boat cruise yeppoon

THE 5 BEST Yeppoon Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in yeppoon.

• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Hidden Gems
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Funtastic Cruises

2. Sail Capricornia

3. Causeway Hire Boat

4. Hooked Fishing Charters

5. Double Threat Charters Yeppoon

What travellers are saying.

• Funtastic Cruises
• Sail Capricornia
• Hooked Fishing Charters
• Double Threat Charters Yeppoon
• Causeway Hire Boat

Keppel Bay Islands

Tours, day trips, snorkeling, cruises

Keppel Bay is a broad sweep of water off the central Queensland coast from Curtis Island to Corio Bay. The picturesque Capricorn Coast, with its townships of Yeppoon, Emu Park and Keppel Sands, fronts the bay.

Access to the islands is by boat only. Boat launch facilities and charters are available from Rosslyn Bay Harbour with secure parking available nearby. It is also possible to arrange transport to the national park islands from Great Keppel Island.

Keppel Bay is studded with islands. The two largest islands, Great Keppel (1454ha) and North Keppel (627ha), are surrounded by 16 smaller islands and several prominent rocky outcrops. Keppel Bay Islands National Park includes 13 islands, although it does not include Great Keppel Island. Barren and Peak islands form the Keppel Bay Islands National Park (Scientific). Steep hills and cliffs, which plunge into the sea, are features of the islands but there are also sheltered bays and quiet sandy beaches. Vegetation ranges from open grassland and heathland to tall, shady forests and dense, low rainforests.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park surrounds the Keppel Bay islands. Together they form part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the world’s largest reef and island system. It is of exceptional beauty and biological diversity, protecting many endangered animals and plants.

Day trips to the Keppel Bay Islands operate from the Keppel Bay Marina at Rosslyn Harbour. The Keppel Explorer Tours offer a comprehensive cruise to many of the islands and includes history and marine education, snorkeling and lunch.

• Great Keppel Island Hopping (5-in-) Adventure Tour

Great Barrier Reef & Great Keppel Island Tours, Snorkelling with turtles, secluded beaches, immersive experiences & 100% FUN!

The vip keppel experience.

Great Keppel Island Day Tour: The Keppel Explorer is the most comprehensive, #1 rated scenic boat tour island hopping around The Keppel Islands. Departing daily from the mainland at Keppel Bay Marina touring  Great Keppel Island  and beyond, “Explorers” will see more, do more & explore more than anyone else – Guaranteed! Cruise to pristine, secluded beaches and uninhabited islands with stunning natural scenery brimming with marine, bird and animal life. Our small group, exclusive boat tours are the only way to visit many of the Keppel Islands secret spots and the only circumnavigating boat tour around Great Keppel Island. We operate our daily Great Keppel Island Explorer .

Great Keppel Island Tours

Why tour with us? The best and only way to see the islands is by water and so the Keppel Explorer was conceived to help travellers make the most of their holiday to Great Keppel Island. Historically, the only way to access the other islands and remote parts of GKI was limited to locals who bring their own boats. So, we brought a 12 seat sightseeing boat just for you! Oh, and we personalise and customise every tour to your needs in a small group. We also provide you something no other operator offers; an all-in-one Island hopping tour exploring secluded locations & circumnavigating Great Keppel Island…as well as snorkelling with turtles and colourful coral away from the crowds! This tour was made just for you!

Scenic Cruising, Immersive experiences & Time on the Islands

Your tour includes time on secluded islands, beaches, secret locations & as much snorkelling as you can handle.

Smaller boat, smaller groups

The Explorer has only 12 seats so you’ll receive a more personalised, tailored experience and access the normally inaccessible secret spots.

Local Island Guide

Our Skipper has the local knowledge to show you the best of The Keppels given the conditions on the day.

Great Keppel Island Hopping (5-IN-1) Adventure Tour: Islands, Beaches, Reef, Snorkelling and Lunch

Hidden treasures.

Secret beaches, sea caves, surf, seclusion – the ONLY way to explore it all is on the Keppel Explorer! Jump on for an exhilarating and scenic adventure around the islands on an epic tour of discovery, sightseeing, relaxation and photo opportunities like no other.

So much to explore! Get photos at secluded swim/snorkel locations where no other tourists can go. Be an adventurer – Be on the Explorer!

So much to explore

More islands.

18 Islands, so much to explore!

Stunning Beaches

Voted in the top 10 beaches in Queensland

Secret Coves

Coves & caves.

There’s something to discover around every corner

Where to find us?

Keppel Bay Marina Waterline Way Rosslyn Bay (Yeppoon) Click here to view on map

Keppel Explorer Tours

• GIFT VOUCHERS

COVID INFORMATION

• SECURITY CAR PARKING
• ISLAND TRANSFERS
• ADVENTURE CRUISES
• COMBO CRUISE
• CORAL LUNCH CRUISE

GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TOUR

• SNORKELLING
• WALKING TRACKS
• WATER SPORTS HUT

GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND

glass bottom boat tour

Wonders of the reef.

Freedom Fast Cats’ glass-bottom boat tour is a quiet, relaxed alternative for those wishing to view the wonders of the reef and spectacular marine life without even getting their feet wet.

This cruise includes a glass bottom boat coral viewing tour, along with insight into the history of Great Keppel Island.

