Cruise Whitsundays Daydream Island Escape - Full Day with 2 Course Salti Lunch

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A day of your own on Daydream Island, a short ferry ride from Airlie Beach, with a two-course lunch and a drink at Salti Restaurant & Bar. Swim in the resort pool, snorkel Lovers Cove, use the non-motorised water sports, and watch the 10am fish feed at the Living Reef.

Days

Full day

Age

All ages; under 4s travel free

Group size

Self-guided day

Start / finish

Port of Airlie / Daydream Island / Port of Airlie
Port of Airlie, around 5:20pm

Return

Port of Airlie, around 5:20pm

Transport

Return ferry from Port of Airlie

Meals

Two-course lunch at Salti with one drink

Route

Map of Cruise Whitsundays Daydream Island Escape - Full Day with 2 Course Salti Lunch

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Included experiences

Living Reef — over 100 marine species and a 10am fish feed
Salti Restaurant & Bar — two-course lunch with a drink
Lovers Cove — snorkel with gear on request
Resort pool and beaches — swim and relax with ocean views
Water sports — use of the non-motorised equipment

Cruise Whitsundays Daydream Island Escape - Full Day with 2 Course Salti Lunch

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: FERRY TO DAYDREAM ISLAND

Board the ferry at Port of Airlie, a five-minute walk from the Airlie Beach main street. A morning boat gives you the longest day, and you can choose other times from the ferry timetable. The crossing takes you out over the Whitsunday Passage, the channel James Cook sailed in June 1770 and named because he believed the day was Whit Sunday, to Daydream Island, one of the Molle group of islands, first named West Molle Island. The resort was rebuilt after Cyclone Debbie in 2017 and reopened in 2019. There's no guide, so the day runs at your own pace.

10AM: FISH FEEDING AT THE LIVING REEF

Head first for the Living Reef, a lagoon that wraps for 200 metres around the island's central building and holds over 100 species of marine life. At 10am every day the staff feed the fish in a live show, and the fish crowd in close. Afterwards, the Living Reef Centre tells you more about what lives in the lagoon and on the reefs around the islands. Walk the length of it afterwards, looking down into the clear shallows.

MIDDAY: LUNCH AT SALTI

Lunch is two courses at Salti Restaurant & Bar, with one house beer, wine or soft drink. Take a table facing the water and watch the boats coming and going across the passage between Daydream and the mainland. Daydream sits only a few kilometres off the coast, so on a clear day you can see the green hills of the Conway Range behind Airlie Beach, part of the national park that runs down the coast from the town.

AFTERNOON: POOL, LOVERS COVE AND THE FERRY HOME

The afternoon is yours. Swim in the resort pool looking out to sea, find a spot on the beach, or take out the non-motorised water sports gear, which is included. Snorkelling gear and stinger suits are available if you ask, so you can swim at Lovers Cove, the island's snorkelling spot. Stinger suits matter here in the warmer months, when box jellyfish and Irukandji drift through the islands. Be back at the jetty for your ferry, and you'll reach Port of Airlie in the late afternoon.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Port of Airlie terminal, 24 The Cove Road, Airlie Beach. Limited paid parking is on site.
Departure time: The suggested ferry leaves around 8:20am and returns around 5:20pm; you can choose other ferry times. Exact times are confirmed when you book.
Minimum age: All ages. Infants 0 to 3 travel free but get no meal. Bring valid ID to support a child or senior ticket, or pay the difference at check-in.
Please note: This is a day visit with no accommodation, so be back at the jetty for the last ferry. Island blackout dates can apply. Ferries depend on the weather.

What to bring

Photo ID (needed for child and senior fares)
Swimwear, beach towel and a change of clothes
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Light jacket or jumper for a cool or windy day
Water bottle
Camera
Credit card for drinks, snacks and extras

What is included

Return ferry between Port of Airlie and Daydream Island
Two-course lunch at Salti Restaurant & Bar with one house beer, wine or soft drink
Entry to the Living Reef and the 10am fish-feeding show
Use of the island's pools and beaches
Use of non-motorised water sports equipment
Snorkelling gear and stinger suits on request
All marine and park fees

Not included

Coach transfer to Port of Airlie (optional, book at least 12 hours ahead)
Extra food and drinks
Infant meals
Extra activities booked at the Daydream Island tour desk

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

They sorted our needs at the last minute, and the Daydream Island day trip with lunch was wonderful.

Debbie Reeder Verified· Travelled 20th July 2026

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