Air Whitsunday Seaplanes

We did the sea plane panorama tour to heart reef and Whitehaven.Air Whitsunday seaplanes have been taken over by GSL so the new company has been running this for less than two months. The day was fantastic. Tour was advertiser for 5 hours, but we were out for closer to 10 hours. It seems if they book two trips for the day, you get to spend longer out on the reef/islands.nThe day started with a free pick up, and a short drive to the marina where we were given a free coffee/juice and given our snorkel gear and weighed, then we drive thirty min to a little airport outside of Prosperine. Next was an hour flight to heart reef, where pilot Steve passed over twice, one for the left side, one for the right. So everyone got a good view, we then landed on the reef and went snorkeling. We had a slight problem with a leaky mask, but luckily there was one spare on the boat. The boat needs the mask defogging spray, because dish detergent just doesn’t work as well, and no one wants to smell detergent while snorkelling the reef. Some adult size swimming life jackets are also needed as poor swimmers would feel more confident than with the noodles. The pilot flew back to collect the second tour group, so we had two hours on the reef. We then flew 30 mins to Whitehaven. By this time it was after 1 pm, and we were very hungry. Travis was waiting on the beach for us, gladly took photos, while Steve turned the plane around so we got good photos. Next was lunch, we were very hungry as we had no eaten since our 730 pick up. Lunch was nice, under a gazebo for shade. Menu was pretty good. We did suggest to Travis that the amazing brownies be served on the reef for morning tea, and just the fruit after lunch would be plenty. We then had more than 90 mins at Whitehaven. There was one paddle board that most of us managed to fall off. We then flew into the port of Airlie. If the winds are good, and I presume if there is a group behind you, you get to land on the water again. You are met by a boat that takes you back to the marina. This saves a 30 mins road trip.nTotal cost was $599 each. It sounds expensive, but you get three seperate flights. (You can rotate sitting next to the pilot, so different groups can get the front view. Usually the tour will take four people. Our reef boat driver flew with us to the reef and flew back with the second group.) You get a fantastic view of the reef including heart reef and Whitehaven beach where you see turtles from the air. You get lunch, you get to go snorkelling with a small group and you get to go on a seaplane. It’s worth every penny. Why go on a boat, when you can go by plane and spend longer in the islands.nThe staff are brilliant. Dylan from booking came out on the footpath and sold us the tour, otherwise we may of kept walking. Steve the pilot was brilliant in his commentary. Travis seemed very interested in the guest experience, and was very keen to hear our thoughts and I have no doubt he will take on board our suggestions (and have menu /allergen ingredients laminated for gluten free passengers etc). Dimix2 were great too. Everyone just seemed so happy to be working here. I have some read some poor reviews about being cancelled by poor weather. All companies likes money, they only cancel for safety reasons. Landing on a choppy ocean is much harder than landing a helicopter on the beach or taking a boat to the beach. Bucket list day. Thanks

We visited Airlie Beach for our honeymoon in June 2019. We were beyond excited to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef. Since I experience sea sickness, we decided to book the Panorama Tour. We called on June 22 to confirm our tour. We were advised that our plane was experiencing mechanical problems and our tour may be cancelled. The following day our fears were confirmed. Our tour was cancelled and it was too late to book a tour with an alternate company. We were crushed and disappointed that Air Whitsunday did not have a back-up plan. The only solution was to hope and pray that two of the passengers scheduled for the following day cancelled their trip. In the end, this company was the reason we did not get to snorkel in Australia and since we are from Canada, we may never have another chance . . .

We went on the Panorama Tour package. Everything went great from the moment we stepped in the airport . It was reassuring to be taken in charge by true professionals as we were traveling with a 5 year old and my partner being 6 months pregnant. The tour took us to the best place in the Whitsundays as well as the reef and we felt privileged throughout the all tour. Lifetime memories come at a price but they’re within you forever!

Amazing flight over the Great Barrier Reef and over the Whitsunday Islands! It was breathtaking! Heart reef, Whitehaven Beach, hill inlet everything was anAmazing! Pilot was great and did a pass by each site in both directions allowing for great pictures no matter what side of the plane you were on! Highly recommended tour!

Seamless booking and super friendly staff! Simon our pilot was great and made it a great experience. We look forward to seeing the team again in June for another flight. We Highly recommend you experience this when in the Whitsundays!!!