The remainder of the day is spent on Great Keppel Island. Swim in Keppel’s crystal clear waters, browse the Tropical Vibes Souvenir shop, purchase some lunch, or simply laze on the white sands soaking up the sun. Activities on Great Keppel Island will keep you busy!

PRICES (PER PERSON)

Adults:  $94 Children (4-14 yrs):  $60 Infants (3 yrs & under): Free Family pass (2 adults, 2 children 4-14 Yrs):  $259

Location: Pier One, John Howes Drive, Rosslyn Bay (or ) Great Keppel Island Meeting Point: Fisherman’s Beach, Great Keppel Island

Glass Bottom Boat Tour duration 1 hour (time dependant on tides – remainder of day spent on Great Keppel Island)

GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TOUR BOOKINGS

CRUISE CALENDAR

FREEDOM FAST CATS

• Return ferry transfer to Great Keppel Island
• 1 hour glass bottom boat tour
• Free time on Great Keppel Island

This cruise does not include snorkelling, boomnetting or any meals.

Cancellation Policy

• A full refund will be issued to the customer if Freedom Fast Cats cancel the cruise due to weather conditions
• If the customer cancels within 48 hours of departure, Freedom Fast Cats can provide a full refund
• If the customer cancels within 48 hours of departure, Freedom Fast Cats is not obliged to provide a refund

Terms and conditions

• Bookings are required for this cruise
• Infants free of charge – must be 3 yrs or younger
• Child price – must be aged between 4 and 14
• Family price – children must be aged between 4 and 14 to receive discount

how to get here

HOW TO GET TO FREEDOM FAST CATS, ROSSLYN BAY…

Tropical Luxury Cars Yeppoon – Offer door to door service in their luxury 6 person Mercedes van or for that special event they can offer a pink limousine. Furthermore, TLC can meet your air and rail connections. Contact phone 0421 209 620 or email [email protected]

Book A Bus Yeppoon – Kelly can collect large families or groups in her 11-seater bus directly from your accommodation and have you at our doorstep before your departure time. Contact Kelly on 0466 575 654 or alternatively via email [email protected]

Youngs Bus Service – Youngs Bus Service departs near most accommodation places on the Capricorn Coast and Rockhampton. To plan your connection head to the Translink website journey planner  https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/journey-planner . Your end location will be Vin E Jones Dr near John Howes Dr HnR, Rosslyn. Phone (07) 4922 3813

Taxi Cab – Black and White Cabs on 133 222

Cap Coast Storage not only can store your car and van overnight, but they also offer a shuttle bus service that can collect you from your accommodation and bring you to our doorstep. Contact them on 0488 004 785 or via [email protected]

Bicycle Paths  – The Capricorn Coast has an extensive pathway system. The coastal path stemming from Yeppoon through to NRMA Capricorn Yeppoon Holiday Park in Mulambin and provides linkage to us here at the harbour. If you do not have your own mode of transportation, our shire has now introduced Neuron electric scooter hire which stems from Yeppoon to our front door in Rosslyn Bay! Ask your host where the nearest location is to find the hire e-scooters and then download Neuron’s user-friendly app from Apple or Google app stores and you’ll be on your way in a matter of minutes. For information head to https://scootsafe.com/ to learn about the local riding rules and to check our their instructional videos.

Please read our full COVID Response here

glass bottom boat tours

PLAN YOUR TRIP

ferry transfers & cruises

p 07 4933 6244

Keppel Bay Marina

Rosslyn Bay, Capricorn Coast

Our office doors are OPEN for business 8am-5pm 7days

Booking essential, book online or call 4933 6244 Chandlery Orders & Brokerage Enquiries 0459 336 244 or email. 

Featured Boats for Sale

HONEYMOON 33

KELLICK SEDAN CRUISER 2000

AU $119,000 - SOLD HUGE PRICE REDUCTION

FAIRWAY FLYBRIDGE CRUISER 2004

$179,000 SOLD

COUGAR CAT exCHARTER FISHING VESSEL

$95,000 SOLD SOLD

BENTEAU OCEANIS 321

$86,000 SOLD

LEISURECAT 9000 Profisher 2005

AU $135,000 SOLD

ROBERTS 40 SPRAY

News & events, covid-19 updates.

February 2022 With COVID currently present within our community here in Queensland we have implemented Covid Safe procedures at Keppel Bay Marina… 

250th Anniversary of James Cook in Keppel Bay

COMMEMORATION of the 250th ANNIVERSARY of CAPTAIN JAMES COOK’S visit to KEPPEL BAY aboard HMB ENDEAVOUR Most people have heard of, and… 

2019 Whale Watching Cruise and Lunch Package

Freedom Fast Cats in partnership with The Waterline Restaurant are pleased to announce a Whale Watching Cruise and Lunch Package for the… 

The Waterline Wins Again

The Waterline Restaurant at Keppel Bay Marina has won the Café Dining NQ category at the 2018 Queensland & Northern Territory Savour… 

Affectionately known as “the jewel of the Capricorn Coast” for its picture-perfect beaches, stunning nature walks and access to 27 islands including Great Keppel.

This hidden gem in Queensland’s crown of picture-perfect beachside destinations, Yeppoon is perfectly suited to the traveller chasing those insta-worthy holiday snapshots without the crowds. Jump on a day cruise and discover picturesque coral reefs, private coves and the secluded beaches and crystal-clear waters of Great Keppel Island.

