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Day Trip to Tangalooma & Snorkeling at the incredible Shipwrecks.

• Post author: Elyse
• Post category: Australia
• Post last modified: 18/04/2022
• Post comments: 8 Comments

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Home » Travel Guides » Australia » Day Trip to Tangalooma & Snorkeling at the incredible Shipwrecks.

If you’re looking for an incredible day trip from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, Tangalooma Island Resort needs to be on your list! Tangalooma is on Moreton Island and only a 75-minute ferry ride from Brisbane. And the best part is, Tangalooma has one of the most unique and easily accessible snorkeling spots in southern Queensland.  

Recently my husband and I celebrated our two-year wedding anniversary, and for occasions like this, we always like to go away. The original plan was to be in Italy but then of course COVID ruined that. So taking advantage of the beautiful state we live in, we thought a day trip to Tangalooma would be perfect. Tangalooma Island Resort was absolutely stunning, the water (although a little cold) was amazing, so blue and crystal clear.  

There’re so many options when it comes to visiting Tangalooma. You can simply just book the ferry over and do your own thing for the day, or there are heaps of tour & accommodation options. We booked the ‘Beach Day Cruise’ through Tangalooma Island Resort for $89 each. This pack is basically a look after yourself kind of day. Which was perfect for us! Also, it’s the best value for money because it covered your ferry tickets, use of the resort facilities, and includes lunch vouchers, that could be used at any of the cafes & restaurants.  

How to Get to Tangalooma

The ferry departs from the Holt Street Wharf in Brisbane. We drove up from the Gold Coast and that took us just over an hour. There’s plenty of free parking on Holt Street or it’s $15 a day to park at the ferry terminal. If you’re flying in, the ferry terminal is only a 10-minute drive from Brisbane airport.  

When we first arrived on the island all I could think about is getting to the beach, the water looked incredible. Luckily the pier is right in front of the resort. The beach is really long so there was plenty of room for everyone to have their own space. The ocean was calm, very clear, and the most amazing color.  

Find The Cheapest Flights to Brisbane with Skyscanner!

Snorkeling at the Tangalooma Shipwrecks

The best part about the day was snorkeling at the shipwrecks. There are 15 shipwrecks laying only a short swim from the shore. In 1963 these ships were deliberately sunk to create a break wall for smaller boats.

There are snorkeling tours you can book but honestly, you don’t need to! From the resort, it’s a 25-30 minutes walk, straight down the beach to the shipwrecks. Then from the shore, we swam out in under 5 minutes.

The only thing you’ll need to do is check the tide times, generally, the best time to snorkel is around 1.5 hours before low tide. Our plan was to go then but the wind was starting to pick up so we decided to go a bit earlier. By the time we got in the water it was about 2.5 hours before low tide and it was actually the most perfect time. In most areas, the visibility was very good and the currents weren’t too strong. We snorkeled for about an hour, didn’t see any turtles or dolphins but so many fish, and the wrecks looked awesome.

If you’re not keen on getting in the water, Tangalooma Island Resort offers glass-bottom boat and kayak tours. And, we took our own snorkeling gear but it’s possible to hire some on the island.

Day Tours & Accommodation at Tangalooma Resort

If you wanted to stay on the island for longer the accommodation at Tangalooma Island Resort looked beautiful and the rooms have the most gorgeous ocean views. There are also so many tours and activities available. Moreton Island is the world’s third-largest sand island, so during my next visit, I definitely want to go 4 wheel driving and sand tobogganing.

If you’re there in the evening you could take part in the unique opportunity to hand feed, wild bottlenose dolphins!

Book tours & activities on Moreton Island here.

Have you visited Tangalooma before? Comment below and tell me what you love most about this island.  

Thanks for reading,  

Happy Travels  

Book Your Day Trip or Holiday to Tangalooma Here;

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Where to Next?

If you want to travel around more of Australia, check out my Ultimate Guide to Travel Down Under . Which includes heaps of ideas for your Australian bucket list!

Searching For The Best Flights

Without a doubt the best site for comparing and booking flights is Skyscanner. Just click here to compare flights and get the best prices with Skyscanner. 

Booking Accommodation  

Then when it comes to booking accommodation; if you’re after a hostel the best place to search is HostelWorld.

Or, if you’d prefer a hotel or resort,  Booking.com or Agoda  are two of the best sites out there, they consistently return cheap rates.

Get Your Cashback

Before you book though don’t forget to activate your  Rakuten browser extension so you get cashback on these bookings. 

Don’t know what Rakuten is? Read my guide here!

And, Don’t Forget Travel Insurance 

Unfortunately, everything doesn’t always go to plan but travel insurance will protect you when it comes to illness, injury, theft & cancellation. I never travel overseas without travel insurance, it’s just not worth the risk! 

Cover-More is a trusted company and they also have COVID-19 benefits available. 

Elyse is the author & content creator behind A World To Live. After traveling to over 40 countries, she has a passion for discovering new places. Elyse is a money-conscious traveller who loves writing independent travel guides to help her readers get the most out of their travels.

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This post has 8 comments.

Hi Elyse! Great post. Thank you for sharing it. The snorkelling looks like so much fun. I love your blog and will definitely be coming back to it when I finally get to travel Australia 🙂

Thank you so much Trea, really appreciate it. Hopefully, the borders open soon

Ah, I love Australia. Can’t wait to go back when the borders open! This island looks absolutely incredible and is now on my bucket list 😍

Yay, that’s awesome, and it’s so good how close it is to Brisbane.

Thanks for this helpful post! Snorkeling the shipwrecks would be amazing and I’d love to go. I appreciate your photos and your tips!

Thank you Erica, you’re very welcome

What an incredible mini holiday to celebrate your marriage! I love that you don’t even need to book a tour, you can just wander down and see the shipwreck! The beaches look incredible too!

Thank you, yeah it was all so amazing, the water was perfect

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Tangalooma day trip from Brisbane

Even if you’re only doing a day trip to Tangalooma Island Resort, there are lots of things you’ll be able to do with your time.

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Travel Australia Today. He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and loves exploring different parts of Australia.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Travel Australia Today and has been a journalist for 20 years.

A Tangalooma day trip from Brisbane

With a short ferry trip from Brisbane, a Tangalooma day trip is an easy way to hit the beach and get a bit of tropical island adventure!

To help you plan, I've out together everything you need to know about visiting Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island.

Things to do at Tangalooma Island Resort

Tangalooma day trips, staying at tangalooma island resort.

The great irony of Brisbane is that the capital of Queensland, a state famous for its golden coastline, has no beaches itself.

When it gets hot (and it certainly gets hot here), the easiest option for a beach is often either the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast , each about an hour’s drive away.

For visitors, though, another great way to get in the water is a day trip to the Tangalooma Island Resort.

An iconic family resort, easily accessible from Brisbane, Tangalooma Island Resort has long been a popular holiday destination for locals who pop over for a few nights to get away from the city. Just a short boat ride from the Centre of Brisbane, it’s an easy (and relatively affordable) Queensland island escape.

If you’re visiting, heading over to the island is certainly one of the best things to do in Brisbane . And, while you can stay overnight (more on that soon), you might find the best use of your time is a day trip to Tangalooma.

I suppose it’s important at this point to actually talk about what Tangalooma is, because it definitely confuses people.

