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High-Speed Power Boat Tour to Whitehaven Beach with Snorkelling and Hill Inlet Lookout
Tour Information
Tour Operator:
Magic Whitsundays
Duration:
Full Day (7 hours)
Departure Point:
Coral Sea Marina North Village
Phone:
0418 782 266
Departure Time:
10:00 AM daily
Group Size:
Maximum 35 guests
Where This Tour Goes
Departure Point
Coral Sea Marina
Islands Visited
Whitsunday Island, Hook Island, Border Island
Beaches
Whitehaven Beach, Chalkies Beach
Snorkelling Sites
Blue Pearl Bay, Butterfly Bay, Manta Ray Bay
Marine Park
Whitsunday Islands Marine Park
Departure Location & How to Get There
Meeting Point
Coral Sea Marina North Village (near the kiosk and roundabout)
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 available ($10-$12 for the day)
About Big Fury Whitsundays
Big Fury Whitsundays is a high-speed power boat tour operated by Magic Whitsundays, 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 pristine reef sites around Hook Island, Border Island, and other locations in the Whitsunday Islands Marine Park.
This is a family-run, owner-operated business that's been cruising the Whitsundays for over 15 years. The boat is powered by 3 x 300hp engines (900hp total), capable of speeds over 80km per hour. Unlike the big slow catamarans, Big Fury gets you to the islands fast - meaning more time enjoying the destinations and less time travelling. The boat maxes out at 35 people, so you get a much more personal experience than those packed commercial tours.
What really sets Big Fury apart is the shallow draft design - the boat can pull right up on the beach, so no awkward dinghy transfers. You literally step from the boat straight onto the sand at Whitehaven Beach. The crew are passionate locals who genuinely love the Whitsundays, and it shows in every trip. Perfect for anyone who wants speed and adventure combined with stunning scenery and more time at each location.
What Guests Are Saying
"One of the best quality tours in Airlie Beach. For a smaller family owned tour company they exceeded all expectations as we took a speedboat to Hill Inlet, had an amazing lunch on Whitehaven Beach and had a lovely afternoon snorkelling. Lachy and Luke were amazing guides, you can tell they're passionate about curating an amazing day for their guests and spreading love for the ocean."
TripAdvisor
"We are so glad we booked Big Fury for a day trip out to the gorgeous Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet! The views were amazing, the snorkelling was beautiful with so many fish and coral. And to top it off a swim at Whitehaven Beach just magical! Cheers to the lads Lachy and Luke, they were the best hosts and made the trip so bloody awesome."
TripAdvisor
"A day that will be forever remembered. The whole journey from start to finish was extremely enjoyable. The crew were incredible with continuous smiles on their face. Food was delicious, treats on return trip were an extra bonus. Big Fury knows how to do a day trip."
Google Reviews
Heads up: This is a high-speed boat, so the ride can get bouncy and wet when there's chop on the water. If you're prone to motion sickness, take some travel tablets beforehand. You also need to be reasonably mobile to climb in and out of the boat. The upside? Unlike slower boats that roll with the waves, Big Fury skims across the surface, which actually helps reduce seasickness for most people.
What's Included
Snorkel Gear
Mask, snorkel, fins, flotation devices
Buffet Lunch
Fresh picnic lunch served on the beach
Hotel Transfers
Free pickup and drop-off
Safety Equipment
Life jackets and stinger suits (hire $7)
Guided Bush Walk
To Hill Inlet Lookout for swirling sands view
Expert Crew
Experienced guides with snorkel tuition
Snacks & Drinks
Morning tea and afternoon cakes
National Park Fees
All marine park fees included
The Experience
Big Fury Whitsundays is all about speed, small groups, and maximum time at the best locations. The 900hp power boat gets you to Whitehaven Beach in about 30 minutes instead of the 2+ hours it takes bigger boats. The boat's shallow draft means it can pull right up on the beach - no awkward dinghy transfers like other tours. You'll cruise past more than 25 islands during the day, with the crew providing entertaining commentary throughout.
Your Itinerary
Morning Pickup: Free courtesy coach picks you up from your accommodation in Airlie Beach. Check in at Coral Sea Marina North Village by 9:30am. You'll get a safety briefing and can hire stinger suits if needed ($7).