PICTURED: “KEPPEL KRAKEN” WATER PLAY FEATURE, YEPPOON FORESHORE

MOST POPULAR

Yeppoon experiences.

Great Keppel Island Snorkelling Day Trip with Lunch

Yeppoon, capricorn coast qld.

Experience the iconic Great Keppel Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef with this day tour departing Yeppoon, which includes lunch & a drink. Snorkel hire included.

 (4.7) 9 reviews

FROM AU$100

Capricorn Caves Cathedral Cave Tour

Rockhampton, capricorn coast qld.

Let your tour guide take you on a 45 minute journey through these mystical limestone caves where you’ll cross a suspension bridge, walk the zig zag passage and more.

FROM AU$37.50

Glass Bottom Boat Cruise

A quiet, relaxed alternative for those wishing to view the wonders of the reef and spectacular marine life without even getting their feet wet.

Great Barrier Reef Day Cruise

Enjoy a swim in the exclusive coves, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, walk the pristine beaches that the Keppel Islands have to offer, or paddle board in safe, calm waters. 

FROM AU$165

Full Day Adventure Cruise

Pack your day full of fun and exciting activities on Freedom Fast Cats’ adventure cruise to Great Keppel Island. This is your chance to go boomnetting and snorkelling.

FROM AU$159

Ferry Transfers between Pier One & Great Keppel Island

Freedom Fast Cats run ferry transfers to Great Keppel Island 7 days a week (excluding Christmas day). Departing Pier One, John Howes Drive, Rosslyn Bay.

Sunset Cruise

Whether you are looking for a romantic afternoon or just want to spend some quality time with friends, family or a corporate function, our sunset cruise is a truly spectacular way to unwind.

• Barrier Reef Australia
• Things To Do

Great Keppel Island Day Trip - Lunch - Snorkel Equipment Hire

Tour Code: 857

Departing: Yeppoon

Tour Highlights

• Take a ferry boat ride from Keppel Bay Marina in Yeppoon to visit Great Keppel Island for the day to snorkel and enjoy a lunch
• Wander the pretty bays and explore Great Keppel Island on a day tour that is dictated by yourself
• Snorkel gear is provided for you to explore the underwater world on the island and a burger lunch with a drink is also included in the snorkel tour package deal

Description & Tour Inclusions

Included in price.

• Boat transfer from Keppel Bay Marina to Great Keppel Island
• Snorkel gear hire to use at your leisure - Snorkel Equipment to be returned by 2.00pm
• Lunch 11.30am to 2.30pm (extended to 3:30pm on School Holidays) - option of burger Or Caesar salad and a drink of choice; either a XXXX Gold can, Great Northern Can, house wine or soft drink
• Lunch is included for children age 5 to 14, however infants (0 to 4) lunch need to be purchased if required ($10)

Departing from Keppel Bay Marina in Yeppoon on a ferry boat you can spend the day snorkelling around the beautiful bays on Great Keppel Island and enjoy a lunch and a glass of beer or wine with your day tour island package deal.

How To Get to Great Keppel Island for a Day Tour

Drive from  Rockhampton  to  Yeppoon  and then onto Rosslyn Bay (40klms).

Take the Yeppoon-Rockhampton turnoff from the Bruce Highway

A 30 minute drive will have you in beautiful Yeppon and the  Capricorn Coast .

Turn right and after a short 10 minute drive you will see the Rosslyn Bay Harbour turnoff.

You must pre-book your ferry boat tickets

It’s also a good idea to pre-book your secure car space at Great Keppel Island Security Car Park on 07 4933 6670 

Great Keppel Island Snorkel Tour and Lunch Deal

Our Yeppoon ferry boat services are the most comfortable and fast way to visit beautiful Great Keppel Island in the Capricorn region of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. 

Bookings for our Great Keppel Island snorkel tour and lunch deal must be pre-booked as we cannot accept last minute bookings due to catering requirements.

For our 7 days a week, twice daily departures from Keppel Bay Marina, please check in at the Keppel Konnections office, located in the carpark next to the Waterline Restaurant/Keppel Bay Marina building, at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure.

Over special events and peak holiday seasons we may add on extra services to the Great Keppel Island timetable schedule. 

Transfers across to the island take approximately 30 minutes so sit back relax and enjoy the wonderful scenery.

We make our way over to Great Keppel Island from the Keppel Bay Marina, dropping you directly on the picturesque Fishermans Beach. From here, make your way to our beachfront Watersports and Activities hut to collect your snorkelling equipment and head to the nearest reef directly off Shelving Beach or Monkey Beach.

The Hideaway Bar & Bistro serve lunch between 11:30am - 2:30pm and your day trip includes anything off the lunch menu including a beer, wine or softdrink. Childrens lunch tickets are from the childrens menu.

Whilst on Great Keppel Island your snorkel hire is yours up to 2.00pm so you can take a leisurely stroll to one of the beaches and snorkel away.

You will need to return you snorkel equipment to the watersports hut by 2.00pm and ensure you are on the beach in our drop-off/pick-up spot 10 minutes prior to your departure time for boarding!

Great Keppel Island Return Ferry Trip

For departures from Great Keppel Island please make your way to Fisherman's Beach at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure. 