So, Tangalooma Island Resort is a tourism site that is part of Moreton Island. (There’s no such place as Tangalooma Island, for the record.)

For day-trippers, it’s the base for a range of activities including guided snorkelling tours, ATV quad bike rides, and helicopter flights – although there’s nothing (other than logistics) that prevents you from leaving the resort.

It has a huge range of accommodation, from hotel rooms to apartments and even houses, and most overnight guests stay here. Although there are other places to stay on Moreton Island (including public campsites), Tangalooma Island Resort is by far the largest development.

Moreton Island

Moreton Island is one of the main islands in the bay around Brisbane. About 35 kilometres long, it’s the world’s third-largest sand island. (Of course, K’gari/Fraser Island is the largest.)

Most of Moreton Island is protected as a national park. Large parts of it are covered in green heath, but there are also a few striking inland lagoons.

There are also sections of Moreton Island that have dramatic sand dunes cut across them.

Around the island, much of the coastline is define by beautiful gold beaches. The western side is much calmer, while the eastern side bears the brunt of most of the waves rolling in from the Pacific Ocean.

In this article, I’m focusing on doing a day trip to Tangalooma Island Resort from Brisbane. But it’s also worth noting that you can visit Moreton Island independently.

There is a car ferry from Brisbane that you can use to take a vehicle across – although it needs to be a good 4WD that can handle the sandy roads. With a car, you can drive to one of the half-dozen camping sites on Moreton Island, or to some of the private accommodation that is dotted around the island.

Moreton Island is huge and you won’t be able to get around much of it on a day trip. But, don’t worry, there are still lots of things to do within Tangalooma Island Resort, which is where you’ll base yourself if you’re not staying overnight.

Some people like to just hang out around on the sand and use the resort facilities, treating it a bit like a day at the beach. While other visitors want to make the most of all the activities on offer here (some more adventurous than others).

To give you an idea of what to do at Tangalooma Island Resort, I’m going to run through the main activities (some of which are worth booking in advance as part of day trip packages – more on that in the next section!).

This is an obvious one, but still worth mentioning, I think. Stretching out in either direction from the resort is a long golden beach, almost five kilometres long. All of it is able to be used (other than just around the jetty, for obvious reasons) so swimming at the beach is certainly a good way to pass the time – and there’s not much surf on this side, which is good for young kids.

On a day trip to Tangalooma, you’re also able to use most of the resort facilities, which includes two large outdoor pools. So, if you don’t fancy the saltwater at the beach (or just want a change of scenery during the day) grab a lounge next to one of the pools for a dip.

One of the nice things about using the beach at Tangalooma is that there’s lots of equipment here that you can use, without having to bring it yourself. However, most of it isn’t free unfortunately.

Using the kayaks, for example, requires you to rent by the hour (or for longer periods for a cheaper hourly rate), but it’s a nice way to be able to explore a bit further from the resort, going for a paddle along the coast for the afternoon to quieter beaches, for instance.

There are solo kayaks and tandem kayaks for rent. And there are also kayak tours, where a guide will take you out to the wrecks and explain what you’re seeing.

Tangalooma Wrecks

One of the most iconic landmarks on Moreton Island is the Tangalooma Wrecks, a series of 15 ships that were intentionally sunk here between 1963 and 1984.

Originally the intention was that they would create a barrier for boats to safely anchor next to the coastline. But over the years the rusting wrecks have taken on a life of their own as a haven for dozens of species of fish and other marine creatures.

The closest point of the wrecks to the beach is only about 30 metres, and the furthest is about 100 metres, so you can just swim out yourself with a snorkel and mask to have a look at the wrecks. Tangalooma Island Resort does offer snorkelling tours where you’ll get the right equipment and have a guide to show you some of the most important spots and marine life.

Dolphin feeding

Speaking of local wildlife, one of the things Tangalooma is particularly famous for is the opportunity feed the wild dolphins that come into shore every evening.

Around sunset, you’re pretty much guaranteed to see some bottlenose dolphins, with a large family that comes in for food. Some visitors will choose just to watch from the viewing area, but you can also get a package where you can go down into the water and hand feed the dolphins.

Although I am normally a bit wary about the sustainability issues with feeding wild animals, this program is run by rangers who only feed the dolphins a maximum of 20 per cent of their daily food requirement so they don’t become reliant on human intervention.

Desert safari

Back on land, there are some incredible landscapes across Moreton Island (most of which is protected as a national park). As the world’s third-largest sand island, it’s no surprise that sand is one of the focuses of the scenery, which is why a ‘desert safari’ is a great way to see things.

The resort uses its 4WD bus to take you up into the desert (the bumpy journey is half the fun) where the rolling sand dunes cut through the green heath, offering views down to the water.

If you want to get a little bit closer, you can then grab one of the toboggans and go racing down the sand dunes!

ATV quad bikes

If you want to go even faster on the sand, the answer is the ATV quad bike tour, where you’ll drive one of these four-wheel bikes through some exciting tracks in the wilderness outside the resort.

Starting on the beach to get a feel of the vehicle, you’ll then head up into the trails that swerve between trees, across sand dunes, and around some of Moreton Island’s best scenery.

You can go slowly until you’re comfortable, but most people end up enjoying a bit of speed (within reason) on the tracks that are designed for the quad bikes, with the right angles and slopes.

Helicopter scenic flight

There really is no better way to understand the majesty of Moreton Island than from the air, where you can see the interplay of the different parts of the ecosystem.

From the quiet western coast to the rougher eastern coast, you can see the green foliage that covers much of the island, the sections of sand dunes, and even the glimmering turquoise lagoons inland. When I went up in the helicopter, I could also see lots of animals in the water, including dugongs, turtles, and dolphins.

There is a range of helicopter flights you can choose from, with the shortest one (about 6 minutes) focusing on the wrecks, and the longest one (about 30 minutes) going all around the island to see the nature, heritage sites, and spot lots of animals.

While the helicopter rides aren’t cheap, they are really special and the views are spectacular. I think choosing one of the day-trip packages with a helicopter ride is worth it if you’re not going to see much else of the Queensland coast from the air.

Whale watching

During whale season (approximately June – November), Moreton Bay is the closest area to Brisbane where you can go whale watching. There are a few tour companies that offering whale watching from Brisbane, but Tangalooma Island Resort has the benefit that you can combine it with some time on Moreton Island.

The whale watching cruise leaves from Tangalooma at about midday and goes for about three hours, including a light lunch. That means it takes up a fair amount of the day, but if you get the early ferry over, you’ll still have a few hours of free time before the cruise leaves.

You can book the whale watching cruise on its own if you’re staying at Tangalooma, but you’ll need to arrange it as part of a package for a day trip.

Where is Tangalooma Island Resort?

Tangalooma Island Resort is on the western coast of Moreton Island, about 40 kilometres from Brisbane. You can see it on a map here .

How do you get to Tangalooma Island Resort?

The main way to get to Tangalooma Island Resort is on the ferry that is run by the resort. It leaves the Holt Street Wharf in eastern Brisbane at 7:30, 10:00, 12:30, and 15:30. It takes about 75 minutes each way and costs $88 return for an adult or $48 for a child up to 14 years. (Those prices are for accommodation guests – day visitors get different packages).

When can you visit Tangalooma Island Resort?

Tangalooma Island Resort is open all year round and the different seasons offer different experiences (although I would recommend avoiding school holidays, if possible). For day-trippers, the earliest ferry you can get from Brisbane is 7:30, and the last ferry from the island leaves at 19:00.

