Keppel Konnections Great Keppel Island Day Trip Including Lunch & Snorkel Hire

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A day on Great Keppel Island: the 30 minute ferry from Keppel Bay Marina, lunch and a drink at the Great Keppel Island Hideaway, and snorkel gear for the whole day so you can walk to Shelving or Monkey Beach and swim off the sand.

Days

Full day

Group size

Shared public ferry, self-guided on the island

Start / finish

Keppel Bay Marina, Rosslyn / Great Keppel Island / Keppel Bay Marina

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Return ferry, about 30 minutes each way

Meals

Lunch and one drink at Great Keppel Island Hideaway

Route

Map of Keppel Konnections Great Keppel Island Day Trip Including Lunch & Snorkel Hire

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Included experiences

Keppel Bay — ferry crossing to Fisherman's Beach
Shelving or Monkey Beach — snorkel straight off the sand
Island bush tracks — 25 to 45 minute walk to the snorkel beaches
Great Keppel Island Hideaway — lunch and a drink at the beach bistro

Keppel Konnections Great Keppel Island Day Trip Including Lunch & Snorkel Hire

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: ACROSS KEPPEL BAY

Check in at the Keppel Konnections ticket shed at the top of the Red Jetty, Keppel Bay Marina, at least 30 minutes before your ferry. The marina sits in Rosslyn Bay, sheltered by the volcanic headland of Double Head, about 7 km south of Yeppoon. The crossing takes about 30 minutes. Keppel Bay was named by James Cook in 1770, after Admiral Augustus Keppel, and the islands ahead are the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. Watch the water: dolphins are often seen near the main beaches in winter, and humpback whales pass between about April and November. There's no jetty on the island, so the boat noses onto the sand and you step down, thongs in hand.

ON THE ISLAND: SNORKEL GEAR AND A BUSH WALK

You land on Fisherman's Beach on Wop-pa (Great Keppel Island), one of 17 white sand beaches on an island with no roads. Collect your snorkel gear from Keppel Dive, the blue hut where Fisherman's and Putney beaches meet; it's yours for the day, so go when you like. This part isn't guided. Bush tracks lead to Shelving Beach, about 25 minutes away, and Monkey Beach, about 45 minutes, where you can snorkel straight off the sand over coral and reef fish. The tracks aren't well signed, so ask at the hut or Hideaway reception for the way, and wear enclosed shoes.

LUNCH AT THE HIDEAWAY

Lunch is at the Great Keppel Island Hideaway's bar and bistro, just behind the beach. Order anything from the lunch menu with a beer (XXXX or Great Northern), house wine, soft drink or water, served from 11:30am to 2:30pm, and later on Fridays, Saturdays and in school holidays. Keep an eye on the sky: more than 90 species of birds live on the island, sea eagles and ospreys among them.

AFTERNOON: BACK TO THE MARINA

Return the snorkel gear to Keppel Dive by 3pm. Be on Fisherman's Beach, near where you landed, at least 15 minutes before your afternoon ferry, then it's 30 minutes back across the bay to the Red Jetty.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: The Keppel Konnections ticket shed at the top of the Red Jetty, Keppel Bay Marina, 1 Waterline Way, Rosslyn, at least 30 minutes before departure. Late arrivals can't be taken. Free parking at the marina is not secure or patrolled; the Route 20 bus stops at the marina.
Departure time: Morning ferries to the island at around 7:30am and 9am, back from the island at around 2pm and 4pm. Your times are confirmed when you book.
Fitness: Reaching the snorkel beaches means a 25 to 45 minute bush walk each way on tracks that range from moderate to hard. You can also swim off the main beaches.
Suits: Infants under 5 travel free but don't get a meal; a kids' meal can be added.
Please note: There is no jetty on the island, so you step off the boat onto the beach; wheelchair access is limited and people with limited mobility may need to be carried ashore. One bag up to 23 kg plus one carry-on each; eskies 40 L or smaller. Not available on Christmas Day, when the Hideaway bistro is closed. Ferries run subject to sea and weather conditions.

What to bring

Enclosed shoes for the bush walk
Water bottle
Hat and sunscreen
Swimmers and a towel
A snack for the walk

What is included

Return ferry between Keppel Bay Marina and Great Keppel Island
Lunch from the Great Keppel Island Hideaway menu
One beer, house wine, soft drink or water
Full day snorkel equipment hire from Keppel Dive

Not included

Kids' meals for infants (optional extra)
Stinger suit hire
Excess baggage fees

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

4.0

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.

(4/5)

The day trip with snorkel hire, lunch and the return ferry is good value and we had a lovely day. It's a fair walk to the snorkelling beaches, so wear walking shoes, carry water and head straight there if you want to be back for lunch. The beaches were superb, and while the snorkelling wasn't brilliant on our day it was still fun.

Pieta Verified· Travelled 20th May 2026

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