Spend the day snorkeling any beach or bay of your choosing and enjoy a burger lunch and cold beverage between the hours of 11.30am to 2.30pm at Great Keppel Island Hideaway

Perfect Selfie

Share your selfie on our Facebook page and tag your best Instagram pics with #barrierreefaustralia for your chance to be featured.

What is There To Do On Great Keppel Island?

This is a question on so many tourists minds... When you visit Great Keppel Island you had better be prepared for some action and adventure as it a big island with lot's of exciting new places to discover.

Great Keppel Island offers expansive walking trails both inland and around the islands circumference.

You will encounter wetlands, scenic lookouts, secret coves and scenic beaches with coral reef outcrops for you to snorkel.

There is an historical homestead, an Aboriginal Shell Midden near Long Beach, big beautiful paperbark trees, wildlife and more.

There are shops on the island where you can buy food and drinks and hire beach equipment to explore to surrounding coral reefs on Great Keppel Island.  

Drive from Rockhampton to Yeppoon and then onto Rosslyn Bay (40klms).

A 30 minute drive will have you in beautiful Yeppon and the Capricorn Coast.

It’s also a good idea to pre-book your secure car space at Great Keppel Island Security Car Park on 07 4933 6670

Your trip to Great Keppel Island must be pre-booked.

Great Keppel Island Hideaway serves lunch between 11:30am - 2:30pm (extended to 3:30pm on School Holidays).

For lunch you can choose a burger option or a Caesar salad with a drink of your choice (XXXX Gold can, Great Northern Can, house wine or soft drink).

A child's ticket include lunch. Infants 0 to 4 travel free however if they require a lunch this is an extra $10.

Whilst on Great Keppel Island your snorkel hire is yours up to 3.00pm so you can take a leisurely stroll to one of the beaches and snorkel away.

For departures from Great Keppel Island please make your way to Fisherman's Beach at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure. 

There are two departure times available 2.30pm or 4.00pm - please let us know at time of booking which departure time would suit you best.

Tour Details

Tour languages offered.

Departs From

Departure time.

• Two possible departure times from Keppel Bay Marina: 7.30am or 9.00am
• Two possible return times leaving Great Keppel Island at 2.30pm or 4.00pm

Departure Instructions

Check in 30 minutes prior to departure

Destinations

• Great Keppel Island

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Closed on Christmas Day

Full day tour 30 minutes to and from the island

Fitness Level Required

Additional information.

• Please note this not a guided tour
• Please note lunch is from 11.30pm to 2.30pm - (extended to 3:30pm on School Holidays)
• Snorkel Equipemt to be returned by 2.00pm

What to Bring

A soft bag with beach items not to exceed 23kg Excess baggage may incur an extra fee.

Child Policy

• Child age applies to children 5 to 14 - Lunch included
• Infants 0 to 4 travel free - Infants lunch can be purchased as an extra ($10)

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be in writing.

Please note that all cancellations will incur an administration fee.

Please see our  terms and conditions  for details prior to booking.

• All cruises are subject to sea and weather conditions in the interest of passenger safety.
• No refund offered if you change your mind however you can get a credit for a future date.

Prices are AUD, per adult and include all levies fees and taxes.

Child: au $40.00 Family: au $200.00

Choose Your Option

15 yrs & over

Ages of Children

(discounts may apply), 1300 231 118, +61 427 074 745, you may also like.

Full Day Sail Around Magnetic Island | From Townsville or Magnetic Island | RAG

Full day sail around Magnetic Island. Visit locations only accessible by boat. Small & personalised trip with 10 guests maximum. Departs from Townsville or Magnetic Island.

Departing: Townsville city

Scuba Dive Whitsundays - Snorkelling Whitsundays

Small group scuba diving tours Whitsundays. Departs Airlie Beach, maximum 8 guests on board, catering for experienced divers as well as beginners and snorkellers.

Departing: Airlie Beach

Charter Boat Port Douglas - 12 Guests - Diving - Snorkelling

Enjoy a private charter dive and snorkel tour from Port Douglas on a boat with crew to explore the Great Barrier Reef.

Departing: Port Douglas

Whitsundays Luxury Yacht Charter | 10-12 Guests | PleiadesII

Cruise the Whitsundays onboard this luxury 110ft charter yacht to snorkel, and explore the Great Barrier Reef in luxury.

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Eight passengers stranded on African island after Norwegian cruise ship left without them

A dream cruise vacation has turned into a nightmare for eight passengers left stranded on the African island of São Tomé and Príncipe after their ship left without them because they were late to return from a private tour.

The tourists — six from the U.S. and two from Australia — were aboard the Norwegian Dawn, a Norwegian cruise line ship , which departed from Cape Town, South Africa, on March 20 for a 21-day voyage up the coast of Africa set to end in Barcelona, Spain, on April 10.

But on Wednesday, the group of eight tourists was late to return to the ship by more than an hour for the all-aboard time of 3 p.m. from a private excursion on the island, which was not organized by the cruise line.

Jay and Jill Campbell of South Carolina were part of the group that was left behind.

They said that their tour’s operator notified the cruise captain that they were going to be late to rejoin the ship and that the local Coast Guard tried to get them on the vessel but that they weren’t allowed to board.

As a result, the couple and the rest of the group have been stranded for days on the island off Nigeria, grappling with language, currency issues and complicated travel to catch up with the ship.

“The lovely people of São Tomé were very gracious, very hospitable. They had reached out as much as they could to help us find hotels,” Jay Campbell said on NBC's "TODAY" show Tuesday morning.

