• The only Airlie Beach Great Barrier Reef tour to have direct access to Hill Inlet from Lookout Beach 
• Fastest boats in the Whitsundays - meaning you get to explore more!
• Visit North & South Whitehaven Beach and see the two lookout points
• Free snorkelling instruction, snorkelling equipment and flotation devices

The only Airlie Beach tour to land directly on Hill Inlet Beaches. Explore North & South Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet lookout all in one day. The best and most thrilling Great Barrier Reef tour where you can snorkel, bush walk and explore the silica sand beaches.

What to Expect

Jump onboard the best and most thrilling adventure with the Southern Lights tour to explore the Whitsundays. The only Airlie Beach tour offering a comprehensive exploration of Whitehaven Beach from both its northern and southern ends to see and experience it all in just one day. Experience an action-packed day filled with high-speed boat rides, relaxing beach time, snorkelling in vibrant coral reefs, and insightful bushwalks—all in one day!

Features and Highlights

Fast and Fun Transportation:

• Journey aboard one of the fastest boats in the Whitsundays, a custom-built, 12-meter semi-rigid inflatable vessel powered by a 500hp engine, capable of reaching speeds up to 35 knots (65 km/hour).
• Quick travel not only exhilarates but also maximises your time for beach and snorkelling activities.

Extended Beach Relaxation:

• Spend approximately two hours enjoying the southern end of Whitehaven Beach, known for its 7km stretch of stunning white silica sand.
• At the northern end, take a guided bushwalk to Hill Inlet Lookout to view the iconic swirling sands and crystal-clear waters from above, the most photographed spot in the Whitsundays.

Exclusive Access and Personalised Experience:

• This Airlie Beach tour is unique in visiting both ends of Whitehaven Beach and is the only tour with exclusive access landing directly on the Hill Inlet beaches.
• With a maximum of 32 passengers, enjoy a boutique tour feel with personalised attention from your Skipper and Eco Host who will enrich your journey with interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays.

Diverse Marine Life and Snorkelling:

• Snorkel for over an hour at the pristine fringing reefs of Border Island, Dumbell Island, or one of the tour’s secret snorkel spots.
• Encounter turtles, dolphins, tropical fish, and giant clams in their natural habitat, and possibly Humpback whales from July to October.

All-Inclusive Gear and Guidance:

• No need to bring snorkelling equipment; everything is provided, including flotation devices, with wetsuits available for hire.
• Whether you're a snorkelling novice or seasoned diver, benefit from included snorkelling lessons and the assurance of a small group size for personalised guidance.

Refreshments and Optional Lunch:

• Opt for a delicious buffet-style lunch served right on the beach, complementing a day of sun and sea.

Thrilling Return Journey:

• Conclude your adventure with a heart-pumping speedboat ride as the boats speed back to Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach, often racing against each other.

We also offer the Northern Exposure tour, view here.

The main difference between the two tours is the Southern Lights has more beach time and the Northern Exposure offers more snorkelling time.

Read the difference between North and South Whitehaven Beach.

Learn more about Hill Inlet

• How to Get To Hill Inlet

• Is Hill Inlet Worth Visiting

• What is the Difference Between Hill Inlet & Whitehaven Beach 

• What is the Difference Between North & South Whitehaven Beach

Departure Airlie Beach

Departing daily at 10.00am from Coral Sea Marina North, Airlie Beach and returning at 4.30pm, this ‘3 days in 1’ Whitsundays tour offers the opportunity to enjoy three iconic Whitsunday Islands destinations, two hours of relaxation at the southern end of iconic Whitehaven Beach, and a range of reef, beach and bush activities in just one day.  

• Ride one of the fastest and most adventurous reef tours in the Whitsundays
• Visit both ends of world-famous Whitehaven Beach
• Snorkelling the stunning fringing reefs at Border Island or Dumbell Island
• Personal snorkel instruction, snorkelling equipment and floatation devices 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 and Great Barrier Reef 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 Beach Adventure Itinerary

Departing : Daily at 10.00am
Returning : Daily at 4.30pm

9.00am - 9.30am: Courtesy pick-ups

• Courtesy pick-up is included for guests from local Airlie Beach accommodations between 8.45am and 9.30am. 

9.00am: Check-in

• Check-in at 9.00am 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. 

10.00am: We’re on our way

• Depart the marina at 10.00am on our super-fast semi-rigid inflatable raft and enjoy a fun, high-speed ride amongst the natural beauty of the Whitsunday Islands.

Mid-morning: Whitehaven Beach

• We visit both ends of beautiful Whitehaven Beach, enjoying approximately two hours relaxing at the southern end of the 7km stretch of famous white silica sand.  Explore the beach, swim in the turquoise ocean or sunbathe on the soft silica sand - the choice is yours.

Lunchtime: Hill Inlet

• Enjoy exclusive access to all areas of Hill Inlet where you can enjoy a delicious buffet-style lunch (optional) on the swirling sand bars. 
• 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: Snorkelling pristine coral reefs at Border Island or Dumbell Island

• Snorkelling for over an hour at the stunning fringing reefs at Border Island, Dumbell Island or one of our “secret” snorkel spots. As you explore the colourful corals you’ll encounter an array of unique marine life, including:
• turtles
• dolphins
• an array of colourful tropical fish
• giant clams.
• Personal snorkelling lessons, snorkelling equipment and floatation devices are included. 

Afternoon: It’s 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.

4.30pm: Return to Airlie Beach

• Arrive back at Coral Sea Marina North, Airlie Beach at 4.30pm.

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 Whitehaven Beach Great Barrier Reef tour options.  

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Airlie Beach

Departure Time

• Airlie Beach - Departs 10.00am (check in at 9.00am) – Returns 4.30pm. Courtesy coach pick-ups are available from local accommodation houses from 8:45-9.30am
• Daydream Island – Departs 10.15am – Returns 4.00pm

Departure Instructions

• Airlie Beach 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

Pickup Locations

• Airlie Beach
• Daydream Island

• Courtesy coach pick-ups/drop-offs are available from Airlie Beach mainland accommodation.
• Pick up from Daydream Island also available (must be pre-booked).

Destinations

• Hill Inlet
• Shute Harbour
• Whitehaven Beach

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

6.5 hours (approx.)

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Tropical style lunch - NEEDS TO BE PREBOOKED: From $20 per person to pay on check in
• Sunsuit/Wetsuit Hire - From $8
• Prescription Mask Hire - From $15
• Water
• Soft Drinks/Juice
• Beer/Cider
• Chocolate

Fitness Level Required

Medium

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 fresh tropical lunch pack, please ensure that you bring your own as we do not visit any resorts during the day.
• A sense of humour is always welcome!