In the current climate of uncertainty regarding the risk of COVID-19, Ocean Rafting reiterates that, as always, our guest and staff wellbeing and safety is our utmost priority.

We are closely monitoring the global situation and actively taking steps to mitigate the impact and spread of COVID-19, otherwise known as the novel Coronavirus.

While it is an evolving situation, and we have no known cases in the Whitsundays, we are adhering to advice from the relevant government and health authorities as to the course of action.

Immediate/already initiated action includes:

• Our larger vessels, which carry up to 32 guests, will be capped at 25, and our smaller vessels, which carry up to 25 guests, will be capped at 15 for the benefit of small group touring. Having a fleet of seven vessels allows us to implement this measure to allow for social distancing.
• Although always in place, further disinfection procedures have been implemented for stinger suits and masks.
• Vessels are heavily disinfected daily.
• Buses and the check in office are disinfected throughout each day, paying special attention to high-touch areas.
• Everyone, including guests and staff, has easy access to health stations with hand sanitisers.
• Ongoing training has been put in place to ensure team members are fully prepared to provide information and updates to our guests.
• Management will be meeting regularly to update action/activities as required to ensure the safety of guests and staff.

Flexible cancellation policy:

• Our flexible cancellation policy allows you to book with confidence, with guests able to cancel up to 7pm the night prior to travel or 12pm the day prior for flights.

Our team is ready to support you in any way we can and are available to answer any queries regarding upcoming tour bookings. Please call 07 4946 6848 or email tours@oceanrafting.com.au

Once again showing the spirit the Whitsundays is known for, over 400 locals came together on Sunday afternoon to raise funds for fellow Aussies affected by the recent bushfire crisis. Light winds, a sunny sky and a stunning sunset provided the perfect backdrop for the “Whitsundays’ Bushfire Benefit” charity event held at Coral Sea Marina.

A total of $6,438.20 was raised by the Whitsundays community which saw a range of local operators come together for a family friendly event for a good cause, with 100% of all proceeds being donated to the Australian Tourism Industry Bushfire Relief Fund.  With rides starting from $5 per adult and $3 per child, locals and tourists alike were able to enjoy a taste of some of the Whitsundays’ favourite activities including exhilarating joyrides with Ocean Rafting, a spin off shore with Whitsunday Jetski Tours, a glide around the marina with Whitsunday Segway Tours or a pedicab through the streets with Just Tukin’ Around.

Guests had a choice of venues to enjoy the atmosphere with a bite to eat and a drink or two, with a BBQ fired up by Coral Sea Marina, a special “Bushfire Benefit Cocktail” on offer at Sorrento Restaurant & Bar, a discounted menu at Garden Bar Bistro, delicious platters by Marine Provisioning Australia and a cool evening drink from The Kiosk Café.

Live music played until 7.30pm with local musicians Kaylee West, Jack McCabe and Tim Eastwood donating their talent and time to provide the perfect laid back atmosphere. Whitsundays Rocks held painting workshops and children delighted in face painting provided by Colourful Faces.

A range of other Whitsunday businesses donated their equipment and time to the Whitsundays’ Bushfire Benefit including Whitsunday Party Hire who provided high bars, Rewards Distribution donated the plates and cutlery and Whitsunday Audio Visual supplied the PA equipment.

Over 750 raffle tickets were sold on the night, with prizes donated by local businesses including Ocean Rafting, Skydive Australia, Heli Biz, A-One Fishing Charters, Sundowner Cruises, Shingley Beach Resort, Hangar Bar and Café, Sorrento Restaurant and Bar, Garden Bar and Bistro and Northerlies Bar and Grill.

Ocean Rafting owner, Jan Claxton, whose team was responsible for the conception and organisation of the event in a period of just two weeks, expressed her gratitude to the local community and all the local businesses involved.

“From the 24 businesses involved in this event who all donated their time, services, equipment and product offerings, as well as everyone’s staff, we extend a very big thank you to the local community who all came down and enjoyed this event, while at the heart of it, dug deep to support our friends down south affected by the bushfire crisis.  The Whitsundays were tested with Cyclone Debbie nearly three years ago and the rest of Australia helped out in many ways, including visiting the Whitsundays the following year, many of them from these regions affected, so we really wanted to reach out and support our fellow Australians as a community,” said Mrs Claxton.

Whitsunday Jetski Tours owner, Toni, Ward, said “It makes me so proud to be a Whitsunday local when I see an event like this come together. It was a great afternoon and a great vibe all round with lots of people having fun, while coming together for a good cause.  We are so happy we were able to be a part of it all.”

Zak Kelly, owner of Whitsunday Segway Tours, continued “As a born and bred Whitsunday local it was so humbling to see our community doing the Australian thing in supporting our friends down south.  It was great to see so many people including locals, tourists and families have an afternoon out enjoying the many experiences the Whitsundays offer.”

After recently purchasing Just Tukin’ Around and moving to the Whitsundays, Marty and Brooke Mosley, enjoyed their first big Whitsunday community event.  “Wow, to see the community spirit is such a wonderful impression of this beautiful place we have moved to and invested in. We loved working with everyone on this charity event and so pleased we were collaboratively able to raise these funds for those in need,” said Mr Mosley.

