Ocean Rafting, Hill Inlet Lookout

Airlie Beach: Snorkel, Hill Inlet Lookout & Whitehaven Beach runs through Ocean Rafting. Rated 4.8 across 2,433 reviews. Runs 6.5 hours to a full day. From A$249.

Overview

This Ocean Rafting day trip from Airlie Beach packs a fast boat ride, snorkelling, bushwalking and beach time into one outing on semi-rigid inflatables that reach speeds of up to 35 knots. The day runs roughly six and a half hours to a full day, and there are two ways to do it. The North Whitehaven option leans towards snorkelling, with two different reef sites plus the beach at Hill Inlet and a guided National Park walk to the lookout above Whitehaven's silica sand. The South Whitehaven option trades some of that water time for at least two hours on the beach, with a guided walk to Hill Inlet and over an hour of snorkelling among corals and fringing reefs.

Ocean Rafting says it is the only Whitsundays operator with direct access to the Hill Inlet beaches at Whitehaven, and the operation carries advanced ecotourism certification. Lunch is served tropical-style on Whitehaven Beach, with morning and afternoon tea included, and a courtesy bus collects from local hotels and parks. Snorkel gear, flotation devices, wetsuits and personalised snorkel instruction are all part of the package.

It suits travellers who want an active day and do not mind wind, spray and speed between stops. Reviewers regularly single out the crew and the boat ride itself. Anyone hoping for a slow cruise or a quiet lounge day should probably look elsewhere.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Pickup and check-inA courtesy bus picks up from local hotels and parks in the Airlie Beach area. Online check-in must be completed 48 hours before travel, using the link in the confirmation email.
2. Fast boat rideTravel on a semi-rigid inflatable vessel among the Whitsunday Islands, with reef and island naturalist talks along the way. The listing does not fix the order of stops, and it changes with tide, wind and other weather conditions.
3. Hill Inlet and lookoutVisit the beach at Hill Inlet and take a guided National Park walk to the lookout above Whitehaven's silica sand. This tour is the only one in the Whitsundays with direct access to the Hill Inlet beaches.
4. Whitehaven Beach and lunchTime on Whitehaven Beach, with at least two hours on the South Whitehaven option. A tropical-style lunch is served on the beach, plus morning and afternoon tea of cake and fruit.
5. Reef snorkellingSnorkel inner coral reefs with personalised instruction, wetsuits and flotation devices provided. The North Whitehaven option visits two snorkel destinations around Hook and Border Island, and the South option includes over an hour in the water.
6. Return to Airlie BeachThe day finishes back in Airlie Beach with courtesy bus drop-off at local hotels and parks.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day goes, from the pace of the boat to what you carry on it.

• What to bring. The listing asks for a towel, swimwear, sunglasses, a sun hat, comfortable shoes, a jacket and a reusable water bottle. The jacket matters more than people expect on a boat travelling at speed.
• Fitness and pace. There is a guided National Park walk to the lookout, so comfortable shoes help. The boat ride itself is the fastest style of day boat in the Whitsundays, which several reviewers loved but which suits travellers happy with a bumpy, splashy run.
• Food and drink. Lunch plus morning and afternoon tea of cake and fruit are included. Water, soft drinks, beer, cider, juices and chocolates are sold on board, so bring a credit card if you want extras.
• Crew and group feel. Reviewers again and again praise the guides by name for their energy and knowledge, and one couple called the day well planned with a good bunch of people aboard. Many reviews also single out how friendly and helpful the staff are.
• Weather flexibility. The itinerary is a guideline only and changes with tide, wind and other conditions, so the order of stops and snorkel sites can shift. Snorkel visibility also varies, as one reviewer found at the first stop.
• Wildlife luck. One reviewer's trip included manta rays, whales and turtles, but sightings are never promised. Treat any marine life as a bonus on top of the reef and beach stops.

Common issues. Drinks and chocolates are not included and must be bought on board with a card, which one reviewer felt was excessive on top of the ticket price. The same reviewer found the first snorkel stop poor for visibility and the wetsuits low quality, and noted the cold water put one member of their party off the second snorkel. A few travellers across reviews mention the on-board music being too loud. A Queensland public holiday surcharge applies at check-in, and the listing warns that the timings do not suit cruise ship passengers. The itinerary can also change with weather and tides.

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