Ocean Rafting: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkelling & Hill Inlet Lookout
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
"THE ORIGINAL AND MOST AWARDED TOUR IN THE WHITSUNDAYS"
Visit three top destinations whilst having the ride of your life! Each Ocean Rafting day includes an exhilarating ride to world famous Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Beach and Lookout, pristine snorkelling reefs and guided Whitsunday Island National Parks walks, all in one day! The semi rigid inflatable vessels are super fast allowing you to experience a fun ride, adventure and education amongst the natural beauty of the Whitsundays.
Ocean Rafting offers two different Whitehaven Beach tours to choose from, the Northern Exposure and the Southern Lights tour. The significant difference between the two tours is that the Northern Exposure offers more snorkelling time and the Southern Lights offers more Whitehaven beach time.
Ocean Rafting is the only tour operator to have direct access to the stunning and iconic Hill Inlet beach and secret snorkel sites around the Whitsundays ensuring a memorable underwater experience.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please back in a small bag swimwear, towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, refillable water bottle and comfortable walking shoes
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
What To Expect
Whitsunday Islands
Explore the Whitsunday Islands in one day, snorkelling at special fringing reef locations and the enjoying the ultimate access to Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach.
Ocean Rafting
Check in at Ocean Rafting's office at Coral Sea Marina or take advantage of a courtesy transfer from your accommodation.
Options
Southern Lights
Visits both ends of Whitehaven Beach. Includes one snorkeling site and a Hill Inlet guided walk. Ideal for those wanting more beach time. Check-in at 9am for 10am departure. Returns at 4:30pm Pickup included
Northern Exposure
Includes snorkeling at two sites, a stop at Hill Inlet on Whitehaven Beach and a guided walk. Ideal for those wanting maximum snorkeling time. Check-in at 8am for 8:45am departure. Returns 3:30pm Pickup included
What‘s Included
Sunsuit/Wetsuit
Tropical Lunch on Whitehaven Beach
Inner fringing coral reef snorkelling
Reef and island naturalist talks by our Master Reef Guides,Eco Host and Marine Biologist
Visit to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and guided National Park walks
Courtesy bus transfers
All Fees and Taxes
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Morning and Afternoon tea(Cake and Fruit)
Assorted Alcoholic and NON Alcoholic Drinks and chocolates (available to purchase on board with Credit Card)
A QLD public holiday surcharge of $20 per adult, $10 per child and $50 per family (2ad,2ch)
Prescription Mask hire Available - $25 pp on check in
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
4,883 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
BEST DAY EVER.
avagJ9523WS,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My friends and I had the privilege of joining Ocean Rafting for a snorkel and beach trip today, and we had the best day. The gorgeous beaches and stunning natural scenery were incredible, but what truly set the experience apart was the crew on board. We were on the boat _Free Bird_, led by Captain Ben and Mr. Corben. From the moment we were picked up, Corben was friendly and super helpful. When we met Ben, he was charismatic and insightful, sharing great tips for making the most of our day. Both of them went beyond just guiding the trip. They took time to speak with everyone on board individually, asking where we were from and getting to know us. The vibe on the boat was 10/10, and we wrapped up the day with onboard karaoke as we sailed back to Airlie from Whitehaven. My friends and I can’t imagine choosing another company for this tour. If you book with Ocean Rafting, request Corben and Ben - they’re awesome!
Wonderful trip with amazing crew!
