• The only Airlie Beach reef tour to have direct access to Hill Inlet beach
• Fastest boats in the Whitsundays - meaning you get to explore more!
• Two unique snorkel destinations with snorkel instruction, snorkelling equipment and flotation devices provided
• Visit the most photographed spot in the Whitsundays - Hill Inlet Lookout
• Multi award-winning tour operator in the Whitsundays

Join the wild side on the Ocean Rafting Northern Exposure jet boat snorkelling tour departing Airlie Beach and Daydream Island. Enjoy 3 tours in one day, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and a snorkelling tour around Hook Island and Border Island.

What to Expect

Dive into the heart of the Whitsundays with the wild side Ocean Rafting Northern Exposure snorkelling tour departing Airlie Beach and Daydream Island, renowned for delivering a thrilling blend of the adventure and natural beauty Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet offer. Enjoy 3 tours in 1 day, visit Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and a snorkelling tour around Hook Island and Border Island on a jet boat.

Features and Highlights

Exhilarating Whitsunday Adventures

High-Speed Ocean Rafting

• Embark on your journey aboard a semi-rigid inflatable jet boat vessel, expertly designed to combine high speed with comfort, ensuring an exhilarating ride across the crystal-clear waters of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef.
• With a maximum of 32 passengers, enjoy a boutique snorkelling tour experience that allows for personalised attention.

Exclusive Snorkelling Locations

• Explore two unique snorkelling sites around Hook Island and Border Island, known for their vibrant, unspoiled coral reefs teeming with marine life.
• These locations are perfect for both beginners and experienced snorkellers eager to delve into the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.

Iconic Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet

• Visit the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, celebrated for its powdery 98% pure silica sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
• Take a guided walk to Hill Inlet to witness the most photographed spot in the Whitsundays, the breathtaking swirling sand patterns, offering panoramic views that are quintessential Whitsundays.

Relaxed Beachside Dining

• Enjoy a laid-back lunch on the sands of Whitehaven Beach, where you can savour fresh local flavours in an idyllic setting, perfect for refuelling mid-adventure.

Conservation Commitment

• Benefit from Ocean Rafting’s special permits for access to protected areas within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, highlighting their commitment to preserving this magnificent natural resource.

Convenient Access:

• Tours depart daily from Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach and Daydream Island, with complimentary coach pickups provided to simplify your logistics.
• Book your Ocean Rafting Northern Exposure tour today and prepare for a full-day of high-speed excitement, natural beauty, and unforgettable memories in the Great Barrier Reef.
• See our Southern Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour 
• Explore more ways to get to Whitehaven Beach from Airlie Beach.

If you are making your way to Cairns and the Daintree Rainforest you simply must book our Cape Tribulation half day snorkelling tour. 

Learn more about all the things you need to know before you go on The Tour Specialists Blog.

Northern Exposure

Our thrilling snorkel tours depart daily for the Great Barrier Reef at 8.45am from Coral Sea Marina North, Airlie Beach and returning at 3.30pm, this ‘3 days in 1’ Whitsundays snorkel tour offers the opportunity to enjoy three iconic Whitsunday Islands destinations and a range of reef, beach and bush activities in just one day.   

• Ride one of the fastest and most adventurous reef tour boats in the Whitsundays
• Snorkel the coral reefs at two special snorkel sites around Hook Island
• Snorkel lessons and snorkelling equipment provided
• Enjoy exclusive direct access to stunning Hill Inlet beaches at Whitehaven Beach
• 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 buffet-style lunch (optional) served on beautiful Whitehaven Beach
• Courtesy pick-up/drop-offs and yummy cake for afternoon tea are included.

What to bring:

• Swimmers
• A beach bag including a towel, hat and shoes.
• A jacket during winter to protect you from wind and for warmth after snorkelling.
• Cameras in a waterproof case or Tupperware.
• Cash for water, soft drinks, beer, fruit juices and chocolates for sale on board.

Our Whitsundays snorkel tour includes an optional lunch at an additional cost. If you have chosen not to have our buffet-style lunch, please ensure that you bring your own as we do not visit any resorts during the day.

Afternoon tea cake is included in tour cost.

Cold drinks and chocolates are available to purchase onboard.

Tropical Lunch - Optional Extra Needs to be Pre Booked

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 Whitsundays Northern Exposure Snorkel Tour Itinerary

Departing : Daily at 8.45am
Returning : Daily at 3.30pm

7.45am - 8.15am: Courtesy pick-ups

Courtesy pick-up is included for guests from local Airlie Beach accommodations between 7.45am and 8.15am. 

7.45am: Check-in

Check-in at 7.45am at Coral Sea Marina North, Airlie Beach (next to Sorrento Restaurant & Bar) then get ready for an action-packed day exploring the pristine islands, beaches and bays of the Whitsundays. 

8.45am: It’s time to head off

Depart the Airlie Beach marina at 8.45am on our super-fast semi-rigid inflatable vessel and enjoy a fun, high-speed ride amongst the natural beauty of the Whitsundays and the famous Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

Mid-morning: Snorkeling the reef at two pristine sites off Hook Island

We 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.  

Lunchtime: Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet

After our amazing snorkelling tour, 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 buffet-style lunch (optional) 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, often racing each other on the way.

3.30pm: Arrive Airlie Beach

Arrive back at Coral Sea Marina North, Airlie Beach.

Please note: The above tour itinerary is a guideline only and is subject to change depending on tide, wind and other weather conditions.

See more Great Barrier Reef tours from Airlie Beach.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Airlie Beach

Departure Time

• Airlie Beach - Departs at 8:45am. Courtesy coach pick-ups are available from local accommodation houses from 7:45-8.15am
• Daydream Island – Departs 9.00am - Returns 3.15pm

Departure Instructions

• Tours depart daily from Coral Sea Marina North (previously known as Abell Point Marina), Airlie Beach (next to Sorrento Restaurant & Bar).
• Daydream Island tours depart daily from the Daydream Island Marina

Destinations

• Daydream Island
• Hill Inlet
• Whitsunday Island
• Hook Island
• Mantaray Bay
• Maureens Cove

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

6.5 hours (approx.)

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Tropical lunch pack - NEEDS TO BE PREBOOKED: $21 per person to pay on check in
• Sunsuit / wetsuit hire ($8 per person; free for students and pensioners)
• Prescription mask hire ($15 per person)
• 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 dependant).

Additional Information

Please reconfirm your booking 48 hours prior.

Eco Certifications

• Swimmers
• A beach bag including a towel, hat and shoes.
• A jacket during winter to protect you from wind and for warmth after snorkelling.
• Cameras in a waterproof case or Tupperware.
• Cash for water, soft drinks, beer, fruit juices and chocolates for sale on board.
• If you have chosen not to have our buffet style lunch, please ensure that you bring your own as we do not visit any resorts during the day.