Tangalooma Island Resort - Aquatic Adventure Day Cruise

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Take the 75-minute catamaran from Brisbane to Tangalooma on Moreton Island and spend the day on the water at your own pace, with up to three hours of kayak hire, three hours of snorkel gear and an hour on a stand-up paddleboard. Lunch and the resort pools are part of the day.

Days

Full day

Age

6 years and over; paddleboards 12 and over

Group size

Self-guided day

Start / finish

Brisbane (Holt Street Wharf) / Tangalooma / Brisbane
Leaves Tangalooma 4pm, about 75 minutes back to Brisbane

Return

Leaves Tangalooma 4pm, about 75 minutes back to Brisbane

Transport

Return catamaran across Moreton Bay

Meals

Lunch voucher ($25 adult, $20 child)

Route

Map of Tangalooma Island Resort - Aquatic Adventure Day Cruise

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Included experiences

Tangalooma beach — up to 3 hours in a hire kayak
Moreton Bay — up to 3 hours snorkelling with your own gear
Stand-up paddleboard — up to an hour on the water
Eco Centre — Discover the World of Dolphins presentation
Tangalooma Resort — two pools, restaurants and bars

Tangalooma Island Resort - Aquatic Adventure Day Cruise

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: THE BRISBANE RIVER TO TANGALOOMA

Check in at Holt Street Wharf in Pinkenba, near the mouth of the Brisbane River, an hour before your boat. Sailings leave at 7:30am or 10am, and the early one gives you the most time for your hire. The catamaran crosses Moreton Bay Marine Park in about 75 minutes, with commentary from the crew and a tea, coffee or soft drink on board. The bay is one of the few places near a big city where dugongs still graze on seagrass, so keep an eye on the water. You step off at the jetty at Tangalooma, on the west coast of Mulgumpin (Moreton Island), where 98% of the island is national park.

LATE MORNING: KAYAKS, SNORKELS AND THE WRECKS

From here the water time is yours to split as you like: up to three hours in a kayak, up to three hours with mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuit, and up to an hour on a stand-up paddleboard. For most people the goal is the Tangalooma Wrecks, 15 old vessels scuttled just north of the resort between 1963 and 1984 to make a sheltered anchorage for small boats. Today they are crusted with coral and shelter more than 100 kinds of fish. A current runs between the beach and the wrecks when the tide is moving and the beach has no lifeguards, so a kayak is the easy way out. Snorkel there only if you're a strong swimmer.

MIDDAY: LUNCH, POOLS AND THE ECO CENTRE

Use your lunch voucher at any of the resort's open food outlets, then dry off by one of the two pools. The resort began life as a whaling station: from 1952 to 1962 humpback whales were processed on this beach, and the same species now passes offshore each winter in far greater numbers. Through the day the Eco Rangers run free activities, such as kookaburra feeding outside the Eco Centre and a pelican feeding and sea bird talk. The 'Discover the world of Dolphins' presentation at the Eco Centre tells the story of the wild bottlenose dolphins that visit the jetty each evening.

AFTERNOON: BACK ACROSS THE BAY

Fit in a last paddle or swim before the boat home leaves at 4pm. From the deck, look back at the island's high dunes: Mount Tempest, behind the resort, rises to 285 metres and is one of the highest coastal sand dunes in the world. The crossing back over Moreton Bay takes about 75 minutes, and you step off at Holt Street Wharf in the late afternoon. This cruise leaves before the evening dolphin feeding, so the Eco Centre presentation is your introduction to the pod.

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Good to know

Meeting point: Holt Street Wharf, 220 Holt Street, Pinkenba, about 10 km from Brisbane Airport. Check in at least 1 hour before departure. There is no bus or train to the wharf; there is a fenced car park ($20 a day) and some street parking.
Departure time: 7:30am or 10am from Brisbane, back from Tangalooma at 4pm. The 7:30am boat gives you the most time for your hire; unused hire time or time lost to a late arrival is not refunded.
Minimum age: 6 years for this package. Stand-up paddleboards are for ages 12 and over, one person per board. Under-16s share a kayak with an adult; solo kayaking is from 16.
Fitness: You need to be comfortable in the water on your own. The hire staff can refuse hire to weaker swimmers, who are then offered a guided tour at a discount or another activity. Tell us at booking about any injury or condition such as pregnancy, epilepsy, asthma or a heart condition.
Please note: Hire depends on the weather; if conditions are unsafe, other activities are offered where available. No alcohol may be brought onto the boats or the resort. The resort has ramps to most areas and accessible toilets.

What to bring

Swimwear and a towel
A change of clothes
A current doctor's clearance if you are pregnant or have epilepsy and want to kayak

What is included

Return catamaran from Holt Street Wharf, Brisbane, to Tangalooma
One tea, coffee, soft drink or water on the boat
Up to 3 hours kayak hire
Up to 3 hours snorkel equipment hire (mask, snorkel, flippers and wetsuit)
Up to 1 hour stand-up paddleboard hire
Lunch voucher: $25 per adult, $20 per child, at any resort food outlet
Day pass to the resort, including the two swimming pools, restaurants and bars
Eco Ranger experiences and the Discover the World of Dolphins presentation at the Eco Centre

Not included

Parking at Holt Street Wharf ($20 per vehicle per day, paid there)
Bus transfers from Brisbane hotels to the wharf (extra cost, booked ahead)
Wild dolphin feeding (the 4pm boat leaves before it starts)
Alcohol and anything over the lunch voucher (no change is given)
Lockers at the resort (from $2 a use)

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.