How much does it cost to visit Tangalooma?

For a Tangalooma day trip, the cheapest option is $95 for an adult and $55 for a child.  This includes return ferry ride (coming back on the 16:00 departure), use of resort facilities, and a lunch voucher ($25 for adult/$20 for a child).

Are there packages for Tangalooma day trips?

Other than the standard ticket, there are lots of packages for day trips to Tangalooma with extra activities. For example, there’s this trip that includes ATV quad biking , or there’s this trip that includes a snorkelling tour of the wrecks , or even this trip that includes a whale-watching cruise .

If you’re only staying in Brisbane a few days, you obviously want to make the most of your limited time, which is why a day trip to Tangalooma is the perfect way to squeeze in all the island fun.

But, if you’ve got a bit longer up your sleeve, you might want to think about staying overnight – or maybe even for a few nights.

Compared to a Tangalooma day trip, staying overnight is even more relaxed because you don’t have the stress of the ferry departure time in the back of your mind (well, not until the last day, at least). It means you can spend hours on the sand, in the water, or out one on of the island’s hiking trails.

There are quite a few different types of accommodation at Tangalooma Island Resort, catering for different types of travellers and with a range of price points. (Nothing is super cheap here, but the basic rooms are still definitely affordable.)

The cheapest option is a budget room , which is just as it sounds. It won’t necessarily have kitchen facilities or ocean views, it doesn’t include daily cleaning, and you won’t be able to choose the exact location of your room. But it’s a clean and comfortable place to stay, start from $189 a night for up to three people.

The next option up, the standard hotel room , can fit up to four people with a king (or twin) bed and a sofabed. The large rooms have been recently refurbished and include a balcony. These rooms are set in a quiet part of the resort and come with the usual amenities. From $249 a night.

Although they’re quite similar in size to the standard option, the deluxe hotel room takes things up a notch, with wine and chocolates on arrival, for instance, as well as bathrobes and slippers. Ocean views are guaranteed for these rooms, which start from $299 a night for up to four people.

If you’re planning to stay a bit longer, or don’t want to eat at the restaurant for every meal, you might want to consider a resort unit , which comes with a kitchenette with a friend, electric frypan, microwave, and toaster. Perfect for families, they start from $279 a night for up to four people.

For an even bigger group, a family suite is another great option, with room for up to six people. There’s a separate bedroom for two people, and then the other beds including a sofa bed) are in the living area. There’s also a kitchenette in the suites, which start from $319 a night.

If you have an even larger group (family or friends), then the next accommodation I would recommend is a beachfront villa . The largest ones have two separate bedrooms and can accommodate up to eight people. They’re split over two levels and have a lot more living space. They’re also a bit quieter because they’re slightly further from the centre of the resort. They cost from $449 a night.

And finally there’s another level called a Deep Blue apartment . Set within two apartment blocks in the centre of the resort, these modern units are the most luxurious accommodation at Tangalooma. There are different sizes (and styles) ranging from two-bedroom, to three-bedroom, and even a penthouse across the entire fifth floor. Prices start at $529 a night, which is decent value for all the space and amenities you get.

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Visiting Tangalooma – Our Tangalooma Review

Photo Credit: Tangalooma Island Resort

If you’re not from Brisbane you may be surprised to learn that there are some stunning islands off Brisbane including North Stradbroke Island , Peel Island, Bribie Island and Moreton Island just to name a few.  All of these Brisbane islands are easily accessible by a short ferry ride or with Bribie Island you can drive right there.

We recently spend a gorgeous weekend at Tangalooma Island Resort which is one of the island resorts near Brisbane located on Moreton Island.  During our Tangalooma trip we tried out a stack of Tangalooma Island resort activities, ate at the island restaurants and enjoyed all the resort’s facilities.

If you’re wanting to visit Tangalooma and wanting to know everything from how to get to Tangalooma to information on all the Tangalooma activities, then this Tangalooma review is for you.  In this article I’ll tell you all you need to know about the Tangalooma ferry times, Tangalooma accommodation as well as all there is to know about the things to do in Tangalooma.  Once you’ve read this article, you’ll no doubt be scrambling to book your Tangalooma holidays!

Please note that all quoted pricing was correct at the time of publishing.

Planning a trip to Queensland? Have any questions? Join our Queensland Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

Page Contents

• 1 Where is Moreton Island and Where is Tangalooma Island Resort? 
• 2 How to get to Tangalooma?
• 3.1.1 1. Join a Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkeling Tour
• 3.1.2 2. Hire some Snorkels 
• 3.1.3 3. Go on a Fish Feeding Tour of the Moreton Island Shipwrecks 
• 3.1.4 4. Join a Kayaking Tangalooma Shipwrecks Tour
• 3.1.5 5. Hire Kayaks and Explore on your own
• 3.1.6 6. Scuba Diving
• 3.1.7 7. Go on a Jet Boat Ride 
• 3.1.8 8. Go on a Sea Scooter Safari 
• 3.1.9 9. Enjoy the Resorts Swimming Pools
• 3.1.10 10. Hire Stand Up Paddle Boards 
• 3.1.11 11. Take a Banana Boat or Tube Ride 
• 3.1.12 12. Join a Fishing Tour 
• 3.1.13 13. Join a Marine Discovery Cruise
• 3.1.14 14. Go Parasailing 
• 3.1.15 15. Take a Whale Watching Cruise
• 3.1.16 16. Relax on a Sunset Cruise
• 3.1.17 17. Motorboat Hire
• 3.1.18 18. Hire Catamarans 
• 3.1.19 19. Dolphin Feeding
• 3.2.1 20. Moreton Island Sandboarding
• 3.2.2 21. Tangalooma Quad Bike Tour
• 3.2.3 22. Northern Safari 4WD Bus Tour 
• 3.2.4 23. Southern Safari 4WD Tour 
• 3.2.5 24. Hire a Bike 
• 3.2.6 25. Spoil yourself with a Massage
• 3.2.7 26. Tangalooma Helicopter Tour
• 3.2.8 27. Segway beach tour
• 3.2.9 28. Hire a 4WD and go Exploring at your own pace
• 3.2.10 29. Go Whale Watching from Land 
• 3.2.11 30. Join Old Whaling Station Tours and Talks 
• 3.2.12 31. Let the kids get burn off some energy on the Trampolines 
• 3.2.13 32. Take the Kids to the Playground
• 3.2.14 33. Hire some Sports Equipment
• 3.2.15 34. Learn all about Dolphins at the daily Dolphin Talk 
• 3.2.16 35. Feed the Kookaburras 
• 3.2.17 36. Feed the Pelicans
• 4 Tangalooma Day Trip Cruises 
• 5 Where to Eat: Tangalooma Restaurants 
• 6.1 Hotel Standard and Deluxe Rooms 
• 6.2 Resort Units
• 6.3 1 Bedroom Family Suites
• 6.4 Beachfront Villas
• 6.5 Deep Blue Holiday Apartments
• 6.6 Holiday Home Rentals
• 7.1 Want to save this information for later?
• 7.2 Click on one of the images below and save it to Pinterest

Where is Moreton Island and Where is Tangalooma Island Resort?  

