Itineraries · Whitsundays

Outer reef: the Hardy Reef pontoon and Heart Reef from the air

Day trip · Whitsundays. A full day by boat, 8am to 6:10pm, 3 stops.

Whole route in Google Maps ↗Open on the interactive map
Outer reef: the Hardy Reef pontoon and Heart Reef from the air
Duration
a full day by boat, 8am to 6:10pm (≈ 7 h 15 min: moving and stop time only)
Who it suits
Everyone
Transport
ferry
Start
Port of Airlie, 8am departure
Finish
Hardy Reef pontoon
Pace
moderate pace
Best time
May to September: calmer seas and fewer stingers
Budget per adult
from A$295 adult, from A$145 child aged 4 to 14 (Cruise Whitsundays); with a helicopter over Heart Reef from A$720 (Helireef)Prices as of: October 2026

Getting there

Port of Airlie (24 The Cove Road) is a 10-minute walk from the Airlie Beach main street, and most hotels are close by. The Cruise Whitsundays coach to the terminal is A$13 per adult, booked 12 hours ahead. Pay by card; Visa and Mastercard carry a 1.42% surcharge.

Stops in order

The text version of the route: stops, time at each and the legs between them. Times are estimates, without queues, traffic or swims.

  1. 1. Port of Airlie, 8am departure~30 min at the stop

    Cruise Whitsundays' Great Barrier Reef Full Day Adventure: 4 hours at the reef, with snorkel gear, wetsuits, stinger suits, lunch and the underwater observatory included.

    Tip: If you get seasick, take a tablet before departure: the open-water crossing is long.

    Open on the map ↗

    ↓ ferry · 1 h · 30 km

  2. 2. Hamilton Island, 9am pick-up~15 min at the stop

    A stop for Hamilton Island guests. Helireef's Fly/Cruise starts the same way: two hours on the island, then a 30-minute helicopter flight over Heart Reef straight to the pontoon.

    Tip: Fly/Cruise is A$720 adult and A$670 for children aged 2 to 13; booking online saves 10%.

    Open on the map ↗

    ↓ ferry · 1 h 30 min · 72 km

  3. 3. Hardy Reef pontoon~4 h at the stop

    Cruise Whitsundays' permanent pontoon on the outer reef: snorkelling, an underwater observatory and a guided semi-submarine. Heart Reef is close by, but you can only see it from the air.

    Worth knowing: The pontoon is moored 39 nautical miles offshore.

    Tip: A guided snorkel safari is A$85 adult and A$49 child, an introductory dive A$175. Scenic helicopter flights are also sold at the pontoon.

    Open on the map ↗

Before you go

  • Route times are estimates: walking, driving and a sensible pause at each stop. Add queues, traffic and swims yourself.
  • Prices, timetables and trail status change. Check the venue's official site and the state transport app before you go.
  • On beaches, swim only between the red and yellow flags. Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.