Viper Outer Reef plus Hill Inlet
Pricing And Reviews
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The Only Day Tour Visiting the Outer Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
Tour Information
Tour Operator:
Iconic Whitsunday Adventures
Duration:
Full Day (approx 9 hours)
Departure Point:
Coral Sea Marina North Village, Meeting Point B
Phone:
07 4948 3000
Departure Time:
8:00 AM (check-in 7:40 AM)
Group Size:
Maximum 36 guests
Where This Tour Goes
Departure Point
Coral Sea Marina North Village
Islands Visited
Whitsunday Island
Beaches
Whitehaven Beach
Outer Reef
Bait Reef (The Stepping Stones)
Lookouts
Hill Inlet Lookout
Marine Park
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Departure Location & How to Get There
Meeting Point
Meeting Point B, Coral Sea Marina North Village (near Le Kiosk Cafe)
From Town Centre
1.5km from Airlie Beach Lagoon (15-20 min walk via boardwalk)
Hotel Pickup
Free transfers from most accommodations between Jubilee Pocket and Cannonvale
Parking
Pay and display parking available at Coral Sea Marina
About Viper Outer Reef plus Hill Inlet
Viper Outer Reef plus Hill Inlet is a high-speed power boat tour operated by Iconic Whitsunday Adventures, departing from Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. The full-day tour visits Bait Reef on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, Hill Inlet Lookout and Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island.
This is genuinely the only day tour in the Whitsundays that can get you to all three of these iconic destinations in a single day. Powered by Rolls Royce jets producing 2000 horsepower, Viper is the fastest vessel operating in the region. While other boats take 2-3 hours to reach the outer reef, Viper gets there in just over an hour. That means way more time snorkelling and exploring, and way less time sitting on a boat.
The boat itself is custom-built for speed and comfort - mesh seating with proper seatbelts (this thing moves), a spacious rear swim platform for easy water access, and a water slide for mucking around at the beach. Maximum 36 passengers means you're not dealing with the crowds you'd get on the big catamarans. The crew includes marine biologists who lead guided snorkel safaris and actually know what they're talking about when it comes to reef ecology.
Worth noting upfront - this is a high-speed, high-adrenaline tour. The ride can get bumpy and you will get wet. If you're prone to seasickness or have back issues, this probably isn't the tour for you. But if you want to pack the absolute most into one day and don't mind a bit of adventure, Viper is unbeatable.
What Guests Are Saying
"From start to finish, everything was perfect! Dan, Shaun and Nico made the day exactly what I had wished for on my first Whitsundays islands trip. The snorkelling on the barrier reef was sensational. Seen so much and we got an hour to explore the reefs. Whitehaven beach and lookout was the greatest view I have ever seen. We then got 90 minutes beach time at South Whitehaven, all equipment supplied and the crew made sure everyone was kept safe and had an enjoyable time. This is a must do trip if you visit the area."
TripAdvisor
"Fantastic day on the water! Carving up the water and surfing the swell while strapped into a rocket. Hayley, Ether and captain Dan were awesome hosts, providing professional guidance and fun times throughout the journey. Their passion for the reef, the ecosystem and their passengers very obvious and authentic. We saw a whale, a turtle and plenty of fish and coral on the snorkel. The journey was amazing with cool tunes, sea spray, and wind in the hair as we carved through the water, beating all other boats to get Hill Inlet lookout to ourselves, then secure the best part of Whitehaven beach for a swim."
TripAdvisor
"Amazing day out on an awesome boat with an awesome crew. Dan, Nick, and Bonnie were great crew members! Boat is quick, snorkelling was great and the day was awesome. Great food and great music on the boat. Lots to see and a good laugh with food throughout the day. Would recommend to anyone!"
Google Reviews
Heads up: This is a genuinely fast ride - when there's a bit of chop, it gets bouncy and you will get wet. Motion sickness tablets are highly recommended if you're prone to seasickness. The ride is also quite physical - you need to be reasonably fit and mobile to climb in and out of the boat. There's a strict 130cm height minimum for safety reasons (the seatbelts won't secure smaller children properly).
What's Included
Snorkelling Equipment
Mask, snorkel, fins and stinger suits
All Meals
Morning tea, buffet lunch, afternoon tea
Hotel Transfers
Free pickup and drop-off
Guided Snorkel Safari
Led by marine biologist crew
Guided Bush Walk
To Hill Inlet Lookout
Filtered Water
Unlimited all day (BYO bottle)
Marine Park Fees
All reef and national park fees
Facilities
Toilet on board
The Experience
Viper Outer Reef plus Hill Inlet is the ultimate triple-threat day tour. You're getting three separate experiences that most operators split across multiple tours - and you're doing it all in one incredibly efficient day thanks to Viper's speed. The ride itself is exhilarating - think bouncing across waves with music pumping and spray flying. It's not for everyone, but it's definitely memorable.
