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Daintree River 'Dawn' Cruise with the Daintree Boatman

5 (168)

Daintree, AU

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Start your day with a captivating cruise on the mighty Daintree river. Join this 2-hour journey of discovery as you explore the main river and its tributaries in search of iconic wildlife. Witness rare bird species like kingfishers, herons, and frogmouth, alongside crocodiles and snakes. The dawn cruise showcases the breathtaking beauty of the river at its most serene, with the boat gliding effortlessly along the smooth waters. With a maximum of only 10 passengers, this intimate experience allows for personalized attention from the professional guide. What sets this cruise apart is the unique 'hybrid' vessel, featuring both a regular outboard motor and an incredible electric motor, ensuring minimal disturbance and providing outstanding views of the wildlife. Departing from the charming Daintree Village, this is an unforgettable adventure for nature lovers and photographers alike.

About this experience

Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
Admission Included
2 hours
Suitable for 1-10 Participants
Small Group Tour, Private Tour
Guided Experience

Highlights

Journey of discovery exploring the Daintree river
Spotting highly sought-after birds like kingfishers and herons
Opportunity to see crocodiles and snakes in their natural habitat
Picturesque and serene river cruise at dawn
Customized experience for a maximum of 10 passengers

Included

Driver/guide

Not included

Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the magic of the Daintree River with the captivating 'Dawn' Cruise, a two-hour journey that brings you up close and personal with the incredible wildlife and serene beauty of this majestic region. As the sun begins to paint the horizon, embark on an adventure like no other, exploring the main river and its winding tributaries in search of iconic creatures, from magnificent birds like kingfishers and herons to mesmerizing reptiles like crocodiles and snakes. The cruise takes place in the early hours, immersing you in the tranquility of the Daintree River's smooth waters and breathtaking landscapes. With its hybrid vessel powered by both an electric motor and a regular outboard, the cruise offers a unique opportunity to observe wildlife up close, without disturbing their natural habitat.

What to expect?

During the 'Dawn' Cruise on the Daintree River, you can anticipate an enchanting and immersive experience in nature. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you will journey deep into the heart of the Daintree rainforest, where the river meanders through peaceful farmland before delving into the lush confines of the rainforest. Along the way, keep a keen eye out for striking bird species such as frogmouths and egrets, as well as elusive crocodiles and snakes. The cruise’s intimate setting accommodates a maximum of 10 passengers, ensuring a personalized tour tailored to your interests. Witness the river in all its splendor as the first rays of sunlight illuminate the surrounding flora and fauna, creating an unforgettable ambiance that sets the tone for the rest of your day.

Who is this for?

The 'Dawn' Cruise on the Daintree River is a remarkable experience suitable for anyone seeking a profound connection with nature. Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast, a photography lover, or simply in search of tranquility, this cruise offers an ideal opportunity to immerse yourself in the serenity of one of the world's oldest rainforests. Nature lovers of all ages will appreciate the chance to encounter the abundant wildlife and experience the stunning landscapes that the Daintree River has to offer. By catering to individual interests and offering an intimate setting, this cruise ensures a memorable adventure for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.

Why book this?

The 'Dawn' Cruise on the Daintree River stands out from other tours due to its unique selling points and exceptional advantages. With a maximum capacity of just 10 passengers, this small-group experience ensures a personalized and engaging journey. The hybrid vessel, powered by an electric motor and regular outboard, allows for a peaceful and eco-friendly exploration of the river, providing unparalleled views of wildlife without disturbing their natural habitat. Led by a professional guide well-versed in the region's flora and fauna, this cruise offers a wealth of knowledge and insights, heightening the overall experience and making it truly unforgettable. Embark on this enchanting adventure and witness the beauty of the Daintree River at its most tranquil and picturesque.

Good to know

When booking the 'Dawn' Cruise on the Daintree River, keep in mind that the tour departs from the public boat ramp in Daintree Village. This charming village is located on the south side of the river, approximately 45 minutes away from Port Douglas. The total duration of the cruise is 120 minutes, providing ample time to fully immerse yourself in the surrounding wilderness. The boat ramp is conveniently situated beside Riverview Lodge & Van Park, just 150 meters downhill from the Daintree Village Hotel. Prepare to embark on a journey unlike any other, where the beauty of nature unfolds before your eyes, leaving a lasting impression of awe and serenity.

Reviews

Passengers who have experienced the 'Dawn' Cruise on the Daintree River have shared overwhelmingly positive feedback. Many praised the intimate setting of the cruise, allowing for a personalized and engaging experience. The knowledgeable and friendly guides were frequently mentioned, adding depth and insight to the journey. Reviewers also commended the hybrid vessel's ability to provide exceptional views of wildlife without causing disturbance. The picturesque and serene atmosphere of the early morning cruise left passengers mesmerized, with many noting the breathtaking beauty of the Daintree River. Overall, customers expressed their satisfaction, describing the trip as a captivating and unforgettable adventure that truly connects them with nature.

About this product

How long before the event do I need to book?

