Northern Exposure or Southern Lights?
The two Fly Raft options compared: North Whitehaven (Northern Exposure), two snorkel sites from 7:00, or South Whitehaven (Southern Lights), more beach from 8:15.
Take North if you came to snorkel; take South if you came for Whitehaven Beach. North (Scenic Flight (60 Min) + North Whitehaven Tour, the operator’s Northern Exposure) starts at 7:00 AM, snorkels at two sites and spends its beach time at Hill Inlet. South (Scenic Flight (60 Min) + South Whitehaven, the operator’s Southern Lights) starts at 8:15 AM, snorkels at one site and gives you at least two hours on the white sand at both ends of the beach. Both include the same 60-minute flight and the walk to Hill Inlet Lookout, and both are from US$388 a person (checked November 2026).
Side by side
| North Whitehaven (Northern Exposure) | South Whitehaven (Southern Lights) | |
|---|---|---|
| Starts | 7:00 AM | 8:15 AM |
| The flight | 60 minutes over the islands, Whitehaven, Hill Inlet and Heart Reef | The same |
| Snorkelling | Two sites | One site, for over an hour: Border Island, Dumbell Island or another site on the day |
| Beach | Hill Inlet, at the north end of Whitehaven | Both ends of Whitehaven, at least two hours on the sand |
| Lookouts | Hill Inlet Lookout | Hill Inlet Lookout and the lookout at the south end, over Pentecost Island |
| Pickup stops in Airlie Beach | 17 | 16 |
| Price per person | From US$388 | From US$388 |
Prices checked November 2026: both options were US$388 a person on 14 November and 8 December 2026 and on 12 January 2027. On 14 November only North was on sale; South’s next date was 20 November.
Which one suits you
Scenic Flight (60 Min) + North Whitehaven Tour
Two snorkel sites on fringing reef, the beach at Hill Inlet and the lookout walk. The earlier start, at 7:00 AM.
Pick North →Scenic Flight (60 Min) + South Whitehaven
At least two hours on Whitehaven Beach at both ends, one snorkel site, the Hill Inlet Lookout walk and the south-end lookout. Starts at 8:15 AM.
Pick South →Prices, ratings and review counts from the listing (GetYourGuide checked November 2026). Operators price by date and season, so treat the figures as the shape of the market, not a quote.
Why North suits snorkellers
It is the option with two different snorkel destinations, which no other version of the day has. You also get time on the beach at Hill Inlet itself, the north end of Whitehaven, below the lookout. The price of the extra snorkel site is time on the long white beach to the south, which North does not visit.
The snorkelling on either option is on inner fringing reef near the islands, not at Heart Reef or the outer reef you fly over in the morning. Snorkel gear and a sun suit or wetsuit are included; in the stinger season, November to May (Queensland Government), the suit is worth wearing.
Why South suits beach people
South goes to both ends of Whitehaven Beach and leaves you on the south end for at least two hours. That is time to swim, or to do nothing on the white silica sand. You still walk to Hill Inlet Lookout, and you see a second view at the south end, over Pentecost Island. You snorkel once, for over an hour.
The later start, 8:15 AM against 7:00 AM, is a small bonus if early mornings are hard.
What the two share
The flight, the boat, the lunch on Whitehaven Beach, the guide, the price and the limits are the same on both. Neither suits pregnant women, people with back problems or mobility impairments, or anyone over 125 kg. What the package includes has the full list.
More from Airlie Beach
Whitsundays Tours with Open Dates
Boat days, sailing trips and flights from Airlie Beach with live availability. What each includes and its cancellation terms are shown before you book.
Pick North or South in the Calendar
Both Fly Raft options cost the same and include the 60-minute flight, the Hill Inlet Lookout walk, snorkelling and lunch on Whitehaven Beach.
Check dates