★★★★★
The ocean-raft day with the Hill Inlet walk
A lot of fun, though the snorkeling depends on the weather. We were surprised that no drinks come with the fare, not even water with lunch.
Steve W. · July 2026
Whitehaven Beach by Ocean Raft: Hill Inlet, Snorkel and Lunch
Hill Inlet lookout walkOcean raftSnorkel gear in the fare
Seven hours, and most of the classic day in one fare. You board a fast, open raft at the marina and cross to the islands in a fraction of a big boat's time. You walk up to the Hill Inlet lookout, snorkel a fringing reef in a sunsuit, and eat lunch on the sand. Then you get about two hours on the beach. It is wet, fast and loud, and that is the point.
Raft, lookout, reef and sand in seven hours
A semi-rigid ocean raft
Open seats, low to the water, and built for speed.
The Hill Inlet lookout walk
A guided national park walk up to the view on the swirl of sand.
A reef snorkel, gear included
Snorkel gear and a sunsuit or wetsuit come with the fare.
Lunch on the beach
A tropical lunch on the sand, plus morning and afternoon tea.
Two ways to split the day
Northern Exposure for more snorkeling, Southern Lights for more beach.
4.9 from 4,996 reviews
The most-reviewed day out to the beach, capped at 32 people.
Seven hours by ocean raft to both ends of the beach
Ocean Rafting runs open, semi-rigid inflatables, and the speed is what you pay for. By Ocean Rafting's own figures, its boats run up to 12 metres, with 500 hp engines and speeds up to 35 knots. A big catamaran takes most of the morning to reach the beach. The raft gets you there with time to spare, so the day fits a snorkel, a walk and a long spell on the sand into seven hours.
Expect spray and wind, and a bumpy ride when the sea is up. One reviewer called a windy crossing wild and bumpy, and loved it. If that sounds like the worst part of your day, not the best, read the raft or catamaran comparison before you book. Every other day out is set side by side on Whitehaven Beach Tours.
Northern Exposure or Southern Lights
When you book, you pick one of two versions of the day. Northern Exposure gives you more time in the water. Southern Lights gives you more time on the sand. Both come with a guide who talks you through the reef, the islands and the wildlife, and both carry the same fare.
So choose by what you came for. Keen snorkelers take Northern Exposure. If you want to lie on the silica sand and swim in the shallows, take Southern Lights. With children, the beach version is the gentler choice. You pick when you book, so decide before you check out.
The Hill Inlet walk
At the northern end of the beach, a guide walks you from Tongue Point up the national park track to the lookout over Hill Inlet, where the tide pulls the white sand through blue channels. The park lists the track as 1.3 km return, about 40 minutes, graded moderate. Wear shoes you can climb in, not flip-flops.
The listing gives about an hour to Hill Inlet, which covers the walk and your photos. Ocean Rafting also says it offers the ultimate access to the Hill Inlet beaches. That is the operator's claim, and the tide decides how close any boat gets. The walk, the tide rule and the other tours that go are on the Hill Inlet page.
Snorkeling the fringing reef
The snorkel stop is an inner fringing reef around the islands, not the outer Great Barrier Reef. The fare covers the snorkel gear and a sunsuit or wetsuit. You will want the suit. The park says marine stingers can be in the sea at any time of year, and the suit is your protection.
Conditions decide the stop. One reviewer found the water choppy on the way out and calm at the reef; another said plainly that the snorkeling depends on the weather. If you wear glasses, prescription masks are hired at check-in for $25 a person. Why the suits matter, and what to do if someone is stung, is set out in the guide to swimming at the beach.
Lunch on the sand, and the drinks it leaves out
Lunch is a tropical spread served on the beach, with cake and fruit for morning and afternoon tea. Tell the operator about any diet when you book, not on the day. Reviewers were pleasantly surprised by the food, and one called it better than expected.
Drinks are the gap. The listing leaves alcohol out of the fare, and one reviewer was surprised that no drinks came with it at all. Bring a refillable bottle and fill it before you board. There is no fresh water on the beach, and the park asks you to carry at least 2 litres a person a day.
How the seven hours run
- Coral Sea Marina, Northern Village. Check in at Ocean Rafting's office, or come on the courtesy bus; allow 45 minutes.
- Safety briefing and the crossing. The crew fit you out and brief you, then the raft heads into the islands.
