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Whitsundays Speed Boat Day Tour, Whitehaven Express

Whitehaven Beach, the Hill Inlet lookout and two snorkel stops, by fast cat in one day.

The fast way to see the Whitsundays. A stable, high-speed catamaran to Whitehaven Beach, the Hill Inlet lookout and two snorkel stops on the fringing reef, all in one day.

📍 Whitsundays ⏱ 1 day · 9:00am to about 5:00pm 👥 Max 37 🔥 Active

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$249 AUD

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Booked with Wanderlust, an Australian travel business based in Byron Bay (ABN 34 636 612 523). We handle your booking ourselves, before and after you travel.

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Overview

The fast way to see the Whitsundays. One day, one high-speed catamaran, and the three things everyone comes here for: Whitehaven Beach, the swirling sand of Hill Inlet from the lookout, and two snorkel stops on the fringing reef of the Great Barrier Reef. The boat is built for speed and stability, which is the polite way of saying it's the one to book if you get seasick on the slower sailing boats.

Departure is 9am from Coral Sea Marina. Check in at the North End (Meeting Point B) at 8:30am, or take the included bus from the operator's shop on Airlie Beach's main street at 8:20am. The day covers two beach stops, including 1.5 to 2 hours at Whitehaven Beach, with the guided walk up to the Hill Inlet lookout while you're there. The two snorkel stops are at Mantaray Bay and Stonehaven Bay, both on the fringing reef, with the coral gardens and the big resident fish that come with them. The order of the stops moves around with the tides. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are served on board, and you're back at the marina around 5pm.

All-inclusive means lycra stinger suits, mask and snorkel, a wetsuit in the winter months, lunch, morning and afternoon tea, local bus transfers and an on-board toilet. Alcohol is BYO in cans (no glass, no red wine) and the crew supply the esky and ice. Minimum age is two, so it works for families as well as backpackers. Runs daily, year round.

The Whitsundays

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    Whitehaven Beach, 1.5 to 2 hours on the sand

  2. 2

    Guided walk to the Hill Inlet lookout

  3. 3

    Snorkel Mantaray Bay + Stonehaven Bay

  4. 4

    Fast, stable cat (kinder on seasick stomachs)

  5. 5

    Full day, 9am to about 5pm

  6. 6

    Toilet on board

  7. 7

    Bus transfer from Airlie Beach included

Itinerary at a glance

1 8:20am / 8:30am · Check in

Bus pick-up at the operator's shop on Airlie Beach's main street at 8:20am, or meet the crew at Coral Sea Marina North End, Meeting Point B, at 8:30am.

1 9:00am · Depart Coral Sea Marina

The cat heads out through the islands. The running order of the stops below shifts with the tides and the weather.

1 Whitehaven · Whitehaven Beach + Hill Inlet

Around 1.5 to 2 hours at Whitehaven Beach, with the guided walk up to the Hill Inlet lookout for the view over the swirling sand.

1 Snorkel · Mantaray Bay + Stonehaven Bay

Two snorkel stops on the fringing reef: Mantaray Bay for the marine life and Stonehaven Bay for the coral gardens. Lunch is served on board.

1 About 5:00pm · Back at Coral Sea Marina

Return to the marina around 5pm, with the bus back to the shop for anyone who came in on it.

What's included

✓ What's included

  • Skipper + crew
  • Morning tea, lunch + afternoon tea
  • Mask + snorkel, lycra stinger suits (wetsuits in winter)
  • Hill Inlet bushwalk
  • Two snorkel stops on the fringing reef
  • Local bus transfers from Airlie Beach
  • Esky + ice for your BYO

✕ Not included

  • ✕Alcohol (BYO cans, no glass or red wine)
  • ✕Soft drinks + bottled water (bring your own)
  • ✕Prescription snorkel masks (hire available)
  • ✕Travel insurance

Common questions about this trip

  • Where do I check in?
    Default pick-up is the operator's shop on Airlie Beach's main street at 8:20am, with the bus to the marina included. If you'd rather walk down, check in at Coral Sea Marina North End, Meeting Point B, at 8:30am for the 9am departure.

  • What should I bring?
    Swimmers, towel, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle and practical clothing. An underwater camera earns its keep at the snorkel stops. Drinks are BYO: cans only, no glass and no red wine. There's no dedicated changing room on board, so wear your swimmers under your clothes.

  • I get seasick. Is this the right boat?
    It's the one usually recommended for it. The catamaran hull is designed for stability and speed, so it doesn't roll like a monohull. If you're prone to it, take medication about 30 minutes before boarding.

  • What happens in bad weather?
    Tours run in most weather conditions, and the itinerary adjusts for tides and wind on the day. If conditions are unsafe the operator contacts guests directly and offers an alternative vessel or a reschedule where available.

  • Is there an age limit?
    Minimum age is two years. Kids are welcome, and the Hill Inlet walk is a guided bushwalk rather than a hard hike.

  • Do I need to worry about stingers?
    Lycra stinger suits are included for everyone, and wetsuits come out in the winter months. The suits cover about 90 percent of the body, not the hands, feet or face.

  • Is there a toilet on board?
    Yes, there's an on-board toilet.

  • What about prescription masks or dietary needs?
    Standard masks and snorkels are included; prescription masks aren't, but hire is available separately. Tell us any dietary requirements when you book so the crew know in advance.

  • Can I get vegan food on this trip?
    Vegetarian options are included, but a vegan meal can't be guaranteed on this trip. You're welcome to bring your own food and the team will keep it cold for you. Tell us your dietary needs when you book and we'll pass them on.

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    Cancellation terms for this trip are set by the operator and confirmed on your booking voucher. Refunds mirror the operator's policy, if they can refund, so can we. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf. Message us for the exact day-by-day terms before you book.

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