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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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.
What‘s Included
Reef and island naturalist talks by our Master Reef Guides,Eco Host and Marine Biologist
Inner fringing coral reef snorkelling
Visit to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and guided National Park walks
Courtesy bus transfers
All Fees and Taxes
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Tropical lunch (AUD$20) payable direct. Please add in booking notes if you would like to add.
Assorted Alcoholic and NON Alcoholic Drinks and snacks (available to purchase - Cash or Credit Card)
A QLD public holiday surcharge of $20 per adult, $10 per child and $50 per family (2ad,2ch)
Hire sunsuits/wetsuits - $8pp to hire on check in (Students with ID, Senior & Children FREE))
Prescription Mask hire Available - $20 pp on check in
Pickup points
Coral Sea Resort
Ocean View Avenue Airlie Beach Australia
Club Wyndham Airlie Beach: The gateway to the Whitsundays!
9a Hermitage Dr Airlie Beach Australia
At Marina Shores
159 Shingley Dr Cannonvale Australia
Colonial Palms Motor Inn
2 Hermitage Dr, Airlie Beach Australia
Mantra Club Croc Airlie Beach
240 Shute Harbour Road, Cannonvale Cannonvale Australia
Heart Hotel and Gallery Whitsundays
277 Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Australia
Whitsunday on the Beach
269 Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Australia
Airlie Beach Hotel
16 The Esplanade, Airlie Beach Australia
Airlie Beach Motor Lodge
6 Lamond St, Airlie Beach Australia
at Waterfront Whitsunday Retreat
438 Shute Harbour Rd, Airlie Beach Australia
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
Reviews
4,752 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Rip roaring family fun in the Whitsundays!
JohnSchaefer,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a blast with Scotty and Jess on our Ocean raft trip! The crew made it fun and were very accommodating to the needs of all of us. Would highly recommend this tour and company if you want a unique experience in the Whitsundays!
NO SAFTEY - saved someone’s life
M9416JGerinb,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00I booked the Northern Exposure tour with Ocean Rafting, which advertised visits to two reef locations. Due to an emergency we only visited one reef briefly and spent the majority of the day stuck on the island. I understand emergencies happen — that alone is not my main concern. My concern is guest safety and lack of supervision. While we were on the beach swimming (not snorkelling), I noticed two people in the water about 100 metres away with their hands up, screaming for help. At first I doubted myself, as no tour guides or guests reacted. Even as the screaming became clearer, there was still no alert or urgency from staff nearby. Trusting my gut, my partner and I swam over. When we reached them, it was clear they were drowning. We pulled both people out of the water onto a sandbank. One man was unconscious. A guide only arrived after this point and helped drag him fully out. We placed him in the recovery position and water came out of his lungs. He very easily could have died. What is deeply concerning is that this went unnoticed for several minutes, despite staff being close. One guide later said they thought the people were “just having fun”, which is a dangerous assumption to make in open water. After this incident, neither my partner nor I were checked on, spoken to, or thanked. Later, during the snorkelling session, the same lack of supervision continued. Before entering the water, we were told to use hand signals if we needed help or wanted to return to the boat. I became extremely tired from being in the sun and needed to get out. My partner and I used the hand signals multiple times, however the guides on the boat were not watching the water and did not respond. Eventually, we had to swim ourselves to a closer boat just to rest, which is extremely dangerous, particularly given how many guests are not strong swimmers. There was no active monitoring of swimmers. My partner and I have grown up around Australian waters and are confident swimmers. Even with that experience, this felt unsafe. I would not recommend this tour to anyone who is not a strong swimmer or anyone expecting proper supervision. To add to the disappointment, while we were stuck on the island in the sun, drinks were initially sold to us. Later, staff handed out free drinks to everyone else, yet my partner and I were still required to pay because we ordered earlier, despite the circumstances of the day. Ocean Rafting needs to seriously reassess water safety, staff vigilance, and emergency response procedures. At no point did I feel that guests were being properly looked out for.
10/10 for Hayley and Rich 👏💯
kylieclouting1985,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a blast! Hayley and Rich were the best guides for our tour! Vibrant and fun, very knowledgeable about sealife and Whitehaven. Highly recommend. Best way to see Whitehaven and snorkel 💯👏
A day in paradise
Leigh H,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome day with my family in paradise. We had perfect weather, an amazing crew and created some beautiful memories in one of the wonders of the world
Highly recommended!
Arne H,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really enjoyed our day at Whitsundays😄 All logistics went smooth and without hazzle. Guides were terrific, food tasty and - most importantly - the beaches and reefs in top condition and breathtakingly beautiful 😎
Unreal experience
Karen S,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fabulous day out on our boat with captain and host Ben and Masha. They were fun and relaxed but in control. Unbelievable views and experience. Would highly recommend for anyone who enjoys an exciting boat trip with views that are unreal.
Great Value, Amazing tour!
Emily C,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour well exceeded expectations!! We had the best day out possible. The staff were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and such a fun time. The vibes were high the whole day, and the included locations/activities were all amazing. Couldn't recommend this tour enough. Thank you so much Jenna, Tori, and Nick for an amazing day! :)
Ocean Rafting Tour
harrietmT1076WA,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Couldn’t recommend ocean rafting enough! A must do tour if you are visiting Airlie Beach. Lockie & Tory were amazing, such a great team and made sure everyone was having the best time.They are a credit to ocean rafting!
A fantastic day
sebastiank372,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I cannot praise this tour enough. First, the Whitsunday Islands are beautiful and this tour gives you a great impression of it. We visited Whitehaven Beach (the white one that is in all the pictures), and also went up to a superb lookout in a guided walk. After spending more than an hour on the beach and having lunch (basic, but completely fine), we went snorkeling, which was great as well. So yes, you see great stuff, but what really turned this into a standout trip was the fantastic crew. Scotty and Abby where simply amazing, creating a fun atmosphere for everybody and being very caring. We travelled with our 5-year old and they were both incredibly kind to her. She had the time of her life (talking about it for hours afterwards) - and honestly, so did my wife and I. It was fun, it was fast-paced (they use a rafting speedboat which adds a lot of fun) and it was great.
Great day out!! 100% recommend
welshiegem,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing day!! Would 100% recommend the flight and northern tour. Hayley was our tour guide on the boat and did a great job of looking after us!! Such a fun day!
From A$209.00
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