bookable trip components all in one place. You can organize your plans in one account and use Expedia to help build a trip that fits your budget and travel style. Find out more about how by visiting Expedia's Trip Planner page.
Should I stay in a hotel or vacation rental in Long Island?
The best choice depends on your travel style. Hotels in Long Island can be a good fit for convenience, on-site amenities, and shorter stays, while vacation rentals may offer more space, privacy, and home-style amenities for longer trips, families, or groups. With Expedia, you can compare both options side by side, read traveler reviews, and filter by amenities to find the right fit for your trip.
How can I manage my Long Island trip on Expedia?
Once you've booked your Long Island trip, you can manage it through your Expedia account or the Expedia app. You can view your itinerary, access booking details, make eligible changes, and check for updates in My Trips. The Expedia app can also help you stay organized while you travel.
What if I need help during my Long Island trip?
Expedia offers customer support before, during, and after your Long Island trip. If your plans change or something unexpected happens, you can review your booking in My Trips and use Expedia help center channels for help with eligible changes, cancellations, or travel issues.
How can Expedia help me plan my first trip to Long Island?
If it's your first trip to Long Island, Expedia can help you plan by bringing together stays, flights, activities, traveler reviews, and trip-planning tools in one place. With Expedia's Trip Planner you can compare options, read reviews from other travelers, and build an itinerary that matches your interests and budget.
How can I save on my Long Island hotel booking with Expedia?
Join One Key™ for free to unlock instant discounts with Member Prices on select hotels. You can also earn and use OneKeyCash™* on eligible bookings on Expedia. Booking in advance is usually another great way to save on your Long Island hotel.

*Excludes taxes and fees. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia and other participating brands.

Cities near Long Island

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