With the travel and gathering restrictions within Queensland being eased, Ocean Rafting will recommence operations on Tuesday 02 June! For our fellow Queenslanders, unlimited travel and overnight stays for all of Queensland means you can vacate the isolate and enjoy the Whitsundays now! Most importantly, your safety is our top priority as we follow all health and safety regulations and ensuring we meet all COVID safe requirements.  For the rest of our Aussie friends, we look forward to welcoming you when the time is right!

This is exciting news and we look forward to providing you with the ULTIMATE access to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and top snorkelling spots on the RIDE OF YOUR LIFE!

For bookings and enquiries call 07 4946 6848 or email tours@oceanrafting.com.au or book online.

YAY! See you on the water soon! 😁

OCEAN RAFTING’S SOFT RE-OPENING IS COMMENCING 13 JUNE!!

Yep, that’s right! 🥳

Following the Queensland Government’s three-stage plan to re-open Queensland, Ocean Rafting is aiming for a soft opening to align with stage two, with the first date of operation to commence on 13 June! (Subject to any unexpected potential changes in the meantime that we are directed to by the government and health authorities).

Have you joined the squad?  That’s the question we are asking locals with the launch of our new membership program, the Rafting Squad.

Ocean Rafting has always been known for offering the ultimate access to iconic Whitsunday locations and now Whitsunday Shire locals can receive the ultimate access to discounts and promotions.

‘The Rafting Squad’, which launched on 30 April, provides local members access to benefits all year round, including 20% off Ocean Rafting products for the member and three friends, and a free tour for their birthday.

As many locals know, Ocean Rafting operates two exciting day tour options to some of the Whitsunday’s most desirable destinations. The Northern Exposure and Southern Lights tours offer an exhilarating ride to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, pristine snorkelling reefs and guided Whitsunday Island National Parks walks.  Ocean Rafting has special permits allowing access to Hill Inlet beach itself, which adds to the uniqueness of the tours, being the only operator offering lunch and time to relax on the famous sands of Hill Inlet. Ocean Rafting also operates scenic flights and Fly & Raft packages, offering the best views from above, on and below the water.

As an added benefit for locals travelling north to Tropical North Queensland, the 20% off year-round discount is also redeemable for Ocean Rafting’s sister company, Ocean Safari. Ocean Safari offers an exhilarating half day eco tour to snorkel the pristine untouched Great Barrier Reef off the Daintree Coast. After a fast 25 minute ride, guests are ready to snorkel two fabulous locations and on most days, the rainforest can be seen along the mainland beach whilst snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef alongside sea turtles, which are found in abundance swimming over reefs full of colourful coral.  The vessel takes 25 passengers, with small groups allowing guests to experience tropical paradise away from the crowds.

Ocean Rafting owner, Jan Claxton, said “We have been working on the Rafting Squad for some time now, but it seemed like the right time to launch it as we are hopefully returning closer to the “new” normal.  The locals have always supported us, as we have them, so we wanted to offer something to shine a little light towards the end of this tunnel.  Even though we can’t operate now, the time will come where we can, so locals can join up now and dream about soon getting back out into the fresh air and exploring their beautiful backyard with some amazing deals.”

Rafting Squad discounts are available for residents living in the Whitsunday Shire, with post codes between 4800 and 4805.  Members will receive a Rafting Squad membership card once the application is submitted and proof of a local residential address and ID is provided.

To sign up to the ‘Rafting Squad” and for full terms and conditions, visit www.oceanrafting.com.au/raftingsquad.  Locals can also stay up to date with the latest promotions and specials by joining the Rafting/Safari Squad Members Facebook group.

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