"THE ORIGINAL AND MOST AWARDED TOUR IN THE WHITSUNDAYS"
Ride, beach, snorkel and bushwalk… all in one day! Ocean Rafting's Southern Lights tour offers the perfect Whitehaven Beach tour, visiting both ends of the world famous beach, enjoying approximately two hours relaxing at south Whitehaven.
Multi award winning Ocean Rafting visits the "Wild Side" of the Whitsunday Islands, the uninhabited islands with beautiful natural scenery brimming with marine, bird and animal life. The Ocean Rafting's Southern Lights tour offers the perfect Whitehaven Beach tour, visiting both ends of the world famous beach and enjoying approximately two hours relaxing at the southern end of the 7km stretch of Whitehaven Beach.
At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach, enjoy a guided bushwalk to spectacular Hill Inlet Lookout to view and capture photographs of the stunning swirling silica sands and aqua water. Ocean Rafting is the only tour to have direct access to all areas of the stunning and iconic Hill Inlet beach to ensure you enjoy the most memorable experience of this special place. Snorkel for over an hour at one of our "secret" snorkel spots and enjoy the amazing hard and soft corals of the fringing reefs, as well as a huge range of marine life including colourful fish, turtles, clams and so much more, all of which call the inner coral reefs home.
Ocean Rafting has the fastest day boats in the Whitsundays, meaning it is not only an adventurous ride, but distances are covered in a shorter time, leaving more time for activities. The semi rigid inflatable vessels are super fast allowing guests to experience a fun ride, adventure and education amongst the natural beauty of the Whitsundays. You can see why we call it three days in one!
The main difference between Ocean Rafting’s two tours is that the Northern Exposure offers more snorkelling time and the Southern Lights has more beach time.
Ocean Rafting has been operating since 1997 and is proud to have special permits allowing its vessels to visit protected areas in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Skipper and Eco Host will ensure guests have a fun filled adventure and personalised service with snorkel lessons and a guided National Park walk in the Whitsunday Islands. Tours depart from Coral Sea Marina, Northern Village and courtesy coach pickups are included.
Note
- QLD Public Holiday surcharges of $20 per adult, $10 per child and $50 per family (2ad and 2ch) for Northern Exposure, Southern Lights and Fly Raft apply. These are payable on check in. Scenic flights do not incur a surcharge.
Inclusions
- An exhilarating ride to the white silica sands at both ends of world-famous Whitehaven Beach
- More beach time, with two hours relaxing and enjoying lunch at South Whitehaven
- One snorkelling destination
- Hill Inlet Lookout guided bush-walk
- Use of snorkel equipment and flotation devices
- Reef and island naturalist talks
- Courtesy bus transfers
- Cake and fruit platter
- Whale watching from June to October
Extras
- Tropical style lunch - $20 (please advise upon booking and any dietary requirements)
- Sunsuit / wetsuit hire (Student & Pensioners free hire) - $8
- Prescription mask hire available - $20
- Water, soft drinks, alcohol and chocolates for sale on boat
Options
- Adult: 15 years & over
- Child: 2-14 years
- Infant: 0-23 months FOC
- Family: 2 adults & 2 children
Time
- Tours depart daily at 10am and returns at 4:30pm
- Check in time is 9am
Duration
Location
- This tour departs from Coral Sea Marina North (next to Sorrento Restaurant & Bar), Airlie Beach, QLD 4802
What To Bring
- A beach bag including a towel, hat and sand shoes
- A sweater or jacket in the winter months to protect you from the wind and keep you warm after snorkelling
- Cameras should be in a waterproof case or Tupperware
- Water, soft drinks, fruit juices and chocolates as well as underwater cameras are for sale on board but you are welcome to bring your own
- If you have chosen not to have our tropical style lunch, please ensure that you bring your own as we do not visit any resorts during the day
Additional Information
- A Chinese guide is available daily but is not guaranteed for all the boats
- Vessel subject to change without notice
- Prices subject to change
- Please note if you are travelling to the Whitsundays on a cruise ship, the timings of this experience do not align with the visiting cruise ship schedule
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations are accepted up until 7pm the night prior to travel.
Booking Information
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
- Offers and inclusions are subject to change without notice
- We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 48 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- The operator reserves the right to update their rates without notice