Where is Moreton Island?  Moreton Island is the third largest sand island in the world and a stunning spot for a family holiday full of adventure, relaxation or a bit of both.  Moreton Island is 58 kilometres northeast from Brisbane or 40 kms from the Queensland coast.

Where is Tangalooma Island Resort?  Often referred to as Tangalooma Island, Tangalooma is not an island, rather the only resort located on Moreton Island.  The resort is located on the central western coast of Moreton island.

How to get to Tangalooma?

Whether you’re coming for a Tangalooma day trip, or for a few days, to get from Brisbane to Moreton Island, you must catch a ferry from the Holt Street Wharf.  The ferry ride from Brisbane to Tangalooma takes just 75 minutes.   

The Tangalooma Island ferry departs Brisbane daily at 7am, 10am, 12pm and 5 pm, whilst ferries depart Tangalooma daily at 8.30am, 2pm, 4pm and 7pm.

Tangalooma ferry prices are $84 per adult and $46 per child return.  Children 2 and under are free.

If you are staying in Tangalooma accommodation, the boat to Tangalooma fare includes luggage porters to and from your accommodation.

Here are some things worth noting for the ferry:

• Each guest is permitted one carry on bag not exceeding 23cm x 34cmx48 cm;
• Beach trolleys and prams must be collapsed prior to boarding;
• Guests staying in accommodation can bring one checked in bag with a maximum weigh of 20kg plus one esky with a maximum weight per accommodation booking; and
• Surfboards, bicycles and other large items can be brought over at an additional cost.

Parking at the Holt Street Wharf is $15 per day or $60 per week.

We found the whole process from checking in at the ferry terminal, to getting to the island relatively well organised and easy.  When you check in at the ferry terminal, they give you everything you need for once you get to the island, including any vouchers for meals and activities you have already paid for.

If you can, I recommend getting the early ferry, we got the 7am ferry and by 8.30am were enjoying all the fantastic facilitates of the resort.

Tangalooma Island Resort Activities  

When it comes to Tangalooma Island activities there is no shortage of things to do!  Whether you enjoy getting out into the water, prefer to stay on land, love wildlife, are a thrill seeker or prefer to relax there is plenty of things to do on Tangalooma for everyone.

To help you work out what you want to do on Tangalooma, I’ve split the activities between water based and land-based activities.  

Water Based Activities  

Of course being located on an island Tangalooma has numerous awesome water-based activities.  Whether you just want to go swimming, exploring on your own or joining a guided tour there is plenty to choose from.  

1. Join a Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkeling Tour

Photo Credit – Tangalooma Island Resort

When it comes to what to do in Tangalooma, one of the most popular attractions is to explore the Tangalooma wrecks.  These Tangalooma shipwrecks are a collection of ships that were scuttled between 1963 and 1984. Now, coral has formed inside and around the wrecks, which acts as a new habitat for a plethora of fish and fauna species.

There are plenty of ways to explore the Moreton Island shipwrecks with a guided snorkel tour being a great way to not only get close to the wrecks but to also see the different corals as well as spot stingrays, turtles and over 200 different species of fish.

Exploring the wrecks was a priority for me during our recent trip so we joined a guided snorkeling tour.  On the day of our trip it was quite chilly and windy, and I was concerned how we were going to manage getting into the cold water.  However I needn’t have worried as they provide you with thick wetsuits that keep you nice and warm.  I was honestly completely shocked, as we weren’t cold at all in the water with the suits on.

To reach the wrecks we all jumped into a small boat and were taken close to the wrecks.  They even make it super easy to get into the water with some stairs from the boat into the water.  There’s no need to have had any experience in snorkeling either as they show you everything you need to know; they even have a ring you can hang onto and they will pull you around.

As mentioned on the day we went it was quite windy and so the water was a bit choppy which meat quite low visibility.  However nevertheless we saw heaps of colourful tropical fish and even a stingray which was a bit of a highlight.

Our guide, Will, was awesome and gave us plenty of commentary throughout the snorkel about the marine life, the wrecks and Moreton Island.  He was absolutely wonderful with Myla too, who got a little scared being surrounded by so many fish, but he did everything he could to calm her down which was lovely.

If you come to Tangalooma, I really think a snorkel tour is a must!  Sure, you can go in a kayak, boat or even DIY – but with a guided snorkel tour you get up close to the wrecks and marine life and have an experienced guide with you who knows just where all the best spots are.

A 90-minute guided Tangalooma snorkelling tour is $59 per person and included everything you need such as snorkel equipment, wetsuits, fins, life jacket and pool noodles.  Tours depart daily at 10, 1pm, and 3.15pm.

2. Hire some Snorkels  

For Tangalooma wrecks snorkelling, it’s not essential to join a guided tour.  You can bring your own snorkels or hire some and go exploring the gorgeous marine life around the island.   Snorkel hire is $25 for 1 hour or $49 for the whole day.

3. Go on a Fish Feeding Tour of the Moreton Island Shipwrecks  

If you’re not too confident in the water, you can still go explore the Moreton Island wrecks via a boat.  On this sightseeing and fishing tour, you’ll get up close to the wrecks plus get the opportunity to see the marine life whilst staying dry!

This 45-minute trip costs $39 per adult, $25 per child or $109 for a family (2A+2C).  Tours depart daily at 11.45am and 2.45pm.

For something a little different, take a night tour of the Moreton Bay wrecks onboard a purpose-built glass bottom boat.  Your guide will illuminate the sea where you can get a glimpse into the nocturnal marine nightlife.

This 90-minute tour costs $59 per adult and $39 per child and departs daily at 5.30pm.

4. Join a Kayaking Tangalooma Shipwrecks Tour

Another great option to see the wrecks and marine life is via a guided kayak tour – the perfect way to see marine life without getting wet.

A 90-minute guided kayak tour is $69 per solo kayaker or $54.50 per tandem rider.  Tours depart daily at 10, 1.30pm, and 3.30pm.

For something a bit different you can also join a night kayak tour, where your kayak will illuminate so you get a glimpse into the nocturnal marine nightlife.  These 90-minute night tours depart daily at 5pm and cost $79 per adult and $59 per child.

5. Hire Kayaks and Explore on your own

If you prefer to kayak on your own time, the resort offers kayak hire by the hour, so you can explore the waters in self-guided way.

Kayak hire is $25 per hour for a solo kayaker or $17.50 per person for tandem.  For 3 hours hire its $40 per solo kayaker or $25 per person for tandem.

Kayak hire also includes life jackets.

6. Scuba Diving

If you’re into diving the Tangalooma Wrecks provide a fantastic place to go exploring.  Even if you haven’t dived before, you can learn here.

For qualified divers a 60-minute scuba diving tour costs $139 per person.  If you’re interested in a scuba diving lesson, they are $99 per child or $159 per adult (minimum 4 people required).  Hire of scuba diving equipment is $119.

7. Go on a Jet Boat Ride  

A jet boat ride is another one of the great Tangalooma resort activities for the thriller seekers.  This jet boat gets up to 80km/6 all whilst doing tail slides, figure 8s, wave jumps and 360-degree spins.

A 60-minute ride on the jet board costs $79 per adult and $59 per child and depart daily at 10.15am, 11.15am, 1.15pm, 2.15pm, 3.15pm and 4pm.

8. Go on a Sea Scooter Safari  

Now this looks interesting!  It’s basically snorkeling with your very own motor.  You can also use an Aqua Ranger Sea Scooter which are ideal for children or anyone who’s not a confident swimmer.

