• 60-minute scenic flight over the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef, including famous Heart Reef
• Choose from 2 exclusive ocean rafting snorkel tours - one with more snorkel time, one with more beach time for North and South Whitehaven Beach
• The only tour to have direct access to Hill Inlet beaches at Whitehaven
• Fastest boats in the Whitsundays - meaning you get more time to explore, snorkel and swim. Multi award-winning tour  
• Free snorkel instruction, snorkelling equipment and flotation devices
• Capture the sheer beauty of Heart Reef from above as you fly over the Great Barrier Reef on a 60-minute scenic flight.

Experience the best views of the Great Barrier Reef above and below the water on this ultimate Whitsunday Islands scenic flight and high speed boat snorkel tour. Our tour includes a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef and famous Heart Reef, and an exhilarating boat ride to Whitehaven Beach.

The best of the Whitsundays ABOVE, ON and BELOW the water, on the same day or over 2 days.

What to Expect

Experience the best of the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef with a scenic flight and high-speed boat snorkelling tour from Airlie Beach. This tour includes a breathtaking scenic flight over the iconic Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach, followed by an exhilarating boat ride to explore the underwater wonders and pristine beaches of the Whitsundays.

Features and Highlights

Scenic Flight and Snorkelling Tour Combo

Whitsundays Scenic Flight

• Departing from Airlie Beach, enjoy a 60-minute scenic flight over the Whitsunday Islands, including the famous Heart Reef. Capture stunning aerial views of the 74 islands, Whitehaven Beach, and Hill Inlet, all from the comfort of a fixed-wing aircraft with large windows and pilot commentary.

High-Speed Ocean Rafting Snorkelling Tour and Whitehaven Beach Adventure

• Travel to iconic Whitsunday destinations such as Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and various snorkelling spots on a high-speed semi-rigid inflatable vessel. Choose between two exciting tour options:
• Whitsundays Snorkelling Adventure (Northern Exposure): Focuses on more snorkelling with visits to Hook Island and Border Island.
• Whitsundays Whitehaven Beach Adventure (Southern Lights): Offers more beach time at Whitehaven Beach and includes a snorkelling session at stunning fringing coral reefs.

Whitsundays Snorkelling Adventure (Northern Exposure)

• Snorkelling Sites: Enjoy two snorkelling spots at Hook Island and Border Island.
• Whitehaven Beach: Visit the northern end of Whitehaven Beach, including Hill Inlet.
• Hill Inlet Lookout: Take a guided walk to the lookout for panoramic views.

Sample Itinerary: Option 1 (Northern Exposure)

• 6:00am: Check-in at Abell Point Marina North, Airlie Beach
• 7:00am: 60-minute scenic flight over the Whitsundays
• 8:00am: Return to Airlie Beach and prepare for the ocean rafting adventure
• 8:45am: Depart for snorkelling and beach exploration
• 3:30pm: Arrive back at Airlie Beach

Whitsundays Whitehaven Beach Adventure (Southern Lights)

• Whitehaven Beach: Spend approximately two hours relaxing at both ends of the 7km stretch of white silica sand.
• Hill Inlet Lookout: Enjoy a guided bushwalk to view the swirling sands and aquamarine waters.
• Snorkelling: Snorkelling for over an hour at Border Island, Dumbell Island, or a secret spot.

Sample Itinerary: Option 2 (Southern Lights)

• 7:15am: Check-in at Abell Point Marina North, Airlie Beach
• 8:15am: 60-minute scenic flight over the Whitsundays
• 9:15am: Return to Airlie Beach and prepare for the ocean rafting adventure
• 10:00am: Depart for Whitehaven Beach and snorkelling
• 4:30pm: Arrive back at Airlie Beach

Fly and Raft

Daily Departures

• Northern Exposure: 7:00am departure
• Southern Lights: 8:30am departure
• Departure Point: Coral Sea Marina North, Airlie Beach
• Courtesy pick-up and drop-off included for local accommodations.

Scenic Flight

• Begin your day with a 60-minute flight over the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, including the famous Heart Reef. Take in the stunning views and capture incredible photos from above.

Ocean Rafting Adventure

• After your scenic flight, prepare for a high-speed boat adventure to explore the Whitsunday Islands. Snorkelling at exclusive sites, enjoy the beautiful beaches, and learn about the reef and islands from your Skipper and Eco Host.

Optional Lunch and Afternoon Tea

• Enjoy a delicious tropical lunch on Whitehaven Beach (additional cost) and indulge in afternoon tea with cake on your return journey.

This Airlie Beach tour offers an unforgettable experience combining the best of the Whitsunday Islands from above, on, and below the water. Enjoy stunning scenic flights, exhilarating boat rides, and amazing snorkelling adventures. Perfect for those looking to explore the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands from Airlie Beach.

See more great value Whitsunday combo deals. 

