Tours and activities in Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays
Whitehaven Beach cruises, Great Barrier Reef scenic flights, sunset sails and kangaroos at sunrise. Book online with the operators who run them, or call us and we'll book it for you.
Whitsunday Reflections, 25 Horizons Way, Airlie Beach, lists more than 50 tours and activities from local operators: Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet day tours, snorkelling and sailing, Heart Reef scenic flights, sunset cruises and land tours to Cape Hillsborough and Cedar Creek Falls. Each card shows who runs it and how long it takes. "Book online" opens the operator's own booking page with live prices and dates. Most boats leave from Coral Sea Marina, about ten minutes' walk down the hill.
Booked your stay direct with us? Check your booking confirmation email. It has discounts on some of these tours, just for guests who booked direct.
Whitehaven Beach tours
Full days out to the white silica sand of Whitsunday Island, by fast boat, big catamaran or sailing yacht. Most include the Hill Inlet lookout and a snorkel.
Whitehaven Beach All Day
With ZigZag Whitsundays
8 hours
A full day at Whitehaven Beach from Super Flyer, with no snorkelling. For guests who want the most time on the sand.
- Unlimited beach transfers
- Guided walk to South Whitehaven Lookout
- Buffet lunch on board
Whitehaven Beach and Snorkel
With ZigZag Whitsundays
Full day
Whitehaven Beach plus a fast snorkel boat out to a reef site, on the same Super Flyer day.
- Snorkel at a reef location
- Guided walk to South Whitehaven Lookout
- Buffet lunch on board
Northern Exposure
With Ocean Rafting
7 hours
Fast semi-rigid boats to Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach, with more snorkelling time. 32 guests at most.
- Two snorkel sites, Hook and Border Island
- Guided walk to Hill Inlet lookout
- Lunch and courtesy pick-up
Southern Lights
With Ocean Rafting
7 hours
Both ends of Whitehaven Beach with about two hours at the southern end, and more beach time than snorkelling.
- Hill Inlet lookout walk
- Over an hour of snorkelling
- Lunch and courtesy pick-up
Thundercat
With Red Cat Adventures
8 hours
A stable, fast catamaran to Whitehaven Beach and the Hill Inlet lookout, with two snorkel stops on the fringing reef.
- Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet lookout
- Two snorkel stops
- Lunch and local bus transfers
Big Fury
With Magic Whitsundays
7 hours
An open speed boat to Whitehaven Beach, the Hill Inlet lookout and a snorkel on the fringing reef. Up to 35 guests.
- Lunch served on Whitehaven Beach
- Snorkel gear and stinger suits
- Courtesy accommodation transfers
Viper
With Iconic Whitsunday Adventures
9 hours
The outer Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet in one day, on the fastest boat in the region. Ages 8+ and 130cm tall.
- Guided snorkel at Bait Reef
- Hill Inlet lookout and south Whitehaven
- Lunch and accommodation transfers
Providence Whitehaven Day Sail
With Whitsunday Sailing
9 hours
A day under sail on Providence V, a 62 foot gaff-rigged schooner, to Whitehaven Beach and a fringing reef.
- Hill Inlet lookout and Whitehaven Beach
- Snorkel gear and stinger suits
- Lunch option or BYO food
Lady Enid Whitehaven
With Iconic Whitsunday Adventures
10 hours
Adults-only day on a rare classic Australian yacht, with a snorkel, Hill Inlet and Betty's Beach at Whitehaven. Ages 18+.
- Morning tea, lunch and sunset sparkling
- Hill Inlet lookout walk
- Accommodation transfers
Camira
With Cruise Whitsundays
9.5 hours
A fast sailing catamaran to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, with a snorkel stop.
- Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
- One snorkel location
- Sailing catamaran
Whitehaven Beach Day Tour
With SeaLink
9 hours
Air-conditioned cruise to Whitehaven Beach and the Hill Inlet lookout, departing Shute Harbour.
- Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet lookout
- Gourmet lunch
- Departs Shute Harbour
Half Day Whitehaven
5.5 hours
Whitehaven Beach by fast ferry in half a day, morning or afternoon.
- Whitehaven Beach
- Morning or afternoon tour
- Fast ferry
Snorkelling and island sailing
Days on the water that skip Whitehaven Beach for quieter reefs, sandbars and island bays.
Sail, SUP and Snorkel
With Wings Sailing Charters
6 hours
A 60 foot sailing catamaran to the northern islands and a private mooring at Langford Island. Doesn't go to Whitehaven Beach.
- Snorkel the fringing reef, SUP and clear kayak
- Morning tea and tropical lunch
- Kids 5+, 29 guests at most
Tongarra
With Red Cat Adventures
8.5 hours
A social day sail to a fringing reef and the Langford Island sandbar, with a sunset sail home. Ages 12+.
- Snorkel and Langford sandbar
- Lunch and snacks, BYO alcohol
- Sunset sail back to Airlie Beach
Lady Enid Hook Island
With Iconic Whitsunday Adventures
8 hours
Adults-only sail to Nara Inlet on Hook Island for the Ngaro Cultural Site, then a snorkel at Hook Island. Ages 18+.
- Ngaro Cultural Site walk
- Snorkel Hook Island
- Lunch and accommodation transfers
Scenic flights over Heart Reef
Heart Reef, Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach from the air, by plane or helicopter.
Whitsunday Islands and Reef Scenic Flight
With Fly Australia Charter
60 minutes
A 60 minute flight from Whitsunday Airport over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Hardy Reef and Heart Reef.
- Pilot commentary
- Window seats for everyone
- Pick-up from two points in Airlie Beach
1 Hour Heart Reef Scenic Flight
With Ocean Rafting
60 minute flight
Fixed-wing flight from Whitsunday Airport, 8 minutes from Airlie Beach, over the islands, Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef.
- Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach
- Guaranteed window seat
- Courtesy pick-up
Whitehaven Rest and Relax
With Airlie Beach Helicopters
3 hours
A scenic lap of Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, then a landing and 1.5 hours on the beach.
- Whitehaven Beach landing
- Gourmet canapés and drinks
- Free shuttle in Airlie Beach
Reef and Whitehaven Spectacular
With Airlie Beach Helicopters
60 minutes
One hour over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Heart Reef and the Great Barrier Reef.
- Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
- Heart Reef
- Free shuttle in Airlie Beach
Heart Reef and Whitehaven Rest and Relax
With Airlie Beach Helicopters
3.5 hours
A flight over the Great Barrier Reef and Heart Reef, then 1.5 hours on Whitehaven Beach.
- Heart Reef
- Whitehaven Beach landing
- Nibbles, drinks and free shuttle
Whitsunday Whirl
With Airlie Beach Helicopters
20 minutes
A short helicopter lap of Shute Harbour, Long Island and the Molle Islands. Minimum two passengers.
- Shute Harbour
- Long Island and the Molle Islands
- Free shuttle in Airlie Beach
Cape Gloucester Getaway
With Airlie Beach Helicopters
2 hours
Fly past the islands and reef to Cape Gloucester, then 1.5 hours at the resort for lunch, drinks and a swim.
- Beach touchdown at Cape Gloucester
- Resort access for lunch and a swim
- Free shuttle in Airlie Beach
Aerobatic Adventure Flights
Various
Aerobatic flights for the thrill: basic, advanced, or the Screech and Beach.
- Basic aerobatic
- Advanced aerobatic
- Screech and Beach
Sunset cruises from Airlie Beach
Two hours or so on the water as the sun goes down over Airlie Beach. Most leave from Coral Sea Marina, a ten minute walk down the hill.
Sunset Sail in Style, BYO
With Wings Sailing Charters
2 hours
Sunset on SV Wings III, a 60 foot catamaran. Bring your own drinks; there's fridge space, ice and glasses on board.
