Ocean Rafting has another trophy for their cabinet following last weekend’s Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, which saw them take out silver in the highly competitive Adventure Tourism Category.
With over 25 years in business, Ocean Rafting has been awarded multiple gold, silver and bronze accolades on a national level over the years, and owners Peter and Jan Claxton say that each award is a credit to consistently delivering a quality product.
“We really want to thank our incredibly dedicated and passionate staff, which includes a team of four recognised Master Reef Guides, who do an amazing job not only showcasing the wonders of the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef, but in protecting these precious assets and educating our guests about what they can do to make a difference,” said Peter.
“After over 25 years of operations, we will never stop appreciating every single one of these awards.
“We also certainly couldn’t have done it without our guests, who we love to see on the ride of their life!”
Ocean Rafting has eight semi-rigid inflatable vessels and one 7-seater Australian-built Airvan which took to the skies almost a year ago.
This new dimension to the business means that, along with other partner aircraft, they can now offer the ultimate Whitsunday experiences from above, on and below the water.
A true multi-generational operation, Ocean Rafting has three generations of the family actively involved in daily operations, making it connected to its humble beginnings, while being famed for its innovative approach and for acting as a leader in Whitsunday marine tourism and aviation operations.
Offering two exciting day tour adventures, Ocean Rafting has special permits that enable it to showcase one of Australia's most iconic beaches, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, as well as flights over the world-renowned Heart Reef, on a daily basis.
Guests can choose from the Northern Exposure and Southern Lights, with an exhilarating ride to Whitehaven Beach, the ultimate access to Hill Inlet and special snorkelling sites, as well as the Fly and Raft package, 60-minute scenic flights, charter options and the Reef Seeker environmental educational program.
The fleet of eight semi-rigid inflatable vessels allows guests to experience an adrenalin-fuelled ride amongst the beauty of the Whitsundays, while a maximum of 32 passengers per vessel, allows for a personalised experience in the pleasure of a small group.
“We sincerely thank our many industry partners and tourism bodies, with whom we work, both within Australia and the world over,” said Peter.
“It’s a team effort and we have all worked cohesively to place the Whitsundays on the map as the ultimate Whitsunday holiday destination.”
It takes hard work! But it also takes innovation, which as you can imagine, is imperative when you have the length of operations we have, so we continually reinvest in the business and just don’t take our finger off the pulse. It also takes passion, but we love what we do, our family loves it and our team love it.
Our culture is aligned to strong values that are reflective of a family business committed to best practice standards. And very importantly, we always aim to provide the best possible experience we can for our guests, which is reflected in our number one position on TripAdvisor, while protecting our precious Great Barrier Reef Marine Park as proud reef ambassadors!
Ocean Rafting owners Jan and Peter Claxton at the national awards last Friday
It’s a team effort: Peter and Jan Claxton with team members Tiffany Brett and Nathan Fleming