90-minute Sea Scooter Safaris depart daily at 10am, 1pm and 3.15 and cost $99 per person and $79 per child.

9. Enjoy the Resorts Swimming Pools

The Moreton Island Tangalooma Resort has not one but two gorgeous swimming pools for guests.  During our visit they were renovating one of the pools, but we did check the other one out.

It was far to chilly for me to swim, but Myla got in there.  The good news is the pools are heated so you can swim almost all year round.  There are also plenty of sun loungers around the pool for relaxing.

10. Hire Stand Up Paddle Boards  

SUPing is all the rage right now isn’t it – and I can’t think of a more beautiful spot to partake than off the shores of the Tangalooma Beach.

You can hire a SUP for $35 per hour, $50 per 3 hours or join a 90-minute sunset tour for $69 per person.  

11. Take a Banana Boat or Tube Ride  

Another one of the fun things to do on Tangalooma for the families that love to get the heart pumping, is to do a 15-minute banana boat or tubing ride.

A banana boat ride is $29 per person for a solo ride or $25 per person for three people riding together.  Tube rides are $29 per person.   

12. Join a Fishing Tour  

If you or the kids are into fishing join a two-hour fishing tour where everything you need is provided.  Just to note that this is a catch and release fishing tour.

Fishing tours are $79 per adult and $69 per child.  

13. Join a Marine Discovery Cruise

Here’s your chance to spot some of Moreton Bay’s most beautiful marine life.  During this 2-hour Marine Discovery Tour. On board a purpose-built catamaran you will go in search for dolphins, dugongs, green sea turtles, sea cucumbers, stings rays.  Whilst you are searching for marine life your guide will provide you with information about the habitats and behaviours of the marine life.

Marine Discovery Cruises depart daily at 9.45am and 12.45pm and are $69 per adult and $49 per child.  

14. Go Parasailing  

Fly high above the shorelines of Tangalooma.  During your 6-8-minute parasailing adventure you will have fantastic views across Moreton Island and may even spot some marine life too.

Parasailing at a height of 100m is $95 for a solo rider, $85 each for a tandem ride, or $80 each for a triple ride.   Parasailing at a height of 150 is $105 for a solo rider, $95 each for a tandem ride, or $90 each for a triple ride.    Spectators in boat are $15 per person.  

15. Take a Whale Watching Cruise

During the months of June to October, the 3-hour Tangalooma whale watching cruise is perfect for observing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitats.

The Whale Watching Cruise is $75 per adult and $55 per child and departs daily at 12pm.

16. Relax on a Sunset Cruise

There aren’t too many places on the East Coast of Australia where you can watch the sunset over the water, but lucky for Tangalooma, here is one of them! 

The perfect way to enjoy the sunset is onboard a sunset cruise.  During the 60-minute cruise you will enjoy drinks, snacks, music and commentary and of course the stunning sunset.

Whilst we didn’t join the sunset cruise, we did watch the sunset from the window of our accommodation (see above), and it was spectacular!  The sunset cruise is definitely something I’d like to do next time we go to Tangalooma.

The sunset cruise departs daily at 6pm and costs $56 per adult and $45 per child.  

17. Motorboat Hire

A pretty cool thing to do on your family Tangalooma island holidays is to hire a boat for a few hours and go exploring on your own.  Anyone can hire one, no boat license is required.

We’ve hired a boat a few times ourselves (not at Tangalooma) and it’s such a fun way to go exploring.

Boats can be hired for 1 hour at the cost of $79, 2 hours for $109 or 3 hours for $139.

18. Hire Catamarans  

You can hire catamarans too which can be a bit of fun with the family.  Go explore the island at your own pace, go swimming, snorkeling or fishing.  No experience is required as the guys at Tanga Watersports will show everything you need to know.

Catamaran hire is $49 for 30 minutes or $79 for 1 hour.

19. Dolphin Feeding

Tangalooma dolphin feeding is definitely a highlight for many people’s visit to Tangalooma.  At Tangalooma you can join experienced marine professionals and help feed the wild bottlenose dolphins that visit the resort each evening.

Feeding the Tangalooma dolphins is only provided to guests staying overnight at Tangalooma as part of the dolphin feeding program or for day guests who have booked the official Tangalooma dolphin feeding day trip.

Whilst we were supposed to do the dolphin feeding during our trip, we couldn’t unfortunately as the water was a little choppy.  They did however allow us to through a fish each off the side of the jetty though.  It was still pretty cool seeing dolphins in the wild.

Even if you don’t participate in the dolphin feeding, its worth while heading down there as they have a special stadium like seating area off the jetty so you can easily see the dolphins.

Click here for more information about the dolphin feeding.

Land Based Activities

Whilst many of the activities at Tangalooma are based around the water, there are also some fantastic land-based activities too.  Perfect for those that don’t want to get wet or for days where the water is a bit too rough or cold.

20. Moreton Island Sandboarding

An absolute must whilst you’re at Tangalooma is the Moreton Island sandboarding!  This was easily one of the highlights of our trip and in my view another one of the must do things in Tangalooma.

Sand tobogganing can only be done as part of the desert safari Moreton Island tour, where you’re taken into the Moreton Island desert via a 4WD bus.  Once you get onto the track its super bumpy which Myla thought was hilarious!

Seeing the Moreton Island desert is something you have got to see for yourself!  It’s absolutely stunning!  Your guide then takes you over to the sand dune and gives you a briefing of how to ride the sand boards.

Walk up the 30-metre-high sand dune is pretty challenging though.  My calves were screaming and by the end I was falling all over the place.  Unfortunately, Myla only made it about halfway and then went back down.  I however was determined to get to the top!

Once you lie on your board ready to go over, it’s absolutely terrifying!!!  But as soon as you get going its friggin awesome!!!!!  Seriously it’s so much fun.

Myla ended up having a go from about halfway up the dune – she didn’t go too far but she still enjoyed what she did do.

This tour goes for 90 minutes and is $49 per adult and $32 per child.  The tour departs daily at 8.45am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.  Do yourself a favour and do this tour!!!  So much fun.

21. Tangalooma Quad Bike Tour

If you’re looking for an adrenaline activity, the Tangalooma quad bike tour is something you will definitely enjoy. Have fun exploring the bushland and beach of Tangalooma on this guided tour.

The price of the quad bike tour is $80 per solo rider or $60 per tandem rider.

22. Northern Safari 4WD Bus Tour  

If you want to see even more of Moreton Island, join this 4-hour tour and explore the western beaches of the island.  On this trip you pass through the townships of Cowan Cowan and Buwer and see the oldest lighthouse in Queensland at Cape Moreton.

The tour also includes a good ole Aussie damper morning tea.

Northern Safari Tours leave daily between the months of October to May at 8.30am and cost $110 per adult and $70 per child.  

23. Southern Safari 4WD Tour  

Join this 6-hour guided 4WD drive tour to explore the southern end of Moreton Island.  On route see the Eastern Beach, WW2 Rous Battery Site, Mirapools, Big and Little Sandhills and the Kooringal Township.  You will also enjoy a delicious seafood lunch at the Gutter Bar.

The Southern Safari Tour is $145 per adult and $99 per child and departs at 9am.

24. Hire a Bike  

Hire a bike on Tangalooma, but not just any bike – hire a beach bike!  These bikes are specially designed to easily be ridden along the beach.

