Shute Harbour - Daydream Island
Ferry to Whitsunday Islands
Shute Harbour - Daydream Island
Ferry to Whitsunday Islands
Ferries from Shute Harbour to Daydream Island are operated by 1 ferry company; Cruise Whitsundays. The journey usually takes around 50 minutes. There are currently 14 weekly sailings on this ferry route. Prices start from as little as £44. Use our Deal Finder to compare prices and availability and book your ferry to Daydream Island today.
Shute Harbour Daydream Island ferry prices tend to range between £44* and £192*. The average price for ferries from Shute Harbour Daydream Island is typically £87*. The cheapest Shute Harbour Daydream Island ferry prices start from £44*. The average foot passenger price is £87*.
Pricing will vary depending on the number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over the last 30 days and is exclusive of service fees, last updated March 26.
We offer a fast way to compare ferry tickets and costs across the world to make your choice smooth sailing. Check out our Special Offers page for discounts on select routes and operators. Remember to book early for the best prices and options!
Yes, Direct Ferries offers a wide range of discounts all year around. When searching for ferries, senior discounts will be automatically applied if they are available. Just select your age range from the passenger options.
Students and graduates can get a 5% discount on ferry tickets. To take advantage of the discount, you need to register with, check out our partner Student Beans and confirm your student or graduate status. You will then receive a discount code which can be entered during the payment process.
Resident discounts are available on a variety of Spanish and Italian ferry routes. Just click on the "Residents" option when this is displayed. The discount is automatically applied to the price. Bear in mind that proof of registration or an identity card with the correct address must be shown at check-in.
The first Shute Harbour Daydream Island ferry typically departs from Shute Harbour at around 08:00. The last ferry usually departs at 12:55.
Yes, you can take a day trip between Shute Harbour and Daydream Island. Day trips from Shute Harbour to Daydream Island by ferry are very popular due to the short journey time and daily crossings. If possible, taking a vehicle is also a good way to explore a little further afield, at your own pace, with your own space - if you’re looking for inspiration or things to do when you’re there, check out our blog.
No, ferry operators currently do not allow cars to travel on sailings between Shute Harbour and Daydream Island.
Whether you can bring your campervan on the ferry from Shute Harbour to Daydream Island depends on factors like the ship & operator of your preferred crossing. To find out whether you can take your car on the ferry, simply enter your details, and we will compare operators on the specified route for you.
For more practical tips and travel inspiration when taking a car, campervan & caravan, visit our blog.
Currently, you cannot take your bicycle on board any ferries from Shute Harbour to Daydream Island.
Yes, foot passengers can travel with Cruise Whitsundays ferries between Shute Harbour and Daydream Island.
Pets are currently not allowed on board the ferries from Shute Harbour to Daydream Island. Use our Deal Finder to find alternative routes that offer travel options for pets.
Please note that even if pets are not allowed on board, different regulations may apply to passengers travelling with guide dogs and assistance dogs. We recommend talking to our customer service to check the specific rules on your preferred sailing. For general information on travelling with assistant dogs and guide dogs, visit our Special Assistance Help page.
Whether an overnight ferry is available on the route between Shute Harbour and Daydream Island depends on various factors. To find out if there is an overnight ferry available simply enter your details, our search results will then provide you with the information whether your preferred ferry sails overnight. Here you can also find the current ferry timetables and crossing times, as well as alternatives for day passages.
Please note that the duration of the night ferries can at times be slightly longer than that of the day ferries.
Travel requirements can vary depending on the route, so it's important to check what documents you'll need before sailing. In most cases, a valid passport is required when traveling from Shute Harbour to Daydream Island, along with any necessary visas or national ID cards. Requirements may differ based on your nationality and the destination country’s regulations. To avoid delays at check-in, you can find helpful information for your journey in our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide and in our blog post on tips and tricks for international travel.
To book your ferry tickets simply enter your departure and arrival ports and the date you’d like to travel to see all available options and prices. You’ll also be able to view alternative routes and times, so you can find the best deal to suit you.
Look out for early booking discounts or special ticket options such as upgrades or flexi-tickets that allow you to change or cancel your booking. To make your sailing as smooth as possible, make sure you enter all the required information correctly, such as number of passengers and vehicle specifications.
Once you’ve finalised your booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email. It depends on the ferry operator you book with as to how your boarding pass is issued and collected.
Whilst some ferry operators issue the boarding pass as soon as your booking is confirmed, others may ask you to check in at the port. There’s also the option for online check-in, which can be easily done via the Direct Ferries app, if available.
The ticket desks are usually located near the ferry terminals. To avoid any delays at the port, we’d recommend allowing some extra time to collect your tickets and to check-in.
During check-in, you must show your email confirmation, as well as an official photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. You might also be asked to provide documentation for your pet (vaccines, pet insurance etc.) or proof of residence, if you have booked your ticket with a resident discount.
There could be various reasons why there are no departures from Shute Harbour to Daydream Island for the date you’ve requested. For example, a temporary timetable change, limited availability or seasonal changes in the timetable. We recommend checking for alternative dates and routes.
The best time to book ferries from Shute Harbour to Daydream Island is usually as early as possible. By booking in advance, you’ll not only get your tickets at the best available prices, but you’ll also get a better choice of departure times and cabin/seating options.
We’d recommend making your booking at least a few weeks in advance to benefit from the best offers. Bear in mind that prices may vary depending on the season and availability.
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| Shute Harbour - Daydream Island Ferry Route summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Australia | |
| Destination | Whitsunday Islands | |
| No. of Operators | 1 | |
| Operators | Cruise Whitsundays | |
| Average Price | £87 | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 2 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 14 | |
| Average Sailing Duration | 50 m | |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 15 m | |
| First Ferry | 08:00 | |
| Last Ferry | 12:55 | |
| Distance | 3 Nautical Miles | |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 March 2026.
Situated around 10 kilometres east of Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour is simply a resting spot before travelling on to more tourist focussed regions of Australia’s east coast. If you have a vessel to reside in, the harbour can be a pleasant place to while away a few hours; enigmatic sea life graces the water under the glorious sunshine that glistens the shoreline. To really appreciate the beautiful view afforded from Shute Harbour, embark on the short climb to the apex of the harbour and look out across the horizon. Many who stay at the harbour will have their own facilities, but there are also shower and toilets for public use. A small shop is also open for much of the day, ideal for any last minute purchases, or to stock up on your fishing equipment before indulging in a spot of fishing in the public areas.
Forming one of the seven landmasses of the Molle Archipelago found off the north-east coast of Australia is the paradisiac Daydream Island. With broad stretches of sandy beaches overlooking the sapphire-blue sea and thriving coral reefs teeming with exotic marine life, this tiny isle is a magnet for tourists looking to soak up the sun in tropical tranquillity. The port of Daydream Island is found in a small bay on the eastern coast. It consists of a narrow wooden pier that juts out into a slice of ocean sandwiched between the stunning Daydream Reef. It’s little more than a departure point featuring a few sheltered waiting benches, though the nearby resort hotel has plenty of amenities on offer including a restaurant selling hot food and a tourist information point. Due to the small size of the island, travelling to the port is simple. The road outside the entrance to the pier leads in a straight-line from the unique Living Reef aquarium in the north to the quiet beaches in the south. However, due to the lack of public transport and the inability for passengers to bring cars, most of the 1-kilometre long island can only be traversed on foot. One passenger service currently leaves from the port multiple times throughout the day. A Cruise Whitsundays line sails the half hour trip to the Australian mainland town of Airlie, an area of the Queensland region that sits on the rugged shores of Pioneer Bay.
