Spend a day off the beaten track at one of Brisbane’s best kept secrets, Moreton Island. Snorkel the crystal clear aqua water of the Tangalooma Wrecks and experience pristine white sandy beaches with an abundance of marine life. Dolphins, turtles, dugongs and whales all call this paradise home.
Live like a local for the day, Bisbaneites spend their holidays and weekends over at Moreton Island, let us, a small family business show you our backyard and all the hidden gems the Moreton Bay Marine Park has to offer.
Departing from Newport Marina on the northern side of Brisbane, you will enjoy a short 50 minute cruise over to Moreton Island, keeping an eye out for dolphins and even majestic humpback whales during the winter time as they migrate past heading home. Transfers from Brisbane are also available.
Enjoy a full day on our large, comfortable air conditioned vessel with a fully licensed bar, experienced and friendly crew that will make you all feel like family by the end of the day.
Our Moreton Bay Cruise offers you the flexibility to do as little, or much as you choose. Spend the day relaxing in the air conditioned saloon with a cold drink or two. Or you can choose to sunbathe on the top deck with a swim and walk on the beach of Moreton Island after lunch. Or you can choose to do the lot, Boom-netting, Guided Snorkeling and Fish Feeding tour, Swim, and even climb the huge Sand Hills if you dare. It’s up to you how many activities you participate in. This makes our trip perfect for everyone of all ages; singles, couples, families, small groups and family gatherings.
You will then spend the afternoon and final leg of your trip relaxing on the boat with a fully licensed bar while you cruise the shallow waters for the Eco Marine Safari spotting Dolphins, Dugongs, Turtles, Sting Rays, and Sea Birds. All accompanied by interesting and informative commentary from your Captain.
Our Moreton Bay Cruise operates all year round as the animals don’t go on holidays, so the Dolphin Wild Crew will help you find them anytime of the year.
Itinerary
Start your day with check in on the boat at Newport Marina at 7:30am.
Get settled in, and enjoy a coffee/tea and biscuits for morning tea while the crew gets the boat ready for departure. (Please note: Self-serve tea and coffee not available due to COVID until further notice)
Our Moreton Bay Cruise takes the most direct route from Brisbane and will get you over to Moreton Island in just under 50 minutes, stopping along the way to interact with any animals sighted. These are usually dolphins and during the winter migration season from June to October you will encounter Mother Whales with their baby calves.
Once you arrive at the island you will jump straight into a wetsuit and in the water for the fun stuff, beginning with Boom-netting. Climb on and ride a large net on the back of the vessel and experience a thrill like no other as you are towed behind the boat. It’s like water skiing, but laying down. (Please note: You must be able to swim to participate in this activity)
You will then have the option to participate in the 50 minute Guided Snorkel and Fish Feeding tour through the famous Tangalooma Wrecks. Drift your way through and around the 15 shipwrecks, home to an abundance of aquatic marine life, with your guide safely leading you from one end to the other and you will be picked up at the other end. (Please note: you must be able to swim to participate in this activity, $20 extra pay on board fee)
Then dry off and enjoy a fresh healthy lunch of chicken, salad, ham off the bone, and bread rolls, all baked and prepared in the early hours of the morning for you. The bar is open and it’s time to relax with free time on Moreton Islands picturesque beach to swim, sunbathe, and climb the famous sand hills for a spectacular view of the Moreton Bay Marine Park.
Back on the boat and you will then spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and learning while you cruise the crystal clear aqua water for the Eco Marine Safari; spotting dolphins, dugongs and turtles. Your Captain will indulge you with interesting facts and informative commentary about Moreton Island’s history and the local marine life and their habitats.
You will arrive back at Newport Marina around 4pm to disembark, and if you have purchased a ticket including transfers you will arrive back at your pick up point in Brisbane City around 4pm.
What is Boom-netting?
It’s exhilarating, imagine lying face down on a large net and being towed behind 22 metre catamaran, it’s like water skiing, but lying down. Guaranteed to satisfy any adventure enthusiast and those less adventurous will no doubt be entertained watching the boom-netters.
Sometimes our dolphin friends swim alongside to see what all the fun is about. Dolphin Wild Island Cruises is the only Moreton Bay Cruise to offer Boom-netting in Brisbane, so don’t miss out.
Please note, for your safety, participants must be competent swimmers to participate in this activity.
Snorkeling the Tangalooma Wrecks
The best kept secret is that you can, and must not miss snorkeling Brisbane waters while you are in town. During the Dolphin Wild Eco Marine Safari Cruise, you have the option to participate in a Guided Snorkel and Fish Feeding tour of the famous Tangalooma Wrecks at Moreton Island. This site is recognized as one of the world’s premier snorkeling destinations, with 15 fascinating shipwrecks and artificial reef to explore.
This world renowned group of wrecks were originally sunk to provide a protected mooring area for the local Brisbane families visiting the island in their recreational boats. It’s now known for its richly diverse environment of invertebrates, hard corals and over a hundred different species of fish and many other local marine life inhabitants.
Think you’ve snorkeled in some of the best places in the world already? Well wait until you get into the crystal clear aqua water with Dolphin Wild Island Cruises. This is not your average snorkel, it’s a drift snorkel. You will be dropped off at one end of the wrecks and float your way around, over and through the 15 shipwrecks to the other end where your vessel will be waiting for you. A safety boat will escort you at either end of the wrecks for additional safety.
Your guide will lead you the safest and most interesting path through the shipwrecks stopping along the way to feed the fish so you can get up close and personal with the local marine life. The best thing about snorkeling the Tangalooma Wrecks is that you can come back time and time again and every snorkel trip will be different. As the tide changes so does the amount of exposed shipwrecks; altering your path and allowing you see everything from a different perspective each time.
The Guided Snorkeling and Fish Feeding Tour of the Tangalooma Wrecks is an optional extra as you must be able to swim to participate in the tour. The cost is $20 per adult and $10 per child (up to 14 years) this includes Eco Guides, safety vessel, wetsuit, mask and fins. Payment for this activity must be made on the morning of the trip during check in. Please note that there are NO EFTPOS or Credit Card facilities onboard the vessel, so payment must be in AUD cash.
If you don’t wish to snorkel, or can’t swim don’t worry, the vessel will anchor near the wrecks, so non snorkelers can still experience and photograph these magnificent wrecks and Moreton Island. Weather conditions permitted one the crew will take you on a tour through the wrecks on our safety vessel so you can experience what it’s like amongst the shipwrecks and photo opportunities are unlimited.
Please note, for your safety, participants must be competent swimmers to join the snorkel tour.
You are welcome to bring your own mask/snorkel/wetsuit, but the snorkeling fee will still apply. We DO NOT provide participants with life jackets for the snorkeling tour as you must be able to swim to participate.
Due to Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Legislation and Risk Assessments, we are unable to allow patrons to snorkel alone at the Tangalooma Wrecks whilst on the cruise.
Meet Point
Newport Marina