Activities in Airlie Beach
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Fantasea
Offers high-speed catamaran cruises to its Reefworld pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef, where you can snorkel, take a trip in a semisubmersible and check out the underwater viewing chamber (adult/child/family $225/102/589). An overnight 'Reefsleep' costs from $460.
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A
Whitsunday Bookings
Once you’ve figured out what boat you’d like to sail on, you’ll need to book through a travel agency such as Whitsunday Bookings. Sells berths on most vessels and will offer standby rates.
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B
Whitsunday Great Walk
The Whitsunday Great Walk is perhaps a little boastfully named, although it is a pefectly enjoyable three day stroll. Ironically, it's not in the Whitsundays, as such, although you're rarely far from an arresting view of the islands.
Spanning 30km (18.6mi) of the Conway State Forest, from Brandy Creek to Airlie Beach, the Great Walk is a leisurely three-day hike through coastal rainforest. The Whitsundays themselves are visible from many points on the trail (including the summit of Mt Hayward), and there's always the chance of spotting an orange-footed scrub fowl or a wompoo fruit dove closer to hand. Shorter side walks can be attempted if time is pressing, but if you do…
reviewed
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C
Oz Adventure Sailing
Once you’ve figured out what boat you’d like to sail on, you’ll need to book through a management company such as Oz Adventure Sailing. Sells berths on most vessels and will offer standby rates.
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Salty Dog Sea Kayaking
Offers guided full-day tours and kayak rental ($50/60 per half-/full day), plus longer kayak/camping missions (the six-day challenge costs $1500). It's a charming and healthy way to see the islands.
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D
Whitsunday Sailing Club
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Whitsunday Rent A Yacht
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Whitsunday Escape
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Charter Yachts Australia
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E
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F
Whitsunday Dive Adventures
Offers a range of instruction, including open-water PADI-certified dive courses ($565). Half-day dive trips cost $175. Many boat cruises.
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Voyager 3 Island Cruise
A good-value day cruise that includes snorkelling at Hook Island, beachcombing and swimming at Whitehaven Beach, and checking out Daydream Island.
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Ocean Rafting
Swim at Whitehaven Beach, view Aboriginal cave paintings at Nara Inlet and snorkel the reef at Mantaray Bay or Border Island.
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HeliReef
Helicopter flights to the reef (from $129), day trips to Hayman Island ($399) and a picnic lunch on Whitehaven Beach ($399).
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Cruise Whitsundays
Similar to Fantasea; runs day trips to the Barrier Reef Marine Base, a pontoon located in Knuckle Reef Lagoon.
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Big Fury
Speeds out to Whitehaven Beach on an open-air sports boat followed by lunch and then snorkelling at a secluded reef nearby.
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Aviation Adventures
Helicopter flights ranging from scenic island trips ($99) to picnic rendezvous ($199) and reef adventures ($649).
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Air Whitsunday Seaplanes Scenic Flights
This outfit offers three-hour Reef Adventures (adult/child $315/280), a Whitehaven experience ($240/210) and the signature four-hour Panorama Tour ($425/390) where you fly to Hardy Lagoon to snorkel or ride a semisubmersible, then fly to Whitehaven Beach for a picnic lunch. It also runs day trips to exclusive Hayman Island ($195).
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