Eco Cruise Gold Coast - South Stradbroke Island
Join us for an unforgettable Eco Cruise Gold Coast adventure and create lifelong memories as we explore the northern reaches of the Broadwater. Experience the magic and natural wonders along waterways of the Gold Coast. Join us and let us redefine your perspective of Mother Nature!
At Aqua Adventures Eco Cruise Gold Coast we explore, we educate and we protect the ocean. Aqua Cruise Adventure Tours (formerly Sea the Gold Coast), is a diverse diving operator that loves and lives for the ocean and plays an active role in protecting it for our future generations. So come and join us on Eco Cruise Gold Coast and make memories you will never forget. Explore our Gold Coast Whale Watching Tours, Swim with Turtles, Whales and more Cruises below.
South Stradbroke Island - Eco Cruise Gold Coast 2-3hrs
THE ULTIMATE ISLAND ECO CRUISE GOLD COAST EXPERIENCE
This 2-3 hour Eco Cruise Gold Coast, Broadwater cruise is the ideal combination of a Gold Coast Broadwater cruise and an island wildlife discovery tour with a social aspect. Departing from Southport with stopovers at South Stradbroke Islands Tipplers Cafe or Couran Cove, where the wallaby’s often sit right next to the cafe tables, boosting untouched island nature. Watch out for marine life such as dolphins, turtles, rays and dugongs as you cruise through the Gold Coast Broadwater. Explore the foreshore of South Stradbroke Island, home to many different shore birds. See the million dollar water front properties of Sovereign Island as we return to Southport.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- 2-3 hour return Broadwater cruise with island stopover
- Grab a drink or food at South Stradbroke Island (at own expense)
- Sheltered, stable vessel with clears to protest from the weather
- Cruise through the Broadwater and Tipplers Passage
- Chance of wildlife encounters on water and on land
- Great for photographers and nature lovers
BOOKINGS & PAYMENT
- Select no. of people, date and time
- Enter your personal details
- Enter promo code or voucher code if you have one
- Check-out and receive our booking confirmation via email
- A small booking fee is charged by the system provider on check-out
- All of our tours must reach a minimum participant numbers to proceed
HIGHLIGHTS
- Up to 3-4hr* return trip in a small group
- Departs up to 3 times per week
- Small groups of 12 or less
- Great for photographers
- Closer turtle encounters possible
- Turtle sightings guaranteed*
- Knowledgeable staff
- Participate in turtle research activities (optional)
- Waterproof jackets provided
DEPARTURE TIMES
Our swim with turtles tours depart each morning on selected days. Check our website calendar for live availability and times. Daily departure times may vary due to tides and other factors.
Please note that departure time can vary and is subject to change at short notice. Please check your booking reminder emails for time changes or check our calendar for the latest times and availability. From there, you can also book and pay online.
PRICING
Our vessel is small hence you will need to pay a small premium to make this experience possible.
- SNORKELLER Base Price – $199pp (all ages)
- OBSERVER – $179pp (all ages)
- Family Price (2Adults 2 Children (under12) – $695
- A small booking fee is charged on check-out by the booking system provider.
PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS
- This tour is conducted on a smaller vessel. Boarding and disembarking as well as holding on whilst underway requires a moderate level of fitness and mobility.
- Any person with serious medical conditions including pregnancy or physical disability should choose a larger vessel instead. If unsure please email us beforehand or consult your treating doctor.
- Whilst we try our best to plan tours around sea conditions, participants must be prepared to maybe get partially wet due to sea spray. We do provide spray jackets and these events are rare. We usually cancel and reschedule tours for comfort reasons if wind forecasts exceed 15 knots however sometimes forecasts aren’t 100% accurate.
- TURTLE SWIM – Minimum age is 10 years for boating safety reasons e.g. life jacket sizes etc. One adult must accompany each child aged 10 to 16 at all times in and out of the water. If there are two children aged 10-16, there must be two paying adults to accompany them in the water and on the boat.
- OBSERVER – Minimum age is 5 years for boating safety reasons e.g. life jacket sizes etc. Adult supervision is required at all times during the trip. If there are two or more children aged 5 to 12, there must be the same number of adults as children in your booking. All adults and accompanying children will be required to wear a lifejacket during the tour.
OUR VESSEL
Our primary vessel “Big Blue” is an 8m long, semi-inflatable, rigid hull adventure boat with a capacity of 12 guests. Whilst spectators are more exposed to the elements, the vessel provides an incredibly intimate feel of closeness to the water. Due to its small size and quiet engine, turtles and sea creatures love to check out our boat up close. Should the weather be against us on the day we will arrange a voucher for a return visit on a future date.
BOOKINGS & PAYMENT
- Select cruise date and time
- Click the book now button
- Enter your personal details
- Check-out and receive our booking confirmation via email
- A small booking fee is charged by the system provider on check-out
- All of our tours must reach a minimum of 4 participants to depart
WHAT TO BRING
- SunSmart clothes (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen etc.)
