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Nature & wildlife · Airlie Beach

Top 9 nature & wildlife things to do in Airlie Beach

Wildlife, forests, gardens, and the green pockets of Airlie Beach that make it bearable in monsoon and beautiful by November. Day trips and short drives where the landscape is the point.

  1. Airlie Beach: Wild Kangaroos on the Beach at Sunrise Eco Tour, Airlie Beach1

    1. Airlie Beach: Wild Kangaroos on the Beach at Sunrise Eco Tour

    5.0· 8 reviews· 6 hours

    Experience one of Australia’s most iconic wildlife moments on this small-group eco tour from Airlie Beach to Cape Hillsborough National Park. Before most people are awake, you’ll be standing on the sand watching wild kangaroos and wallabies move along the shoreline as the sun comes up over the Coral Sea. No fences, no crowds, no feeding shows. Just a quiet beach, soft morning light, and animals going about their dawn routine while you watch from a few metres away. We handle the 3 am start and the 1.5‑hour drive each way, so you don’t have to. Travel in a modern air‑conditioned vehicle with an eco‑certified local guide, arrive at the right time for sunrise, and warm up with coffee and an Aussie drover’s breakfast before heading back to Airlie Beach. With small groups, comfortable transport, and one of the most photographed wildlife experiences in the country, this morning is ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone who wants to see the “real Australia” beyond the islands.

  2. Whitsundays Guided Jet Ski Tour, Airlie Beach2

    2. Whitsundays Guided Jet Ski Tour

    4.9· 3413 reviews· 2.5 hours

    Multi award winning Whitsunday Jetski Tours offers exciting adventure tours in the Whitsundays and is the first and only guided jetski tour operating from Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach to the Whitsunday Islands. Guests can ride the latest model Sea-Doo jetski into the beautiful world heritage Whitsunday Island Marine Park. Three tours operate daily, the Airlie Adventure, also known as the ‘Turtle Tour’ with sea turtles often encountered, the Two Island Safari, exploring the waterways of South Molle and Daydream Islands and the Ultimate Island Trek, an epic jetski journey to the island oasis of Palm Bay Resort.  No license is required and no experience is necessary!

  3. Ocean Rafting: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkelling & Hill Inlet Lookout, Airlie Beach3

    3. Ocean Rafting: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkelling & Hill Inlet Lookout

    4.9· 4871 reviews· 7 hours

    "THE ORIGINAL AND MOST AWARDED TOUR IN THE WHITSUNDAYS" Visit three top destinations whilst having the ride of your life! Each Ocean Rafting day includes an exhilarating ride to world famous Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Beach and Lookout, pristine snorkelling reefs and guided Whitsunday Island National Parks walks, all in one day! The semi rigid inflatable vessels are super fast allowing you to experience a fun ride, adventure and education amongst the natural beauty of the Whitsundays.  Ocean Rafting offers two different Whitehaven Beach tours to choose from, the Northern Exposure and the Southern Lights tour. The significant difference between the two tours is that the Northern Exposure offers more snorkelling time and the Southern Lights offers more Whitehaven beach time. Ocean Rafting is the only tour operator to have direct access to the stunning and iconic Hill Inlet beach and secret snorkel sites around the Whitsundays ensuring a memorable underwater experience.

  1. Fly Raft Package: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkel and Scenic Flight, Airlie Beach4

    4. Fly Raft Package: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkel and Scenic Flight

    4.9· 328 reviews· 8 hours

    Experience the best of the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef in one day with a Whitsunday scenic flight and Ocean Rafting adventure! Experience the Whitsundays’ ultimate destinations… Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and secret snorkelling locations. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of many of the 74 Whitsunday Islands, fly over Whitehaven Beach and picture postcard Hill Inlet before heading out to the Great Barrier Reef and experiencing one of the most photographed reef locations, Heart Reef. The comfortable fixed wing aircraft offers big window viewing, pilot commentary and the best views of the Whitsundays! Following your flight, enjoy an Ocean Rafting adventure, offering three days in one, including an exhilarating ride to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, pristine snorkelling reefs and guided Whitsunday Island National Parks walks. The Southern Lights tour offers more beach time and the Northern Exposure tour offers more snorkelling time.

