SOUTHERN LIGHTS TOUR AND FLY/RAFT OPTION

Southern Lights Tour Overview 

Be blown away by breathtaking beauty and secluded beaches on Ocean Rafting’s Southern Lights tour. Join this unforgettable adventure, where you’ll have the opportunity to ride, swim, snorkel and bushwalk, all in one day! 

The Southern Lights Tour is one of the two Whitehaven tours offered by Ocean Rafting; the other tour is titled Northern Exposure, which also has its own audio guide. The Southern Lights tour is characterised by offering more beach time, with one snorkelling site, whereas the Northern Exposure spends more time snorkelling. During the tour, you will visit both ends of the world-famous Whitehaven Beach and enjoy approximately two hours relaxing at the southern end of the blissful seven kilometre stretch of soft, silica sand.

At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach, you will be taken on a guided bushwalk to spectacular Hill Inlet Lookout, where you can view and capture photographs of the stunning, swirling silica sands and crystal aqua water, creating breathtaking patterns with the changing tides.  Ocean Rafting is the only tour operator to have direct access to all areas of the iconic Hill Inlet beach. 

During the day, you will also have the option to snorkel for over an hour at Border Island, Dumbell Island, or one of Ocean Rafting’s “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.

Ocean Rafting has some of the fastest day boats in the Whitsundays, meaning it is not only an adventurous ride, but distances are covered in a shorter time, leaving more time for bathing in the beauty of the Whitsundays’ most stunning settings.

What to Expect 

Ocean Rafting vessels travel super-fast through the azure waters surrounding the Whitsundays. The fresh ocean breezes and warm sunshine will make you feel truly alive and energised.  The open-sided vessels invite you to feel the wind in your hair and the refreshing salty sea mist on your face.

It is recommended that you listen to the corresponding audio guide before you take your tour, as the open-air vessel may make it difficult to listen to any audio commentary and there will likely be music playing during the ride to add to the thrill-seeking experience. It is also worth noting that mobile reception may be patchy or non-existent in many areas of this tour. There is also no wi-fi connectivity at Whitehaven Beach, so you can truly disconnect from stress and reconnect with nature. Guests should note that although the activities, such as bushwalking, swimming at the beach and snorkelling are highlights of this tour, the actual structure of the day, for example, the order in which you complete these activities, may change. This is because weather conditions, wind and tides are all taken into account during each tour. The crew will always take the safest and most scenic routes to ensure you enjoy the ultimate experience.

Beach Bliss at Whitehaven 

Extended time at Whitehaven Beach is the outstanding feature of the Southern Lights tour. The incredible beauty of Whitehaven Beach has to be experienced to be believed, and it certainly takes centre stage on the Ocean Rafting Southern Lights tour. 

You may have heard Whitehaven Beach referenced as being ‘the best beach in the world’. The iconic beach is located on Whitsunday Island, the largest island in the chain making up the Whitsunday Islands. Whitehaven Beach is famous for its stunningly beautiful and pristine sand and waters, which are unlike any other beach in the world. At Whitehaven, the sand is snow white in colour, and softer than the softest cloud. Its texture could be best described as a smooth, fluffy powder. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of walking barefoot, immersing your senses in the soothing warmth and softness of its texture.

At Whitehaven Beach, the water can also be described as perfection. The ocean is crystal clear, and the most exquisite shade of turquoise. The water gets its beautiful hues from the limestone shelf that runs from Whitehaven Beach out into the sea. Add in some famous, golden Queensland sunshine, and you have all the makings of a beach-lover’s paradise. You can swim and serenely float in the protected waters until your heart’s content, or until it’s time to reboard and travel to your next stop. 

Bushwalking at Hill Inlet Lookout 

Another slice of heaven on your day’s adventure will be Hill Inlet lookout. You’ll have the chance to enjoy a guided bushwalk to the top of the hill, where you’ll experience incredible vistas of the sweeping, white, sandy shores which seem to stretch for endless miles, framed by picturesque turquoise water. You’ll have to walk approximately 1.3 kilometres uphill, but the views, the feel, and the open, pristine landscape make it more than worthwhile. You won’t need to worry about losing your way, as the bushwalk in this part of the tour is guided and is rated at a moderate level. Hopefully, you’ll also be able to spot some migratory wading birds foraging for food in the surrounding shallow waters. Hill Inlet Lookout is made of wooden boardwalks surrounded by wooden fences. It is a safe, secure area and there are also benches available if you need to rest your legs after your climb!

Why Just Walk when you can Also Fly

For the ultimate experience that leaves absolutely no stone unturned, consider adding a Fly Raft option to your Southern Lights tour. The Fly Raft Southern Lights package enables you to take an incredible scenic flight over the Whitsundays before embarking on the Southern Lights Ocean Rafting adventure. Your scenic flight lasts for 60 minutes and offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the Whitsundays spread out beneath you like a picture-perfect postcard. Sit back and relax in one of Ocean Rafting’s comfortable planes, with guaranteed window seats, allowing you to maximise views of many of the 74 Whitsunday Islands. The flight takes you over Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet before heading out to the Great Barrier Reef and experiencing one of the most photographed reef locations, Heart Reef. Your scenic flight also includes plenty of pilot commentary to top off the experience. For more information about the scenic flight component of this ultimate adventure package, please refer to the dedicated ‘Scenic Flight’ audio guide available online at oceanrafting.com.au. 

Accessibility

Wherever possible, Ocean Rafting’s warm and welcoming team delight in enabling people of all abilities to enjoy the unforgettable rush and “ride of their life” in the beautiful Whitsundays. 

The Ocean Rafting vessels are suitable for most ages from 6 months upwards (weather permitting). Unfortunately, tours are not suitable for guests with pre-existing back, neck or hip injuries or who are heavily pregnant.

Ocean Rafting tours depart from Coral Sea Marina, which features wide docks, ramps and access gates. However, due to the nature of the day’s activities, the accessibility of boats, and the necessity of beach boarding, some guests with limited mobility may require additional assistance or may be unable to participate, depending on individual circumstances. Ocean Rafting will always strive to accommodate where practical and possible, within the constraints of existing infrastructure.  Please contact Ocean Rafting’s supportive team to discuss your unique access requirements by phoning (07) 4946 6848 or emailing tours@oceanrafting.com.au.

Please note that snorkelling can be a strenuous activity with additional risks for some guests. You will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire prior to boarding, which can also be completed ahead of time using your own device. Please ensure you answer this honestly for your own safety. If you are not a confident swimmer, please make sure you notify staff at check-in. Life jackets and pool noodles are offered on board for extra buoyancy, and a range of prescription masks are available for hire. Please note that a ladder is the only means of water entry and exit at snorkel sites. 

The Ocean Rafting office is located at the Northern Village of Coral Sea Marina, Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach, next to Sorrento Restaurant & Bar. Car parking is available at the marina for a small fee. Alternatively, Ocean Rafting offer a courtesy pick up from most mainland accommodation houses as well as from Daydream Island Resort on request. 

Most Ocean Rafting vessels have toilets on board. There are also toilets at Coral Sea Marina, at the Hill Inlet Lookout, and at the southern end of Whitehaven Beach (only accessible from the Southern Lights tour). The toilets at the Coral Sea Marina are wheelchair accessible. 

With at least a day’s notice, Ocean Rafting can cater for most dietary requirements and allergies.