- Welcome drink, antipasto and dessert
- Bring your own drinks
- 29 guests at most
Sundowner Sunset Cruise
With Iconic Whitsunday Adventures
2 hours
Airlie Beach's original sunset cruise: two hours around Pioneer Bay. All ages.
- Glass of sparkling and nibbles
- Licensed bar, no BYO
- Departs Coral Sea Marina
Sundowner Cruise and Dine
With Iconic Whitsunday Adventures
3+ hours
The two hour Sundowner sunset cruise, then a cocktail and two-course dinner at Sorrento's. Book at least 2 hours ahead.
- Sparkling and nibbles on the cruise
- Cocktail and two courses at Sorrento's
- From Coral Sea Marina
Lady Enid Sunset Sail
With Iconic Whitsunday Adventures
2 hours
Two hours under sail on a classic timber yacht off Airlie Beach and Pioneer Bay. Adults only.
- Aperol Spritz on arrival
- Prawn, cheese and antipasto plate
- Onboard bar
Providence V Tallship Sunset Sail
With Whitsunday Sailing
2 hours
Daily at 5pm on a classic tallship schooner, back in the moonlight. Ages 4+, minimum ten guests to sail.
- Glass of bubbles and nibbles
- Help set the sails
- Daily at 5pm
Glass Bottom Sunset Cruise
With Pioneer Adventures
1.5 hours
A glass bottom boat at sunset from Shute Harbour, with coral below and the sun going down. All ages.
- Courtesy bus pick-up
- Nibbles and licensed bar
- Coral viewing and commentary
Twilight Cruise
With Whisper Cruises
1.5 hours
A quiet electric boat around the bay at sunset, spotting turtles, then the lights of Airlie Beach. Ages 14+.
- Silent electric boat
- Turtle spotting
- Glass of bubbles
Outrigger Sunset Sail
With Whitsunday Sailing Outrigger
1.5 hours
Learn to sail an outrigger at sunset, with sparkling wine and homemade snacks.
- Sparkling wine and snacks
- Small group
- Learn to sail
Kayaks, jetskis and turtles
Shorter trips close to town: an hour or a morning, not the whole day.
Kayak Turtle Tour
With Whitsunday Stand Up Paddle
3 hours
A guided kayak along the Airlie Beach foreshore looking for turtles, taking in three beaches.
- From Shingley Beach
- Spot turtles
- Double kayaks
Kayak Hire
With Whitsunday Stand Up Paddle
1 to 1.5 hours
Kayak hire from Lagoon Beach, with single, double and fishing sit-on-top kayaks.
- From Lagoon Beach
- Single or double kayaks
- Fishing sit-on-tops
SUP Hire
With Whitsunday Stand Up Paddle
1 hour
Stand up paddle board hire from Shingley Beach, for an hour on the water.
- From Shingley Beach
- 1 hour hire
- Calm bay water
Turtle Watching
With Whisper Cruises
1 hour
A silent electric boat around Pioneer Bay past Pigeon Island, looking for turtles, rays and dugong. All ages.
- Silent electric boat
- Turtles and rays
- From Coral Sea Marina
Glass Bottom Boat Tour
With Pioneer Adventures
70 minutes
Hard and soft coral, tropical fish and often turtles at Shute Harbour, through the glass. All ages.
- Coral and tropical fish
- Guided commentary
- Fully shaded vessel
Ultimate Bay Blast Jet Boat
With Pioneer Adventures
30 minutes
A 380 horsepower jet boat doing 180s, 360s and drifts across Pioneer Bay. Ages 5+.
- From Coral Sea Marina
- Spins and drifts
- Free photos
Outrigger Eco Adventure
With Whitsunday Sailing Outrigger
1.5 hours
Paddle and sail Australia's only commercial sailing outrigger canoe from Airlie Beach to Mandalay Point. Four guests at most.
