Ocean Rafting Full Day Eco Adventure – Ride, Beach, Snorkel and Bushwalk

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A full-day eco trip from Hamilton Island with Ocean Rafting: time on Whitehaven Beach, snorkelling fringing reefs and a guided bushwalk to Hill Inlet Lookout, all in one day.

Days

About 6.5 hours, 9am to 3:30pm

Age

All ages

Group size

Max 42

Start / finish

Hamilton Island / Hamilton Island

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

High-speed Ocean Rafting boat from Hamilton Island marina

Meals

Morning tea, picnic lunch and afternoon tea

Route

Map of Ocean Rafting Full Day Eco Adventure – Ride, Beach, Snorkel and Bushwalk

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Included experiences

Whitehaven Beach — swim and relax
Hill Inlet Lookout — guided National Park walk
Fringing reef — over an hour of snorkelling
Fast boat ride through the Whitsunday Islands

Ocean Rafting Full Day Eco Adventure | Ride, Beach, Snorkel and Bushwalk

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: HAMILTON ISLAND TO WHITSUNDAY ISLAND

Check in at the Ocean Rafting office on Front Street, across from the Marina Tavern on Hamilton Island, the only island in the Whitsundays with its own commercial airport. The boat leaves at 9am, and Ocean Rafting runs the fastest day boats in the Whitsundays, so less of the day goes on travel. The ride north takes you up the Whitsunday Passage, which James Cook sailed in June 1770 and named because he believed the day was Whit Sunday, to the northern tip of Whitsunday Island. At about 109 square kilometres it's the largest of the 74 islands. Morning tea comes out on board. The order below can change with the tides and weather.

HILL INLET LOOKOUT

Your Eco Host leads a guided walk through the national park bush to the lookout above Hill Inlet. From the top, the tide pulls white sand and turquoise water into swirls that change every hour. Your guide talks about the plants, the birds and the Ngaro people, whose sites in these islands go back at least 9,000 years. Flat shoes or thongs are fine for the track. Ocean Rafting can land on the Hill Inlet beach itself, so you can walk the sandbars below, where stingrays and small lemon sharks often cruise the shallows.

SNORKELLING THE FRINGING REEF

Next comes the reef, with up to an hour and a half at a snorkel site the crew pick on the day. Fringing reefs grow right against the island shores, in shallow, calmer water than the outer reef, and they sit inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which covers about 344,000 square kilometres of sea. You get a sunsuit, flotation and a personal lesson if you want one, then your guide swims you over the coral. Look for green turtles grazing, giant clams with bright mottled lips, and parrotfish, whose beaks grind dead coral into fine sand.

AFTERNOON: WHITEHAVEN BEACH AND HOME

The boat moves to the southern end of Whitehaven Beach, 7 km of sand that is about 98 percent pure silica, so fine it squeaks and stays cool underfoot. A tropical-style lunch is served on the beach, then the time is yours to swim or lie in the sun. If you'd like to stretch your legs, there's an optional bushwalk with views back over Whitehaven and Chance Bay. Afternoon tea follows, then the fast ride back to Hamilton Island, watching for turtles and dolphins on the way. You're back at the marina at about 3:30pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Check in 30 minutes before departure at the Ocean Rafting Hamilton Island office on Front Street, in front of the Marina Tavern. Complete the online check-in at least 48 hours before travel.
Departure time: Check in 8:30am, departs 9am, back at about 3:30pm.
Suits: All ages.
Fitness: Relaxed.
Please note: Reconfirm your booking with the operator 48 hours before departure.

What to bring

Camera
Swimwear (wear it under your clothes — there's little space to change on board) and a towel
Refillable water bottle
Hat, sunscreen and thongs or sandals
Warm clothing, especially from May to November
Cash or card for drinks and snacks on board

What is included

Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout
Guided National Park walk
Personalised coral reef snorkelling tour
Sunsuit and flotation device
Informative Eco host
Morning tea, picnic lunch and afternoon tea

Not included

Prescription mask hire
Water, soft drinks, juice, beer, cider and chocolate (for sale 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

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 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.

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)

The weather wasn't perfect, but Nick, Tahls and Lachie gave us a perfect day at Hill Inlet, snorkelling and Whitehaven Beach. We learned about the geology of the sand and the reef's importance, felt safe throughout, and loved the food and playlist on the full day eco tour.

Sara Verified· Travelled 26th September 2026

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(5/5)

We did the full day eco tour on Love Shack with Nick, Tahli and Hayley, and despite our motion sickness worries we were fine. Seeing Whitehaven and snorkelling the reef was a dream, and Tahli was wonderful with my youngest, who walked beside her all the way up Hill Inlet.

Em Verified· Travelled 24th September 2026

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