Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach by Ocean Raft, With Hill Inlet

★★★★★ 4.9 (4,997 traveler reviews)

Lands on Whitehaven BeachOcean raftHill Inlet lookout walkSnorkel gear in the fare

The classic island day, done fast. You leave the marina on an open raft that reaches the islands in less time than a big boat. You walk up to the Hill Inlet lookout, snorkel a fringing reef in a sunsuit and eat lunch on the sand. Then you get about two hours on Whitehaven Beach. Expect spray, wind and speed.

Hours, prices and access verified by the Airlie Beach Tours team — last checked 2026-09-21.

More photos →

Raft, lookout, reef and beach in seven hours

Seven hours by ocean raft from Coral Sea Marina

Ocean Rafting runs open, semi-rigid inflatables out of Coral Sea Marina, and speed is the reason to choose one. The operator's own pitch is simple: the raft travels faster than larger boats, so you get more time in the islands. That is how one seven-hour day fits a lookout walk, a snorkel, lunch and two hours on the sand.

You pay for it in comfort. The seats are open to the wind, and when the sea is up the ride is wet and bumpy. One reviewer had a choppy start and found calm water by the snorkel spot. If a bouncing boat sounds like the worst part of a day, pick a steadier one from Airlie Beach tours to Whitehaven Beach. Every other day out of town sits beside it on Airlie Beach Tours.

Southern Lights or Northern Exposure

You choose one of two versions of the day when you book. Northern Exposure gives more time in the water. Southern Lights gives more time on the sand. Both carry the same fare, and both come with guides who talk you through the reef, the islands and the wildlife. The operator calls its guides Master Reef Guides, and a marine biologist is part of the team.

Choose by what you came for. Keen snorkelers take Northern Exposure. If you want to walk the silica sand and swim in the shallows, take Southern Lights. With younger children, the beach version is the gentler day. The choice is made at checkout, not on the boat, so decide before you pay.

The Hill Inlet lookout walk

At the northern end of the beach, a guide walks you up the national park track to the lookout over Hill Inlet, where the tide pulls white sand through blue channels. The park lists the track as 1.3 km return, about 40 minutes, and graded moderate. Wear shoes that grip, not flip-flops. The listing allows about an hour at Hill Inlet, which covers the walk and the photos.

The park also says boats reach the start of the track from mid to high tide. Ocean Rafting speaks of the ultimate access to Hill Inlet and the beach; that is the operator's phrase, and the tide still sets the plan on the day. How the tides and seasons shape the water is on the best time to visit page.

Snorkeling an inner fringing reef

The snorkel stop is an inner fringing reef around the islands. These reefs sit inside the same Marine Park as the outer reef, but they are not the outer reef, and none of the boat days we list goes out to it. The fare covers the snorkel gear and a sunsuit or wetsuit. Wear the suit: the park says marine stingers can be in the sea in any month of the year.

If you wear glasses, prescription masks are hired at check-in for $25 a person. The water decides how good the stop is, and one reviewer rated the reef stops above the water near the beach for coral and fish. Why the suits matter, and when the stinger risk is higher, is on the what to expect page.

Lunch on Whitehaven Beach, and what it leaves out

Lunch is a tropical spread served on the sand, with cake and fruit for morning and afternoon tea. Dietary needs go in at least 48 hours ahead, not on the day. One family with a nut allergy found the whole day's food nut-free, which is worth asking about if it matters to you.

Drinks are the gap. Alcohol is not in the fare, and drinks and chocolates are sold on board by credit card only. Bring a refillable water bottle, full, and comfortable walking shoes: both are on the operator's own list. Queensland public holidays add a surcharge, set out below.

How the seven hours run

1. Pickup or the Northern Village. Take the courtesy bus, or check in at Ocean Rafting's marina office; allow 45 minutes.
2. Safety briefing and the crossing. The crew fit you out and brief you, then the raft heads for the islands.
3. The Hill Inlet lookout. About an hour for the guided walk up to the view and back.
4. The fringing reef. Snorkel in your sunsuit, for longer on Northern Exposure.
5. Lunch on Whitehaven Beach. A tropical lunch served on the sand.
6. About two hours on the beach. Swim, walk the sand or rest, for longer on Southern Lights.
7. Back to the marina. The raft runs you home, with afternoon tea along the way.

Who this suits: you want the whole island day and you like speed

What the fare covers

Meeting at the Northern Village

You meet at Coral Sea Marina, 1-3 Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach, in the Northern Village next to Sorrento's Restaurant. Ocean Rafting's office is where you check in, and the day ends back at the same point. If you are staying in town, the courtesy bus collects you instead, and your confirmation names the stop and the time.

Other operators meet at other ends of the same marina, and the South Village is a different walk, so check the name on your ticket. Every meeting point in town, with the harbours and the airfield, is on the Airlie Beach departure map.

Know before you go

• Pack a small bag. Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, a full refillable bottle and walking shoes.
• Bring a card for drinks. Drinks and chocolates on board are sold by credit card; alcohol is not in the fare.
• Public holidays cost more. Queensland public holidays add $20 an adult, $10 a child or $50 a family.
• Glasses wearers can hire a mask. Prescription masks are $25 a person at check-in.
• Not for every body. Not recommended in pregnancy or with back problems; infants ride on a lap.
• Not for cruise ships. Its times do not match visiting cruise ship schedules; plan another day.

What travelers say about the raft day

Read all reviews →

Frequently asked questions