Bike hire is $30 per hour or $50 for 2 hours.

25. Spoil yourself with a Massage

For 30 minutes, relax and treat yourself to Tangalooma Resort’s massage hut, where you can choose from massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, waxing, tinting, body treatments and different spa packages.

Click here for a full menu and price list.

26. Tangalooma Helicopter Tour

For something extra special, why not enjoy a bird’s eye view of the whole of Moreton Island via a Tangalooma helicopter tour of up to 30 minutes.

Prices vary depending on the length of trip, starting at $90 per person for 6 minutes up to $365 per person for 30 minutes.

27. Segway beach tour

For something a bit different you can even join the beach Segway tour and easily explore the stunning Tangalooma beach.

Segway tours are $55 per person for a 25-minute intro lesson or $99 per person for a 45-minute scenic tour.

28. Hire a 4WD and go Exploring at your own pace

If you want to get out and explore Moreton Island at your own pace, the best thing to do is hire a 4WD.  There is plenty to see – click here for all there is to see on Moreton Island.

4WD hire is $380 for the day.  

29. Go Whale Watching from Land  

During whale watching season, which is June to October, you can even spot whales from the land.  Join this bus tour where you will go and down the cliffs of Cape Moreton in search of these magnificent creatures.

This 4 hour tour is $110 per adult and $99 per child and is perfect for anyone who want to go whale watching but is partial to sea sickness.  

30. Join Old Whaling Station Tours and Talks  

Did you know that Tangalooma use to be an old whale station?  Join a 60-minute discussion where you can learn all about the history and operations of the whale station and hear how the island went from exploiting whales to becoming the home of sustainable whale watching tourism.

Discussions are free to join, check with the resort for times.  

31. Let the kids get burn off some energy on the Trampolines  

Tangalooma even has a beach trampoline!  The trampoline is in front of the Tangalooma Water Sports and costs $5 per person for 30 minutes.  

32. Take the Kids to the Playground

There’s a small pirate ship playground at Tangalooma for the kids.  It includes slides, climbing equipment and a fireman’s pole.  It’s only small but Myla had a great time playing on it. 

33. Hire some Sports Equipment

If you’re the sporty type, you’re in luck because you can hire a range of sports equipment for free!  There’s badminton, basketball, beach cricket, boules, croquet, island gold, squash, table tennis, tennis and beach volleyball.  

34. Learn all about Dolphins at the daily Dolphin Talk  

Before you get the opportunity to feed the dolphins why not pop in for the free dolphin briefing.  Here you will learn all about the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Feeding Program, as well as learn about the dolphins that come to be feed each night.

The dolphin briefing takes place each day at 3.15pm and is free.  Unfortunately we didn’t get to hear the dolphin talk as we were off on our snorkelling tour.

35. Feed the Kookaburras  

Kookaburra feeding takes place each day at 4.45pm and is free to attend.  On the day we were there only one little fella popped down for some food and unfortunately, he was gone again before I got to take a photo.  Apparently there was an eagle in the area which was preventing the kookaburras coming down.

The ranger left a few pieces of meat out in case any other kookaburras came and whilst we were still in the area a kite attempted to come down a few times for the meat.  It looked amazing watching this bird keep circling and having its big claws out ready to grab the meat.  But I guess due to a few people hanging around it was too scared to come down and eventually disappeared.  

36. Feed the Pelicans

At 11 am each day there is also pelican feeding.  You won’t forget it’s on as all the pelicans and other birds know the precise time to come and wait for their feed!  It was quite cute seeing all the pelicans standing around waiting.

And when the range came along with her esky all the pelicans went running for her.

For even more fun in the sun – click here to read our Gold Coast family holidays guide.

Tangalooma Day Trip Cruises  

If you don’t have the time to spend the night at Tangalooma, you can also join a Tangalooma Island day trip.  Honestly with this stunning island on Brisbane’s doorstep – a day trip is so worth it.

There are a few different day trips to choose from, check out our guide here which includes all the different options.

Where to Eat: Tangalooma Restaurants  

So where to eat whilst visiting Tangalooma?  There are a range of Tangalooma restaurants and even a convenience store so you will never go hungry.  Being an island resort, you can expect pricing to be a little high, so be sure to consider some self-catering mixed in with eating out.

Remember for guest staying overnight at Tangalooma, you can bring an esky (cooler) up to 20kg per group!  

• Beach Café: Here you will find pizzas (from $21), pasta (from $17), salads (from $12) and more.  There is also a good kid’s menu with most things $10.  We found all the servings really large and most people could easily share a meal for a light lunch.  
• Beach BBQ: The beach BBQ has a limited menu each day – for example one day we ate there and it was burgers and chips which was $19.  
• The Coffee Lounge: If you just want something quick and easy come here as they serve sandwiches (from $4) and pies etc.  
• “Fire” Sichuan Chinese Dining: We love out Asian food and so couldn’t resist coming here for dinner.  The food was beautiful and again the servings were generous.  Myla’s kids’ meal was absolutely huge!!!  This would easily feed 2 children.  
• “Stone” – Australian Resort Dining: We didn’t eat here during our stay, but this restaurant serves upmarket Australia pub food.  

•   B&Bs Bar: We didn’t visit the bar during our stay either – but I did note they had a happy hour between 7-8pm each day – although I’m not sure what that entails.  
• Lucky 7 Convenience Store: There is also a small supermarket at the resort which has a small range of items for self-catering.  I took a note of some of the items here and their prices – bottle of wine $20, loaf of bread $4.80, 1.25l coke $6, 1l milk $3.70, sausages $6, 6 eggs $3.95.  

Where to Stay – Tangalooma Accommodation  

There is a wide range of Tangalooma Island accommodation options from hotel rooms, to self-contained suites to large holiday homes.

Here is a brief overview of the Tangalooma resort accommodation option:

Hotel Standard and Deluxe Rooms  

The hotel rooms are in the Kookaburra Lodge which is located by the swimming pool and close to all the main facilitates at the Tangalooma beach resort.  If you want to be guaranteed an ocean view, book the deluxe option, although you may land yourself an ocean view even when booking a standard room, but it’s not guaranteed.

Hotel rooms can accommodate up to 4 people and facilities include air conditioning, hot beverage making facilities, a TV, a bar fridge, hairdryer and Moreton Island dolphin feeding.

Price per night starts at $209 for the standard or $259 for the deluxe.  Click here to check availability and current pricing.

Resort Units

This is the accommodation type we stayed in during our visit to Tangalooma.  These rooms are like the hotel rooms but also include a small kitchenette which has a microwave, kettle and toaster so you can prepare some basic meals during your stay.  They also have a small dining area.

Resort units also accommodate 4 people and start at $239 per night.  Click here to check availability and current pricing.

1 Bedroom Family Suites

The Tangalooma family suite is very similar to the resort units, however there is a separate main bedroom.    These suites can accommodation up to 6 people and start at $289 per night.  Click here to check availability and current pricing.

Beachfront Villas

For large families and groups of up to 8 people, the Tangalooma villas (pictured above) are a great way to go.  These villas are two levels, include two bedrooms, have a full kitchen and even a washing machine.  There is a garden patio downstairs and a balcony upstairs with fantastic views across Moreton Bay.

The standard villas don’t have air conditioning but do include ceiling fans throughout.  If you want air conditioning book the deluxe villa.  Deluxe villas are pretty much as the standard villas; however some only accommodate 6 people as opposed to 8.