Whitsunday local, Tanya Cran, was one of the many who attended the event with her family and friends.  “Our kids enjoyed all the activities on offer, doing more than one ride I must say.  We wanted to come down for an afternoon out with our family and friends but it was just as important to support this event. Everyone’s small contribution will hopefully make a big difference for our friends down south.  We saw some of the worst of it when we were holidaying over Christmas and had to evacuate.  We left feeling so sad and helpless for those poor people so we will help in any way we can and our kids feel very strongly about it as well,” said Mrs Cran.

All proceeds from the Whitsundays’ Bushfire Benefit will be donated to the Australian Tourism Industry Bushfire Relief Fund within the next few days and anyone else who would like to donate can visit: https://fundraise.redcross.org.au/fundraisers/AustralianTravelIndustrysBushfireReliefFund/fundraise-for-disaster-relief-and-recovery

Ocean Rafting is proud to have teamed up with Tourism Australia in their latest marketing campaign! Here’s a special message from the Australian tourism industry, featuring Ocean Rafting in part. Show your support of the Australian Tourism industry, and all those who rely on it, by committing to holiday here this year! Post a photo or video of where in Australia you plan to visit using #HolidayHereThisYear and encourage your family, friends, guests and clients to do the same when visiting the Whitsundays!

Come and join the Whitsundays’ community to raise some much needed funds for our mates down south at our Whitsundays’ Bushfire Benefit!

WHEN: Sunday 2nd February 2020
TIME: 4:30pm – 7:30pm
WHERE: Coral Sea Marina North Village

Some of the Whitsundays’ favourite activities and venues have teamed up to offer plenty of family friendly fun to raise money for our friends further south who have been affected by the bushfire crisis.

• Ocean Rafting will be offering exhilarating joyrides and spins.
• Whitsunday Jetski Tours will be offering rides on the back of their awesome skis.
• Whitsunday Segway Tours will be gliding you around the marina.
• Just Tuckin’ Around will have you in stitches on their pedicab rides!
• Coral Sea Marina will have the BBQ fired up to keep those bellies full.
• Sorrento Restaurant & Bar will be mixing up a special delicious cocktail, “The BBC” (Bushfire Benefit Cocktail), with $5 per cocktail sold being donated.
• Garden Bar will be handing out discount cards on the night as well.
• Raffles and giveaways all night!

All tours, activities, raffles, food and beverages are being donated and we are asking for a donation for charity. All proceeds will be donated to the Australian Tourism Industry Bushfire Relief Fund for the Australian Red Cross.

With entertainment from local musicians, come down to lend a hand to those in need as the sun sets over our beautiful backyard! From locals to visitors, this is a family friendly and 4 legged friend event!

We look forward to seeing you there! For more information visit the Whitsundays’ Bushfire Benefit Facebook Event page here.

Following on from recent wins at both the Whitsunday and Queensland Tourism Awards, Ocean Rafting has more gongs to add to the cabinet after winning three awards at the 2019 Adventure Tourism Awards last Thursday night.

Now in its second year, the 2019 Adventure Tourism Awards has proved itself a valuable event to showcase outstanding businesses within this important sector across Australia and New Zealand, with businesses both large and small recognised for their achievements across 34 categories.

Ocean Rafting won silver for Eco and Sustainability, bronze for the Best Activity in Queensland and bronze for the Best Activity in Australia. The Whitsundays also won silver for the Best Youth/Adventure Marketed Destination and Ocean Rafting’s sister company, Ocean Safari, based in Tropical North Queensland won two silver awards on the night.

Ocean Rafting’s Sales Captain, Nathan Fleming, attended the evening which celebrated not only adventure operators throughout the country, but also from the Whitsundays, with this market making a significant contribution to the region.

“We are very proud of not only our team, but of all the other winners and adventure operators, especially the other Whitsunday winners, Whitsundays Sailing Adventures, True Blue Sailing, Prosail Whitsundays, Sailing Whitsundays and Tourism Whitsundays.  This is an important market for our industry and it was great to come together and celebrate everyone’s commitment to youth and adventure tourism. Congratulations to everyone and thank you once again to everyone for their support,” said Nathan.

The event is organised by Adventure Queensland (AQ), the peak backpacking and independent travel industry body for Queensland, who last year identified the need for industry collaboration within the Australian and New Zealand youth tourism sector. Working alongside Backpacker Operators Association NSW (BOA) and the Backpacker Youth Tourism Advisory Panel (BYTAP), the Adventure Tourism Awards provided an opportunity for industry members to come together and celebrate outstanding contribution and excellence.

2018/19 Vice President of Adventure Queensland, Anita Butler said that it was great to see over 350 people celebrating the 2019 Youth Tourism Conference and 2019 Adventure Tourism Awards and support each other’s hard work and success.

“The Adventure Tourism sector is a vital part of the Australian and New Zealand tourism offering. These awards are made extra special with the inclusion of 30% consumer voting and the expert individual judging panel weighted evenly for the remaining 70% of final scoring.”

“The awards recognise the best of the best in travel agencies, tour/activity, innovation, cultural tourism, sustainability and accommodation. Entrants were judged based on their individual points of difference, unique selling points, customer reviews, business achievements and their links to the Adventure Tourism industry.”

“Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the night. Your passion and commitment for our segment is evident and the achievement is so very well deserved!” Anita said.