Solar Whisper Wildlife Cruises Extended Crocodile and Wildlife Spotting Tour

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A 2-hour crocodile and wildlife cruise on the Daintree River aboard Solar Whisper, the only zero-emission boat on the river. It glides quietly up to crocodiles and other wildlife without scaring them or harming their habitat.

Days

2 hours

Group size

Small boat, up to 10

Start / finish

Lower Daintree / Lower Daintree

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Solar-powered, zero-emission boat on the Daintree River; no transfers are listed

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Solar Whisper Wildlife Cruises Extended Crocodile and Wildlife Spotting Tour

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Included experiences

Daintree River — crocodile spotting
Mangroves and rainforest — birdwatching
Wildlife spotting — snakes, frogs, crabs and fish
CROC CAM — close views of camouflaged crocs

Solar Whisper Wildlife Cruises Extnded Crocodile and Wildlife Spotting Tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

LOWER DAINTREE: MEET YOUR GUIDE

The two-hour cruise leaves from the Solar Whisper office on the south bank at Lower Daintree, a few hundred metres before the river crossing. The Daintree River has no bridge, so everyone heading north crosses on a cable ferry. These longer cruises are run by David White himself, on a small, quiet boat that takes no more than 10 people, and they can go out at dawn, at dusk or any time between, with your time set when you book. Solar Whisper is the only zero-emission boat on the river, with solar panels on its roof, so there's no engine noise or fumes to send the wildlife into hiding.

TWO HOURS ON THE DAINTREE RIVER

With twice the time of the standard one-hour cruise, there's no rush along the river edge and the mangroves. Saltwater crocodiles can grow past five metres, but the small ones are the most reliable sighting; the big ones come and go. Crocodiles are cold-blooded, so on cool days and at low tide they haul out onto the mud to warm up, and in the summer heat they stay in the water and are much harder to find. The boat's Croc Cam helps show the ones that blend into the mud, and the pace suits photographers who want the right light and the right angle.

THE SMALL THINGS AS WELL AS THE BIG

This cruise is built for looking closely. The mangroves hold snakes coiled in the branches, tree frogs, crabs and fish, and the river is known for its birds: the azure kingfisher darting low over the water, the great-billed heron, Australia's largest heron, still as a post in the shallows, and the Papuan frogmouth roosting in plain sight while looking like a broken branch. Behind it all rise the ranges of Daintree National Park and Thornton Peak, at 1,374 metres one of the highest mountains in Queensland.

BACK TO THE BANK

After two hours you're back where you started. Every cruise is different, because this is a wild river, not a park. Solar Whisper is a small family-run business, and if you don't see a crocodile you can come back for a free cruise until you do.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Lower Daintree.
Suits: Not suitable for children with short attention spans; if you want to bring a child, please arrange it in advance.
Please note: In the warmer months the river temperature rises and crocodiles are much harder to see, as they spend most of their time in the water. If no crocodiles are spotted, free return tours are offered until you have some success.

What to bring

Clothing suitable for the weather
Camera
Water
Snack

What is included

2-hour guided cruise on the Daintree River
Interpretive guide

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

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

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)

A great experience. David is an amazing guide, knowledgeable, funny and full of love for the region, the crocs and the Daintree River. We took the two-hour tour and really recommend it.

JA Verified· Travelled 28th August 2026

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(5/5)

We joined David on the two-hour crocodile and wildlife tour and it was fantastic. The team really know what they're doing, and we saw beautiful birds and incredible crocs up close.

Azi AA Verified· Travelled 27th August 2026

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