Our Scenic Flight Heart Reef from Airlie Beach offers a spectacular way to see one of Australia’s most recognisable natural landmarks from the air. This 60-minute scenic flight takes you above the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef, combining sweeping views of tropical islands, brilliant blue water and intricate coral formations. It is particularly popular with couples looking for a memorable experience, with the flight culminating in an aerial view of the famous heart-shaped Heart Reef, a naturally formed coral composition that has become an enduring symbol of the Whitsundays.
Your experience begins at Whitsunday Airport, located only a short distance from Airlie Beach. After check-in, you will receive a welcome and essential safety briefing before boarding the aircraft for your scenic journey over the Whitsunday coastline.
After take-off, the landscape quickly opens up beneath you, revealing the turquoise waters and islands of the Whitsundays. One of the major sights along the route is Whitehaven Beach, where exceptionally white silica sand creates a dramatic contrast with the surrounding blue water.
As the flight continues towards Hill Inlet, the scenery changes again. Here, tides move sand and water through the inlet to create distinctive patterns of white, turquoise and blue. Because these patterns change with tidal conditions, the view can look different from one flight to another.
The main highlight of the journey is Heart Reef, a naturally heart-shaped coral formation within the Great Barrier Reef. Its distinctive shape is most clearly visible from the air, making a scenic flight one of the best ways to appreciate the formation as a whole. The location is particularly popular with couples and has become closely associated with proposals, anniversaries and romantic trips to the Whitsundays.
Throughout the journey, your pilot provides commentary about the reef, islands and marine environment below. A final aerial perspective across the islands and reef showcases part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area before the aircraft returns to Whitsunday Airport.
Want to experience the reef from more than one perspective? After seeing Heart Reef and the Whitsundays from above, you can explore more ways to discover the region with Australia Tours. Snorkelling trips, cruises and other reef experiences can take you from an aerial overview to the water itself, giving you a closer look at one of Australia’s most remarkable marine environments.
Tour Number: WR-60
Daily Operations
Time: 60 minutes
Departure Times: 7:00 am, 8:30 am, 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm
Leaves From: Airlie Beach – Whitsunday Airport
Cost: $335 per adult | $335 per child (under 2 years free)
Not Included: Meals
Transfers: Complimentary hotel shuttle included
Maximum Weight: 125 kg per seat
Terms & Conditions
All rates include Marine Park fees and GST. A fuel levy may apply if fuel prices exceed $1.50 per litre. Flight sites and routes are subject to weather and tidal conditions. Please reconfirm your booking 48 hours before departure.
Ocean Rafting may use photographs of guests for promotional purposes unless advised otherwise. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Guests with back, neck or hip injuries and guests in their third trimester of pregnancy cannot participate. The minimum age is 6 months, and a waiver must be completed before the flight.
Health and Fitness
No previous flying experience is required. Passengers should be in good general health and able to participate safely in the experience.
Policy on Cancellations and Refunds
A 5% non-refundable booking fee applies to all cancellations. Changes or cancellations can be made until 12 noon on the day before departure. After this deadline, no refunds apply.
If a flight is cancelled because of unsuitable weather conditions, guests may reschedule or receive a refund less the 5% booking fee.
Credit Card Fee
A 1.6% processing fee applies to all credit card payments.
Rates
Prices are valid for travel until 31 March 2026. For travel after this date, updated rates are displayed automatically.
Ships That Go on Cruises
Cruise-ship passengers should be aware that Scenic Flight Heart Reef departure schedules do not align with cruise-ship timetables. Cruise passengers should therefore arrange the experience directly through their cruise operator.
Holidays in Queensland
Public-holiday surcharges apply to selected Ocean Rafting tours but do not apply to scenic flights.
Key holidays include:
APR 25 – MAR 26
05 May 25 – Labour Day
20 June 25 – Show Whitsundays
06 October 25 – King’s Birthday
25 December 25 – Christmas Day (CLOSED)
26 December 25 – Boxing Day
01 January 26 – New Year’s Day
26 January 26 – Australia Day
APR 26 – MAR 27
03 April 26 – Good Friday
04 April 26 – Easter Saturday
05 April 26 – Easter Sunday
06 April 26 – Easter Monday
25 April 26 – Anzac Day
04 May 26 – Labour Day
Still to be announced – Show Whitsundays
05 October 26 – King’s Birthday
25 December 26 – Christmas Day (CLOSED)
26 December 26 – Boxing Day
28 December 26 – Boxing Day public holiday
Charters
Private charters are available and can be paid for by bank transfer or credit card. Credit card payments incur a 1.6% fee.
Cancellations made up to 5 days before departure receive a full refund less the 5% booking fee. Cancellations made within 5 days of departure incur a 100% charge.
Private charters operating on public holidays incur a $200 surcharge.
Please Note
Bookings made within 24 hours of departure must be confirmed by phone on 07 4946 6848.
All passengers are weighed before boarding. Passengers exceeding the 125 kg per-seat limit, or bookings containing inaccurate weight information, may be refused boarding without a refund.
Flights depart from the mainland only.
Operators are Whitsunday Tiger Moth Adventures (WAVEAir Pty Ltd AOC# CASA.AOC.0067) and Whitsunday Air Services Pty Ltd (AOC# 1-KPVQ0-06), both CASA-licensed carriers.
We acknowledge the Gia, Giru and Ngaro People, Traditional Custodians of the Whitsunday region, and recognise their enduring cultural and spiritual connection to Country, land and sea. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Travellers can enhance their experience with Vacationit Audio Guides, which are accessible with screen readers and available in both audio and text formats.
Soar above the Whitsundays with breathtaking views of Heart Reef.
Every passenger gets a prime view for the best photo opportunities.
Learn about the region’s landmarks from your experienced pilot in real time.
Free return transfers included from Airlie Beach accommodation.
Professional photo packages available for purchase to capture your flight memories.
Enjoy breakfast, light meals, and refreshments at Whitsunday Airport before or after your flight.
The flight combines spectacular Whitsundays scenery with an aerial view of the naturally heart-shaped Heart Reef. Its distinctive shape and remote Great Barrier Reef setting make it particularly popular for honeymoons, anniversaries, proposals and other special occasions.
Yes. Heart Reef is a popular setting for proposals because its heart shape is clearly visible from the air. If you are planning to propose during the flight, notify the operator in advance so any practical arrangements can be discussed discreetly.
The scenic flight lasts 60 minutes. During the journey, passengers can see major Whitsundays landmarks including Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, subject to operating, weather and route conditions.
Yes. Every passenger receives a guaranteed window seat, providing an unobstructed aerial perspective and better opportunities to photograph the reef, islands and beaches during the flight.
No. Champagne is not included in the standard flight package. Drinks and refreshments are available for purchase at Whitsunday Airport’s Hangar Café & Bar before or after the flight.
