Tangalooma Island Resort - Aquatic Adventure Day Cruise with Dolphin Feeding

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A day on the water at Tangalooma: up to 3 hours each of kayak and snorkel hire and an hour on a paddleboard around the Tangalooma Wrecks, then wading in at dusk to hand-feed a wild dolphin.

Days

Full day, returning after dark

Group size

Shared day cruise

Start / finish

Holt Street Wharf, Pinkenba / Tangalooma Island Resort / Holt Street Wharf
Holt Street Wharf, about 75 minutes after the evening boat leaves

Return

Holt Street Wharf, about 75 minutes after the evening boat leaves

Transport

Return catamaran from Brisbane; kayak, snorkel and paddleboard hire

Meals

Lunch voucher ($25 adult, $20 child) and one tea, coffee or soft drink on the boat

Route

Map of Tangalooma Island Resort - Aquatic Adventure Day Cruise with Dolphin Feeding

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Included experiences

Moreton Bay Marine Park — 75-minute catamaran crossing each way, with commentary
Tangalooma Wrecks — kayak or snorkel out to 15 sunken ships
Tangalooma beach — an hour on a stand-up paddleboard
Tangalooma Island Resort — pools, beach and free Eco Ranger bird feeding
Tangalooma jetty beach — wade in at dusk and hand-feed a wild bottlenose dolphin

Tangalooma Island Resort - Aquatic Adventure Day Cruise with Dolphin Feeding

Pictures / Videos

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, or in the day lounge. 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.

DUSK: FEEDING THE WILD DOLPHINS

As the sun sets, wild bottlenose dolphins swim into the shallows beside the jetty of their own accord; nobody calls them in. The Eco Rangers of the Dolphin Care Team have you clean your hands, then walk you into knee-deep water to hold out a herring for a dolphin to take. The dolphins get only a small part of their daily food here, so they keep hunting for themselves. The feed is around 7pm in winter, 7:30pm in spring and autumn and 8pm in summer. The last boat leaves once it is over, and you're back at Holt Street Wharf about 75 minutes later, well after dark.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Holt Street Wharf, 220 Holt Street, Pinkenba, about 15 minutes' drive from the Brisbane CBD and 10 minutes from the airport. Check in at least 1 hour before your boat. There is no bus or train to the wharf; parking is on site and paid on arrival.
Departure time: Boats leave Brisbane at 7:30am or 10am. The return boat leaves Tangalooma after the evening dolphin feeding, between about 7pm and 8:30pm depending on the season.
Minimum age: 6 years. Stand-up paddleboards are for ages 12 and over, one person per board. Children under 16 share a kayak with an adult.
Fitness: Kayaking, snorkelling and paddleboarding here are unsupervised, so you should be a confident swimmer; the wrecks are a fair way off the beach and currents can be strong. Pregnant guests and anyone with a history of epilepsy need a current doctor's clearance to kayak. Tell us when you book about any injury or medical condition, such as pregnancy, epilepsy, asthma or a heart condition, that physical activities could affect.
Dolphin feeding: Children must be at least 102 cm tall to walk in and feed; smaller children are carried and can drop a fish in with a ranger's help. Wash off sunscreen and insect repellent, take off rings and watches, and don't touch the dolphins. No flash photos on the beach. Skip the feed if you have a cold or flu. Dolphins come almost every night (98 to 99% of nights), but numbers vary, so a fish may be shared, and in rough weather the feed can move to the jetty.
Please note: Hire is subject to availability on the day, and unused hire time isn't refunded once you start using the package. It is a long day, finishing after dark.

What to bring

Swimwear or shorts and a towel
A change of clothes
Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
Camera

What is included

Return catamaran from Holt Street Wharf, Brisbane, with commentary
Resort day pass: two swimming pools, restaurants, bars and day lounge
One tea, coffee, soft drink or water on the boat
Lunch voucher ($25 per adult, $20 per child)
Up to 3 hours kayak hire
Up to 3 hours snorkel gear hire, with wetsuit, mask and fins
Up to 1 hour stand-up paddleboard hire
Eco Ranger experiences and the 'Discover the world of Dolphins' presentation at the Eco Centre
A place in the evening wild dolphin feeding

Not included

Car parking at the wharf ($20 per vehicle per day, paid on arrival)
Hotel shuttle to and from the wharf (sold separately)
Food and drinks beyond the lunch voucher
Guided snorkel or kayak tours (available as extras)
Wader hire for the dolphin feeding ($15, optional)
Photos of your dolphin feed (sold by the resort photo shop)

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.