You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

At least one adult or senior required per booking

Meeting point & End point

Daintree Village boat ramp, beside Riverview Lodge & Van Park, 150m downhill from the Daintree Village Hotel

Daintree Public Boat Ramp, Riverview Caravan Park, 2 Stewart St, Daintree QLD 4873, AU

Your Itinerary

Daintree Boatman Wildlife Cruises

Start your day with a cruise on the mighty Daintree river. This 2 hour cruise takes you on journey of discovery exploring the main river and its tributaries in search of iconic wildlife including crocodiles, birds and snakes. The dawn cruise showcases the river at is most picturesque and serene as the boat travels along the smooth waters of the Daintree river. The river meanders through tranquil farmland and into the bounds of the Daintree rainforest from its freshwater origins into the saline tributaries to explore the mangroves and surrounds. The small boat allows for up to 10 passengers to experience the river in comfort with a professional guide to personalise the experience. Tours depart from the Daintree Village boat ramp.

Admission Included

Additional information

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Recommended to bring a hat and jacket for weather protection
Vessel is roofless but has a dual Bimini roof that can be erected in inclement conditions

Reviews

(168)

5 (168)

Matthew H

Our family of four had a fantastic early morning cruise with Murray on the Daintree river. He has a great knowledge of the River, the wildlife in the river and the wildlife along the river bank and how it all works in nature. Murray can see things that you would normally miss. The boat is great, the addition of the electric motor means you glide along with no noise giving you a better experience on the river. We would love the chance to have another river cruise with the Daintree boatman again .

Trek01070280468

I had done the river cruise before and always enjoyed it. This time we took German family on the dawn cruise with the Boatman. It was outstanding. Murray's knowledge about the river, animals, fauna and history was amazing. He knew where to look for the crocs and we ended up having Barrett, the 4.5mt long resident croc swimming next to us for about 200mt. It was once in a lifetime. Saw more crocs, snakes. Incredible birds and Murray's running comment. Our German family was in absolute awe. Thank you for an unbelievable morning and a river cruise none of us will forget. 11 out of 10.

Q8843ORsarahc

We were able to take the dawn and evening tour with Murray, both of which I recommend if you have the time. If you are in Daintree, tours are probably the number one activity so I recommend spending as much time as possible on the river. Both cruises were very unique because the river is at totally different heights from the morning to evening. One thing that stayed consistent was Murray’s knowledge of the flora and fauna, and the comfort of the boat. Having also taken a tour with a different operator, I can say you will appreciate the small group sizes and comfortable boat offered by Murray. Everyone was able to view the wildlife. On our tours we were fortunate enough to see a wide variety of birds (the keen birders were quite excited) as well as fruit bats, tree snakes, a python, and several crocs. In the morning, the crocs were swimming quite close to the boat. In the evening, they were sitting out in the sun, as expected.

BevButler

A great cruise despite the weather - Murray managed to make it enjoyable in a rainstorm. His spotting skills were incredible so we got to see some very special birds, crocodiles and a snake. Highly recommended.

CasagrandeT

Murray is the best! He loves this river and all that call it home. He knows every bird and call, he's on top. We had the best trip seeing the Crocs, there was a feast for them and it was really exciting to see them move about. We saw 7 which is really rare. Lots of birds to enjoy as well. I wish I would have done the night tour as well.

Travel4me070

My husband and I recently did the early morning cruise with the Daintree Boatman. We saw lots of birds during the cruise and Murray was very informative about all the different species. We saw one crocodile resting on the bank of the river. The scenery was awesome and it was very peaceful travelling up and down the river. The cruise was enjoyed by both of us.

Chris_Sykes

Murray is a thorough professional who shares his local and birding knowledge in an interesting and informative way. The boat itself is extremely comfortable for a small group. Murray is sensitive to the needs of photographers and maneuvered the vessel to try to get the best angle for certain shots. We were a family group ranging in age from 10 to 79 and all of us really enjoyed the experience.

Jackodwod

After getting up at 4:30 AM in Port Douglas to make it to Daintree Village for a 6:30 boat trip I had my fingers crossed that the weather would stay favorable. I was not disappointed. With only small numbers on the boat there was perfect 360 degree views. Murray hunted high & low up & down the river & his commentary was expert & informative both about the birds & the river environment. We nailed an extensive list of birds including sundry kingfishers & a chase after a great- billed Heron. It was an excellent way to start the day . My only regret is I was also booked for the afternoon sunset cruise but circumstances contrived to force me to cancel. I would not hesitate to do this trip when I am in the area again. Note the photos were taken with my point & shoot camera and are not included for their artistic merit

jh177

Unfortunately our cruise was cancelled due to recent flooding in the area; we were really looking forward to this! I wish there were another company that offered a comparable birdwatching experience based on reviews! I left a 5-star rating as there is no option to leave this blank.

482clayn

We had a wonderful experience with Murray on our Daintree River cruise! The small group (6) and nimble boat, along with Murray’s encyclopedic knowledge and spot-on instincts for finding wildlife, made it an unforgettable tour. Though it was not prime croc-spotting season, he found two, along with two beautiful Common/Green Tree Snakes (how he spotted them I can’t fathom). He also located and identified a large number of birds for the hard-core birders that made up most of our tour group.

Collected by Evendo & our supplier partners

2024-06-20 12:32