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Turtle Discovery & Great Sandy Marine Park Adventure

4.5 (123)
Urangan, AU
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Turtle Discovery & Great Sandy Marine Park Adventure

4.5 (123)
Urangan, AU
Share
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Experience the magic of the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park on a thrilling Turtle Discovery & Cultural Ecotour. Embark on a journey guided by a knowledgeable Butchulla man, gaining a unique perspective on this stunning ecosystem. Hop aboard our Milbi vessel, the most steady of the bay, and enjoy the comfort of glass panels as you marvel at the colorful coral reefs beneath the water's surface. Whether you choose to snorkel or view from the boat, you'll encounter an array of marine wonders, from playful dolphins to majestic turtles and possibly even a reef shark or dugong. Explore Round Island, savor a delicious lunch, and immerse yourself in Indigenous cultural stories. With four hours of adventure and relaxation, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should not be missed. Book your Turtle Discovery & Cultural Ecotour today and create lifelong memories in the Great Sandy Marine Park.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 4 hours
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Private Tour, Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Explore the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park
  • Experience Indigenous culture with a Welcome to Country
  • Snorkel and see coral reefs, fish, turtles, dolphins
  • Cruise on the Milbi and learn Butchulla history
  • Enjoy a relaxing time with a healthy lunch on Round Island
  • Snacks
  • Coffee and/or tea
  • National Park fees
  • Snorkelling Waiver sign online: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/jjk7f4t3xw2xlmxxsufrcc/web/
  • All activities
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Drinks
  • No Pickups
  • No lunch
  • No indigenous guide
  • snorkeling is optional at an extra $10 per set payable on check in.

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More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the wonders of the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park like never before with the Great Sandy Marine Park, Turtle Discovery & Cultural Ecotour. This unique tour takes you on a journey through the eyes of a Butchulla man, offering an indigenous perspective on the marine park. Step aboard the Milbi vessel, which is not only the most steady boat in Hervey Bay, but also the largest glass bottom boat in Australia.

What to expect?

Prepare for four hours of marine adventures as you explore the diverse ecosystem of the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park. With snorkeling equipment provided, you'll have the chance to get up close and personal with the marine life, including fish habitats, turtles, dolphins, and possibly even a reef shark or dugong. For those who prefer to stay dry, the glass panels on the boat allow for a comfortable viewing experience of the coral reefs without getting in the water. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to explore Round Island and indulge in a healthy lunch and snacks.

Who is this for?

This tour is perfect for anyone who wants to experience the marine wonders of the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park, while also gaining insight into the indigenous culture of the Butchulla people. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a snorkeling aficionado, or simply looking for a unique cultural experience, this tour caters to a diverse range of interests. All ages and skill levels are welcome, making it a great activity for families, friends, and solo travelers alike.

Why book this?

Unlike other tours in Hervey Bay, the Great Sandy Marine Park, Turtle Discovery & Cultural Ecotour stands out as the only indigenous experience available. Led by a knowledgeable Butchulla guide, this tour provides a deeper understanding of the marine park's significance from a cultural perspective. Furthermore, the Milbi vessel offers unmatched stability and comfort, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey. The glass bottom boat feature allows everyone to fully appreciate the vibrant coral reefs, even if they choose not to snorkel. With a focus on wildlife spotting, snorkeling, and cultural storytelling, this tour guarantees an unforgettable and enriching experience.

Good to know

To make the most of this tour, remember to bring your swimsuit, sunscreen, and a hat. The tour departs from the Marina, with no set itinerary, allowing for a flexible and personalized experience based on tides, weather, and wildlife activity. Indulge in a healthy lunch during the tour while taking in the stunning surroundings. The tour's meeting and end point is conveniently located opposite Cafe Balaena, making it easily accessible for all participants.

Reviews

Reviews from previous participants rave about the amazing sights and experiences provided by the Great Sandy Marine Park, Turtle Discovery & Cultural Ecotour. Travelers were thrilled with the opportunity to snorkel among vibrant coral reefs, spot turtles, dolphins, and other marine life, and learn about the cultural heritage of the Butchulla people through Dreamtime stories. The knowledgeable and friendly guides were also praised for their captivating storytelling and deep connection to the marine park. Overall, reviews highlight the tour's unique blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and natural beauty, making it a must-do experience in Hervey Bay.