Read about the difference between North and South Whitehaven Beach.

Learn more about the Great Barrier Reef on our blog.

Fly and Raft

Departing daily at 7.00am (Northern Exposure) and 8.30am (Southern Lights) from Coral Sea Marina North, Airlie Beach, this Whitsunday Islands scenic flight and high speed ocean rafting snorkel tour package offers the best of the Whitsundays from above, on and below the water!

Soar above the Great Barrier Reef on a breath-taking 60-minute scenic flight over the Whitsunday islands and famous Heart Reef, then take the ride of your life to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and pristine snorkelling reefs, on your choice of two ocean rafting snorkel tours.

• The Whitsundays Snorkel Adventure (Northern Exposure): departs early and offers more snorkelling time, including two special snorkel sites at Hook Island and Border Island.
• The Whitehaven Beach Adventure (Southern Lights): offers more time on Whitehaven Beach’s famous 7km stretch of white silica sand.

Features:

• 60-minute scenic flight over the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef, including Heart Reef
• Ocean rafting adventure to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet - choose from 2 ocean rafting snorkel tours
• Enjoy exclusive direct access to stunning Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach
• Inner fringing coral reef snorkelling
• Personal snorkel instruction, snorkelling equipment and floatation devices provided
• Swim in the turquoise waters or laze on the white silica sand at Whitehaven Beach
• Take a guided national park walk to iconic Hill Inlet Lookout
• Listen to reef and island naturalist talks offered by your Skipper and Eco Host
• Enjoy a delicious tropical lunch served on beautiful Whitehaven Beach (Additional cost)
• Courtesy pick-up/drop-offs and yummy cake for afternoon tea are included.

What to bring:

• Swimmers
• A beach bag with a towel, hat and shoes
• A jacket during winter to protect you from wind and for warmth after snorkelling
• Sunglasses
• Cameras in a waterproof case or Tupperware
• Cash for water, soft drinks, fruit juices and chocolates for sale onboard
• Everything you need for the day as you will not return to your accommodation between tour

Tropical Lunch

• POTATO SALAD: Potato, mayonnaise (does not contain egg or dairy and is also suitable for vegans), salt and pepper. GF LF VEG VGN NF 
• ASIAN NOODLE SALAD: Angel hair pasta, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce, salt and pepper, topped with roasted vegetables including carrot, zucchini, capsicum and onion mixed in Italian herbs and paprika. LF VEG VGN NF
• GARDEN SALAD: Mesclun lettuce, cheese cubes, cherry tomatoes, Spanish onion, cucumber, capsicum, julienne carrots, stuffed green olives with a vinaigrette dressing. GF VEG
• FRESH BAKED BREAD ROLL: Topped with cheese, sweet chilli sauce, spices. VEG NF
• COLD MEATS: Sliced ham GF LF NF, sliced salami GF NF, sliced chicken breast. GF LF NF
• CHICKPEA SALAD (FOR DIETARY PACKS – SEE BELOW): Chickpeas, fresh tomato, parsley, lemon juice, salt and pepper. GF VGN

Morning or Afternoon Tea

• SELECTION OF SEASONAL FRUITS
• LAMINGTONS VEG

Special Dietary Options

• GLUTEN FREE: Noodle salad replaced with chickpea salad.  Dinner roll replaced with gluten free bread.
• LACTOSE FREE: No cheese or salami provided. Plain dinner roll provided.
• VEGETARIAN: No meat provided. Extra salad and dinner roll provided.
• VEGAN: No cheese or meat provided. Extra salad and chickpea salad provided.
• NUT FREE: No salad dressing or olives

Sample Itinerary: Option 1

Timings will be confirmed upon booking. Please note this is a sample itinerary and may be subject to change. 

Option One : Whitsundays Scenic Flight & Ocean Rafting Snorkel Tour (Northern Exposure)

Departing : Daily at 7.00am
Returning : Daily at 3.30pm

Courtesy pick-ups: included for guests from local accommodations. 

6.00am: Check-in

Check-in at 6.00am at Abell Point Marina North, Airlie Beach (next to Sorrento Restaurant & Bar). 

7.00am: Whitsundays scenic flight

Depart Airlie Beach at 7.00am for a 60-minute scenic flight over the Whitsundays. You’ll fly over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet before heading out to the Great Barrier Reef and over famous Heart Reef.

8.00am: Back to the Marina

Back to Airlie Beach. Get ready for an exhilarating afternoon ocean rafting snorkel adventure.

8.45am: Ocean rafting snorkel adventure

We depart Abell Point Marina at Airlie Beach and head to two exclusive locations off Hook Island where you can snorkel the pristine reefs, explore the colourful corals and discover an array of unique marine life. Personal snorkelling lessons are also included. 

After our amazing snorkelling adventure, we head to iconic Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet in the Whitsunday Islands. Enjoy exclusive access to Hill Inlet beaches where you can swim in the clear blue ocean, laze on the silica white sand and enjoy a delicious tropical lunch on the beach.

