Three Of The Best For Ocean Rafting

It was a golden night at Saturday’s Whitsunday Tourism Awards for the region’s most awarded tour operator, Ocean Rafting, who took home the top spots in Major Tour and Transport Operator, Adventure Tourism, and the People’s Choice Award.

The Whitsundays’ original tour operator celebrated their three golds, as well as a runner up finish in Whitsundays’ Business Of The Year, just a month after celebrating their 25th birthday in October.

Owners Peter and Jan Claxton were ecstatic to receive the awards, which were proudly shared with their team on the night.    

“We are honestly very humbled and honoured to take home three awards,” Ms Claxton said,

“We are so proud to be recognised and rewarded for our team’s ongoing passion, dedication and commitment to sharing the wonders of the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef Park.”

Ms Claxton extended her thanks on behalf of the Ocean Rafting family, to each and every business, family member, friend, guest, and team member who enabled them to be where they are now.

“Receiving the Major Tour and Transport Award and the Adventure Tourism Award are true reflections of our products, which offer the adventure of a lifetime around the beautiful Whitsunday Islands, surfing the waves and feeling the rush on the boats we have designed especially for this purpose, then up to the sky with our scenic flights and Fly Raft package,” Ms Claxton said.

“The People’s Choice Award was won based on voting from our guests and industry colleagues and the recognition is a testament to our team and our product, so we couldn’t be any prouder.”

Having successfully been in operation for two and half decades as one of the Whitsundays’ most loved on-water experiences, and with three generations of family actively working in the business, the Ocean Rafting team are renowned for always “taking it to the next level”, a whole company approach which reflects their long-term success and continuous growth over the years.

Despite the last two COVID-impacted years, Jan and Peter circled back to Peter’s aviation roots in 2022, adding not another “duck” to the existing fleet of eight custom designed vessels, but a plane: Ocean Rafting’s 7-seater Australian-built Airvan which took to the skies in May.

While Ocean Rafting’s Fly Raft packages and scenic flight touring options have been offered for several years, this added investment has allowed for more available seats on scenic flights over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and famous Heart Reef, resulting is an iconic triple-whammy providing the ultimate Whitsunday experience in just one day.

This past year also saw the launch of Ocean Rafting’s own 'Research' vessel, which is used for the company’s many environmental initiatives, Reef Seeker Edutourism programs and charters.

The ever-expanding business has brought in award after award for their innovation and desire to always be improving, even when at the top of their game.

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Ocean Rafting had an exceptional evening at the first Whitsunday Tourism Awards in two years, claiming three of the highest echelon awards at the Saturday night event