High-Speed Departure (10:00am): Once you're out of the marina, hold on tight! The boat takes off and you'll be skimming across the Coral Sea at speeds up to 80km per hour. The ride is exhilarating - you'll be bouncing over waves with music pumping and spray flying. Some people absolutely love the adrenaline rush, others find it full on. Either way, the views of the Whitsunday Islands streaming past are spectacular.
Snorkelling Adventure: The crew chooses the best snorkel location based on weather and tides - could be Blue Pearl Bay, Butterfly Bay, Manta Ray Bay, Chalkies Beach, or other pristine sites around Hook Island and Border Island. You'll get about 1.5-2 hours in the water to explore coral gardens, spot tropical fish, turtles, and if you're lucky, manta rays and reef sharks. All gear is provided and the crew gives full tuition if you're a first-timer.
Hill Inlet Lookout: Next stop is Hill Inlet Lookout on Whitsunday Island. The crew guides you on a 10-15 minute bush walk up to the lookout. The view from the top is absolutely insane - those famous swirling white sands against the turquoise water. This is prime photo opportunity territory. Some tours also stop at South Whitehaven Lookout depending on conditions.
Whitehaven Beach: Then it's down to Whitehaven Beach for about 2 hours. Big Fury pulls right up on the sand, so you step straight off the boat onto the beach - no dinghy transfer needed. The pure white silica sand doesn't heat up even in summer, and the water is crystal clear. A freshly prepared buffet lunch is served on the beach - think creamy Irish potato salad, curry rice salad, pasta salad, cold meats, prawns, fresh fruit, and bread rolls. The crew caters for dietary requirements with advance notice.
The Ride Home (5:00pm): Another exhilarating blast across the water back to Airlie Beach. This isn't just a transfer - it's a scenic tour cruising past islands, with the crew pointing out landmarks and sharing stories. You'll often spot sea turtles, dolphins, and during July to September, humpback whales. Afternoon cakes and biscuits are served on the way back. The courtesy coach drops you back at your accommodation.
Before You Book
Important Information
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours forfeit the full price. Tours run in most weather conditions but may be cancelled in severe weather. The tour operator will contact you the day before to confirm. Remember to reconfirm your pickup time 48 hours before by calling 0418 782 266.
What to Bring
Swimwear (wear under your clothes), towel, reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, weatherproof jacket, and cash or card for extra drinks and snacks on board. A waterproof camera or phone case is highly recommended. Stinger suits are available to hire for $7 - essential during November to May. The crew takes photos throughout the day which you can purchase after the tour.
Who Can Come
Suitable for ages 3 years and up. Not 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). A reasonable level of physical fitness is required for the bush walk and snorkelling. If you're prone to seasickness, take medication beforehand - though the skimming action of the boat actually helps reduce motion sickness compared to boats that roll with the waves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Big Fury Whitsundays depart from?
Big Fury departs from Coral Sea Marina North Village at 10:00am, with check-in by 9:30am.
Which islands does Big Fury visit?
The tour visits Whitsunday Island for Whitehaven Beach and cruises past 25+ islands including Hook Island and Border Island where you snorkel.
How rough is the Big Fury ride?
It's fast and can get bouncy when there's chop, but the boat skims rather than rolls, which helps reduce seasickness for most people.
Is lunch included in the Big Fury tour price?
Yes, a fresh buffet-style lunch is included and served on Whitehaven Beach, with dietary requirements catered for with advance notice.
Can non-swimmers do Big Fury?
Yes, flotation devices and life jackets are provided, and the crew gives personalized snorkel tuition to nervous swimmers.
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 underwater 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 marina, and know which operators genuinely deliver on their promises.
Big Fury has been operating for over 15 years as a small, family-run business. Magic Whitsundays is headed by Rob (boat builder and local artist) and Dianne (who arrived as a backpacker from Ireland over 20 years ago). They're passionate about the Whitsundays and it shows - the crew genuinely love their job and the islands. The 4.7/5 rating across both TripAdvisor and Google Reviews speaks volumes about the consistently excellent experience guests have.
The recommendations are honest, unbiased, and based on genuine local knowledge to help make your Whitsunday holiday unforgettable.
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