Yes, Airlie Beach is an ideal base for those who’d like to visit the Great Barrier Reef. There are different tours you can take that depart from Airlie Beach.

Tour operators available around the Great Barrier ... but if you're based farther south near Airlie Beach, you can book a flight with Air Whitsunday or GSL Aviation for trips to the Whitsunday ...

Power boats, luxury yachts and ferries by companies like Cruise Whitsundays and Grand Prix Yachting offer daytrips that depart daily from Shute Harbour (near Airlie Beach) or Hamilton Island.