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High-Speed Adventure to Whitehaven Beach with Snorkelling and Hill Inlet
Ocean Rafting Tour Options
Northern Exposure
Perfect for snorkel lovers. This Ocean Rafting tour visits two different snorkel locations at the fringing reefs around Hook Island or Border Island, giving you more time underwater with the fish, turtles, and coral. You'll still get 1.5 hours on Whitehaven Beach plus the guided walk to Hill Inlet Lookout.
Duration: Full day (approx 7 hours)
Southern Lights
Great for beach time. Spend up to 2 hours relaxing on the pure white silica sand at both the northern and southern ends of Whitehaven Beach. You'll still get an hour of snorkelling at one stunning location, plus the bush walk to Hill Inlet Lookout for those famous swirling sand photos.
Duration: Full day (approx 7 hours)
Tour Information
Tour Operator:
Ocean Rafting
Duration:
Full Day (7 hours approx)
Departure Point:
Coral Sea Marina North Village
Phone:
07 4946 6848
Departure Times:
Northern Exposure: 8:45 AM
Southern Lights: 10:00 AM
Group Size:
Maximum 25-32 guests
Where This Tour Goes
Departure Point
Islands Visited
Beaches
Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Beach
Snorkelling Sites
Lookouts
Marine Park
Whitsunday Islands Marine Park
Departure Location & How to Get There
Meeting Point
Coral Sea Marina North Village (next to Sorrento Restaurant)
From Town Centre
1.5km from Airlie Beach Lagoon (15-20 min walk)
Hotel Pickup
Free courtesy coach from most accommodations (book 48 hours ahead)
Parking
Pay and display parking at southern end of marina
About Ocean Rafting
Ocean Rafting is a high-speed power boat tour operated by Ocean Rafting, departing from Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. The full-day tour visits Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout on Whitsunday Island, with snorkelling at protected sites around Hook Island in the Whitsunday Islands Marine Park.
Operating since 1997, Ocean Rafting is the original and most awarded tour operator in the Whitsundays. Their fleet of semi-rigid inflatable boats were originally designed as rescue crafts - powered by 500hp engines, these things absolutely fly. You'll cover way more ground than the big slow catamarans, which means more time actually enjoying Whitehaven Beach and less time getting there.
The boats max out at 32 people, so you get a much more personal experience than those packed tour boats. Ocean Rafting has special permits to access Hill Inlet beach directly - they're the only operator allowed to land there, which is a huge deal. While other tours just look at Hill Inlet from the lookout, Ocean Rafting guests get to walk on those famous swirling sands.
Perfect for anyone who wants adventure mixed with stunning scenery. The ride itself is half the fun - bouncing over waves, music pumping, getting a bit wet and wild. If you're prone to seasickness or have back problems, maybe give this one a miss. But if you want the most exciting way to see the Whitsundays, Ocean Rafting is absolutely it.
What Guests Are Saying
"Ocean Rafting is my absolute favourite day tour departing Airlie! All-round good vibes, awesome crew who you can tell love their job, you visit the best spots, tasty lunch, great tunes, EPIC boat, honestly I could go on and on! If you're looking for the ultimate day out and want to see it all, then Ocean Rafting is for you!"
TripAdvisor
"The boat ride was wild! The crew did a great job of keeping us entertained and safe. The snorkelling was excellent and loved Whitehaven Beach. Would definitely do this tour again!"
GetYourGuide
"We were so pleased to find out we were with Ocean Rafting. The crew provided a very educational, fun and memorable day. We were lucky enough to see whales and a turtle. The kids absolutely loved the fast-paced boat ride! Highly recommend Ocean Rafting for a fun day out to Hill Inlet lookout and Whitehaven Beach."
Google Reviews
Good to know: The ride can get bouncy and wet, especially if there's a bit of chop. If you're prone to motion sickness, take some travel tablets beforehand. Also, it's a fairly physical day with getting in and out of the boat - you need to be reasonably fit and mobile.
What's Included
Snorkel Gear
Mask, snorkel, fins included
Buffet Lunch
Tropical picnic style on beach
Hotel Transfers
Free pickup and drop-off
Safety Equipment
Life jackets and stinger suits
Guided Bush Walk
To Hill Inlet Lookout
Expert Guides
Eco-certified crew with snorkel lessons
Snacks & Drinks
Morning tea and refreshments
National Park Fees
All reef and park fees included
The Experience
An Ocean Rafting tour is nothing like the regular cruises - this is high-speed, high-energy adventure tourism. The semi-rigid inflatable boats can hit speeds of 35 knots, meaning you'll get to Whitehaven Beach in 30-40 minutes instead of the 2+ hours it takes other boats. More time there, less time travelling - that's the whole point.
