Ocean Rafting Tours
Tour overview
Ocean Rafting is the fast way to do Whitehaven Beach in a day. Their ocean rafts skip across to the Whitsunday Islands, where you’ll snorkel the fringing reef and take the guided walk up to Hill Inlet Lookout for the classic view over the swirling sands.
There are two tours to choose from, Northern Exposure and Southern Lights. Northern Exposure packs in more snorkelling, Southern Lights gives you more time on the beach. Both visit Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach, so it really comes down to how you want to spend your day.
The ride itself is a big part of the appeal. The fleet of eight boats was originally designed as rescue craft and each runs a 700hp engine, so it’s quick, safe and a lot of fun. Group sizes are kept small too, which means the beach and the reef never feel crowded.
Tour Highlights
- The only tour company with a permit to land on the beach inside Hill Inlet’s famous swirling sands
- Visit world famous Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout on guided National Park walks
- Snorkel the pristine inner fringing coral reefs of the Whitsunday Islands
- An exhilarating ride aboard 700hp ocean rafts, originally designed as rescue craft
- Reef and island naturalist talks by Master Reef Guides, an Eco Host and a Marine Biologist
- Two tours to choose from: Northern Exposure for more snorkelling or Southern Lights for more beach time
Itinerary
*Example itinerary only. The order, timing and stops may change on the day due to weather and operating conditions.
Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach
Check in at 8am for the 8:45am Northern Exposure departure, or 9am for the 10am Southern Lights departure, then board your ocean raft.
Ride to the Whitsunday Islands
An exhilarating ride from Airlie Beach out to Whitehaven Beach and the islands. Travel time depends on wind, tide, swell and weather conditions.
Snorkel the fringing reefs
Northern Exposure visits two snorkel sites around Hook Island, with 45 minutes to an hour at each. Southern Lights visits one snorkel site for around an hour. Enjoy reef and island talks from the crew along the way.
Hill Inlet Lookout & Whitehaven Beach
A guided National Park walk to Hill Inlet Lookout, with exclusive access to the beach inside the inlet. Northern Exposure spends 1 to 1.5 hours at the northern end of Whitehaven; Southern Lights spends around two hours at south Whitehaven, with its 7km stretch of world famous silica sand.
Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach
Northern Exposure returns at approximately 3:30pm and Southern Lights at approximately 4:30pm.
Good to know
Dietary requirements: Advise any special dietary needs at least 24 hours before departure. If booking online, add them in the "additional comments" field at checkout. Dietary requests cannot be catered for on the day of travel.
Is This Tour Suitable For You?
Ocean Rafting boats are suitable for most ages from 6 months upwards (weather permitting). If the winds and swell are forecast high on the day you travel with young children, don’t hesitate to contact the company directly on (07) 4946 6848.
What's included
Included
- Visit to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and guided National Park walks
- Inner fringing coral reef snorkelling
- Reef and island naturalist talks by Master Reef Guides, Eco Host and Marine Biologist
- Tropical lunch pack with morning and afternoon tea (dietary options on request)
- Courtesy bus transfers
- Snorkel equipment (mask and snorkel)
Not included
- Sunsuit/wetsuit hire, $8pp on check-in (students with ID, seniors and children free)
- Prescription mask hire, $15pp on check-in
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and snacks (available to purchase, cash or card)
- QLD public holiday surcharge of $20 per adult, $10 per child and $50 per family (2A, 2C)
Tours Offered By Ocean Rafting
The simple way to think about it: Northern Exposure is the snorkelling tour, Southern Lights is the beach tour.
Northern Exposure (most popular): check in at 8am for an 8:45am departure, back around 3:30pm. This one stops at two snorkel sites around Hook Island, roughly 45 minutes to an hour at each, then spends 1 to 1.5 hours at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach at Hill Inlet, taking in the lookout walk and that special beach access inside the inlet.
Southern Lights: check in at 9am for a 10am departure, back around 4:30pm. It has one snorkel stop of about an hour, then roughly two hours at south Whitehaven Beach on the famous 7km stretch of silica sand, plus the Hill Inlet Lookout and the South Whitehaven Lookout.
If snorkelling is your priority, go Northern Exposure. If you’d rather maximise beach time, Southern Lights is the pick. Either way, allow 1 to 1.5 hours travel each way between Airlie Beach and Whitehaven depending on wind, tide, swell and weather on the day.
Please note: the tour itinerary is a guideline only and is subject to change.
Tip For This Tour
Ocean Rafting is the only tour company with a permit to land their boat on the beach within Hill Inlet’s swirling sands. Their exclusive access to the stunning and iconic Hill Inlet beach (inside the inlet) sets these Ocean Rafting tours apart.