After lunch, take a guided national park walk to Hill Inlet Lookout where you’ll encounter stunning views of the swirling sands below.

Mid-afternoon: Time to head home

There’s more fun to be had as we make our way back to Airlie Beach! Indulge your sweet tooth with some cake for afternoon tea and enjoy adrenaline-fuelled fun as the boats speed back to Abell Marina, Airlie Beach often racing each other on the way.

3.30pm: Arrive Airlie Beach

Arrive back at Abell Point Marina North, Airlie Beach.

Sample Itinerary: Option 2

OPTION TWO: Scenic Flight and Whitehaven Beach Adventure (Southern Lights)

Departing : Daily at 8.15am
Returning : Daily at 4.30pm

Courtesy pick-ups: included for guests from local accommodations. 

7.15am: Check-in

Check-in at 7.15am at Abell Point Marina North, Airlie Beach (next to Sorrento Restaurant & Bar). 

8.15am: Whitsundays scenic flight

Depart Airlie Beach at 8.15am for a 60-minute scenic flight over the Whitsundays. You’ll fly over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet before heading out to the Great Barrier Reef and over famous Heart Reef.

9.15am: Back to the Marina

Back to Airlie Beach. Get ready for an exhilarating afternoon ocean rafting beach and snorkel adventure.

10.00am: We’re on our way

Depart the marina at 10.00am on our super-fast semi-rigid inflatable vessel and enjoy a fun, high-speed ride amongst the natural beauty of the Whitsundays.

We visit both ends of beautiful Whitehaven Beach, enjoying approximately two hours relaxing at the southern end of the 7km stretch of famous white silica sand. Explore the beach, swim in the turquoise ocean or sunbathe on the soft silica sand - the choice is yours.

Enjoy exclusive access to all areas of Hill Inlet where you can enjoy a delicious tropical lunch on the beach.  

After lunch, take a guided national park walk to Hill Inlet Lookout where you’ll encounter stunning views of the swirling sands below.

Snorkel for over an hour at the stunning fringing reefs at Border Island, Dumbell Island or one of our “secret” snorkel spots. As you explore the colourful corals you’ll encounter an array of unique marine life, including:

• turtles
• dolphins
• an array of colourful tropical fish
• giant clams

Personal snorkelling lessons, snorkelling equipment and floatation devices are included. 

Afternoon: It’s time to head home

There’s more fun to be had as we make our way back to Airlie Beach! Indulge your sweet tooth with some cake for afternoon tea and enjoy adrenaline-fuelled fun as the boats speed back to Abell Marina, Airlie Beach often racing each other on the way.

4.30pm: Return to Airlie Beach

Arrive back at Abell Point Marina North, Airlie Beach at 4.30pm.

See more Great Barrier Reef tours from Airlie Beach 

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Airlie Beach

Departure Time

• Our flights depart from Whitsunday Airport, located only a short 8 minute drive from Airlie Beach.
• Flight times: 7am and 8.30am, followed by Ocean Rafting tour.

Pickup Locations

Airlie Beach

• Courtesy coach pick-ups/drop-offs are available from mainland accommodation

Destinations

• Heart Reef
• Hill Inlet
• Whitehaven Beach
• Whitsunday Island
• Hook Island

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

Full day (1-hour flight, 6 ½ hours ocean rafting adventure)

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Prescription Mask Hire - $15
• Water
• Soft Drinks/Juice
• Beer/Cider
• Chocolate

Fitness Level Required

Medium

Restrictions

Weight: Up to 125 Kg / 276 Lb

Additional Information

• Minimum numbers of four passengers for flights/flight packages apply.
• Flights are subject to pilot discretion, weather and air traffic control.
• For legal and safety reasons, all passengers are weighed prior to boarding. Individual weights in excess of 110kg will incur an extra seat surcharge.
• Maximum per seat weight is 130 kgs.
• Full names and exact weights per passenger must be advised when booking due to flight weight availability.
• We recommend you take out travel insurance. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard our clients, we cannot be held responsible for personal injury or loss due to the actions of the clients which are beyond our control. A signed release will be required from all participants on departure.
• Sites are weather and tide permitting.
• The operator reserves the right to charge its customers a fuel levy if fuel is over $1.50 per litre and the right to arrange alternative itinerary when necessary.
• The operator may use photographs of our clients in promotional material, including but not limited to social media, however if you do not consent please advise operator.

Eco Certifications

• Swimmers
• A beach bag with a towel, hat and shoes.
• A jacket during winter to protect you from wind and for warmth after snorkelling.
• Sunglasses
• Cameras in a waterproof case or Tupperware.
• Cash for water, soft drinks, fruit juices and chocolates for sale on board.
• Everything you need for the day as you will not return to your accommodation between tours.