- Tongue Point and the Hill Inlet lookout. About an hour for the guided walk up to the view and back.
- The fringing reef. Snorkel in your sunsuit, longer on Northern Exposure.
- Lunch on Whitehaven Beach. A tropical lunch served on the sand.
- About two hours on the beach. Swim, walk the sand or rest before the ride home.
- Back to the marina. The raft runs you home with afternoon tea on the way.
Who this suits: you want the most places in one day, and you like speed
Book this if
You want the lookout, a snorkel and a long beach stop without a ten-hour day. It suits couples, friends and families with children who like a thrill: children from two ride on a child fare. It also suits anyone short on time, because the raft wastes less of the day at sea.
Book something else if
You are pregnant, have back or heart problems, or use a wheelchair; the listing advises against all three. For a drier, steadier boat with no swim, take the catamaran beach day at $169. For two snorkel stops on a fast catamaran, the Red Cat snorkel day costs $181. Every other full day is on Whitehaven Beach day tours.
What the fare covers
In the fare
- A ride to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet on a semi-rigid ocean raft
- Guided national park walks, including the Hill Inlet lookout
- Inner fringing coral reef snorkelling, gear and a sunsuit or wetsuit
- Reef and island talks by the operator's Master Reef Guides and marine biologist
- A tropical lunch on Whitehaven Beach, with morning and afternoon tea
- Courtesy bus transfers
- All fees and taxes
Not in the fare
- Alcoholic drinks
- A Queensland public holiday surcharge of $20 per adult, $10 per child, $50 per family
- Prescription mask hire, $25 per person at check-in
Meeting at Coral Sea Marina
You meet at Coral Sea Marina, 1-3 Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach, in the Northern Village next to Sorrento's Restaurant. Ocean Rafting's office is where you check in. If you are staying in town, the courtesy bus collects you from the listed stops, and your confirmation names yours.
Other operators meet at other ends of the same marina, so check which village your ticket names. The south village is a different walk. Every meeting point, with the marinas and the airport, is on the Whitehaven Beach departure map.
Know before you go
- Pack a small bag. Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a refillable bottle and walking shoes.
- No drinks in the fare. Alcohol is left out, and one reviewer found no water either: fill your bottle first.
- Public holidays cost more. Queensland public holidays add $20 an adult, $10 a child or $50 a family.
- Glasses wearers can hire a mask. Prescription masks are $25 a person at check-in.
- Not for every body. Not recommended in pregnancy or with back or heart problems; infants ride on a lap.
- Not for cruise ships. Its times do not match visiting cruise ship schedules; plan another day.
What travelers say about the raft day
★★★★★
The ocean-raft day with the Hill Inlet walk
The wind was up and the ride was wild and bumpy, which I loved. We still had sun at the Hill Inlet lookout and on the beach, and saw whales on the way.
Panxi Z. · Solo · August 2026
★★★★☆
The ocean-raft day with the Hill Inlet walk
A great day out. I would have liked longer snorkeling, though I could not say what to drop to make room, and lunch was better than I expected.
Asha S. · April 2026
Frequently asked questions
How rough is the raft ride?
It depends on the wind. On a calm day it is a fast, smooth run; on a windy one it is wet and bumpy, and reviewers split between loving and enduring it. If you are prone to seasickness, take a tablet before you board.
Which option should I pick?
Northern Exposure if the snorkel is why you came, Southern Lights if you want more time on the sand. Both carry the same fare and the same guide. With young children, the beach version is the gentler choice.
Can children come?
Yes. Children from 2 to 14 ride on a child fare, and adults are 15 and over. Infants sit on a lap for the ride.
Can I skip the snorkel?
Ask the crew on the day; the snorkel stop is part of the plan. If you want a day with no swim in it at all, the catamaran beach day is built as a beach day and costs a little less.
Can I add a flight?
Yes. Ocean Rafting sells the same raft day with a one-hour scenic flight over the reef first. It is compared with the other flights on Whitehaven Beach scenic flights.
What if I need to cancel?
You get the full fare back if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start. Inside those 24 hours the fare is not refunded.
Other ways to reach Whitehaven Beach
Ready to raft to Whitehaven Beach?
Check the dates still open for the raft day from Coral Sea Marina, with the Hill Inlet walk, snorkel gear and lunch in the fare, and free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
Check availability