Ocean Rafting Lunch
Lunch on board is a tropical style pack, individually portioned in biodegradable packaging. If you have dietary requirements, Ocean Rafting can cater for them as long as they are requested ahead of time, or you can simply bring your own food if you would rather.
What is in the lunch pack: a creamy potato and dill salad (GF, NF, vegan on request), a carrot and cabbage slaw (GF, NF, VGN), a quinoa and chickpea salad with cucumber, red onion, capsicum, lemon and parsley (GF, NF, DF), a bread roll baked with cheese, sweet chilli and spices (VEG, NF), and sliced teriyaki chicken (GF, DF, NF).
Morning/afternoon tea: seasonal fruit and lamingtons (VEG).
Dietary versions (on request): gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan packs are all available. The vegetarian and vegan packs swap the chicken for a Spanish bean mix (zucchini, capsicum, mixed beans, tomato and curry powder), and the other swaps cover the bread roll, mayo and dessert. The whole lunch is nut free. Ocean Rafting can’t cater for dietaries outside of these.
One important thing: dietary requests need to be locked in at least 24 hours before departure, they can’t be sorted on the day. If you’re booking online, pop them in the "additional comments" field at checkout before you pay.
Eco Certifications And Sustainability
Advanced Ecotourism Certification: Ocean Rafting has held Advanced Ecotourism certification, the top tier of ECO certification in Australia, every year since 1998. That long run earned them a place in the Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame in 2018, which is reserved for operators certified continuously for 20 years or more.
Green Travel Leader: Ecotourism Australia also recognises Ocean Rafting as a Green Travel Leader for their long running work on conservation and sustainability in the Whitsundays.
Climate Action Innovator: on top of that, the company is certified as a Climate Action Innovator, a program focused on cutting carbon emissions and running the business more sustainably.
Award Winning Whitsundays Tours
Ocean Rafting is one of the most awarded tour operators in Australia. Recent honours include:
Adventure Tourism Awards 2025: Winner, Best Day Tour/Activity (Australia and New Zealand) and Winner, Eco-Tourism Award (Australia and New Zealand).
Queensland Tourism Awards: Gold, Major Tour and Transport Operator 2023 and 2024, plus Gold, Adventure Tourism 2022 and 2023.
Australian Tourism Awards: Gold, Adventure Tourism 2023 and Silver, Major Tour and Transport Operator 2023.
Whitsunday Tourism Awards: Hall of Fame for both Major Tour and Transport Operator and People's Choice, People's Choice Winner 2022, 2023 and 2024, and Gold, Major Tour and Transport Operator 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Tour Departure Point Map
All Ocean Rafting tours depart from Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach, QLD 4802. The map below shows the departure point.
Tour Video
Ocean Rafting Reviews On Google
Refund Policy
Ocean Rafting's cancellation policy allows cancellations up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Refunds require 24 hours or more notice from the scheduled meeting time of your booked tour.
Changes to dates or refunds within 24 hours can't be accepted. Bad weather leads to rescheduling or a refund.
Terms and Conditions Of Travel
Ocean Rafting may use photographs of clients in promotional material, including but not limited to social media. If you do not consent, please advise Ocean Rafting.
Liability: clients should note that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst every effort is made to safeguard clients, Ocean Rafting cannot be held responsible for personal injury or loss due to the actions of clients which are beyond their control. Minimum age 6 months. A signed release will be required from all participants on departure. Ocean Rafting recommends taking out travel insurance.
Cancellations/refund policy: your booking includes a 5% non-refundable booking fee for all cancellations. Cancellations after 7pm the night before departure receive no refund. Please note: on occasion, in the interest of guest safety, tours may be cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions. In this unlikely event, you will be offered travel on another suitable day or issued a refund, minus the 5% booking fee of your fare price.
Health & safety: Good health and a positive attitude are all that is needed; no prior experience is required for an Ocean Rafting tour. Tours are not suitable for guests with pre-existing back, neck or hip injuries, or who are pregnant (weather dependent) or heavily pregnant.
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Author: Nath J
Nath J is a Whitsundays Tourism expert with over two decades of industry experience, beginning in 2001. Key roles have included Operations Manager at Tallarook Sail and Dive and founder of Ripple Effect Online. Nath J has delivered workshops on direct tourism bookings and authored the ebook, "Whitsunday Islands: A Journey through Paradise." Certifications include "Whitsundays Tourism Hero" and "Respecting First Nations Cultural Protocols in Australia" from the Queensland Tourism Industry Council. Testimonials from regional tourism businesses highlight a unique and genuine approach to tourism marketing.