The Fly Raft Day, in Order

A Fly Raft day goes: pickup in Airlie Beach, a 60-minute scenic flight from Whitsunday Airport over the islands, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and Heart Reef, a transfer to Coral Sea Marina, then a raft boat to Whitsunday Island for the walk to Hill Inlet Lookout, snorkelling on fringing reef and lunch on Whitehaven Beach, and the bus back to your stop. You book it as one package, Airlie Beach: Fly Raft Package with Scenic Flight & Snorkeling, from US$388 a person (checked November 2026).

Pick the North or the South option in the calendar; both are the same price. Free cancellation runs until 24 hours before, and you can reserve now and pay later.

1. The pickup

The day starts at 7:00 AM on the North option and 8:15 AM on the South option, with a courtesy bus from one of 17 named stops in Airlie Beach (16 for South). The ride to the airfield is about 10 minutes. You will not be back at your accommodation until the end of the day, so bring everything with you: swimwear, a towel, a hat, sunglasses, closed-toe shoes, a jacket, a waterproof bag and some cash. Fly Raft from Airlie Beach lists the stops.

2. The flight, 60 minutes

The plane is a fixed-wing aircraft with big windows, and every seat is a window seat. The pilot talks you through what is below. The route takes in many of the 74 Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, then heads out to the Great Barrier Reef and Heart Reef. The plane does not land anywhere on the way, and it does not land at the reef. Before you board, everyone needs to be able to climb the aircraft steps and platforms without help.

3. Onto the raft

After the flight a transfer takes you to Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach, where the boat leaves. It is 10 km by road from the airport. The boats are semi-rigid inflatables of up to 12 metres, first built as rescue craft, with 500 hp engines and a top speed of 35 knots (65 km/h). That speed is the point of the boat: the crossing to Whitsunday Island is short, which leaves more of the day for the beach and the water.

4. Hill Inlet Lookout

At the north end of Whitehaven Beach a guide walks you up through the national park to Hill Inlet Lookout, above the swirling white silica sand you saw from the plane that morning. On the North option you also spend time on the beach at Hill Inlet itself. The South option adds the south end of Whitehaven Beach and its lookout over Pentecost Island.

One date to know: from 30 November to 4 December 2026 Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers are doing maintenance on the boardwalks and lookout platforms at Hill Inlet and Tongue Point, weather permitting. Parts may be closed, but at least one Hill Inlet lookout stays open throughout.

5. Snorkelling

The snorkelling is on inner fringing reef close to the islands, with snorkel gear and a sun suit or wetsuit supplied. North visits two snorkel sites. South snorkels at one, for over an hour, at Border Island, Dumbell Island or another site chosen on the day. Where you go depends on the tide, the wind and the weather; one recent reviewer lost the snorkelling to the weather.

In the stinger season, November to May (Queensland Government), wear the suit you are given.

6. Lunch and the beach

Lunch is a tropical-style spread on Whitehaven Beach, included in the price. Drinks and snacks are extra and sold on board. South gives you at least two hours on the sand; North trades some of that beach time for the second snorkel site. Then the boat runs back to the marina and the bus drops you at your stop.

For the boat day without the plane, see the raft day without the flight. To book the whole day, use the calendar at the top of this page.