Ocean Rafting – Southern Lights Tour

On Board Thunderstruck With Kech and Jay Jay

By Daniel Heggie

There’s no better way to kickstart a day in paradise than by filling your lungs with that pristine, ocean-kissed air.  

On Ocean Rafting, your morning soon becomes an exhilarating rush as you zoom across the turquoise waters, cutting through the waves, and embarking on an unforgettable adventure through the iconic Whitsunday Islands!

I recently climbed on board Ocean Rafting’s Southern Lights tour, one of two incredible ways to explore the magic of the Whitsundays.

We set off at 10am, but thanks to one of the fastest day boats in the region, the ride is not only packed with adventure, it also means we cover more ground in less time, giving us extra moments to soak in the beauty and enjoy the experiences.

Shortly after stepping on board, we zoomed across the ocean on our way to Whitsunday Island for a bushwalk with breathtaking views of Hill Inlet. I sat on the side of the boat, it is the most adventurous way to explore the islands, and highly recommended.

At Hill Inlet lookout, we were met with picturesque, picture-perfect, postcard-worthy views. The swirling turquoise waters meet the pure white silica sand. The constantly shifting tides also mean that no day is the same.  

After the striking views from Hill Inlet, on board Thunderstruck, we headed towards one of Ocean Rafting’s snorkelling spots and snorkelled along the Great Barrier Reef.

The Southern Lights tour has more beach time than the Northern Exposure, which I enjoyed. After an action-packed morning, relaxing on Whitehaven Beach is the perfect place to enjoy lunch.

After departing Whitehaven Beach, your day is almost over, but don’t worry, although you’re on the way back to Airlie, there’s still plenty of fun to be had. With Ocean Rafting, your boat departs at the same time as another boat, and your skipper plays in the wash, providing an exhilarating ride back.

From my experience, I can say Ocean Rafting’s Southern Lights tour is the best way to see the Whitsundays. I will be back!

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