Your Itinerary
Morning Pickup: Courtesy coach picks you up from your accommodation in Airlie Beach. Check in at Coral Sea Marina North Village where you'll get fitted with your stinger suit (essential October to May) and given a safety briefing.
The Ride Out: This is where the fun starts. The boat takes off and you're bouncing across the Coral Sea with music pumping. Hold on tight - some people absolutely love the adrenaline rush, others find it a bit full on. Either way, it's memorable.
Snorkelling (Northern Exposure): Two different snorkel stops at pristine fringing reefs around Hook Island, Border Island, or Dumbell Island. Snorkel sites may include Manta Ray Bay, Butterfly Bay, or Stonehaven Bay. The crew gives you a full briefing - perfect if you've never snorkelled before. You'll see colourful fish, coral gardens, and if you're lucky, turtles and reef sharks. Each stop is about 30-40 minutes.
Snorkelling (Southern Lights): One extended snorkel session at the best available location. Still plenty of time to explore the underwater world, just with more beach time built in.
Hill Inlet Beach & Lookout: You'll land at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach at Hill Inlet - Ocean Rafting is the only company allowed to do this. Enjoy the exclusive beach access before taking a 10-15 minute guided bush walk up to Hill Inlet Lookout. The view from the top is absolutely insane - those famous swirling white sands against the turquoise water. This is photo opportunity heaven.
Whitehaven Beach Time: Southern Lights guests get about 2 hours total on Whitehaven Beach, Northern Exposure gets 1.5 hours. The beach is exactly as stunning as the photos - pure white silica sand that doesn't heat up even in summer, and water so clear and blue it looks fake. Buffet-style lunch is served on the beach.
The Ride Home: Another exhilarating blast across the water back to Airlie Beach. The crew often plays music and there's a real party atmosphere on board. You'll arrive back mid to late afternoon depending on which tour you chose.
Before You Book
Important Information
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Tours run in most weather conditions, but may be cancelled in severe weather or strong wind warnings. Ocean Rafting will contact you the day before to confirm. Remember to reconfirm your pickup time 48 hours before travel by calling the operator.
What to Bring
Swimwear (wear it under your clothes), towel, sunscreen (reef-safe preferred), hat, sunglasses, and cash or card for drinks and snacks on board. A waterproof camera or GoPro is highly recommended. Don't bring too much - there's limited storage on the boat. The crew takes photos throughout the day which you can purchase after the tour.
Who Can Come
Ocean Rafting is suitable for all ages - their youngest passenger was 3 months old and their oldest was 87. However, the tour isn't recommended for pregnant women, people with severe back or neck problems, or anyone with limited mobility (you need to climb in and out of the boat using a ladder). If you're prone to seasickness, take medication beforehand - the ride can get bumpy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ocean Rafting tour should I choose - Northern Exposure or Southern Lights?
Choose Northern Exposure if you love snorkelling and want two different reef stops at Hook Island. Pick Southern Lights if you prefer more beach time to relax on Whitehaven Beach.
How rough is the Ocean Rafting ride?
It depends on the weather - on calm days it's smooth and fast, but with a bit of chop you'll get bounced around and definitely wet. If you're prone to motion sickness, take tablets beforehand.
Can non-swimmers do this tour?
Absolutely - life jackets are provided and the crew gives personalised attention to nervous snorkellers. You can also just enjoy the beach if you don't want to snorkel.
Is lunch included in the Ocean Rafting tour price?
Yes, a tropical buffet-style lunch is included and served on Whitehaven Beach. Dietary requirements can be accommodated if advised when booking.
What makes Ocean Rafting different from other Whitehaven Beach tours?
Ocean Rafting is the only operator with permits to land directly at Hill Inlet beach on Whitsunday Island, and their fast boats mean you spend more time at destinations than travelling.
More Tours to Whitehaven Beach
If you're interested in visiting Whitehaven Beach, check out other Whitehaven Beach tours departing from Coral Sea Marina. For more snorkelling adventures, explore our snorkelling tours, or see all day tours from Airlie Beach.
Why Trust This Guide?
We're Airlie Beach locals who've called the Whitsundays home since 2001. Over more than two decades living and working in this stunning corner of tropical North Queensland, we've personally experienced the accommodation options, walked every street, and know which properties genuinely deliver on their promises.
Ocean Rafting has been operating since 1997 and is genuinely the most awarded tour operator in the Whitsundays. They've won multiple TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards and the 2023 Viator Experience Awards. The crew are passionate about the reef and islands, and it shows in every trip.
The recommendations are honest, unbiased, and based on genuine local knowledge to help make your Whitsunday holiday unforgettable.
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