“We were able to get to a tour agency there to arrange flights to the next port of call. ... Very difficult process — you’re dealing with multiple languages, language barriers, you’re dealing with different currencies ... finding someone that even has dollars ... trying to get an agent to understand where we need to get to.

"It’s one of those ‘You can’t get there from here,’" he added.

A Norwegian spokesperson called the incident a “very unfortunate situation” and said, “Guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time.”

The cruise line said that after the guests failed to return, their passports were delivered to local port agents, in line with protocol. The company said it was working with local authorities to understand “the requirements and visas needed for the guests to reboard the ship at the next available port of call.”

On Monday, the guests had made arrangements to rejoin the ship in Banjul, Gambia, but the ship was unable to safely dock there because of “adverse weather conditions” and “tidal restrictions,” Norwegian said. The guests were then contacted and provided with information to rejoin the ship at Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday. 

Jill Campbell said they traveled through seven countries in 48 hours to arrive in Senegal on Monday night.

But the couple was reconsidering whether they even wanted to return to the cruise.

"We are considering whether or not we are going to board the ship. It is in dock here in Senegal," she said. "We believe there was a basic duty of care that they had forgotten about, so it does concern us."

"After what we witnessed, we truly believe that although there’s a set of rules or policies that the ship may have followed, they followed those rules too rigidly. I believe that they really forgot that they are people working in the hospitality industry and really the safety and well-being of the customers should be their first priority," she added.

Ultimately, the eight passengers did rejoin the cruise before 8:30 a.m. ET Tuesday in Dakar, Senegal, Norwegian told NBC News in an e-mail Tuesday evening, after this story originally published.

Norwegian said the passengers were responsible for making their own travel arrangements to rejoin the ship.

"Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal," a cruise line spokesperson said in a statement. "We remain in communication with the guests and are providing additional information as it becomes available."

A silver lining of the catastrophe was that the Campbells were able to connect with another Norwegian Dawn passenger — Julia Lenkoff, 80 — who was also left on the island, but for a medical reason.

Lenkoff was on a different day tour Wednesday. She had "medically disembarked" from the cruise to seek local treatment on that day, Norwegian said.

Norwegian said that its care team tried to call Lenkoff several times and was unable to reach her and that it worked with its port agent in São Tomé and Príncipe for updates on her health.

The Campbells met Lenkoff and were able to put her in contact with her family in California, who flew her home — a move Lenkoff's daughter said "saved her life."

"She's a world traveler. She travels all the time. So this was going to be one of her bucket list trips, because she's been to 120 countries so far, and she wanted to get to 130," her daughter, Lana Lenkoff Geis, said in an interview that aired Tuesday on "TODAY."

Norwegian said Lenkoff was escorted on a flight to Lisbon, Portugal, then put in the care of airport staff members to continue her journey back to the U.S., where she has safely returned.

Breaking News Reporter

THE 5 BEST Yeppoon Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in yeppoon.

• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Hidden Gems
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Funtastic Cruises

2. Sail Capricornia

3. Causeway Hire Boat

4. Hooked Fishing Charters

5. Double Threat Charters Yeppoon

What travellers are saying.

• Funtastic Cruises
• Sail Capricornia
• Hooked Fishing Charters
• Double Threat Charters Yeppoon
• Causeway Hire Boat

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Social media erupts in fierce debate over whether cruise ship was right to abandon late passengers: ‘they know the rules’.

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

A fiery debate has sparked after a cruise denied eight passengers to board the ship after they failed to make the 3 pm cut-off time.

The Norwegian Dawn ship left the tourists on an African island , some without their possessions after the private tour they were on ran late.

The group have now made their way by plane, ferry and car to Senegal, over 2,000 miles from São Tomé and Príncipe, where the Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) ship departed without them last Wednesday.

US couple Jill and Jay Campbell, who were among the abandoned eight cruisers have spent more than $7,000 in travel costs to get to the port in Senegal.

“We truly believe that although there’s a set of rules or policies that the ship follows, they follow those rules too rigidly,” Ms. Campbell told NBC’s the Today Show on Tuesday.

“They really forgot that they are people working in the hospitality industry and that the safety is and the wellbeing of their customers should be the first priority and that should be placed first.

“It was a basic duty of care that they have forgotten about. It does concern us.”

Adam Glezer from  Consumer Champion  told news.com.au it was “ridiculous” the passengers, including a pregnant woman and someone who has a heart condition, weren’t allowed back on — even though the Norwegian Dawn was still at anchor and a São Tomé coastguard took the group on tenders to the vessel.

“Each situation has to be treated on an individual basis — especially the passenger without their medication,” he said.

He said despite the rules, “you need flexibility in situations like this.”