The standard villas are from $399 per night whilst the deluxe villas are from $459 per night.  Click here to check availability and current pricing.

Deep Blue Holiday Apartments

The Deep Blue apartments Tangalooma has on offer include 2-bedroom, 3 bedroom or even 4-bedroom apartments. 

Each apartment is fully self-contained with a furnished balcony with views of Moreton Bay (includes barbecue), full kitchen, ducted air conditioning, washing machine and dryer, a TV, use of the Deep Blue swimming pool and an in-room spa.

The Deep Blue apartments can accommodation from 4 people up to 8 people and start at $479 for a 2-bedroom apartment, $509 for a 3-bedroom apartment and $549 for a 4-bedroom apartment.  Click here to check availability and current pricing.

Holiday Home Rentals

For those families or groups that want spacious accommodation in a quieter pocket of the resort, a Tangalooma holiday house may be what you’re after.   There are a range of stunning homes to choose from offering accommodation for up to 12 people.

Each house is individually styled and has facilities such as entertainment decks, barbecue facilities, alfresco style dining and have stunning views over the water of Moreton Bay.

Holiday houses start at $349 per night.   Click here to check availability and current pricing.

Our Verdict: Tangalooma Review  

Well despite being right on our doorstep, it’s been years since I have visited Tangalooma – in fact not since I was a young girl.  And now I’m asking myself why?  It’s so easy and quick to get there.  I mean from the minute we left home to the moment we arrived on the island took no more than around 2.5 hours.  2.5 hours and we were in a stunning tropical island paradise!

Sure, Tangalooma is a bit pricey to what we are use too.  But usually we have to spend at least 8-10 hours on an airplane to get there.  Not to mention the time to get through customs etc.

Tangalooma is absolutely stunning, a wonderful place for a relaxing family holiday, perfect if you’re looking for a short weekend away from Brisbane .  Spend your days swimming in the calm crystal-clear water, join various free activities and splurge on one or two activities that cost extra.

If you’ve been considering taking the family over to Tangalooma but for one reason or another haven’t got around to it – do it – you won’t regret it!

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Thanks so much for Tangalooma Island Resort for hosting our stay – however as usual all opinions expressed in this post are not influenced in anyway.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that should make any bookings using my links, I may be paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.  This allows me to provide this information free of charge – thank you for supporting our website.

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• Places to go
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Tangalooma Island Resort Day Cruises

, Moreton Island Queensland 4025

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www.tangalooma.com

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1300 652 250

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SOURCE www.atdw.com.au

At just over an hour by catamaran from Brisbane, Tangalooma Island Resort is the most unique day trip destination from Brisbane. Whether you're looking for an action-packed day out, or something a little more relaxing, Tangalooma has something to offer everyone.

Day Cruise guests have full access to resort amenities and facilities, including a heap of must-do island based tours and activities, cafes, bars, restaurants, and Eco Ranger experiences.

Enjoy non-stop fun and adventure on the Premium Dolphin Feeding Day Cruise, where guests have the opportunity to hand feed one of the wild bottlenose dolphins that visit the resort each evening at dusk. A signature Tangalooma experience! Or if you’re pressed for time, enjoy a 'Classic Day Cruise' inclusive of a signature island tour. And for those looking for a classic Australian beach escape, the 'Beach Day Cruise' offers just that. With all day cruises including return transfers and lunch, you won't need to worry about a thing!

Between June and October, jump aboard Australia's largest dedicated whale watching vessel to witness the Eastern Humpback Whale migration. Tangalooma offers an abundance of bucket-list Queensland experiences to make your day out unforgettable!

All day cruises depart daily from Brisbane.

Dolphin Feeding Day Cruise

For the full Tangalooma experience, kick things up a gear on the ‘Premium Dolphin Feeding Day Cruise’. Spend the day exploring Moreton Island on your choice of land or water-based tour before joining the local Eco Rangers at dusk to hand feed a member of the wild dolphin family that visit the shores each evening. This experience is undoubtedly the highlight of any visit to Tangalooma. And be sure to smile, as their photographers are there to capture your perfect day out! This day cruise includes: return launch transfers, a complimentary beverage onboard the launch transfer, lunch, full access to resort amenities and facilities, Eco Ranger experiences, a selection of free resort activities including the daily Pelican and Seabird talk and the daily Kookaburra feed, your choice of Desert Safari Tour (including sand tobogganing), Snorkel the Wrecks tour, Marine Discovery Cruise, ATV Quad Bike Tour or Whale Watching (June to October), access to the dolphin feeding program, and access to the Resort's day lounge.

Whale Watching Cruise

Since 1987, Tangalooma Island Resort has offered Brisbane's closest Whale Watching day cruise, plus the opportunity to enjoy island life for the day, and night if you stay longer. Tangalooma's Whale Watching Cruises operate from June through to the end of October, with departures available from Brisbane and Tangalooma. See these majestic humpback whales in their natural environment as part of an awe-inspiring day tour. Choose your whale watching tour inclusion on the Classic Day Cruise, Dolphin Viewing Day Cruise or Premium Dolphin Feeding Day Cruise. All Tangalooma day cruises including whale watching offer return launch transfers, light lunch served on-board the whale watching cruise, access to resort amenities and facilities, your choice of Eco Ranger experiences, a complimentary beverage onboard the launch transfer service, and a selection of free resort activities including the daily Pelican and Seabird talk and the Kookaburra feed. Humpback whales migrate each winter, putting on a magnificent display of breaching, tail slapping, and spy-hopping as they make their way to warmer waters. South-East Queensland is one of the best places to see these amazing creatures, with over 30,000 whales expected to pass right by Moreton Island this season.

Beach Day Cruise

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city, avoid the traffic of going up or down the coast and just enjoy the relaxed tropical island lifestyle for the day on Tangalooma's Beach Day Cruise. With lunch included your transition into cruise mode will become more than a one-off occurrence. Plus, enjoy full guest access to Resort facilities including a heap of free land-based activities, pool tables, swimming pools, restaurants, bars and more. So close to Brisbane, yet you'll feel worlds away. The Beach Day Cruise includes return catamaran transfers from Holt Street Wharf - Brisbane, lunch vouchers to the value of AUD20 per adult and AUD15 per child, Discover the World of Dolphins Presentation from Tangalooma Eco Rangers, up to seven hours at the Resort to partake in selected free land-based activities, and full use of resort amenities and facilities, including two swimming pools, restaurants and bars.

Sunset Cocktail Day Cruise with Wild Dolphin Viewing

Sip a Cocktail while while enjoying the rare sight in Brisbane of a sunset over water Upon arrival your day kicks off with a signature tour (quad bikes, desert safari, snorkelling, marine discovery cruise or whale watching), lunch, cocktail voucher and access to the wheelhouse deck* plus watch the wild dolphins as they come in each night! All this packed into a simple day trip from Brisbane - we guarantee there is no day trip like this! The close the day out watching the picturesque sunset over Moreton Bay - enjoying the sunset from the best seat in the house, while sipping on a delicious evening cocktail (included)! You won’t want to miss the chance to see the family of wild dolphins as they come into shore at dusk from your vantage point of the jetty, you can see them close up and at their most charming, with presentations from their marine experts so you’ll learn about them too.

