Heart Reef & Whitehaven Beach Scenic Flight from Airlie Beach

Four landmarks in an hour: Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and 74 Whitsunday Islands from above

A 60-minute scenic flight from Airlie Beach over the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef, departing from Whitsunday Airport with pilot commentary and big window viewing. The route covers Heart Reef (the most photographed reef location), the 7-kilometre sweep of Whitehaven Beach, the swirling sands of Hill Inlet, and the Whitsunday Passage. Courtesy bus transfers, airport lounge access and all fees are included. Children from age 2 are welcome, and weight limit is 125kg per person.

Step-by-step itinerary

Scenic flight over Whitsundays

• Depart from Whitsunday Airport
• Fly over Heart Reef
• View Heart Reef from the sky
• Fly over Whitehaven Beach
• Fly over Hill Inlet swirling sands
• Fly over Whitsunday Islands
• Return to Whitsunday Airport

The experience

The flight departs Whitsunday Airport at one of six daily times (7am, 8.30am, 10am, 11.30am, 1pm or 2.30pm), just 8 minutes by courtesy bus from Airlie Beach's main street. A fixed-wing aircraft with big windows means every seat has a view, the operator guarantees window seating, and the pilot provides live commentary in English throughout the hour. The route heads first over the Whitsunday Islands and Whitsunday Passage, then out to the Great Barrier Reef.

Heart Reef is the centrepiece: a heart-shaped coral formation that appears in countless reef photographs, and from the air the shape is unmistakable. After the reef, the flight passes over Whitehaven Beach, a 7-kilometre stretch of pure white silica sand that looks almost unreal from above, then Hill Inlet with its distinctive swirling sand patterns where tidal currents shift the seabed constantly. The aircraft stays low enough to see these details clearly, not a distant overview, but a proper look at what makes each place recognizable.

The day starts with a courtesy bus pickup from your Airlie Beach accommodation, arrival at the airport lounge (air-conditioned, with secure lockers for valuables), and free parking if you drive yourself. After landing, you're back in town the same way. The whole experience (transport, flight, lounge time and all fees) is included in one price.

What’s included

• 60-minute scenic flight with big window viewing and guaranteed window seats.
• pilot commentary in English.
• views of Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.
• courtesy bus transfers from Airlie Beach.
• air-conditioned airport lounge access.
• free parking at Whitsunday Airport.
• secure lockers for valuables.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (15 to 80 years) · Child (2 to 14 years)

GroupUp to 12 · max 7 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Ocean Rafting

Is this one for you?The pilot speaks English throughout, so you follow the commentary without effort: a good fit if you want to understand what you're seeing rather than just looking at the shapes below. The fixed schedule (six departures daily) works well if you're building a day around a specific flight time and don't want to wait for a group to fill.

Traveler reviews

4.85★★★★★★★★★★

161 verified traveler reviews

5 ★152

4 ★3

3 ★1

2 ★1

1 ★4

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 14 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How low does the plane fly over Heart Reef and the islands?

The aircraft stays low enough that the pilot commentary points out specific reef formations and sand patterns as you pass over them. The big window viewing is designed so you see detail, not a distant landscape.

Can I book this flight if I'm staying on Hamilton Island instead of Airlie Beach?

This tour departs from Whitsunday Airport near Airlie Beach and includes courtesy bus transfers from Airlie Beach accommodation. If you're based on Hamilton Island, you would need to arrange your own transport to the airport or look for a different operator.

Is the pilot commentary included, or is it an add-on?

Pilot commentary in English is included in the flight. The operator provides live narration throughout the 60 minutes.

What happens if my weight is over 125kg?

The maximum weight limit per person is 125kg. If you're at or near this limit, contact the operator before booking to confirm whether the flight can accommodate you.