Magic Whitsundays Big Fury

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A day on an open speed boat to the top three Whitsunday destinations: Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout and snorkelling at a sheltered bay on the fringing Great Barrier Reef.

Days

7 hours

Age

3 and over

Group size

Up to 35

Start / finish

Airlie Beach / Airlie Beach
Coral Sea Marina, 5pm

Return

Coral Sea Marina, 5pm

Transport

14.8m open speed boat, courtesy Airlie Beach accommodation transfers

Meals

Buffet picnic lunch on Whitehaven Beach, afternoon cakes, tap water

Route

View map

Included experiences

Whitehaven Beach — picnic lunch on the silica sand
Hill Inlet Lookout — 15 minute bush walk
Fringing reef — snorkelling in a sheltered bay
Whitsunday Islands — speed boat ride with crew commentary

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: OUT INTO THE WHITSUNDAYS

Check in at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach and step aboard Big Fury, a 14.8-metre open speed boat with three 300-horsepower outboards, built for runs to the islands by a local family business that has been at it for more than 14 years. The open deck gives you 180 degrees of view as she heads out through the Whitsunday Islands, a group of 74 islands that James Cook sailed through in 1770. Watch for turtles, seabirds and, from July to September, humpback whales. There's no fixed running order: the skipper plans the day around the weather and tides.

HILL INLET AND WHITEHAVEN BEACH

On Whitsunday Island, the largest in the group, a 15-minute bush walk climbs to Hill Inlet Lookout. Below you the tide pushes white sand and turquoise water through the inlet in swirls that change by the hour, so no two photos look alike. Then it's down to Whitehaven Beach, 7 km of silica sand that is about 98 percent pure, which is why it squeaks underfoot and stays cool in the midday sun. Lunch is a picnic buffet right on the beach: salads, prawns, cold meats, wraps, bread rolls and fresh fruit. Leave time for a swim, in a stinger suit from October to May.

AFTERNOON: SNORKELLING A FRINGING REEF

Next the boat finds a sheltered bay on one of the islands' fringing reefs, the coral that grows right up against the shore of the islands. The crew hand out masks, snorkels, stinger suits and pool noodles, so even first-timers can float over the coral. Look for parrotfish nibbling at the reef, giant clams with their bright blue and green lips, and, with luck, a turtle coming up for air. Back on board, the crew keep up the commentary about the reef, the islands and their wildlife as the boat moves on.

LATE AFTERNOON: BACK TO AIRLIE BEACH

Muffins and cookies come out on the fast run home through the islands, and you're back at Coral Sea Marina at about 5pm, salty, sandy and sun-warmed.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Meeting Point B, northern end of Coral Sea Marina, by the big roundabout near Sorrento's Bar; less than a 10 minute walk from the main street of Airlie Beach along the boardwalk from the lagoon. Courtesy bus transfers must be booked by 6pm the day before; if you miss the bus, make your own way to the marina by 9:30am.
Departure time: Check-in strictly no later than 9:30am; departs 10am.
Finishes: Coral Sea Marina, 5pm.
Minimum age: 3.
Fitness: A certain degree of fitness is needed for all the activities. Not suitable for anyone with back or neck issues or for pregnant women, due to the open speed boat.
Please note: There is no set itinerary: locations depend on the weather and tides, and the skipper's decision is final. Not recommended for cruise ship guests, as the schedule generally doesn't match cruise ship times.
Cancellation: No-shows and cancellations within 24 hours of departure incur a 100% fee. Cancellations more than 24 hours before departure receive a full refund less booking and credit card fees.

What to bring

Swimsuit, towel, hat and sunglasses
Sunscreen
Bottle of water
Your own drinks if you like (no glass)
Thongs or sandals you don't mind getting wet
Warm clothes in winter, and a rain jacket if rain is forecast

What is included

Courtesy Airlie Beach accommodation transfers
Buffet picnic lunch
Tap water
Afternoon cakes
Snorkelling equipment
Stinger suits (October to May)
Flotation devices: pool noodles and life jackets

Not included

Soft drinks, bottled water and chocolates, $3.50 each, cash only on board
Wetsuit hire in winter, $20 per person
Marina car parking, about $12 for the day

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

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 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.

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 2 reviews

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)

A great full day to Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach, with a generous lunch, time to relax and then snorkelling. The boat was fast and comfortable and Bella and Dane were great crew.

Carolyn Bromley Verified· Travelled 24th October 2026

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(5/5)

We booked the Big Fury day trip online and were really happy. Captain Dane and host Luke knew their stuff, took safety seriously and kept the banter going. Lunch was fresh, the stinger suits and snorkel gear were clean, and they worked around rain and king tides to get us to the best spots.

Jacqui Wright Verified· Travelled 3rd January 2026

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