  2. Whitsundays Day Cruise: Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet, Airlie Beach5

    5. Whitsundays Day Cruise: Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet

    4.9· 281 reviews· 7 hours

    Our company is in a small locally owned and operated Whitsundays business. Our crew truly make the difference, they are passionate about showing our guests the highlights of the Whitsundays, are funny, easy going, yet professional and safety conscious. Our small group size of 35 guests max makes the cruise more personalised, where everyone knows everyone's name at the end of the cruise. The boat is fast and comfortable and is the best type of vessel to travel on if you suffer from sea sickness, as the open plan nature and speed prevents sea sickness. We are suitable for single travelers, couples, families, seniors and children 3 years +. The lunch served on Whitehaven is a highlight for many, fresh tasty salads, prawns, cold meats, fresh fruit served on a stunning beach in the shade. Snorkeling tuition provided, fish feeding is always fun for the kids and adults alike! A cruise with us will provide fantastic memories to last a lifetime. We look forward to welcoming you onboard :)

  3. Whisper Cruises - One-Hour Turtle Spotting Bay Cruise, Airlie Beach6

    6. Whisper Cruises - One-Hour Turtle Spotting Bay Cruise

    4.8· 88 reviews· 1 hours

    Airlie Beach's Only Emissions Free Whisper Quiet Electric Boat. Experience Mother Nature at her finest on our turtle spotting bay cruise. Embark on an extraordinary and environmentally responsible journey by stepping aboard Airlie Beach's most unique tour. With a maximum capacity of just 8 passengers, our charming vessel, "Tallulah" stands out as the only electric boat in the Whitsundays. Experience the magic of spotting turtles in eco-friendly luxury, gliding through calm waters with our whisper-quiet, fume-free electric boat. Be on the lookout for the endangered loggerhead and green sea turtles. Immerse yourself in a serene journey as you tour through Turtle Bay, around Pigeon Island and the local foreshore, and then back past the million-dollar yachts in the Coral Sea Marina. Join us for an intimate and serene adventure where sustainability meets luxury, creating memories that are as gentle on the environment as they are unforgettable. Can you beat our ‘turtle count’ record?

  4. 2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Cruise incl. Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef, Airlie Beach7

    7. 2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Cruise incl. Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef

    4.8· 769 reviews· 2 days

    Set sail from Airlie Beach onboard Spank Me for a 2-day, 2-night adventure through the breathtaking Whitsundays. Snorkel vibrant reefs teeming with marine life, sink your toes into Whitehaven Beach’s silky sands, and hike to Hill Inlet Lookout for panoramic views of swirling turquoise waters. Dive into crystal-clear snorkel spots like Great Barrier Reef fringing reefs such as Luncheon Bay, Caves Cove, and Blue Pearl Bay, home to dazzling coral gardens, tropical fish, and sea turtles. Aboard a maxi yacht, hoist the sails or unwind on deck, soaking in paradise. As night falls, watch glowing blue lights attract mesmerizing marine life and stargaze under an unspoiled sky. Savor freshly prepared meals, swap stories under the stars, and wake up to the gentle lull of the ocean—an unforgettable mix of adventure and relaxation. Note: Return is 8:00–9:00 AM on the final day, subject to weather and tides.

  5. Airlie Beach Jet Ski Safari (1 Hour), Airlie Beach8

    8. Airlie Beach Jet Ski Safari (1 Hour)

    4.5· 265 reviews· 1 hours

    Explore the beautiful bays and coastline of Airlie Beach on a jet ski! Glide through the turquoise waters at high speed, with the chance to encounter marine life, such as sea turtles. Our modern Sea-Doo skis are extremely fun to ride - suitable for both experienced riders and beginners with no previous experience. Led by qualified guides, this tour is a unique way of seeing Airlie Beach surrounds, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way! INCLUSIONS 60 minute jet ski safari Safety briefing - 30 minutes prior Life jacket *The cost is per jet ski. Max 2 passengers per jet ski.

  6. Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour, Airlie Beach9

    9. Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour

    4.4· 349 reviews· 1.2 hours

    Our 70-minute Glass Bottom Boat Tour is designed for those who want to see the wonders of The Whitsundays and the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef… without getting wet. Suitable for all ages. This trip cruises the best coral reefs around Airlie Beach, guaranteed to deliver breathtaking coral worlds and marine wildlife such as turtles, rays, and a kaleidoscope of tropical fish.

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