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Water & beach · Airlie Beach

Top 10 water & beach things to do in Airlie Beach

Boats, beaches, and the parts of Airlie Beach you only see from the water. Ferry rides, sunset cruises, snorkel runs, and the occasional sailing day for travellers who measure good cities by their coastline.

  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. Airlie Beach Jet Boat Thrill Ride, Airlie Beach3

    3. Airlie Beach Jet Boat Thrill Ride

    4.9· 302 reviews· 30 min

    Hop aboard, hold on tight and get ready to feel the thrill! Your expert jet boat pilot is about to take you on an 800hp adrenaline rush around Airlie Beach’s stunning Pioneer Bay. Packed with epic spins, drifts, and power stops, this high speed adventure is the ultimate scenic joyride — because sightseeing is way more fun at full throttle!

  1. Whitsunday Islands Sail, SUP & Snorkel Tour-Small group, Airlie Beach4

    4. Whitsunday Islands Sail, SUP & Snorkel Tour-Small group

    4.9· 76 reviews· 6 hours

    Sail on a luxe 60ft air-conditioned sailing catamaran! Custom designed for ultimate comfort & relaxation. Bask in the sun on the top sundeck, unwind in the shaded seating area below, or soak in the Jacuzzi while taking in the tropical beauty of the Whitsundays Islands. Admire the crystal-clear tropical waters. Immerse yourself in the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef encountering vibrant marine life- if you're lucky, a gentle green sea turtle! Explore the underwater world snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding, or try a clear bottom kayak, revealing the coral wonders below. You can simply just enjoy your day onboard with a swim and experience yacht life for the day- the choice is simply yours. Freshly prepared morning tea grazing platters & tropical buffet lunch of fresh meats, salad & salmon. Bring your own drinks onboard of soft drinks, juice & any alcohol. With large refrigeration for you to keep them cold. On water for 6 hours-Lower guest numbers at 29 maximum. Kids welcome 5+

  2. Whitehaven Beach Tour: 2 Options - All Day Beach Or Snorkel, Airlie Beach5

    5. Whitehaven Beach Tour: 2 Options - All Day Beach Or Snorkel

    4.9· 1058 reviews· 8 hours

    This Tour has 2 Options - 1. Whitehaven Beach All Day (No Snorkelling) 2. Whitehaven Beach + Snorkelling. This high-speed, 80-passenger boat features air-conditioned indoor seating, spacious outdoor areas with sun loungers, and unlimited boat-to-beach transfers, making it the perfect choice for a comfortable adventure. ! Please Note ! - Both Ticket Options Travel on the same boat & tour on Super Flyer. 2 Ticket Options Whitehaven Beach All Day (No Snorkelling): Spend the day relaxing on the pristine sands of Whitehaven Beach. Includes unlimited boat-to-beach transfers, a guided walk to the South Whitehaven Lookout, and a buffet lunch served onboard. Whitehaven Beach + Snorkel: Enjoy everything included in the all-day beach ticket, plus a snorkelling adventure. Snorkel at one of the Whitsundays’ coral reef locations with gear and expert guidance provided. Guests are transferred to the snorkel site on ZigZag’s original fast boat, featuring fold-down stairs for easy water access.

  3. 1hour Scenic Flight Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, GBR, Airlie Beach6

    6. 1hour Scenic Flight Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, GBR

    4.9· 141 reviews· 1 hours

    Enjoy a 60 minute scenic flight over the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef, including Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet! See the Whitsundays from above with a stunning Whitsunday 60 minute scenic flight over the islands and Great Barrier Reef, including famous Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach. 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! Ocean Rafting’s scenic flights depart from Whitsunday Airport, located at 12 Air Whitsunday Drive, Flame Tree, between the popular tourist destinations of Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands and just 8 minutes drive from the main street of Airlie Beach. Departs daily at 7am, 8.30am, 10.00am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm

  4. Ocean Rafting: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkelling & Hill Inlet Lookout, Airlie Beach7

    7. 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.

  5. Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise, Airlie Beach8

    8. Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise

    4.9· 3044 reviews· 8 hours

    Thundercat offers an exhilarating ride around the Whitsunday Islands all in one day. The three-time Australian Gold Award-winning tour visits the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet lookout and offers two snorkelling opportunities on the fringing Great Barrier Reef. Thundercat is designed for stability and speed, so it’s perfect for passengers concerned about seasickness. The all-inclusive package departing from Airlie Beach is suitable for families, couples, and groups wanting to experience once-in-a-lifetime moments.

  6. Fly Raft Package: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkel and Scenic Flight, Airlie Beach9

    9. 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.

  7. Whitsundays Day Cruise: Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet, Airlie Beach10

    10. 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 :)

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