Keep up with The Post's coverage of the Norwegian Cruise debacle

• Eight Norwegian Cruise passengers, including a pregnant woman and an elderly man with a heart condition, were stranded on an African island without money and vital medications after the vessel left port without them.
• A spokesperson for the cruise line claimed the passengers were left on the island “on their own or with a private tour” and missed the “all-aboard time” by over an hour, according to the company.
• Americans Jill Campbell and her husband, Jay Campbell, said they are unsure whether they even want to resume the 20-day voyage after Norwegian Cruise Lines forgot about its “basic duty of care.”
• The eight passengers raced through seven different countries over a span of 48 hours to make it to Senegal, where the ship docked Tuesday morning,
• Doug and Violeta Sanders, a stranded Australian couple, have spoken out about their ordeal , saying it was “the worst experience of our lives.”
• Julie Lenkoff, 80,  suffered a stroke during an excursion on the cruise — and was left “alone” and “helpless” to find her way back to the US, according to her family.
• COLUMN: Cruise ship was right to ditch the late passengers in Africa

Check out The Post’s tips on what to do if you’re left stranded like the Norwegian Cruise passengers

Jim Walker, a Miami-based maritime lawyer, also called out the cruise liner, accusing it of “making a point by abandoning the guests” because they booked a tour that wasn’t through the cruise.

“The reality is that cruise lines aggressively promote cruise-sponsored shore excursions as a fundamental part of their business model, earning tens of millions of dollars a year in income,” he told news.com.au.

“To promote cruise-sponsored excursions where they receive as much as 50 to 60 percent of the profits, cruise lines state that if their guests paid for a cruise-sponsored excursion, as opposed to an independent excursion, the company will guarantee that if the extrusion is late in returning to the cruise ship, it will wait so that the guests are not abandoned ashore.

“In this particular case, it appears that NCL made a point of abandoning these guests simply because they were on an independent excursion.”

Mr. Walker said NCL’s conduct is not only “harsh and uncaring”, but he believes their act was “mean-spirited and vindictive in nature”.

The debacle has caused a huge divide online with some taking the side of the passengers, while others have defended the cruise’s move in leaving the passengers behind in São Tomé.

“Weird that the captain wouldn’t let them board if it was still in port?” one person wrote on Facebook.

“Don’t feel sorry for them they know the rules. It costs the ships a fortune if they don’t leave on time. We have watched people left behind before in Asia. Last trip to NZ there was a very close call also,” wrote another.

Other cruisers said being on time is a “simple” rule passengers need to follow, adding it’s why they only book tours through the ship.

“This is why you take a risk if you don’t go on a excursion you get through the ship Ruled need too be followed,” a third person wrote, while another added: “That’s why I would never take a cruise or organized tour ever, ever again, no freedom to do what you want, when you want.”

A  TikToker and cruiser Candi Thomas  unleashed on the passengers saying it was the responsibility of the passengers to make it back to the ship on time.

“For those of you who don’t cruise, let me tell you. Before you get off the ship there’s numerous announcements, You have it in your daily planning letter, there are signs … you have to be on board 60 to 90 minutes before that ship is departing,” she said.

According to  The Points Guy , if you do not arrive at the port before the boarding window ends, a cruise ship “will most certainly leave without you.”

“Even if you are standing at the pier, waving frantically. That’s because a cruise ship’s departure time is carefully planned and more than just your vacation is at stake.

“Just like airplanes, cruise ships are on tight schedules — much tighter than you may realise.”

Norwegian Cruise Line responds

In a statement provided to news.com.au, the US based Norwegian Cruise Lines said while the ship was in São Tomé and Príncipe, an African island nation, eight guests who were on the island on a private tour “not organised through us” missed the last tender back to the vessel, “therefore not meeting the all aboard time of 3pm local time.”

“While this is a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time, which is communicated broadly over the ship’s intercom, in the daily print communication and posted just before exiting the vessel.”

The spokesperson said when the guests did not return to the vessel at the all aboard time, their passports were delivered to the local port agents to retrieve when they returned to the port, as per the regular protocol.

The tourists had made arrangements to rejoin the ship in Banjul , Gambia on April 1, but the ship was unable to safely dock in the destination “due to adverse weather conditions.”

The spokesperson told news.com.au it contacted the passengers regarding the itinerary adjustment and provided them with authorisation to rejoin the ship at Dakar, Senegal on April 2.

“Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal. We remain in communication with the guests and are providing additional information as it becomes available.”

The Campbells, from South Carolina, were the only people to have their bank cards and more than a few dollars on them. They said they have spent $7500 on accommodation and food for their fellow castaways.

They explained they were late to the cruise because there was an issue on their private tour.

“They [tour] were like: ‘No problem, we can get you back within an hour,’” Mr. Campbell, who is a schoolteacher.

The guide contacted the captain to say the group were going to be late . When they got back to port the ship was still anchored just off shore. But staff would not allow the passengers to board.

“The harbour master tried to call the ship, the captain refused the call,” Mr. Campbell told  ABC 4 News South Carolina .

“We sent emails to NCL, the NCL customer service emergency number, they said ‘Well, the only way for us to get in touch with the ship is to send them emails, they’re not responding to our emails.’”

Mr. Campbell said the nation’s coastguard service then put all the passengers on a boat and sailed them out to the cruise ship, but still they were refused permission to board.

He told US broadcaster NBC’s the Today Show on Tuesday that the people of São Tomé and Príncipe had been “very gracious, very hospitable,” and had steered them towards hotels and travel agents.

Nonetheless, he said, it had been a challenging experience, describing it as a “very, very difficult process.”

News.com.au understands the eight guests have now rejoined the cruise in Dakar, Senegal.

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Danube river cruise ship crashed after it was 'suddenly no longer able to maneuver,' 17 passengers injured

• A cruise ship crashed into a concrete wall along the Danube river in Austria on Friday.
• A police statement said the ship "was suddenly no longer able to maneuver."
• Eleven people were treated at the hospital and another six suffered less serious injuries.

