Images and Video
Southern Lights Tour departing Airlie Beach
Highlights
- Relax on the pristine sands of Whitehaven Beach, soaking in the sun for two hours of bliss.
- Embark on a guided bushwalk to Hill Inlet Lookout, capturing breathtaking views of swirling silica sands.
- Snorkel for over an hour at hidden spots, discovering vibrant marine life among colourful corals.
- Experience a small group tour, ensuring personalised attention and a more intimate connection with nature.
Ocean Rafting’s Southern Lights tour visits both ends of world famous Whitehaven Beach, where you’ll enjoy approximately two hours relaxing at the southern end of the 7 kilometre stretch of Whitehaven Beach.
At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach, enjoy a guided bushwalk to spectacular Hill Inlet Lookout to view and capture photographs of the stunning swirling silica sands and aqua water.
Snorkel for over an hour at Border Island, or one of their “secret” snorkel spots and enjoy the amazing hard and soft corals of the fringing reefs, as well as a huge range of marine life including colourful fish, turtles, clams and so much more, all of which call the inner coral reefs home.
The main difference between the two tours is that the Southern Lights has more beach time and the Northern Exposure offers more snorkelling time.
Itinerary highlights
Hill Inlet
Whitehaven Beach
Tour details
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Available from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027
Features
Service facilities
Sevice Activity
Disabled access available, contact operator for details.
Operation information
Ocean Rafting Whitsundays
Multi award-winning Ocean Rafting offers the best of the Whitsundays from above, on and below the water!
Enjoy Ocean Rafting’s signature adrenalin-fuelled ride to Whitehaven Beach, the ultimate access to Hill Inlet and special snorkelling sites on the Northern Exposure or Southern Lights tours, or upgrade to the popular Fly Raft package, which also includes a 60-minute scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef and world-famous Heart Reef. Stand-alone scenic flights, charter options and Ocean Rafting’s Reef Seeker environmental educational program are also available departing from Airlie Beach.
Now departing from Hamilton Island – Half Day Dash, Half Day Splash, Full Eco Adventures, Ocean Fishing and Ocean Jetboat.
Ocean Rafting’s fleet of semi-rigid inflatable vessels allow you to experience an adrenalin-fuelled ride amongst the beauty of the Whitsundays, while a maximum of 32 passengers per vessel allows for a personalised experience in the pleasure of a small group.
As the original and most awarded tour operator in the Whitsundays and the only commercial company with permit permissions to access and anchor within world-famous Hill Inlet, Ocean Rafting offers the ultimate Whitsunday experience like no other!
Activities
Tags
Accreditations
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Climate Action Innovator Certified by Ecotourism Australia
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Climate Action Leader Certified by Ecotourism Australia
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ECO Certified (Advanced Ecotourism) by Ecotourism Australia
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Quality Tourism Accreditation
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Sustainable Tourism Accreditation by ATIC
Memberships
- Boating Industry Association
- Gay and Lesbian Tourism Australia (GALTA)
- Queensland Tourism Industry Council
- Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation
- QLD – Tourism Whitsundays
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