Irish man found dead at Whitehaven Beach on New Year's Eve
Police are preparing a report for the coroner as authorities urge holiday-makers to follow safety advice.
A 35-year-old man from Ireland has drowned in waters off an iconic beach in the Whitsundays.
Emergency services said the man was found lifeless in the water at Whitehaven Beach about 11am on New Year’s Eve.
It is the second incident at the beach in nearly a week, after authorities responded to a near-drowning of another man on December 23.
Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands each year. (Supplied: Whitsunday Regional Council)
The Queensland Department of Environment would not comment on the incident but referred the ABC to safety advice on its website.
It said tourists on the Whitsunday Islands were responsible for their own safety.
Whitehaven is famous for its white sand and is popular with tourists and boaties. There are no lifeguards at the beach, and the department warns mobile reception is limited and medical help can be hours away.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.