Ocean Rafting Northern Exposure Tour with Lunch and Sunsuit

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Ocean Rafting's Northern Exposure tour is three days in one: a fast ride to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, two Whitsundays snorkelling reefs and guided Whitsunday Islands National Park walks.

Days

7 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Small group, max 32

Start / finish

Airlie Beach / Airlie Beach

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Fast semi-rigid inflatable boat, courtesy bus from Airlie Beach

Meals

Lunch on Whitehaven Beach, morning and afternoon tea

Route

Map of Ocean Rafting Northern Exposure Tour with Lunch and Sunsuit

View map

Included experiences

Whitehaven Beach — swim and lunch
Hill Inlet Lookout — guided National Park walk
Hook Island — two reef snorkel sites, such as Mantaray Bay and Maureens Cove
Naturalist talks on the reef and islands

Ocean Rafting Northern Exposure Tour with Lunch and Sunsuit

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: AIRLIE BEACH OR DAYDREAM ISLAND

A courtesy bus collects you in Airlie Beach and brings you to Coral Sea Marina, the big harbour at Abell Point on the west side of town. Check-in is in the early morning and the boat leaves before nine, or you can join from Daydream Island, where the boat calls at the island's marina. Your boat is a fast semi-rigid inflatable taking no more than 32 people, with a skipper and an eco host on board. Grab a seat, hold on, and the islands come up quickly: Ocean Rafting runs the fastest day boats in the Whitsundays, which leaves more of the day for the water.

SNORKELLING AROUND HOOK ISLAND

This is the tour for keen snorkellers, with two reef sites around Hook Island, the second-largest island in the group, such as Mantaray Bay and Maureens Cove on its sheltered northern side. You spend about 45 minutes to an hour at each. The eco host gives you a personal lesson, a sunsuit or wetsuit, a mask and a flotation aid, so first-timers are fine. The fringing reefs here grow in shallow, calm water, with hard and soft corals, reef fish, giant clams and often turtles. The Ngaro people have lived among these islands for at least 9,000 years, and Hook Island still holds some of their rock art.

HILL INLET AND WHITEHAVEN BEACH

At the northern end, the tide swirls white sand and blue water together in Hill Inlet, and your guide walks you up through the national park to the Hill Inlet Lookout for the view on half the postcards in Queensland. Prefer the sand? You can stay on the beach instead. Whitehaven Beach runs for 7 km down the east side of Whitsunday Island, the largest island in the group, and its sand is about 98 per cent pure silica, so fine it squeaks underfoot and stays cool in the summer sun. You get an hour to an hour and a half here, with a tropical lunch pack on the beach and time to swim. From about June to October, keep an eye out to sea for humpback whales.

AFTERNOON: BACK TO THE MAINLAND

The order of the day can change with the tide and weather, and your skipper decides it on the morning. Along the way the eco host fills in the stories of the reef and islands, and there's cake for morning tea and fruit in the afternoon. Water, soft drinks, beer and snacks are sold on board. Then it's the fast ride home across the Whitsunday Passage, the channel James Cook sailed through in June 1770 and named for Whit Sunday. You're back at Airlie Beach in the middle of the afternoon, a little earlier to Daydream Island.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach, or join from Daydream Island. Courtesy coach pick-ups are from Airlie Beach only.
Fitness: Relaxed.
Suits: All ages.
Please note: Reconfirm your booking with the operator 48 hours before departure.

What to bring

Swimmers
Beach bag with a towel, hat and shoes
A jacket in winter, for wind and warmth after snorkelling
Camera in a waterproof case
Credit card for drinks and snacks on board

What is included

Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
Guided National Park walks, including Hill Inlet Lookout
Inner fringing coral reef snorkelling with personal instruction
Snorkel equipment and flotation devices
Sunsuit or wetsuit
Tropical-style lunch on Whitehaven Beach
Morning and afternoon tea (cake and fruit)
Reef and island naturalist talks
Courtesy bus transfers from Airlie Beach
Marine park fees

Not included

Prescription mask hire
Water, soft drinks, juice, beer, cider and chocolates (sold on board)
Any fuel surcharge, payable at the check-in desk before departure

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 8 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)

The Northern Exposure tour made a great birthday, with Bonny guiding and Hayden skippering Thrilla. We walked to the Whitehaven lookout, had lunch and a swim on the beach, then some of the best snorkelling I've done, with big trevally and fish everywhere. A wild ride home brought more than six humpbacks, one breaching right behind us.

Brenden Minter Verified· Travelled 24th October 2026

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(5/5)

We've done plenty of tours, but the Northern Exposure was a cracker, well organised with Whitehaven Beach and brilliant snorkelling. Our crew Hayley and Izzy made sure everyone had a great time.

Pete Waterhouse Verified· Travelled 21st October 2026

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(5/5)

My sister and I loved the Northern Exposure tour with Paige and Ethan. Hill Inlet was breathtaking even on a cloudy day, Whitehaven's sand was beautiful, and the two snorkel stops were a highlight, with helpful tips for less confident swimmers.

L Lines Verified· Travelled 19th October 2026

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(5/5)

Our family did the northern tour, a great mix of adventure and learning. Bernie and Ellie kept us safe through wild waves and were funny and full of energy, with a tasty lunch, a scenic hike and good snorkelling. The kids loved riding the side of the raft home.

Nicole Hughes Verified· Travelled 3rd October 2026

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(5/5)

The Northern Exposure tour took us to Hill Inlet Lookout, lunch on Whitehaven Beach and two great snorkel spots, where we saw a sea turtle. Eli and Josh were knowledgeable and funny and we felt safe even on a very windy day.

Smokyyy19 Verified· Travelled 26th September 2026

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(5/5)

We did the Northern Exposure tour in strong winds, which made the rides more exciting. A short walk to the Whitehaven lookout, a good packed lunch and two snorkel spots in the afternoon, with Daisy and Gary on Riptide bringing the tunes and laughs.

Ethan Davies Verified· Travelled 24th September 2026

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