✅ What’s Included
• 60-minute scenic flight with guaranteed window seats
• Full-day Ocean Rafting Northern Exposure tour
• Guided National Park walks and Hill Inlet Lookout
• Inner fringing coral reef snorkelling with instruction
• Fresh tropical lunch on Whitehaven Beach
• Morning and afternoon tea (cake and fruit)
• Use of snorkel equipment, flotation devices, sunsuit/wetsuit
• Reef and island naturalist talks
• Courtesy bus transfers from Airlie Beach area

🚫 What’s Not Included
• Prescription mask hire ($25)
• Water, soft drinks/juice, beer/cider, chocolate
• Personal items or additional purchases
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

Seasonal Weather Expectations

Dry Season (May–October) — Milder temperatures (20–28°C), lower humidity, calm seas and excellent visibility for flying and snorkelling.
Wet Season (November–April) — Warmer and more humid (25–31°C) with possible short showers; vibrant reef life but tours may adjust for wind or rain.

Documents & Essentials
• Photo ID and booking confirmation
• Credit card for onboard purchases

Clothing (layered for tropical conditions)
• Swimmers worn underneath clothes
• Light clothing, hat and comfortable shoes (thongs/sandals are fine)
• Light jacket for winter (wind protection and warmth after snorkelling)

Toiletries & First Aid
• Sunscreen, towel and personal items
• Refillable water bottle

Electronics
• Camera or phone for photos

Accessories & Nice-to-Haves
• Beach bag for the day
• Sense of humour is always welcome

The Whitsundays are part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and home to 74 islands with some of the clearest waters in Australia.

Whitehaven Beach is famous for its 7 km stretch of pure white silica sand and is regularly voted one of the world’s best beaches.

Hill Inlet creates the swirling turquoise patterns you see in so many photos – the lookout walk gives you the classic view.

Heart Reef is a naturally formed heart-shaped reef visible only from the air – one of the most photographed spots on the flight.

Ocean Rafting has been running these tours for years and works closely with local operators to keep the experience low-impact.

The flight operators are fully CASA-certified with experienced pilots who know every island and reef.

Snorkelling sites on the Northern Exposure route are chosen for their calm, protected inner reefs.

Weight and safety are taken seriously – all passengers are weighed before the flight for balance and safety reasons.

Weather plays a big part – your guides and pilots make real-time decisions to give you the best possible day.

Carbon Footprint & Offset Report: Fly Raft Northern Exposure

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 320 kg CO₂e
(higher-end conservative estimate – covers all on-tour impacts plus average local travel to/from Airlie Beach)

Our 200% offset commitment per booking: 640 kg CO₂e
Funded through genuine landscape restoration in climate-vulnerable developing regions (reforestation, mangroves, soil regeneration, etc.). This creates real net-positive impact beyond neutrality.

Tour summary

• Full-day tour (departs Whitsunday Airport 7:00am, returns Airlie Beach ~3:30pm)
• Small groups on custom high-speed ocean rafts
• Starts at Whitsunday Airport (courtesy bus transfers from Airlie Beach accommodations); ends in Airlie Beach
• 60-minute scenic flight in fixed-wing aircraft (guaranteed window seat) + high-speed ocean rafting vessel
• No accommodation included
• Meals: Fresh tropical lunch pack + refreshments
• Highlights: Aerial views of 74 Whitsunday Islands, Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet (pilot commentary); exhilarating high-speed raft ride to Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet; guided National Park walk to lookout; inner fringing coral reef snorkelling at two secret sites; personalised snorkel instruction; naturalist talks

Overview

This report estimates the carbon footprint for one individual participant on this tour using higher-end data from trusted sources. We intentionally choose upper-range figures to fully cover every impact – including hard-to-measure parts like supply chains and indirect effects.

We then double it (200%) and fund genuine landscape restoration projects in developing and climate-affected regions worldwide. This goes beyond standard offsetting to deliver real, lasting benefits for ecosystems and communities.

All figures in kg CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent – the standard measure that includes all greenhouse gases).

Tour Details

• Duration: Full day (~8.5 hours total)
• Key locations: Whitsunday Airport start, aerial views over Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef (Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet), Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet landing, Hook Island fringing reefs
• Travel style: Scenic flight + high-speed ocean rafting eco-adventure with snorkelling and guided walks
• Assumptions: Average participant, standard behaviours, higher-impact choices where uncertain. Local travel to Airlie Beach (for courtesy transfer to airport) is factored into the higher-end footprint for completeness.

Calculation Approach

• Sources: UK DEFRA 2025 conversion factors, Australian National Greenhouse Accounts 2024, UNWTO tourism data, IPCC guidelines, and peer-reviewed studies.
• Higher-end scale: Upper-range emission factors everywhere, plus radiative forcing for flights, well-to-tank fuel effects, +20% uncertainty buffer, and conservative assumptions for short scenic flights and high-speed marine raft operations.
• Per person, full tour experience.
• Excludes only purely personal extras (e.g. souvenirs or additional drinks).

Detailed Emissions Breakdown (per participant)

Transportation – 180 kg CO₂e

• Average local travel to/from Airlie Beach pickup + courtesy transfer to Whitsunday Airport (higher-end mix): 30 kg
• 60-minute scenic flight + high-speed ocean rafting vessel (regional loops, shared small group): 150 kg – higher-end aviation + marine diesel factor with low-occupancy buffer

Accommodation – 0 kg CO₂e

• Day tour only – no overnight stay

Meals & Food – 30 kg CO₂e

• Fresh tropical lunch pack + refreshments (tourism-level portions and waste): 30 kg – higher-impact estimate

Activities & Excursions – 110 kg CO₂e

• Scenic flight with pilot commentary, guided National Park walk, snorkelling at two reef sites, personalised instruction and naturalist talks

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 320 kg CO₂e

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset:2 × 320 kg = 640 kg CO₂e per individual booking
• How: Direct funding of landscape restoration projects – reforestation, mangrove protection, regenerative agriculture, wetland and soil carbon restoration
• Where: Developing countries and regions most affected by climate change (e.g. Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America) for maximum global benefit and community co-benefits
• Why 200% and higher-end estimates: To guarantee coverage despite any measurement discrepancies and to create genuine extra positive impact

Important Notes

• Numbers are deliberately conservative (higher) so we over-deliver on restoration – real footprint may be lower
• The tour already has strong sustainability practices (eco-adventure focus, guided National Park walks, small groups to minimise impact); our independent higher-end analysis adds extra certainty
• Carbon accounting has natural uncertainties – doubling it is the responsible way
• This directly supports long-term carbon-sequestering landscapes and local communities

How long is the full day?
Departs Whitsunday Airport at 7:00am and returns around 3:30pm.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
No – snorkelling is in calm inner reefs with flotation devices and instruction provided.

What if I get seasick on the raft?
The raft is fast and stable, but bring motion sickness tablets if you’re prone to it.

Is the flight suitable for all ages?
Yes – infants travel free and the flight is smooth in fixed-wing aircraft.

What should I wear?
Swimmers under your clothes, light layers and a jacket in winter for the flight and after snorkelling.

Are transfers included?
Yes – courtesy bus transfers from Airlie Beach area are part of the package.

Can I bring my own food or drinks?
Lunch and tea are provided – you can purchase extra drinks onboard if you wish.

What happens if the weather is bad?
The itinerary may change for safety – your guides and pilots will adjust to give you the best possible experience.