A Bulgarian cruise ship carrying over 140 passengers crashed into a concrete wall along the Danube river in Austria.

The incident occurred late on Friday in the northern Austrian town of Aschach an der Donau, local police said Saturday.

Eleven people were injured and taken to hospital as a result of the crash. Six others suffered less serious injuries that did not require hospital treatment.

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The ship had set off from Passau, a German city on the Austrian border. A police statement said that as the ship was leaving a lock chamber further down the river, "the ship was suddenly no longer able to maneuver," and its right bow and left aft crashed into the lock walls.

The second-in-command of the ship, who had been at the helm during the crash, "pressed the emergency switch, whereupon the electronics started up again." He was then able to steer the ship out of the lock.

The ship was later docked at the quay wall and emergency services were notified. The ship was able to continue its journey toward Linz, Austria.

Earlier this week, a container ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, collapsing a section of the 1.6-mile-long structure. The bodies of two construction workers were found after the collision, and four more workers are missing and presumed dead.

Citing the container ship's recovered data recorder, officials said the power went out on the Dali for just one minute and three seconds as it approached the bridge, Sky News reported, but that was enough for the collision to become unavoidable.

In 2019, a cruise boat hit and sank a smaller boat near Budapest, Hungary, killing 25 South Korean tourists and two crew members. The captain was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the accident.

The Danube is the second-largest river in Europe, flowing from the Black Forest in Germany south into the Black Sea near Romania and Ukraine.

Correction: April 1, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated the year of the Danube ship crash in Hungary. It was in 2019, not 2023.

Watch: One of Europe's deadliest shipwrecks leaves hundreds missing

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

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8 passengers got stuck in port after a late return. What to do if you miss your cruise.

A group of Norwegian Cruise Line passengers was left behind after returning late to their ship in Africa.

Eight guests missed the last tender back to Norwegian Dawn while the ship was visiting the island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe on Wednesday, according to a spokesperson for the line. They were on a tour not organized through Norwegian.

Two guests, Jay and Jill Campbell, told South Carolina’s ABC 15 News their tour went longer than expected. When they returned, the ship was still in port, and the captain declined to let them board despite numerous attempts to reach Norwegian. At one point, they said, the island nation’s coast guard took them to the ship on a boat but told them to return to shore.

“The captain could have made an easy decision to turn one of the tender boats back, pick us up, safely load us, and then go on the way," Jay Campbell told the outlet.

'I just felt so helpless': Carnival Sunrise cruise ship faces flooding

“When the guests did not return to the vessel at the all-aboard time, their passports were delivered to the local port agents to retrieve when they returned to the port, as per the regular protocol,” the Norwegian spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “Our team has been working closely with the local authorities to understand the requirements and necessary visas needed for the guests to rejoin the ship at the next available port of call.”

Since then, the passengers have been scrambling to catch up to the cruise. Here’s what to do if you get stranded during a stop and how to minimize the chance of being left behind:

What happens if I don’t get back to my cruise in time?

Cruise lines warn guests they may get stuck if they don’t return to the ship by the stated all-aboard time.

“While this is a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time, which is communicated broadly over the ship’s intercom, in the daily print communication and posted just before exiting the vessel,” the Norwegian spokesperson said.

Cruise ships are on tight schedules while in port, said Joanna Kuther, a New York City-based travel agent and owner of Port Side Travel Consultants. “So if they have to leave at a certain time, they have to leave at that time,” she said. “It could be that there's another (ship) coming in. It could be (that) people aren't going to be there to be working on the pier.”

The Campbells told ABC 15 News that they traveled through six countries for 15 hours to reach Gambia, where the ship was due to stop on Monday. However, the vessel was unable to dock due to low tides. Norwegian said it made the change “due to adverse weather conditions, as well as tidal restrictions that require specific timing for safe passage.”

“While we share in our guests’ disappointment, this modification was made with great consideration for their safety and that of our crew, which is our top priority,” the spokesperson added.

The cruise line authorized them to rejoin the ship in Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday.

Kuther recommended guests who miss their all-aboard time contact the cruise line to let them know and reach out to their travel agent – if they have one – who can help handle the logistics. She said the nearest U.S. embassy may also be able to assist them.

Are travelers responsible for added expenses?

Travelers who do not board their ship in time are generally responsible for getting themselves to the next port of call, according to Kuther.

Travel insurance won't be much good in that scenario, either.

"Typically travel delay coverage/missed connection coverage is due to a delay of a common carrier such as an airline delay or cancellation for a covered reason which causes you to miss your cruise/tour departure," Meghan Walch, director of product at InsureMyTrip, said in an email. "An excursion supplier not getting you back to your cruise in time is typically not covered."

The Norwegian spokesperson said the cruise line is reimbursing the eight guests for their travel expenses from Banjul, Gambia, to Dakar, but Kuther stressed that kind of compensation is “definitely the exception to the rule.”

How to avoid getting stranded

When choosing a shore excursion, Kuther said it’s safest to book through the cruise line or with another vendor that guarantees to get passengers back to the ship on time or to the next port. Travel agents can help guests find those options, or they can ask operators about their policies directly when booking.

Just in case something does go wrong, travelers should bring a credit card or debit card so they have a way to cover any costs they might incur. Kuther typically recommends bringing an ID “because you don’t want to be carrying around your passport,” but if travelers are going on a private excursion without that kind of guarantee, it’s a different story.

