Shute Harbour sits in Shute Bay, tucked among the islands, and from the ramp it is the shortest run of any mainland launch to the Molles, Hamilton and Whitsunday Island itself. Cyclone Debbie flattened the old terminal in March 2017. The $63.5 million restoration rebuilt the seawall, terminal, pontoons and car park, raising the whole facility a metre against storm surge, and reopened on 1 December 2021. The boat ramp upgrade and its new fixed sloping walkway, $1.9 million of Maritime Safety Queensland money, followed in June 2022.

The rebuilt ramp has not been popular. The fixed walkway is submerged at the top of the tide, which means one boat at a time on the ramp, and trailer parking is thin: 15 bays on the lower level, then the upper car park and the road. In December 2023 council voted 4–3 to take the state's marine assets at no cost and replace the fixed structure with a 47 metre floating pontoon, at an estimated $1.2–1.5 million; in February 2026 the project was fast-tracked as a 2032 Games legacy item. Until it is built, plan launches for mid-tide and be there early on any fine weekend.

Tides here run to 4.2 m on king tides and the current reaches 3 knots in the channels between the islands. Marine Rescue Queensland Whitsunday keeps watch on VHF 16 and 67.

Further reading