Whitsundays

Whitsundays: Adventurous types

Craig Tansley
Whitsundays Insider
Catamaran slices through the water on its way to the Outer Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. Photo Lonely Planet Paul Dymond
Catamaran slices through the water on its way through the Great Barrier Reef
If you're an adrenaline junkie, you'll love the adventurous options to be had in the Whitsundays. Our Insider shares the best thrills on offer.

Maxi Sail Through The Islands

Get onboard one of Australia's most successful sailing Maxi's for three days of high octane sailing adventure through the Whitsundays. Apollo was a winner of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race as well as every major yacht race on the east coast of Australia, and many in Asia. You can get involved on this three day, two night sail; hoisting sails, pulling on jibs and getting behind the wheel to feel the old girl ride the wind. Sailing adventures start at $440 and are best for the 18-35 age group. Apollo departs at 8.30am on Mondays and Fridays, call (07) 4946 5299.

Ocean Rafting

Sometimes group tours to the Whitsundays can be frustrating. But the best thing about Ocean Rafting is the vessel only takes 25 people — and it goes really fast. Like, really fast. This semi-rigid inflatable vessel is by far the fastest way to see the Whitsundays' attractions, meaning you can practically do three-day tours in one.

Go for the Southern Lights Tour, which takes you to Nara Inlet on Hook Island with its caves, and some of the best coral off Border Island. You'll get to spend hours on the beach at Whitehaven Beach — one of the world's most famous beaches. The Southern Lights Tour costs $120 for adults and for kids. Lunch is an additional $14. Call (07) 4946 6848.

Or try the Northern Exposure Tour for the same price, it'll give you more snorkelling time if that's what you're looking for. The all day tour will take you to Whitehaven Beach's beautiful northern end — Hill Inlet — as well as snorkelling hot-spots like Mantaray Bay and Maureens Cove.

Sky Dive Airlie Beach

The scariest way to see the entire Whitsunday group is to throw yourself out of a plane. You'll get to see all 74 islands as you hurtle towards them at speeds approaching 200km/h. Noted as one of the world's most scenic tandem jumps you can choose between jumping from the highest level of 14 000 feet (4.3km) for a 55 second freefall that costs $394 to 8000 feet (2.4km) for a 20 second freefall for $249. It's the best way to see all the Whitsundays very quickly if you don't have much time! . Call Sky Dive Airlie Beach on (07) 4946 9115.

Jet Ski The Whitsundays

You can now get out on the waters of the Whitsundays on the first and only guided jet ski tours open for the public. Leaving from Abel Point Marina there's two jet ski tours a day to choose from. You can take the Airlie Adventure Tour in the morning for $200 (for one or two people on the jet ski) or the Daydream Extreme Tour in the afternoon which includes lunch and activities on Daydream Island. Call 0459 538 754

Got any more suggestions for adventurous types? Have your say using the comments form below

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See for yourself! Get great deals on hotels and super-cheap flights to The Whitsundays now on Expedia.com.au

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User comments
altough the weather wasn't one of the best, we really have a great time exploring the whitsundays and whitehaven beach is really amazingly beautiful!
Just a quick correction. The Ocean Rafting Southern Lights tour takes passengers to the southern end of Whitehaven Beach. If pax want to visit Hill Inlet and take the short bushwalk to the lookout, the Northern Exposure trip is the one to take! Either tour is a guaranteed awesome day out!!

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