- Warm clothes as it can get cold
- Drinking water (no glass)
- Waterproof bag for phones etc.
- Camera (splash-proof cameras recommended)
- Seasickness medication if needed (take well before departure)
MEETING POINT
- Meet us at 95 Marine Parade, Southport inside Aqua Adventures and Southport Fish and Dive Centre.
- Your confirmation email and reminder emails will include a map and a hyperlink for directions.
- Please be on time as we have to depart on time.
*TURTLE SIGHTING GUARANTEE AND TRIP DURATION
Eco Cruise Gold Coast minimum return trip duration is 3 hours however, if we don’t find turtles, we will extend the tour duration to up to 4 hours. If turtles are not spotted on a designated tour between the months of November to June, each passenger will be entitled to a ’stand-by ticket’ enabling them to return on another subsequent tour date subject to availability as per our online calendar. Refer to our terms and conditions to read the full details about our sighting guarantee.
Eco Cruise Gold Coast Tour from $119
Duration: up to 2-3 Hours (approx.)
Guaranteed sightings of wildlife
1.30pm – Arrive and Checkin
Gold Coast, QLD
BASIC ITINERARY (8:00 AM TOUR*)
- 7:30am – Meet us at Southport use the toilets and get ready.
- 7:40am – Snorkelers suit up in wetsuits and grab their fins, mask and snorkel
- 7:50am – Safety brief, put on spray jackets/lifejackets
- 8:00am – Depart marina and cruise through the Broadwater.
- 8:10am – Enter the open ocean and enjoy a fast trip to Cook Island.
- 9:00am – Arrive at Cook Island and snorkel with Turtles.
- 10:00am – Leave Cook Island and return to Southport.
- 10.45am – Arrive back at Aqua Adventures, Southport
PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH ON THE ECO CRUISE GOLD COAST (OPTIONAL)
You can also (optional) participate in our Eco Cruise Gold Coast research activities such as filling in survey data sheets and using the hydrophone to listen to underwater sounds. Each participant will receive a print brochure with a summary of information about humpback whales and what options there are to get involved. Alternatively, you can simply sit back, relax, take photos enjoy the experience.
Private Charter - Corporate Packages - Exclusive Use
Charter our custom-built adventure boat for exclusive use for your group and optionally enjoy a swim with the turtles as well.
Big Blue 1 is our primary vessel. She is an 8m long, semi-inflatable, rigid hull adventure boat with a capacity of 12 guests. The vessel provides an incredibly intimate feel of closeness to the water and has optional clears that provide protection from the weather when required. Due to its small size and quiet engines, whales, dolphins and turtles love to check out this boat. Multiple access points ensure easy water entry and exit, essential for getting swimmers into the water when the whales come out to play.
CHARTER OPTIONS – Please call to discuss – (07) 2102 4365
- 3 hour return cruise to your choice of destination
- Include a private scuba or snorkelling adventure (Additional costs may apply)
- Available for private Swim with Turtles Adventure (Nov to Jun)
- Invite your friends, family or work colleagues to swim with the turtles (Nov to Jun)
- Option – Cruise to Tipplers for lunch
- Wildlife encounters on water and on land
- Research
- School or University Groups
- Spreading of ashes at sea
- Great for photographers and nature lovers
YOUR BOAT
Your will be on-board our primary vessel “Big Blue 1” an 8m long, semi-inflatable, rigid hull adventure boat with a capacity of 12 guests. Whilst spectators are more exposed to the elements, we have adjustable clears that provide protection from wind and rain if required. The vessel truly provides an incredibly intimate feel of closeness to the water. Due to its small size and quiet engines, whales love to check out our boat up close. Should the weather be against us on the day we will arrange a voucher for a return visit on a future date.
AVAILABILITY
- Our boats can be chartered any day of the week
- Weekends and public holidays incur a small surcharge
- Catering available on request
- Additional guides, staff are available on request
PRICING
- Big Blue 1 – 1/2 day from $1190 (max 12 people)
- Big Blue 1 – Full day from $2200 (max 12 people)
- Salty Kiss – 1/2 day from $1190 (max 10 people)
- Salty Kiss – Full day from $2200 (max 10 people)
BOOKINGS & PAYMENT
- Select a date
- Click on Book Now
- Optional – Add any Whale Swimmers
- Enter your personal details
- Enter promo code or voucher code if you have one
- Check-out and receive our booking confirmation via email
- A small booking fee is charged by the system provider on check-out
MEETING POINT
- Meet us at Aqua Adventures (previously Southport Fish and Dive Centre) 95 Marina Parade, Southport.
- Your confirmation email and reminder emails will include a map and a hyperlink for directions.
- Please be on time (15min prior) as we have to depart on time.
- And don’t forget our Eco Cruise Gold Coast above!
