Snorkeling Airlie Beach: Scenic Flight & Reef Tour
Heart Reef from the air, then from underwater.
A combined scenic flight and ocean rafting tour from Airlie Beach that covers the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef in one day. You fly over Heart Reef, Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach in a fixed-wing aircraft with big window seating, then board a raft to snorkel inner fringing coral reefs and walk to the Hill Inlet Lookout. The tour runs eight hours and includes all snorkelling gear, guided National Park walks, tropical lunch at Whitehaven Beach, and morning and afternoon tea. Two options let you choose: Northern Exposure prioritizes more snorkelling time, while Southern Lights adds extra beach time at the South End of Whitehaven Beach.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Whitsundays scenic flight and rafting
- Scenic flight over Heart Reef
- View Hill Inlet from the air
- Ocean Rafting to Whitehaven Beach
- Guided bushwalk to Hill Inlet Lookout
- Swim and relax at Whitehaven Beach
- Heart Reef passing by
- Hill Inlet 1h
- Whitsunday Passage 8h
What’s included
- 60-minute scenic flight over Heart Reef, Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach with guaranteed window seats.
- ocean raft tour to pristine snorkelling reefs with all snorkelling equipment and a guide in the water.
- guided bushwalk to the Hill Inlet Lookout.
- tropical lunch at Whitehaven Beach.
- morning and afternoon tea with cake and fruit.
- wetsuit or sunsuit.
- National Park entry fees and all taxes.
Times
- Every day 07:00 08:15
Before you book
Operated by Ocean Rafting
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Traveler reviews
The experience
Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet anchor this tour, but the route itself is the point. You see them from the air first, then land and move through them on the water. The 60-minute scenic flight departs from Whitsunday Airport, eight minutes from Airlie Beach's main street, and banks over Heart Reef, one of the most photographed spots on the Great Barrier Reef. The pilot provides commentary as you pass over the 74 Whitsunday Islands, and guaranteed window seats mean you're not craning around someone else to shoot. The aircraft is pressurized and air-conditioned, which matters when you're climbing in and out of a raft later.
After landing, the ocean raft takes over. You ride out to pristine snorkelling reefs where the guide sets you up with all equipment: snorkel, mask, fins, wetsuit or sunsuit depending on the season. The inner fringing coral sits close enough that you're not fighting current, and the guide stays in the water with you. Between snorkelling sessions, the raft pulls into Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, where a guided bushwalk leads to the Hill Inlet Lookout. That's the vantage point you saw from the plane, now on foot, with the swirling silica sands and aqua shallows spread below you. If you booked Southern Lights, the raft also visits the South End of Whitehaven Beach for swimming and time to sit on the sand.
Lunch is tropical and served at Whitehaven Beach. Morning and afternoon tea with cake and fruit come on board. The tour runs eight hours total, so you're moving between water, air and land without long gaps. Passengers are weighed before boarding for flight safety (the maximum per seat is 120 kilograms), and you'll need to bring swimmers, a towel, hat, shoes, a waterproof camera case and a jacket for wind protection after snorkelling. Cash on board buys water, soft drinks, juices and chocolates if you want them. The airport lounge has air conditioning, a cafe, charging ports and secure lockers for anything you're not carrying onto the raft.
Is this one for you?Choose Northern Exposure to spend more time snorkeling at the reef. Choose Southern Lights to spend more time on Whitehaven Beach itself.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Chinese.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 14 years); Infant (under 2): free.
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.
What's the difference between Northern Exposure and Southern Lights on this tour?
Northern Exposure prioritizes more snorkelling time at the coral reefs, while Southern Lights adds extra beach time and includes a visit to the South End of Whitehaven Beach for swimming and relaxing on the sand.
Do I need to bring my own snorkelling gear or is it provided?
All snorkelling equipment is included: mask, snorkel, fins, and either a wetsuit or sunsuit depending on the season. You just bring swimmers and a towel.
How long is the scenic flight and what will I see from the air?
The flight is 60 minutes and covers Heart Reef, Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach and views of the 74 Whitsunday Islands. You fly in a fixed-wing aircraft with big windows and guaranteed window seating, plus pilot commentary throughout.
Is this tour suitable if I'm staying on a cruise ship visiting the Whitsundays?
This tour does not align with cruise ship schedules and does not pick up from Hamilton Island. You join from Airlie Beach, so it works best if you're staying in the area rather than arriving by ship.
What's included in the meals during the eight-hour tour?
Tropical lunch is served at Whitehaven Beach, and morning and afternoon tea with cake and fruit are provided on board. You can purchase additional drinks, juices and snacks with a credit card during the tour.
How far is Whitsunday Airport from Airlie Beach town centre?
Whitsunday Airport is only eight minutes' drive from the main street of Airlie Beach, so the transfer is quick and straightforward.
Snorkeling Airlie Beach: Scenic Flight & Reef Tour
8h · EN +1
from AU$ 565 per person
≈ US$ 402 in your currency
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