Ocean Rafting Tours – Whitehaven Beach day Tour Review

If you are planning a family holiday to the Whitsunday’s, a day trip to Whitehaven Beach is an absolute must. Ocean Rafting Tours have an action-packed adventure for the kids of all ages that can quickly get you from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven beach for a family day of fun and adventure.

Ocean Rafting Tours

Whitehaven Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world known for its stunning white sand and aqua blue water. Most visitors will take a day trip to Whitehaven beach from Airlie Beach.

Ocean rafting is one of the fastest boats in the Whitsunday’s and the trip takes approximately 1 hour from Airlie beach to Whitehaven beach.

The kids will love the tunes on board the speed boat zipping through the islands while they spot the marine life in the water which may include dolphins, whales or sea turtles.

The adults will love taking in the scenery of the many islands you pass on your way to your destination.

Tour Inclusions

Ocean Rafting offer two ocean tours departing from Airlie Beach, Southern Lights & Northern Exposure. Both tours include the following.

Guided bush walk to Hill inlet lookout
Time relaxing on Whitehaven Beach
Inner fringing coral reef snorkelling
Use of snorkel equipment and floatation devices (life jackets and pool noodles).
You can hire wetsuits for $8 from ages 4+)

The main difference between the two tours is that Southern Lights you spend more time on Whitehaven beach whereas the Northern Lights your you spend more time snorkelling.

Hill Inlet

A short guided bush walk from the beach up to the famous lookout over Hill Inlet. This navigates a dirt track with numerous steps to reach the lookout platform. This walk is not pram friendly, so bring a carrier if you have little ones.

The view at the top is well worth the walk. Standing on a platform elevated over the inlet you will have 270 degree views over the white swirling sands through the aqua water over the inlet. It looks exactly like the postcard.

Then walk down to Whitehaven Beach at the Northern end of the Island. The sand is pure white and feels so soft and delicate between your toes as you make your way back to the boat.

Snorkelling

You will stop at one of several possible snorkelling destinations at an inner fringing coral reefs.

You will be given snorkels equipment and floatation devices to snorkel up to an hour out in the reef. Here you will see an abundance of marine life including several varieties of fish and possibility of sea turtles as well.

Older children will thoroughly enjoy this snorkelling experience and swimming amongst all the marine life.

Younger children will see be able to see the coral reefs from the boat and the marine life swimming around the boat.

Whitehaven Beach

Enjoy some dedicated time (1-2 hours depending on which tour you booked) at the Southern end of Whitehaven beach. This time is to your leisure, so you decide what you want to do whilst on this famous stretch of white sand;

Swim in the ocean (you can still use Ocean Rafting’s snorkel equipment here too). Take a stroll along the white sands of the 7km stretch of beach.

Build a sandcastle with the kids with the beautiful white sand. They come out perfect every time!

Throughout the day Ocean rafting will circle a majority of Whitsunday Island, including the 7kms of Whitehaven beach. You will get to see the tourist destinations and the untouched aspects of the beach from the comfort of the boat.

Check out the options of multiday tours and/or combining the ocean tour with a scenic flight over the many islands in the Whitsunday’s including Whitehaven beach as well as the Great Barrier Reef and view the famous heart reef from the sky.

Lunch

There are no facilities to purchase food from at Whitehaven beach. You can either bring your own lunch and water on board, otherwise you can prebook lunch through Ocean rafting.

The tropical lunch pack comes individually packaged and can cater for dietary requirements is placed in advance. There wasn’t an option for kids meals on our visit so if you have little ones who are fussy best to bring theirs on board.

You have the option to either enjoy your lunch aboard the boat or take it down to Whitehaven beach. Just ensure to bring all your rubbish back to the boat once you’re finished.

After lunch you will be treated to afternoon tea. This may include some fresh tropical fruit and some sweet treats which the kids will enjoy after their busy day on the island.

Drinks can be purchased on the boat which include beer, wine, soft drinks, juice and water. Prices are reasonable.

Tips for your visit

Don’t forget bathers, towel, hat and shoes
The wind can get a little chilly at times on the boat if travelling in cooler weather, so pack a jumper or wrap a towel around the kids.
Bring your camera or GoPro with a waterproof case for snorkelling.
An Ocean Rafting team member takes photos with a go pro throughout the day. If you don’t want to be photographed no worries, just let the crew know. A link with photographs will be sent a day or two post the tour which you can choose to purchase if you wish.

Details

Address:
Coral Sea Marina North, Shingley Drive (next to Sorrento Restaurant & Bar), Airlie Beach
Ocean rafting offers courtesy bus transfers for collection and drop off at your accommodation. Alternatively, you can make your own way to the marina if you prefer.
Opening Hours: Tours vary.
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