krsthom,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband & I had a wonderful trip with the Ocean Rafting crew of Thunderstruck (our boat for the trip) - Brent was our captain, along with Lil & Jess as our fabulous guides. The day began with us being picked up at our motel & taken to the marina where we got ourselves checked in & then fitted for life jackets & stinger suits. After everyone on our boat was checked in we then boarded our boat & off we went @ 10am. What a ride across the water it was... the crew is fantastic at entertaining & that began upon leaving the marina when we spun circles out in the water with ACDC's Thunderstruck playing! On board we were served drinks (alcohol if requested for a price) & snacks as we cruised across the water to our destination. The trip to the Islands took about 1.5 hours & after picking up another couple on an Island on our way, we arrived at the Hill Inlet area where we then were taken on a walk to a wonderful lookout over the beaches & the Inlet - so beautiful! Then back to the boat & off to Whitehaven Beach... OH My Gosh what a beach this is, absolutely stunning! We had lunch given to us before getting off the boat as preordered upon arranging our trip & then swam, walked the beach & enjoyed the scenery while relaxing in the oh so soft, white sand surrounding us. After about 1.5 hours we were then loaded onto the boat again & off we went to snorkel around a beautiful reef where we all got to enjoy the spectacular underwater life for about 1 hour. Then back into the boat & we then headed back to Airlie Beach. We arrived at back at the marina 4:00pm & that was that! We enjoyed every moment of this trip & would highly recommend it to everyone!
Fabulous fun on “freebird” ocean raft.
Navigate52663294996,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brilliant day with Ocean rafting visiting Whitehaven beach, hill inlet and 2 snorkelling sites. We had adverse weather conditions as we headed out to see which made for an exhilarating ride. It was bumpy, wet and great fun! Ayla and Paige promoted a fun and positive vibe on board while also sharing their knowledge and ensuring safety at all times.
Awesome experience- not just fabulous snorkelling
T7760GCjamien,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome Northern Exposure trip 10 June with Josh and Connor. Top tour guiding, safe and fun boat handling and care for passengers. From walking Whitsunday Island, viewing the magic Hill Inlet sands from the lookout, eating lunch on the beach and the amazing snorkelling of two of the fringing reefs. The best value ans most rewarding tour, thank you to #Ocean-Rafting
Awesome day out
L9396KYshelleyf,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had the most enjoyable experience, our guides Josh and Connor made the day so enjoyable. Great moments and lots of laughter!! They make a great team, highly recommend a trip with Ocean Rafting
Whitehaven beach with Kai and Max
RobynHood123,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A highlight of our trip to Airlie Beach. Thankyou Kai and Max. Very professional and Fun at the same time. Good with babies too as we had our 15-month-old grandson Henry with us. Very knowledgeable with navigating the ocean and weather conditions. Great experience and wonderful memories.
The scenery was...
Kathy H,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The scenery was beautiful, but the communication and overall experience were underwhelming. booking page did not clearly state the requirements for the snorkelling part of the tour.
Kai and Ben rock !!!!!
andypT1579FZ,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kai and Ben are the best. 10/10. You have a great crew keep them going. Top of the list !! Way to go guys
Great environmental responsibility
W9834KUlarissab,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What stood out most to us on the Northern Exposure tour was how genuinely eco-conscious the entire team is. This wasn't just a box-ticking exercise — the guides clearly care deeply about the environment and it shows. A huge shoutout to the boat Thrilla and Sal and the captain who were absolutely fantastic guides. Their passion for the ocean and marine life was infectious. The captain, whose name we unfortunately didn't catch, was so experienced and skilled, which made the whole ride feel safe and exciting at the same time. Throughout the tour, the crew took the time to educate us about coral reefs, marine life, and what behaviour is and isn't acceptable around the ecosystem. When some tourists were disturbing stingrays on the beach, the guides stepped in without hesitation and reminded everyone to observe and take photos — but never to interfere with the animals. That kind of authentic, respectful attitude is rare and so refreshing to see. The depth of environmental knowledge shared about corals, ocean ecosystems, and marine conservation was impressive and made the whole experience so much more meaningful. It’s one thing to visit a beautiful place — it’s another to leave feeling like you actually understand and appreciate it. Highly recommend Ocean Rafting and the boat Thrilla to anyone who wants an incredible adventure without compromising on environmental responsibility. 🌊🐠
Perfect day
F2246GUjordanw,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The most AMAZING day! Beautiful scenic beaches, perfect weather, the reef, and the cherry on top were the coolest guides, Ayla and Georgie! They certainly love their job and love the water. They made sure we saw the best stuff and truly made the day even better.
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