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

Your Itinerary

Great Sandy National Park

We depart the Marina with no set itinerary, we travel with what the tides, weather and wildlife have to offer on the day. Our top priority is to offer the best experience for you to spot wildlife, snorkel, enjoy and relax. We stop at one or all three islands: Weenandin (Round Island), Tooliewah (Big Woody Island) and Pelican Banks. Here you will be received by a warm Welcome to Country and you will enjoy a healthy lunch. A unique cultural experience not to be missed while in Hervey Bay.

Hervey Bay

(Pass by)

You will see the iconic pier of Hervey Bay while cruising on board of the Milbi. Enjoy the scenery of the bay, learn its Butchulla history directly from your Indigenous guide, all through beautiful Dremtime stories.

Reviews

(123)

4.5 (123)

sherry_a

we had a great time aboard few things out of there control was a lil bit of a let down but we can't control the weather overall was a great day out on the water crew are super nice ppl lunch was fresh was a great day definitely would book again to get the full experience next time thanks again team great job

342franb

I have visited K'gari several times but had no idea the Great Sandy Straits offered so much more. A great tour with good lunch and very interesting islands to visit with great swimming as well. Loved it!

U6739HQenricot

We had such a wonderful day on this tour. Our tour guide Jo and the skipper were both excellent. Jo was very friendly and had wonderful stories to tell including the traditional story of how K’gari came to exist and where the traditional name came from. He also gave us a demonstration on how to play the didgeridoo which was fantastic! The boat ride was beautiful and we spent about an hour on Pelican Island snorkelling. We managed to see a few dolphins and a couple of turtles too which was lovely. There was only about 15 of us on the boat which was very comfortable and we had plenty of space to move around. I would definitely recommend this your 😊

Danielle M

Despite all odds the Captain and cultural guide Travis made it a memorable experience. The weather was rough so we couldn’t stop on one of the islands and we had rain - ponchos were supplied 😄 but the Captain skippered us safely through the turbulent waters. We saw two dolphins and some reef fish at the island we stopped at. I would suggest that marine life is not guaranteed on this tour. However, Travis absolutely made the experience worth it. His cultural knowledge of the region including cool uses for some local flora and a whistling shell which the family have had so much fun with since. Even the 15 year old said he would love to spend a weekend walkabout with Travis to learn more! I agreed! Great memories made!

Turva81

I chose this tour for my family to do together on my birthday as I had heard great things, and we were not disappointed! The weather was spectacular, Aaron was so down to earth and vibrant with sharing his culture and the time spent on the beach was great. As a bonus we saw some great wildlife - including a mother and baby whale swimming past as a special gift. Highly recommend.

S1109SYaprilw

We booked this tour as it also included Indigenous component . The First Nations employee was ill so we island hopped, snorkelled and walked around an island. We saw sea turtles and a shovel head shark. Waters were clear , the skipper at Jacky were great hosts, the whole experience was wonderful. Jacky went out of her way to organise an Indigenous walking experience for us the following day free of charge . Aaron was an incredibly knowledgeable First Nations local man who shared his knowledge of culture, plants species and the land. We loved it so much and thank him for coming in just for us. We highly recommend this tour centre for down to earth customer service , knowledge and local adventures . Thanks you from the Victorians.Tony & April.xx

sandrajE2809UA

Travis and John were very knowledgeable and great guides. Although we didn't see a lot of marine life, we all loved the experience.

NZPantha

An amazing day, we had a group of 7 with the oldest being 91 and the youngest being 8 all had a great time

carlie1981

Amazing staff the tour guide had amazing knowledge super friendly such good vibes. Go when the weather is warm and high tides for best experience. Good relaxing day out.

Daveboy66

Unfortunately the weather was against us so we were unable to snorkel, saw no turtles, no dolphins and no dugongs! However, this was more than compensated for by our marvellous guide (Tiga??) who entertained us with ‘First Nations’ stories and folklaw, as well as some traditional dance and didgeridoo playing on Round Island. A great experience. Good value for money. Thanks for a fun outing. David and Irene.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-25 17:01