Ocean Rafting - Northern Exposure
Select Date and Passengers
Itinerary
Whitsunday Highlights
Group Leader
Experienced Local Guide
Whitsundays
Whitehaven Beach + Hill Inlet
Snorkelling
Snorkel Around Hook Island
Marine Life
Spot Underwater Creatures
Rainforest
Hill Inlet Lookout Bushwalk
Transport
Transfers Available
Locations
Two Beautiful Snorkel Spots
Overview
One of the best day trips to Whitehaven Beach is Ocean Rafting’s Northern Exposure. Jet over the Coral Sea towards the tropical Whitsunday Island and get ready for one action-packed day. Hike to the fabulous Hill Inlet Lookout, spend some time on the white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach, and take endless photos of this stunning island paradise!
This tour also includes 2 snorkeling sites around the nearby Hook Island. So you’ll get ample time to explore the underwater world and admire the colorful marine life of the Great Barrier Reef’s fringing reefs. You’ll be glowing after this adventurous day of sightseeing and snorkeling in the Whitsunday Islands!
- Full day tour of the Whitsundays onboard a speedy ocean raft vessel
- Visit the glorious Whitehaven Beach and admire the views from Hill Inlet Lookout
- Stop by the remote and stunning Hook Island and snorkel at 2 exclusive reef sites
- All high-quality snorkel gear included
Your Sample Itinerary
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Ocean Rafting BoatsWake up bright and early because your tour departs from the Coral Sea Marina at 8:45 am! Hop on board one of the iconic Ocean Rafting boats. These bright yellow vessels travel at fast speeds so you can see more in one day! Soak in the tropical scenery as the raft transports you smoothly over to Hook Island and Whitsunday Island for the day. Your knowledgeable local guides on board are there to answer any questions, and snacks and drinks are available for purchase (bring cash!). |
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Hook IslandYou’ll begin your adventure with two stops around Hook Island. One of the largest islands in the Whitsundays, Hook Island is surrounded by colorful coral reefs and an abundance of marine life. There are so many incredible snorkeling spots around here, such as Mantaray Bay and Maureen's Cove. Your expert local guides will choose the two snorkel destinations on the day of the tour, based on the tides and weather conditions. |
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SnorkelingOcean Rafting’s Northern Exposure puts an emphasis on snorkeling, as opposed to other Whitehaven Beach tours which only take you to one snorkeling location. So if you’re super excited to get underwater and explore the vibrant coral gardens of the Whitsundays, this may be the day trip for you! Though wildlife sightings are never 100% guaranteed, there is a good chance you’ll see lots of tropical fish, including Parrot Fish and Maori Wrasse. Sea Turtles are common to see as well, and in the winter months, you might see migrating whales in the distance! Cherish every moment of snorkeling in these pristine underwater ecosystems. |
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Whitehaven BeachAfter snorkeling at 2 different locations around Hook Island, hop back in your Ocean Rafting vessels and zip over to Whitsunday Island. Nestled on the eastern side of this massive, tropical island is Whitehaven Beach. Ocean Rafting is the only tour boat that has exclusive access to Hill Inlet itself, so you’ll get to explore even further inland than most tours! Enjoy some free time for strolling on the white silica sands and soaking in the Queensland sunshine. |
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Hill Inlet LookoutNext, embark on a guided walk up to Hill Inlet Lookout. The relatively easy bushwalk takes you through the lush green forest and up to an amazing lookout. With three different viewing platforms, you can enjoy all the best vantage points of Whitehaven Beach and the swirling sands of Hill Inlet. Keep your eyes peeled for lemon sharks and stingrays in the crystal-clear water below! After you’ve seen all the highlights, head back to Airlie Beach. |
What's Included?
- Full day Ocean Rafting tour
- Experienced local guide
- Marine park fees
- Guided walks and informative commentary
- Snorkelling gear (mask, snorkel, and fins)
- Courtesy transfers to/from select local accommodations
What's Extra?
*The "All-Inclusive" ticket includes lunch and sunsuit/wetsuit hire.
