Connecting Local Kids to the Reef
OurReef is a community partnership initiative by Whitsundays Marine Conservation
designed to connect local kids and their families with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Whitsunday Islands through affordable, spontaneous tourism experiences. By partnering with Whitsunday tourism operators, the program fills empty seats on reef tours with local families at a discounted “locals standby” rate.
Our Mission
OurReef is designed to get more local families out on the reef. By making reef trips more accessible with discounted, 'last-minute' rates, the program aims to develop positive attitudes toward reef protection through firsthand experience. It also aims to strengthen connections between the local community and reef operators, cultivating a sense of pride and care for our shared backyard.
How it Works
Join the OurReef standby list by completing a short online registration form, telling is the types of tours you’re interested in.
When a participating tour operator has unsold seats (often the day before a trip), they’ll contact registered families directly and offer those spots at a significantly reduced locals standby rate.
There’s no obligation to accept — it’s all about flexibility.
Families can be invited to tours multiple times throughout the year, depending on availability. See available tours below.
Who Can Register?
The program is open to all local families with school-aged children living in the Whitsundays including in and around Airlie Beach, Bowen the Collinsville Region and the Whitsunday Islands (verified by showing a license or bill with your address).
Eligible Post Codes:
4800, 4801, 4802, 4804, 4805
How You Can Contribute
Do your bit to support reef protection whilst out exploring the islands. We'll show you how to:
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Respect reef rules and marine life
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Log an 'Eye on the Reef' sighting
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Leave a review for the tour operator
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Tag us in your adventures!
These small actions help to shape a community of reef-aware kids and support the operators who make the program possible.
OurReef Tours
Stay tuned to see the list of incredible Whitsunday operators who have generously signed up for the program to offer discounted local rates for OurReef registered families.
To access Ocean Raftings Rafting Squad sign up here - https://oceanrafting.com.au/raftingsquad/
OPERATOR | TOUR | DISCOUNT | KIDS PRICE | ADULT PRICE | Family (2A & 2C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iconic Whitsunday Adventures | Viper: All-inclusive Outer Reef & Whitehaven | 25% | $224 | $239 | N/A |
Ocean Rafting | All Tours - Sign up to the Rafting Squad (Link above) | 15% plus more! | Varies by trip | Varies by trip | Varies by trip |
Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays | Self-Skippered yacht charter experiences | 50% | Varies by trip | Varies by trip | Varies by trip |
Red Cat Adventures | Thundercat Whitsundays - All Inclusive Day Tour | 35% | $136 | $156 | $517 |
Red Cat Adventures | Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Adventure | 35% | $162 (6-14yrs) | $192 (15+) | $623 |
Red Cat Adventures | Tongarra Day Sailing Tour | 35% | $136 (12+) | $136 | N/A |
Sealink | Purely Whitehaven Day Tour | 35% | $90 | $159 | $454 |
Whisper Cruises | Turtle Spotting Cruises Airlie Beach | 25-35% | $40 | $45 | N/A |
Whitsunday Jetski Tours | Airlie Adventure | 35% | $168 (8+) | $168 | N/A |
Whitsunday Jetski Tours | Two Island Safari | 35% | $214 (12+) | $214 | N/A |
Zig Zag | Whitehaven Beach All Day (can add snorkeling!) | 35% | $117 (4+) | $149 | N/A |
More to come!!! |
All rates are set and tours ran by our amazing Whitsunday Tourism Operators. No responsibility for the trips, or the rates, is to be attributed to Whitsunday Marine Conservation Inc.
