HeliReef Whitsunday Reef Discovery Fly Both Ways

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Return helicopter flights to Cruise Whitsundays Reefworld, with a 60 minute scenic flight over the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, the outer reef and Heart Reef, and 90 minutes on board Reefworld.

Days

3 hours

Group size

2 to 3 guests

Start / finish

Airlie Beach / Airlie Beach

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

R44 helicopter, return flights

Meals

Sparkling wine and water

Route

Map of HeliReef Whitsunday Reef Discovery Fly Both Ways

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Included experiences

Heart Reef — scenic flight
Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet — views from the air
Reefworld — snorkelling on the outer reef
Reefworld — underwater viewing chamber

HeliReef Whitsunday Reef Discovery Fly Both Ways

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

CHECK-IN AT CORAL SEA MARINA

Your trip starts at the Helireef office at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach, the town on the mainland that looks straight out at the islands. Check in 20 minutes before your flight and your pilot runs through the safety briefing. The helicopter is a Robinson R44, a small four-seater, so every seat is a window seat. If you're staying on Daydream Island, Elysian Retreat or Palm Bay Resort, you leave from a different spot, confirmed when you book.

THE FLIGHT OUT: ISLANDS AND HEART REEF

Over the trip you get about an hour of scenic flying, out and back. The Whitsunday Islands spread out below you, 74 of them, named by James Cook when he passed in 1770. Look for Hook Island and Whitsunday Island, the two largest. Whitehaven Beach runs about seven kilometres along Whitsunday Island, its sand nearly pure silica, so fine it squeaks underfoot and stays cool even in the midday sun. At its northern end, Hill Inlet is where the tide drags white sand and blue water into swirls that change shape with every tide. Beyond the islands the water turns pale turquoise over the Great Barrier Reef, 2,300 kilometres long. Heart Reef is a natural heart of coral only about 17 metres across, part of the Hardy Reef system, and since nobody may land or snorkel there the air is the only way to see it.

90 MINUTES AT THE REEF PONTOON

You land at the Cruise Whitsundays reef pontoon, the Cruise Whitsundays pontoon moored on Hardy Reef, about 39 nautical miles offshore. With sparkling wine and water to start, you have about 90 minutes here. The snorkel gear and wetsuits are provided, so slip in over the coral and look for parrotfish, giant clams and schools of fusiliers. Prefer to stay dry? The underwater viewing chamber puts you eye to eye with the fish below the waterline. Bring a towel and a camera.

THE FLIGHT HOME

Then it's back in the helicopter for the return flight over the reef and the islands, with a second look at the views from the other side, landing at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. The whole trip takes about three hours.

Map

Good to know

Please note: A minimum of 2 paid seats is needed to book. The flight is in a two-adult-passenger R44 helicopter.

What is included

Return scenic helicopter flight over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Whitsunday Island, Hook Island and Heart Reef
Time at Reefworld with a select few guests (conditions apply)
All snorkelling gear and wetsuits at Reefworld
Sparkling wine and water

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We did a three-hour fly-in, fly-out trip to the Great Barrier Reef with pilot Nic. He knew the Whitsunday Islands well and we felt completely safe with him. Perfect from start to finish.

Marie Nilsson Verified· Travelled 1st July 2026

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