- Learn to paddle and sail
- Snack pack and spray jacket
- Photos included
Airlie Beach Jet Ski Tour
1.5 hours
A guided self-drive jetski tour around Airlie's bays, single or double.
- Airlie's bays
- Single or double jetski
- From Coral Sea Marina
2 Island Safari Jet Ski Tour
3 hours
A jetski tour out to Daydream Island and the Molle Islands, for more adventurous riders.
- Daydream Island
- The Molle Islands
- From Coral Sea Marina
Crocodiles, kangaroos and waterfalls
Days out on the mainland with local guides and pick-up in Airlie Beach: crocodiles in the wild, kangaroos at sunrise, rainforest waterfalls and quiet beaches.
Whitsunday Crocodile Safari
With Whitsunday Crocodile Safari
Full day
Saltwater crocodiles in the wild on the Proserpine River, a wagon ride across the Goorganga Plains and a barbecue lunch.
- Proserpine River cruise
- BBQ lunch, billy tea and damper
- Pick-up in Airlie Beach
Sunrise with Kangaroos and Wallabies
With Driftwood Tours
7 hours
Wild kangaroos and wallabies on the beach at Cape Hillsborough at sunrise, then a guided walk and breakfast.
- Pick-up from your accommodation
- Guided walk to a lookout
- Breakfast in the bush
Waterfalls and Rainforest Bushwalk
With Driftwood Tours
4 hours
A guided rainforest walk in Conway National Park and a swim at Cedar Creek Falls. Runs November to May, while the falls are flowing.
- Conway National Park
- Swim at Cedar Creek Falls
- Accredited eco nature guide
Airlie Beach Sightseeing Highlights
With Driftwood Tours
3 hours
A guided sightseeing tour of Shute Harbour, Mandalay Point, a hilltop lookout and Coral Sea Marina.
- Shute Harbour and Mandalay Point
- Hilltop lookout over Airlie Beach
- Coral Sea Marina
Bowen Beaches Escape
With Driftwood Tours
8 hours
A day north to the beaches at the top of the Whitsundays around Bowen.
- Bowen's beaches
- Local accredited guide
- Small group
Hidden Coastal Escape
With Driftwood Tours
7 hours
Dingo Beach and Cape Gloucester, the quiet coast north of Airlie Beach.
- Dingo Beach
- Cape Gloucester
- Local accredited guide
Combos and packages
A scenic flight and a boat tour with Ocean Rafting, both in one day.
Fly and Raft Northern Exposure
With Ocean Rafting
9 hours
The 60 minute Heart Reef scenic flight and the Northern Exposure boat tour, both in one day.
- Scenic flight over Heart Reef
- Two snorkel sites and Hill Inlet
- Lunch and courtesy pick-up
Fly and Raft Southern Lights
With Ocean Rafting
9 hours
The 60 minute Heart Reef scenic flight and the Southern Lights boat tour, both in one day.
- Scenic flight over Heart Reef
- More time on Whitehaven Beach
- Lunch and courtesy pick-up
Book online, or let the tour desk do it
- Book online
- "Book online" on each card opens the operator's own booking page, with today's prices and seats.
- Or call and we'll book it
- Call 0416 048 131 or ask Paulette or Robyn at the desk. A few tours are only booked this way. Office hours are 9 to 5 on weekdays and 9 to midday on weekends.
- Check the pick-up
- Some tours collect you from the apartment, others leave from Coral Sea Marina or Shute Harbour. It's on the booking page, or ask us.
How do I book a tour?
Do guests get discounts on tours?
Where do the tours leave from?
Who runs the tours?
Book with us directly and pay less for your stay
Book here direct with us: only a $200 deposit to secure your stay, with the balance due 7 days before arrival. It's always cheaper than the big booking sites. Book direct and your confirmation email includes discounts on some local tours.
Check availability