- Tropical Lunch Pack - $20
- Sunsuit/Wetsuit Hire - $8
- Prescription Mask Hire - $15
- Water
- Soft Drinks/Juice
- Beer/Cider
- Chocolate
Important Information
- Queensland Public Holidays incur a public holiday surcharge of $20 per adult, $10 per child and $50 per family (2ad and 2ch).
- Guests departing and returning to/from Daydream Island must book the "All-Inclusive" ticket and will incur a slightly shorter day than specified (approx. 20-30 minutes). Please let us know your wetsuit size upon booking.
- Ocean Rafting may use photographs of clients in promotional material, including but not limited to social media. If you do not consent please advise Ocean Rafting.
Check out the Ocean Rafting Southern Lights option for more time on Whitehaven Beach!
Terms and Conditions
Please read our terms and cancellations policy before booking your Ocean Rafting tour!
FAQs
Can I get a transfer to and from my accommodation?
Where do I meet for the tour?
Can I bring my own alcohol?
Is there a toilet on board?
What is the difference between Ocean Rafting’s Southern and Northern tours?
Is there a minimum age requirement for Ocean Rafting?
The minimum age requirement for travelling on Ocean Rafting tours is 6 Months Old.
Customer Reviews
Rita Dickson
Jan, 22 2025
Roma
Jan, 22 2025
A wild and exhilarating tour hosted by the crew, jam-packed full of things to do, not a moment was wasted. Highlights included; swimming with a turtle over a blanket of vibrant coral, and taking selfies at the Hill Inlet lookout over the world-famous Whitehaven Beach - my new favourite beach
Samantha Hooper
Jan, 21 2025
We had an amazing experience on our tour. We had Oak as our guide and we cant express how amazing he was and so great with the kids he really made the experience more exciting for them. Our driver Taylor was also fantastic and kindly gave our son his jumper when he fell in the water.
Ryan
Jan, 20 2025
A great day out with friends and family, surprisingly good snorkelling and a tour worth experiencing on the squallier days, with the boat ride being an adrenaline filled experience you won’t forget.
Mel Shaw
Jan, 18 2025
We did the Whitehaven rafting and snorkelling with Danni and Brayden. OMG it was brilliant, the kids had so much fun they didnt want it to end. Everything about the day was amazing, Danni and Brayden really made it a wonderful experience.
Emmanouela Mexa
Jan, 15 2025
This tour was amazing!! 10/10 The crew was so much fun and helpful!! The beach we stopped at for a swim was UNREAL. Totally recommend!!
Ian Hughes
Jan, 12 2025
Really fun day with the family, the crew were wonderful the whole day
Melissa
Dec, 30 2024
Being a local, I’ve travelled on Ocean Rafting about 6 or 7 times now! It hands down is my favourite day tour. I’ve taken all my family out on the tour when they’ve visited, travelled with friends and even solo. You just can’t fault the service from the crew who genuinely love getting out there everyday and I definitely cannot blame them. PARADISE.
Flages
Dec, 24 2024
Family day out which was really nice, spent the day snorkeling and on the beach. staff were super patient with snorkeling as english wasnt our first language.
Samuel. C.
Dec, 17 2024
Having spent many years living and working in the Whitsundays, I highly recommend a scenic flight. The ride out to the islands is almost as much fun as exploring the reefs and islands!
Em
Dec, 14 2024
Went on the Northern Exposure tour last week with some friends and some of their kids too! The crew went above and beyond to make sure every passengers needs was met and injected a lot of personality into their informative talks. The skipper drove the boat like a boss and obviously the Whitsundays are stunning - awesome day out!
JORDAN
Dec, 11 2024
Snorkeling was incredible, so many fishies!
Una Croft
Dec, 10 2024
Thank you Ocean Rafting for an amazing trip! Really great knowledge from the skippers and crew on all things coral and fishys!
Les Duncan
Dec, 10 2024
Snorkeling was amazing and the crew were really great at keeping everyone safe and having a good time! Thanks to Emma for helping me book it :)
Jannie
Dec, 10 2024
Whitehaven Beach is breathless - the view from the north is unbelievable! Also, the lunch the crew served was really great!
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I’d never recommend this trip. We were promised two snorkelling opportunities and got one. We spent too long on the beach and everyone walked around bored. We left late and arrived back early - not a full day!