6Hr Ocean Rafting Whitehaven Beach Northern Exposure Tour

The Ocean Rafting Northern Exposure is a 6-hour adventure tour departing Airlie Beach by a high-speed semi-rigid inflatable vessel. It visits the northern end of Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, includes a guided National Park bushwalk to Hill Inlet Lookout, and features snorkelling at two fringing coral reef sites around Hook Island. A tropical beach lunch, all snorkel equipment, and reef naturalist talks are included. Departure is from Coral Sea Marina at 9:00am, returning at 3:15pm.
 
Hill Inlet & Whitehaven Beach

Your day begins as you set off on one of the fastest boats in the Whitsundays. Feel the wind in your hair and the expanse of the Coral Sea and islands waiting to be explored. 

Once you get to Whitsunday Island, nothing quite prepares you for your first view of Hill Inlet. Your guide leads you on a National Park bushwalk to the ridge, where the panorama unfolds like something off a postcard. The swirling silica sands shift with the tides, painting the water in ribbons of white, jade and aqua. And, from the Hill Inlet Lookout, it is quite a spectacular sight. Then it’s down to the northern end of Whitehaven Beach, one of the world’s most celebrated stretches of sand, for an hour of beach time and a tropical lunch right on the shore.
 
Two Reef Snorkel Sites

The Northern Exposure is a snorkel-lover’s choice. You’ll visit two separate coral reef sites around Hook Island, spending up to an hour at each. The crew provides personalised snorkel instruction and flotation devices; so whether you’re a confident swimmer or this is your first time underwater, you’ll be well taken care of. Look out for turtles, tropical fish, and hard and soft corals in waters that feel impossibly clear.
 
Who Is This Cruise Best Suited For

This tour is best suited to adventure-seekers and snorkel enthusiasts who want maximum time in the water alongside the iconic Whitehaven Beach experience. It’s a great pick for active couples, solo travellers, and families with older children who want to pack a full Whitsundays day into one thrilling itinerary.