Airlie Beach: Whitehaven Full-Day Eco-Cruise with Buffet
Who This Trip Suits
The most reviewed Whitehaven Beach day on GetYourGuide: two snorkel stops, a guided walk to Hill Inlet and lunch on the beach, on a catamaran built to keep seasick passengers comfortable. Red Cat Adventures picks you up from one of 24 stops around Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and Jubilee Pocket, and the day runs about eight hours. It is rated 4.8 from 3,286 reviews, from US$176 a person (checked October 2026).
The listing’s order is a fringing-reef snorkel first, then a second site at the northern tip of Hook Island, then Whitehaven for a buffet of cold meats, cheeses, salads and bread, the bush walk with a history talk up to the Hill Inlet Lookout, and free time on the sand before fruit and the ride home. The crew can reorder it for the tide and wind, and choose the snorkel sites on the day for visibility. Drop-off is around 5:00 PM.
Who it suits: families, groups and anyone worried about the sea, since the boat was designed for stability, and people who want the reef and Hill Inlet in one day without a fast inflatable. The listing says it is not suitable for children under four or for wheelchair users. Masks, snorkels and a stinger suit in summer (a wetsuit in winter) are included; fins are not, and you can bring your own alcohol as long as it is not in glass and is not red wine.
Recent reviewers name individual crew members and talk about the right amount of time on Whitehaven and two good snorkel spots. If you would rather skip the snorkelling and see more of the beach, the Hill Inlet cruise is the beach-and-lookout version. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
About This Experience
After pickup from your accommodation, head to the marina in Airlie Beach by bus. Board the custom-built catamaran and enjoy fresh, homemade, gluten-free brownies as …
Highlights
- Visit Whitehaven beach on this tour accredited as "Climate Action Leading"
- Travel on a fast, comfortable, and stable custom-built boat
- Go snorkeling to discover underwater valleys, marine life, and coral formations
- Enjoy a guided bush walk to the breathtaking Hill Inlet Lookout
- Refuel with a generous buffet lunch, along with a morning and afternoon snack
What's Included
- ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off by bus
- ✓ Return bus transfers from Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, or Jubilee Pocket
- ✓ Full-day cruise
- ✓ Morning snack
- ✓ Afternoon snack
- ✓ Lunch
- ✓ Use of snorkelling equipment (mask & snorkel)
- ✓ Stinger suit hire (summer) and wetsuit hire (winter months only)
- ✓ Park fees and fuel levy
Not Included
- Alcohol
- Snorkelling fins
Good to Know
- This tour is suitable for families, couples, and groups
- There is an onboard toilet for your convenience
- Feel free to bring your own alcohol to consume on the boat. However, glass and red wine are not permitted
- The order of locations visited may change from day to day depending on the tides and wind
- Your crew will select the best snorkeling locations based on weather and visibility conditions
- The boat has been designed for stability and speed, so is perfect for passengers who are concerned about seasickness
- You should be a comfortable swimmer if you want to go snorkeling
