Airlie Beach: Whitehaven Beach Snorkel Cruise with Hill Inlet Tour and Buffet Lunch

Wow! What an incredible day trip this is. We booked the Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout snorkelling cruise a few months back from the UK, not really knowing what to expect. The communication leading up to the day was top-notch. We were picked up from our guest house as planned. After collecting our wetsuits, we hopped on the vessel. Ellie & Kurt were our hosts on board. They made sure to cover the safety briefing. We set sail towards the islands and were lucky enough to spot several whales, so the boat paused to let everyone take a look and snap some photos. Chocolate brownies were served during the ride out. We continued on to the islands. Once we arrived, we hiked up to the Hill Inlet Overlook, where the viewpoints offered breathtaking views of Whitehaven Beach. It was a bit crowded up there since many boats arrived at once, but everyone was respectful of each other and it was a great chance to capture some stunning photos. We then had about an hour to hit the beach, enjoy the white coral sands, and go for a swim. We got back on the boat and shared a tasty lunch, served by Ellie, with plenty of vegetarian choices available. After lunch, we sailed to the first snorkelling spot—mainly a place to see the fish. There was another safety briefing and a chance to ask questions. Snorkels and masks were handed out. Ellie and Kurt were eager to answer any questions and provided reassurance to nervous snorkellers (like me!). Ellie was in the dinghy circling around the snorkellers in the ocean to offer support if needed. After 45 minutes, we returned to the boat to head to the next snorkelling spot—this one aimed at giving us a closer look at the reef. On the way, we were lucky to see more whales. The second spot was fantastic, with lots of coral to see, some quite near the surface. Again, Ellie provided support from the dinghy for those wanting to return to the boat. We then made our way back to the mainland, again treated to more whale sightings, some very close to our boat. Fruit kebabs were served as a snack. A truly wonderful day trip, well-organized and definitely recommended if you're in the area.

What an incredible experience - a must for anyone visiting Airlie Beach! We had the best day of our whole trip with the Red Cat Adventure crew - our guides were Kurt and Rosie, who were a blast and really great at their jobs! They brought together professionalism and knowledge with plenty of fun and humor! We loved speeding along on the boat to awesome tunes that created a fantastic vibe! We even had a few unexpected stops to see tons of whales splashing around nearby. We hit up 2 snorkeling spots and saw some amazing fish, coral, and a turtle!! They provided us with short wetsuits and snorkeling gear. Lunch on the boat was a cold buffet with cheese, meats, salad, potato salad, noodle salad, pasta salad, and bread rolls. We also got a sweet treat on the way out (mid-morning snack) and on the way back (mid-afternoon snack). Our last stop was at Whitehaven Beach, which was absolutely stunning - a little slice of paradise and just as gorgeous as the pictures! Rosie got off the boat with us and shared tons of useful info about the beach and surrounding area to help us really enjoy the trip. After walking up to the lookout point (Hill Inlet), we had about 45 minutes to chill on Whitehaven Beach. I’d definitely recommend this trip to anyone! It was a busy but super organized day, and the snorkeling was just incredible! It’s a trip that’s good for the whole family...there were folks of all ages and abilities. For those not so confident in the water, they provided life jackets or pool noodles. Thanks again, Kurt and Rosie, and the whole Red Cat team for a really memorable day!

My wife and I had a lovely day. It started with a bubbly lady picking us up at our place. The check-in at the marina also included getting a wetsuit that fit me [ha-ha]. Kurt was a blast as he entertained the passengers with sorting wetsuits and more. He also played tour guide, dive guide, and deckhand. His infectious laugh reminded me of NRL legend Johnathon Thurston. Natalie was everywhere, from check-in to serving snacks, being a tour guide, and driving the tender. Ben the skipper was a solid boat handler. The return trip was a bit dull weather-wise, but Ben read the conditions well. Thundercat was a great choice since catamarans ride better than mono hulls. As a couple of older folks, we appreciated that and enjoyed the stability of the boat. Her ride nearly rocked me to sleep. Yes, she’s an open boat with a nice breeze and a little spray, but that’s boating. The hundreds of steps to the Hill Inlet Lookout were worth it. My bad knees felt otherwise. My wife walked down to the beach while I chilled at the intersection. A hearty lunch with seconds for the hungry ones. The first snorkel session at Mantaray Bay was excellent. Beautiful coral. The fish life was awesome. George the hump-headed parrot fish was a bit friendly. The second snorkel at Luncheon Bay was very good, though we liked the first one better. I work in tourism, so I tend to be critical. This operation does a great job. Ben, Nat, and Kurt took good care of us. The transfer lady got us back to our place. Can’t remember her name [my bad], but she was nice and informative. Thanks, guys.

We had the absolute best trip to the Whitsundays with skipper Rendor (I might've spelled his name wrong) and host Jade! The skipper is a very skilled captain. He sailed the boat so smoothly through the waves! And Jade, from the very beginning, made everything easy with her clear instructions—her voice carried perfectly across the long boat so nobody missed anything. What stood out the most was Jade’s energy—she radiates positivity, always smiling, always lifting the mood, making everyone feel welcome. Her vibe really set the tone for the whole day, turning it into not just a trip, but a joyful experience. We've done quite a few tours before, but this one was by far the best. We're so grateful to the crew for making it such a memorable adventure. If you're lucky enough to have Jade as your skipper, you're in for something special! Tips for winter travellers: if you’re sensitive to the cold like me, it might be wise to over-prepare by bringing a thick winter jacket (waterproof material is best) because the ocean wind can be quite chilly, especially after snorkelling (ignore this if you're visiting in the hot summer). If you want the best view, sit in the front row with a rain jacket and a hat with strings to tie under your chin; you’ll love it, the waves didn’t splash into the boat, just a bit of fun spray!

We initially booked the Tongarra, but it didn’t get enough bookings to sail, so we went to the office in Airlie Beach to book another tour. While we were in the office, a rep called me to make sure we knew about the cancellation and the options available to us; that’s great customer service right there. The Wild Cat trip we took was probably an even better option since the faster boat allowed more time on the beach and in the water. The crew was excellent, really entertaining, but always kept an eye on safety. Skipper Reece assured us we’d see a whale, and we weren’t disappointed. Jamie made sure we were all safe and well looked after in the water and was strict about our distance from the reef. Uber driver Kurt ferried us to and from and kept a careful watch while we were snorkeling. Snacks and lunch were excellent, plenty for everyone, all fresh and enough for seconds. Whitehaven Beach is stunningly beautiful, the reef and fish feeding was amazing. Seeing whales, rays, and turtles was an awesome bonus. Do the trip, follow the crew’s advice, and have fun; it was the best day out I’ve had in years. P.S. The Wild Cat has a bar!