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Noosa Ocean Tour & Dolphin Safari

Ninety minutes on the water off Noosa, eyes peeled for dolphins.

A 90-minute scenic ocean tour out of Tewantin along Noosa's stretch of the Sunshine Coast, with dolphin-spotting the main event. Short and salty.

📍 Noosa ⏱ 1 Hour, 30 Minutes 👥 Up to 12 🔥 Active 🎂 Ages 7+

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$89 AUD

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Booked with Wanderlust, an Australian travel business based in Byron Bay (ABN 34 636 612 523). We handle your booking ourselves, before and after you travel.

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Overview

Noosa from the water is a different place: the headland, the beaches and the Sunshine Coast running off into the haze, all seen from the ocean side looking back. This is a short, sharp 90-minute run in a rigid inflatable boat with a maximum of 12 passengers in six rows of two, so every seat is a window seat. It's crewed by a father and son skipper team, and the waters off Noosa are home to over 200 resident dolphins.

You check in at Noosa Marina in Tewantin half an hour before departure, in front of the marina bar where the ferry leaves, under the big sign. After the skipper's welcome briefing and a life jacket fitting, it's a scenic cruise down the Noosa River to the mouth, then out and around the Noosa National Park headland, past Hells Gates and the surf beaches. The dolphin-spotting stop is between the national park and Sunshine Beach, with everyone on board scanning the swell. Dolphins are wild and keep their own schedule, so nothing is promised, but that's the hunt. Sea turtles show up too, and humpbacks pass through in the winter months.

Spray jackets are handed out when conditions call for them; you bring sunscreen, beach clothes and a water bottle. It's a fast boat with saddle-style seats, so it's not recommended for pregnant women or anyone with back or spinal injuries, and kids need to be tall enough to sit securely. Everyone signs a waiver, with a guardian signing for anyone 15 or under. Tours run subject to tide, weather and minimum numbers.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    90 minutes on the water from Noosa Marina

  2. 2

    RIB boat, max 12, every seat a window seat

  3. 3

    Noosa River to the ocean, round the national park

  4. 4

    Hells Gates from the water

  5. 5

    Dolphin stop off Sunshine Beach

  6. 6

    Over 200 resident dolphins in these waters

  7. 7

    Father and son skippers

Itinerary at a glance

1 30 min before · Check in at Noosa Marina

Meet in front of the marina bar at Noosa Marina, Parkyn Court, Tewantin, where the ferry departs, under the big sign. Sign the waiver, get fitted for a life jacket and hear the skipper's briefing.

1 On the river · Cruise to the river mouth

A scenic run down the Noosa River past Noosaville and Noosa Heads to the bar at the mouth.

1 On the ocean · Round the headland and Hells Gates

Out and around the Noosa National Park headland past the bays and Hells Gates, with the surf beaches seen from the ocean side.

1 Dolphin stop · Scan the swell off Sunshine Beach

The boat slows between the national park and Sunshine Beach where the resident dolphins are most often found, then runs back up the river to the marina.

What's included

✓ What's included

  • 90-minute ocean tour in a rigid inflatable boat
  • Life jackets for everyone on board
  • Spray jacket when conditions call for it
  • Welcome briefing from the skipper
  • Scenic cruise down the Noosa River and around the Noosa National Park headland
  • Dolphin-spotting stop between the national park and Sunshine Beach
  • Small group, maximum of 12 on board

✕ Not included

  • ✕Water bottle (bring your own)
  • ✕Sunscreen (bring your own)
  • ✕Binoculars and camera (bring your own)
  • ✕Transport to Noosa Marina, Tewantin

Common questions about this trip

  • Where do I check in and how early?
    At Noosa Marina, Parkyn Court, Tewantin, in front of the marina bar where the ferry departs. There's a big sign. Arrive half an hour before your departure time to sign the waiver and get fitted with a life jacket.

  • What should I bring and will I get wet?
    Sunscreen, beach clothes and a water bottle, plus a camera or binoculars if you want them. How wet you get depends on the sea conditions on the day; spray jackets are handed out when needed, and expect some spray in your face. That's half the fun.

  • Can I come if I'm pregnant or have a bad back?
    No. The operator does not recommend the tour for pregnant women, even in the first trimester, or for anyone with back or spinal injuries. It's a fast boat with saddle-style seats.

  • Can kids come?
    Yes, as long as they're tall enough to sit securely in the saddle-style seats and fit a life jacket. Everyone signs a waiver, and a guardian signs for anyone 15 or under. The minimum age is set by the operator's insurer, so check when you book.

  • What if I get seasick?
    The operator says it's unlikely on this tour, but if you're prone to seasickness take a preventative before you board. It's 90 minutes, and a good chunk of that is on the sheltered river.

  • What happens in bad weather?
    All tours are subject to tide, weather conditions and minimum numbers, and the captain can refuse anyone on safety grounds. If the operator cancels for weather you're offered a seat on the next available tour or a full refund.

  • Are dolphins guaranteed?
    No. They're wild, and the operator doesn't promise sightings. The odds are good: over 200 dolphins live in these waters and the crew knows where they hang out, with calves often riding alongside the boat. Sea turtles turn up too, and humpback whales pass through in the winter months.

  • How do I get to Tewantin from Noosa Heads?
    Noosa Marina is on the river at Tewantin, a few kilometres upstream from Noosa Heads. Transport isn't included, so allow time to get there and check in 30 minutes before departure.

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    Cancel by phone 48 hours or more before departure for a credit or full refund. No-shows are charged the full price. If the operator cancels for weather or unforeseen circumstances, you are offered a seat on the next tour or a full refund. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf.

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What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"What a great way to start ya day. We went out and before long we were on the whales. It was amazing and on the way back we also came across dolphins. Great guide and great experience."
b

biddie r

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Fantastic experience , both the ride and seeing whales. Followed 3 - Mum, calf and minder for over an hour. Exhilarating."
K

Ken H

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Our guide was knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. … The boat is comfortable, tidy and fit for purpose. We saw lots of whales, they were beautiful. Definitely recommend the experience."
e

enjoykai

Tripadvisor review

Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.

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