“You probably should have your passport with you because you're going to need it to get on a flight to get to the next port, especially if it's in a different country,” she said.

At the very least, it’s a good idea for travelers to have a photo of their passport on hand, and share a copy with someone back home who is easily reachable.

Story continues below.

Cruise insurance: Should you buy it through a cruise line? Maybe not, experts say

She also recommended they make sure their phone or watch is set to ship time rather than the time of the destination, which may be different (the all-aboard time will be on ship time). “So many people get confused with that,” Kuther said.

To be safe, she suggested guests get back to the ship an hour early if they’re exploring on their own or on a self-booked excursion in case they hit traffic or face other issues.

“It's one of those things like, it's not a problem until it's a problem,” Kuther said. She urged travelers not to expect the ship to wait. “If they can, I'm sure they will, but I would never tell someone, ‘Don’t worry about it.’”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected]

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Norwegian Cruise captain refused to let eight passengers who were late reboard ship

Passengers, who have since rejoined vessel, missed scheduled departure time from São Tomé and scrambled to reunite with ship

Eight cruise passengers had to scramble to reunite with their cruise ship after being left behind in São Tomé and Príncipe.

The passengers, including a pregnant woman and a paraplegic traveller, missed their scheduled departure time from the island of São Tomé in the Gulf of Guinea, about 250km off the coast of Gabon, after disembarking the Norwegian Dawn to take a local tour.

Another passenger in her 80s was reportedly late to the ship because she was receiving emergency medical treatment on the island.

The vessel, operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines, arrived in São Tome on Wednesday morning having departed Cape Town for the three-week cruise to Barcelona on 20 March.

The group’s private day excursions on the island ran overtime and, despite the efforts of the local coast guard, which motored the group to the ship before it set sail that afternoon, the captain would not allow the late guests to board.

Jill and Jay Campbell, from Garden City in South Carolina, described attempting to board the vessel after arriving late.

“We have never had an experience like this before,” Jill Campbell told ABC4 News .

“The harbour master tried to call the ship, the captain refused the call. We sent emails to NCL, the NCL customer service emergency number. They said, ‘Well, the only way for us to get in touch with the ship is to send them emails, they’re not responding to our emails,’” Jay Campbell added.

“The captain could have made an easy decision to turn one of the tender boats back, pick us up, safely load us, and then go on the way.”

The travellers’ passports were returned to them via port authorities. The group, which reportedly includes two Australians, had to leave their medication, bank cards and other belongings on board. The Campbells said they were the only members of the group with a Visa card and had paid more than $5,000 in their attempts to reach the ship.

They aimed to reboard the Norwegian Dawn in the Gambia the following Sunday but low tides prevented the ship from making the scheduled stop. The group reportedly travelled through six countries and eventually met the ship in Dakar, Senegal, the final west African port call of its journey, according to the cruise line.

“What we looked at was some type of van transportation for eight people, the quadriplegic woman included,” Jay Campbell told ABC15 . He described having to take a ferry to get into Senegal, and then a four-hour drive.

Australians Doug and Violeta Sanders were among the stranded passengers.

“It’s been the worst experience of our lives to be abandoned like that in a strange country, can’t speak the language,” Violeta Sanders told Seven’s Sunrise program.

“We have no money, our credit cards aren’t accepted.”

The 21-day cruise is due to end in Barcelona on 10 April.

A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Lines said it was a “very unfortunate situation” and that it was the passenger’s responsibility to be back on board the ship no later than one hour before the ship’s scheduled departure time.

A Sydney travel lawyer, Anthony Cordato, said passengers needed to heed ships’ tight schedules.

“Terms and conditions would make returning to the ship on time essential,” he said.

“From a consumer’s perspective, it’s harsh but from a ship’s perspective, are you going to hold up the cruise for an hour or two because they were slow to get on board? Are you going to inconvenience 1,000 passengers for the sake of four?”

The cruise company said all eight guests had rejoined the ship.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: “On the afternoon of March 27, 2024, while the ship was in São Tomé and Príncipe, an African island nation, eight guests who were on the island on a private tour not organized through us missed the last tender back to the vessel, therefore not meeting the all aboard time of 3pm local time. While this is a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time, which is communicated broadly over the ship’s intercom, in the daily print communication and posted just before exiting the vessel.

“When the guests did not return to the vessel at the all aboard time, their passports were delivered to the local port agents to retrieve when they returned to the port, as per the regular protocol. Our team has been working closely with the local authorities to understand the requirements and necessary visas needed for the guests to rejoin the ship at the next available port of call. Given that these guests were on a private tour and did not return to the ship at the communicated all aboard time, they are responsible for any necessary travel arrangements to rejoin the ship at the next available port of call, per our protocol.

“While the eight guests made arrangements to rejoin the ship in Banjul, Gambia on April 1, 2024, unfortunately the ship was unable to safely dock in the destination due to adverse weather conditions, as well as tidal restrictions that require specific timing for safe passage. While we share in our guests’ disappointment, this modification was made with great consideration for their safety and that of our crew, which is our top priority. We contacted these eight guests regarding this itinerary adjustment and provided them with authorization to rejoin the ship at Dakar, Senegal on April 2, 2024.

“Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal. As of this morning, all eight guests have rejoined the ship.”

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