• 60 minute fixed-wing scenic flight over the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, including Heart Reef
• Choice of two snorkelling and beach-focused tour options
• The only tour to have direct access to Hill Inlet beaches at Whitehaven. Full day high speed ocean rafting tour to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet  
• Snorkelling at fringing coral reefs around Hook Island, Border Island or nearby reef systems
• Snorkelling equipment, flotation devices and snorkel instruction included
• Capture the sheer beauty of Heart Reef from above as you fly over the Great Barrier Reef on a 60-minute scenic flight.
• Guided walk to Hill Inlet Lookout
• Courtesy transfers from selected Airlie Beach accommodations
• Tropical lunch pack included

Explore the best of the Great Barrier Reef with our Whitsunday Islands combo tour, featuring a scenic flight over the iconic Heart Reef and a high-speed boat trip to Whitehaven Beach for snorkelling.

What to Expect

Embark on a spectacular adventure that showcases the best of the Whitsundays from ABOVE, ON, and BELOW the water. Departing from Airlie Beach, this Great Barrier Reef tour offers an unparalleled experience that includes a scenic flight over the iconic Heart Reef and a thrilling snorkelling excursion around the pristine Whitehaven Beach. This is one on the best and most popular tours in Airlie Beach as voted by all the visitors to the Whitsundays.

• Whitsundays Snorkel Adventure (Northern Exposure):

  • Focus on snorkelling: Visit renowned snorkel spots like Hook Island and Border Island.
  • Enjoy a brief stay at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach and a guided walk to Hill Inlet Lookout.

• Whitsundays Whitehaven Beach Adventure (Southern Lights):

  • Emphasize relaxation on Whitehaven Beach: Spend about two hours at this famous location.
  • Participate in a guided bushwalk to Hill Inlet Lookout and snorkel at exclusive fringing reefs.

Features and Highlights

Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach Scenic Flight & Snorkelling Tour

• Tour Introduction:

  • Depart from Airlie Beach for a comprehensive tour of the Whitsundays.
  • Experience the magnificence of the Great Barrier Reef with a scenic flight over Heart Reef.
  • Follow up with a high-speed snorkelling adventure around the breathtaking Whitehaven Beach.

• Scenic Flight Highlights:

  • Enjoy a 60-minute flight over the Great Barrier Reef, including Heart Reef.
  • Capture stunning aerial views of the Whitsunday’s 74 islands and the swirling sands of Hill Inlet.
  • Fly in comfort with large viewing windows and live commentary from the pilot.

• Snorkelling Tour Options:

  • Board one of the fastest boats in the Whitsundays, accommodating up to 32 guests for an intimate experience.
  • Explore the vibrant underwater world at selected snorkel sites around the islands.

• Exciting Conclusion:

  • Wrap up the day with a high-speed return trip to Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach, making for an exhilarating end to an unforgettable tour.

Discover the ultimate Whitsundays experience with this combo of aerial views and marine exploration, designed to highlight the beauty of Heart Reef and the allure of Whitehaven Beach in one comprehensive snorkelling tour.

See more snorkelling tours from Airlie Beach and discover the difference between North and South Whitehaven Beach on our blogs. 

Learn all the things you need to know before you go to the Great Barrier Reef on The Tour Specialists 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.

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.

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

Tours are not suitable for guests with pre-existing back, neck or hip injuries or who are in their third trimester of pregnancy (other pregnancy stages are weather dependent).

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. Not suitable for pregnant women
• 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.