Your Itinerary
Morning Pickup (7:00-7:30 AM): Free courtesy coach collects you from your accommodation between Jubilee Pocket and Cannonvale. Check in at Coral Sea Marina North Village by 7:40 AM. The crew fits you with stinger suits (essential October to May) and snorkelling gear, gives you the safety briefing, and at 8:00 AM sharp, you're off.
The Ride to Bait Reef (8:00-9:00 AM): Just over an hour at high speed across the Coral Sea. On calm days it's smooth and fast, but with any swell you'll get bounced around and definitely wet. Hold on tight and enjoy the ride - this is what you paid for. During whale season (June to September), keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales.
Snorkelling the Outer Great Barrier Reef (9:00-10:30 AM): Viper anchors at Bait Reef, specifically a site called The Stepping Stones. This is proper outer reef - way more coral coverage and marine life than the fringing reefs around the islands. The swim platform and stairs make water entry easy. The crew leads a guided snorkel safari pointing out giant clams, colourful coral gardens, reef fish, and with any luck, turtles and reef sharks. You get about an hour and a half in the water.
Ride to Whitsunday Island (10:30-11:00 AM): Half an hour blast back towards the islands to Tongue Bay on Whitsunday Island.
Hill Inlet Lookout Bush Walk (11:00 AM-12:00 PM): A 10-15 minute guided bush walk up to Hill Inlet Lookout. The track is rated moderate - combination of dirt paths, sand, and constructed steps. The payoff at the top is absolutely worth it - those famous swirling white sands against turquoise water. Photo opportunity heaven. After taking it all in, you walk back down to the boat.
Whitehaven Beach Time (12:00-2:30 PM): Viper speeds down to the southern end of Whitehaven Beach in about 10 minutes. Buffet lunch is served on board - cold cuts, salads, bread rolls, pretty standard fare. Then you've got about 90 minutes to enjoy one of the world's most beautiful beaches. The pure white silica sand doesn't heat up (so you can walk barefoot even in summer), the water is crystal clear, and you can use the boat's water slide or floating croc pad. Just relax and soak it up.
Return to Airlie Beach (2:30-3:30 PM): Final high-speed blast back to Coral Sea Marina. Afternoon tea is served during the trip. You'll be back at the marina between 4:30-5:30 PM depending on conditions, with courtesy coach drop-off back to your accommodation.
Before You Book
Important Information
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Tours run in most weather conditions but may be cancelled in severe weather or if sea conditions make reaching the outer reef unsafe. If the outer reef can't be accessed, Viper offers an alternative itinerary visiting multiple snorkelling sites around the Whitsunday Islands including Nara Inlet and the Ngaro cultural site. The crew always prioritises safety and comfort when making route decisions.
What to Bring
Swimwear (wear under your clothes), towel, reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses with strap, and a reusable water bottle. Waterproof phone case or GoPro highly recommended. Cash or card for soft drinks (filtered water is free). Light jacket for winter months or if you get cold after snorkelling. Don't bring too much - storage space on the boat is limited. The crew takes photos throughout the day which you can purchase after the tour.
Who Can Come
Strict minimum height requirement of 130cm tall (about 4'3") for safety reasons - the seatbelts won't secure smaller children properly. Children must be aged 8-15 years (and meet the height requirement). Not recommended for pregnant women, especially after the first trimester. Not suitable for anyone with back or neck injuries, or limited mobility. You need to be reasonably fit to climb in and out of the boat and handle the bushwalk. If you're prone to motion sickness, definitely take preventative medication before departure - the ride can get bumpy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Viper different from other Whitsundays tours?
Viper is the only day tour that visits the Outer Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach, and Hill Inlet Lookout in one day.
How rough is the ride on Viper?
It depends on sea conditions - calm days are smooth and fast, but with swell it gets bouncy and wet. Motion sickness tablets recommended if you're prone to seasickness.
Can my young child come on this tour?
Children must be at least 130cm tall for safety reasons (seatbelt requirement) and aged 8-15 years. No exceptions to the height limit.
What happens if bad weather prevents reaching Bait Reef?
Viper offers an alternative itinerary visiting multiple snorkelling locations around the Whitsunday Islands, plus Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout.
Where does Viper snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef?
At Bait Reef, specifically The Stepping Stones - about 70km from Airlie Beach on the actual outer reef.
More Great Barrier Reef & Whitehaven Beach Tours
If you're interested in exploring the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach, check out other Great Barrier Reef tours and 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 tours, walked every beach, and know which operators genuinely deliver on their promises.
Viper is operated by Iconic Whitsunday Adventures, a family-owned business that's been running tours from Airlie Beach since 2006. They're Gold winners of the Whitsunday Tourism Awards in 2023 and 2024, plus Silver winners at the 2024 Queensland Tourism Awards. The boat itself is purpose-built for this exact tour - those Rolls Royce jets aren't just for show, they genuinely make it possible to visit all three destinations in one day.
The recommendations are honest, unbiased, and based on genuine local knowledge to help make your Whitsunday holiday unforgettable.
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