Description
Ride, beach, snorkel and bushwalk…all in one day! Ocean Rafting’s Southern Lights tour offers the perfect Whitehaven Beach tour, visiting both ends of the world famous beach, enjoying approximately two hours relaxing at south Whitehaven.
Multi award winning Ocean Rafting visits the “Wild Side” of the Whitsunday Islands, the uninhabited islands with beautiful natural scenery brimming with marine, bird and animal life. The Ocean Rafting’s Southern Lights tour offers the perfect Whitehaven Beach tour, visiting both ends of the world famous beach and enjoying approximately two hours relaxing at the southern end of the 7km 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. Ocean Rafting is the only tour to have direct access to all areas of the stunning and iconic Hill Inlet beach to ensure you enjoy the most memorable experience of this special place. Snorkel for over an hour at one of our “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.
Ocean Rafting has 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 activities. The semi rigid inflatable vessels are super fast allowing guests to experience a fun ride, adventure and education amongst the natural beauty of the Whitsundays. You can see why we call it three days in one!
Ocean Rafting Southern LightsDepartures
- Check-in: 9:00 a.m.
- Departs: 10 a.m. from Airlie Beach
- Returns: 4.30 p.m. to Airlie Beach
- Please provide your hotel or accommodation pick-up location in the additional section at checkout, so we can select the nearest pick-up point for you. Also, kindly let us know if you have any dietary requirements.
The extremely fast, semi-rigid inflatable boats give passengers a thrilling ride while snorkelling with a small group of just 32 guests. Will allow you plenty of time to swim in the water or simply unwind on the white sand. A lunch buffet is offered at the beach.
Differences between the Southern Lights and Northern Lights tours
Both the northern and southern ends of Whitehaven Beach are seen on the Southern Lights tour. Spend at least two hours lazing around on the renowned white silica sand.
Take the guided hike to Hill Inlet Lookout and Southern Whitehaven Lookout, where you may witness the most stunning views of Pentecost Island. and the Whitsundays’ tropical waters.
Enjoy the beautiful hard and soft corals of the fringing reefs while snorkelling for more than an hour at Border Island, Dumbell Island, or one of our “hidden” snorkelling locations.
However, if you would like to spend more time snorkeling, take a look at Ocean Rafting’s Northern Tour, which has two snorkelling locations and less time on Whitehaven Beach.
Inclusions
- Visit to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
- Hill Inlet Lookout
- Guided National Park walks
- Inner fringing coral reef snorkelling
- Personalised snorkel instruction
- Use of snorkel equipment and flotation devices
- Tropical Style lunch on Whitehaven Beach
- Morning and Afternoon tea (Cake and Fruit)
- Sunsuit/Wetsuit
- Reef and island naturalist talks
- Courtesy bus transfers
Not included
- Prescription Mask Hire
- Water
- Soft Drinks/Juice
- Beer/Cider
- Chocolate
Check out the other Arlie Beach/Whitsunday Island tours.
Important info before travel
- Swimmers
- A beach bag including a towel, hat and shoes.
- A jacket during winter to protect you from wind and for warmth after snorkelling.
- Cameras in a waterproof case or Tupperware.
- Cash for water, soft drinks, beer, fruit juices and chocolates for sale on board.
- If you have chosen not to have our fresh tropical lunch pack, please ensure that you bring your own as we do not visit any resorts during the day.
- A sense of humour is always welcome!
All fares are inclusive of Marine Park fees and GST. Ocean Rafting reserves the right to charge our customers a fuel levy if fuel is over $1.50 per litre.
Sites are weather and tide permitting. Ocean Rafting reserves the right to arrange alternate itinerary when necessary. Please note departure times may sometimes be weather and tidal dependant. Please reconfirm your booking 48 hours prior.
Ocean Rafting may use photographs of our clients in promotional material, including but not limited to social media, however if you do not consent please advise Ocean Rafting.
Liability: Clients should note that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard our clients, we cannot be held responsible for personal injury or loss due to the actions of the clients which are beyond our control. Tours are not suitable for guests with pre-existing back, neck or hip injuries or who are pregnant (weather dependant) or heavily pregnant. Minimum age 6 months. A signed release will be required from all participants on departure. We recommend you take out travel insurance.
Fitness and Health: Although good health and a positive attitude are essential, you do not need any prior experience to partake in an Ocean Rafting adventure.
Cancellations/Refund Policy: Your booking includes a 5% non-refundable booking fee for all cancellations. Cancellations after 7pm the night before departure no refund. Please Note: On occasion, in the interest of guest safety, we may have to cancel tours due to unfavourable weather conditions. In this unlikely event, you will be offered travel on another suitable day or issued a refund, minus 5% booking fee of your fare price.
Credit Card Surcharge: If you are paying by credit card please be aware these transactions incur a 1.6% surcharge.
Rates: Tour rates shown are valid for travel until 31 March 24. For travel after that date, relevant rates will display when future dates are selected in the booking table.
Cruise Ships: Please be aware that if you are travelling to the Whitsundays on a cruise ship, the timings of our 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.
Queensland Public Holidays: The following days incur a public holiday surcharge of $20 per adult, $10 per child and $50 per family (2ad and 2ch) on the Northern Exposure, Southern Lights and Fly Raft package, as well as charters and all Rafting Squad bookings, including birthday travel. Scenic flights will NOT incur surcharge:
APR 26 – MAR 27
- 03 April 26 – Good Friday
- 04 April 26 – Easter Saturday
- 05 April 26 – Easter Sunday
- 06 April 26 – Easter Monday
- 25 April 26 – Anzac Day
- 04 May 26 – Labour Day
- 19 June 26 – Show Whitsundays
- 05 October 26 – King’s Birthday
- 25 December 26 – Christmas Day (CLOSED)
- 26 December 26 – Boxing Day
- 28 December 26 – Boxing Day Public holiday
- 1 January 2027 – New Year’s Day
- 26 January 2027 – Australia Day
- 27 March 2027 – Good Friday
- 28 March 2027 – Easter Saturday
- 29 March 2027 – Easter Sunday
- 30 March 2027 – Easter Monday
FLY AND RAFT AND SCENIC FLIGHTS.
As per Ocean Rafting T&C’s above. Minimum numbers of four passengers for flights/flight packages apply. Flights are subject to pilot discretion, weather and air traffic control. For legal and safety reasons all passengers are weighed prior to boarding. Maximum per seat weight is 125 kgs. Full names and exact weights per passenger must be advised when booking due to flight weight availability. Flights are conducted by Whitsunday Tiger Moth Adventures trading as WAVEAir Pty Ltd, AOC# CASA.AOC.0067 and Whitsunday Air Services Pty Ltd AOC#1-KPVQ0 -06, licensed and certified Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) carriers. Cancellation Policy: 100% cancellation fee applies for cancellations after midday the day prior.
CHARTERS
As per Ocean Rafting T&C’s above except for charter payment and cancellation policy as follows:
- 50% deposit is due at the time of booking
- Balance is due 5 days prior to departure
- Payments can be made via Credit Card or Bank Deposit. (A 1.6% credit card surcharge applies)
- Cancellation up to 5 days prior to departure – Full refund less 5% non-refundable booking fee for all cancellations.
- Cancellation less than 5 days prior to departure – 100% cancellation fee applies
- A $200 Public Holiday surcharge is applied to rates for charters booked on Queensland public holidays
