Southern Lights
Discover the Whitsundays in one incredible day. Explore Whitehaven Beach, relax on its world-famous silica sands, snorkel vibrant fringing reefs & enjoy guided island walks.
Perfect for beach lovers
Discover more of the Whitsundays in one incredible day. Explore both ends of the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, relax on its pristine silica sands, snorkel vibrant fringing reefs and enjoy guided island walks through some of the region’s most spectacular island scenery.
Take in breathtaking views from Hill Inlet Lookout before exploring the iconic swirling white sands below, where Ocean Rafting offers exclusive direct access to the beaches of Hill Inlet. Then snorkel at carefully selected reef locations around Border Island, Dumbell Island or one of Ocean Rafting’s exclusive snorkelling sites, home to colourful tropical fish, sea turtles, giant clams and thriving hard and soft corals.
Travelling aboard Ocean Rafting’s fast, purpose-built vessels means more time discovering the very best of the Whitsundays. Blending adventure, relaxation and unforgettable scenery into one incredible day, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
What to expect
On The Day
Discover Whitehaven
Explore both ends of the beach
Experience the full beauty of world-famous Whitehaven Beach with visits to both its northern and southern ends. Relax on the pristine silica sands, swim in crystal-clear waters and enjoy around two hours to soak up one of Australia’s most iconic beaches.
Experience Hill Inlet
Guided lookout walk
Join your guide on a scenic National Park walk to the breathtaking Hill Inlet Lookout before exploring the iconic swirling silica sands below. With exclusive direct access to the beaches of Hill Inlet, you’ll experience this spectacular location from every angle.
Explore beneath the surface
Fringing reef snorkelling
Snorkel at one of Ocean Rafting’s carefully selected reef locations around Border Island, Dumbell Island or one of its exclusive snorkelling sites. Discover colourful tropical fish, sea turtles and thriving hard and soft corals in the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
What’s included in your day
Explore the Reef
- Inner fringing coral reef snorkelling
- Personalised snorkel instruction
- Snorkel equipment, flotation devices and sunsuit/wetsuit
- Reef and island naturalist talks
Discover Whitehaven
- Visit to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
- Around 2 hours on Whitehaven Beach
- Guided National Park walk to Hill Inlet Lookout
- Tropical-style lunch on Whitehaven Beach
Relax & Recharge
- Morning tea with cake
- Fresh tropical-style lunch
- Afternoon tea with seasonal fruit
- Courtesy bus transfers
Small Group Adventure
- Small group experience
- Fast, purpose-built vessels
- More time exploring the Whitsundays
- Family-owned and operated since 1997
Water and beverages, snacks and prescription mask hire are available for purchase on the day.
Please be aware that if you are travelling to the Whitsundays on a cruise ship, the timings of our Full Day Eco Adventure, Half-Day Dash, Half-Day Fishing, Northern Exposure, Southern Lights and Fly Raft experiences do NOT align with the visiting cruise ship schedule. To avoid disappointment, please book through your cruise ship tour desk directly.
If you do only one activity on the Whitsunday Coast, Ocean Rafting is an absolute must! It was the highlight of our trip to Airlie Beach. Don’t hesitate - book it in!
— Maria Rallis
Google Reviews
Additional Information
Find everything you need to prepare for your tour, including departure information, an adventure map and a handy guide on what to bring.
Choose the departure point that suits you best.
Guests departing from Airlie Beach can check in from 9:00am before departing at 10:00am and returning at approximately 4:30pm. Guests staying on Daydream Island can join the tour via a convenient marina pick-up, with check-in from 9:00am, departure at 10:15am and return at approximately 4:00pm. No matter where you depart from, you’ll enjoy a full day exploring the very best of the Whitsundays.
| Location | Check-in | Departs | Returns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airlie Beach | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 4:30 PM |
| Daydream Island | 9:00 AM | 10:15 AM | 4:00 PM |
Conditions Guide
Read our full Terms and Conditions here.
- Camera
- Swimwear and towel (please ensure you’re wearing your swimwear beneath your clothes; there is minimal space to change on board the vessel)
- Refillable water bottles
- Hat, sunscreen and shoes (thongs or sandals okay)
- Warm clothing (especially in the months between May to November)
- Cash/Credit Card for onboard purchases (soft drinks, juices, ice tea, wine, beer, cider, chocolate, chips)
- A sense of adventure!
Pricing information
Adult
$259
15+ Years
Child
$178
2-14 Years (Infants free)
Family
$769
2 Adults + 2 Children
If departing from Daydream Island. All prices +$10 / person
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out some of our most asked questions for our Southern Lights tour.
Will I get seasick?
Due to the open-style design and speed which our vessels travel, it is very rare for Ocean Rafters to experience sea sickness on board, unlike slower vessels where you experience a slow-rocking motion that can cause sea sickness. The most common time for passengers to ever feel nauseous on the water would be when the vessel has stopped. We welcome anyone that is prone or worried about seasickness to take any necessary medication prior to travelling.
If I am visiting on a cruise ship and docking for the day, can I book Ocean Rafting?
Please be aware that if you are travelling to the Whitsundays on a cruise ship, the timings of our Full Day Eco Adventure, Half-Day Dash, Half-Day Fishing, Northern Exposure, Southern Lights and Fly Raft experiences do NOT align with the visiting cruise ship schedule. To avoid disappointment, please book through your cruise ship tour desk directly.
Is Ocean Rafting suitable for all ages?
Our Northern Exposure, Southern Lights, Scenic Flight, Full Day Eco Adventure and Half-Day Dash tours are suitable for most ages from 6 months upwards (weather permitting). If you are concerned about the weather conditions for the date that you are travelling, or wish to speak to one of our friendly office team about young passengers travelling, please call us on (07) 4946 6848.
Our Fishing tours have a minimum age requirement of 6 years old.
What if I have a medical condition?
Tours are not suitable for guests with pre-existing back, neck or hip injuries or who are pregnant (weather dependant) or heavily pregnant.
What's the difference between Northern Exposure and Southern Lights?
The main difference between the two tours is that the Northern Exposure tour has more snorkelling time and the Southern Lights tour offers more beach time.
The Northern Exposure tour departs at 08:45am and returns at approximately 3:30pm. You’ll visit two different snorkelling sites around Hook Island, with 45 minutes to one hour at each snorkel site, as well as the northern end of Whitehaven Beach at stunning Hill Inlet for 1 – 1.5 hours.
The Southern Lights tour departs at 10am and returns at approximately 4:30pm. You’ll visit one snorkel site for an hour and spend two hours at the southern end of Whitehaven Beach, with its 7km stretch of world famous silica sand.
If you wish to focus mainly on snorkelling then we suggest the Northern Exposure tour, or if you wish to spend more time at the beach, we suggest the Southern Lights tour. The tour from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach can take between 1 – 1.5 hours depending on wind, tide, swell and weather conditions.
For departures from Daydream Island, departure times differ: Northern Exposure departs Daydream Island at 9:00am and Southern Lights departs at 10:15am.
*Please note: the tour itinerary is a guideline only and is subject to change.
How fast do the boats travel?
Ocean Rafting’s custom built vessels travel up to speeds of 30 knots, allowing you to experience a fun, high speed ride whilst exploring the islands and beaches of the beautiful Whitsundays.
Additional Comments