Classic Day Cruise

Grab the family and hop on a Classic Day Cruise, and the choice of activity is yours! Snorkel the world-famous Tangalooma Shipwrecks, ride the ATV Quad bikes on Australia's best dedicated quad tracks, spot the unique marine life on the Marine Discovery tour, take a Desert Safari tour and speed down the dunes on a sand toboggan, Speed along on an ATV Quad Bike or visit between June and October to experience Tangalooma's famous Whale Watching Cruise! Packed with all of the day trip essentials, a Tangalooma Day Cruise is a great way to experience this island paradise with your choice of tour and up to eight hours soaking up the ambience in nature’s playground. Tangalooma Day Cruises include return launch transfers, a complimentary beverage onboard the launch transfer, lunch, full access to resort amenities and facilities, Eco Ranger experiences, a selection of free resort activities, your choice of Desert Safari Tour (including sand tobogganing), Snorkel the Wrecks, ATV Quad Bike Tour, Marine Discovery Cruise or Whale Watching Cruise (June to October).

4WD Desert Safari Day Cruise

Feel the need for speed? Take a journey to the Tangalooma Desert as part of this thrilling and bumping 4WD bus tour. Cruise over from Brisbane to Tangalooma and take a journey to the Tangalooma Desert as part of this thrilling and bumping 4WD bus tour where getting there is half the fun! As Tangalooma Island Resort buses have exclusive drive-on access to the desert, guests will receive a unique look into the heart of Moreton Island and then participate in the exhilarating sport of Moreton Island sand tobogganing, reaching speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour! Upgrade your Day Cruise to stay back for a longer visit that includes either Wild Dolphin Viewing or Wild Dolphin Feeding

Marine Discovery Day Cruise

Cruise out past the wrecks in search of dolphins, dugongs, turtles and more! Go further than land can take you and enjoy a cruise along the Moreton Bay Regions protected marine park. As you motor along the bay in the Glass Bottom Boat you are able to see the marine life beneath the surface. The knowledgeable guides will tell you all about the island and its surrounds. This day cruise caters for all ages, making it the perfect family day out. Upgrade your Day Cruise to stay back for a longer visit that includes either Wild Dolphin Viewing or Wild Dolphin Feeding.

Snorkel The Wrecks Day Cruise

Enjoy one of Australia's best snorkelling locations set amongst shipwrecks for just the day. Tangalooma Island Resort latest day trip offering includes a guided snorkel tour through the magical Tangalooma Shipwrecks of Moreton Island. The crystal clear waters that surround the wrecks are filled with over 200 species of fish and 130 species of coral, not to mention three different species of marine sea turtle, dolphins and even Wobbegong sharks and stingrays. This guided tour begins at the Tangalooma beach front, with a short boat ride to the wrecks, with all snorkel gear provided. Upgrade your Day Cruise to stay back for a longer visit that includes either Wild Dolphin Viewing or Wild Dolphin Feeding.

ATV Quad Bike Day Cruise

Journey through Tangalooma as part of this thrilling and bumping ATV Quad Bike Tour. Experience the thrill of riding on an ATV quad bike along the beach and through the bushland at Tangalooma. The professional guides will assist you regardless of your experience, providing you with basic bush track training to handle the best dedicated ATV quad bike tracks in Australia. Upgrade your Day Cruise to stay back for a longer visit that includes either Wild Dolphin Viewing or Wild Dolphin Feeding.

Sea to Sky Helicopter Day Cruise

Jam packed with adventure this Day Cruise from Brisbane includes an incredible opportunity to 'Buzz the Wrecks' on a 12 minute Scenic Helicopter Joy flight. Couple this with an additional signature tour (quad bikes, desert safari, snorkelling, marine discovery cruise or whale watching), lunch, cocktail voucher and access to the wheelhouse deck* plus watch the wild dolphins as they come in at sunset! All this packed into a simple day trip from Brisbane - we guarantee there is no day trip like this! There's no better way to end the day at Tangalooma Island Resort than watching the picturesque sunset over Moreton Bay - but now you can enjoy the sunset from the best seat in the house, while sipping on a delicious evening cocktail!

• Disabled access available, contact operator for details.

Experiences you can enjoy:

• Nature & Wildlife
• Experience is charged

Activities you can engage in:

• Birdwatching
• Canoeing/Kayaking
• Scuba Diving
• Snorkelling

Your Moreton Island

Adventure starts here: , ami day pass.

Spend the day exploring the crystal clear waters and the Tangalooma Shipwrecks at your own pace with  kayak ,  stand up paddle board  and  snorkeling equipment hire

Wrecks Adventure Tour

You’re the boss when it comes to our Wrecks Adventure Tour! Choose up to 3 unique adventures for your  Moreton Island Day Trip . Come and experience that Tangalooma Island has to offer with Adventure Moreton Island.

Create Your own adventure

Pack your swimmers & towel, grab your friends & family and discover the aquatic adventures waiting for you in the crystal clear waters of the bay and Tangalooma Shipwrecks. Come see all that Adventure Moreton Island has to offer at your leisure.

Whether you’re an Introductory (beginner/unlicensed) or Certified Diver (licensed),  Adventure Moreton Island  has a Scuba diving experience to suit you!  The Tangalooma Shipwrecks are Moreton Island’s premier dive location.

Your Adventure starts here:

Adventure Moreton Island is your one-stop shop with a wide range of activities, including snorkelling, kayaking, glass bottom boat cruises, scuba diving, parasailing and much more!  See the beauty of Moreton Island in full swing over at Tangalooma Island Resort. From your ferry trip over to your activities on the island, Adventure Moreton Island has it all. Find your adventure today!

Experience Adventure Moreton Island with us! For the best range of  outdoor activities and Island Day Trips! 

AMI is based at Tangalooma Island Resort, so you will also have access to all Tangalooma Vendors!

All Adventure Moreton Island packages include a return ferry transfer from Brisbane.

Meet our local wildlife:

Green Sea Turtles

Moreton Island is home to 5 different species of Sea Turtles and while snorkelling the wrecks it’s not uncommon to come across one going about their day. Sea Turtles often nest on the same beaches they were born on and the temperature of the sand is what determines the sex of the turtle. Moreton Islands cool sands mean that male turtles are more likely to hatch than females.

Wobbegong Sharks

Reading the word shark probably sounds intimidating however the Wobbegong Sharks that inhabit the wrecks are harmless. These bottom-dwelling sharks spend most of their time on the sea floor eating crabs and other smaller fish. The name “Wobbegong” comes from the “Australian-Aboriginal” language meaning “shaggy beard” which refers to the many growths on the bottom of it’s mouth.

Day Cruise to Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island

• Return boat transfers from Holt St Wharf, Brisbane.
• Day pass access to Tangalooma Island Resort.
• Full use of resort facilities including pools, restaurants and bars.
• 1 standard beverage on the boat transfer (tea, coffee, soft drink or water)
• Lunch voucher ($25 per adult, $20 per child)
• Choice of Desert Safari Tour, Marine Discovery Cruise, Snorkel Tour or ATV Quad Bike Tour.
• Eco Ranger experiences.
• Discover the World of Dolphins" presentation at the Eco Centre.
• Hotel drop-off
• Hotel pickup
• 220 Holt St, Pinkenba QLD 4008, Australia Departure Point: Tours depart from Holt St Wharf. Please arrive 1 hour prior to the booked tour departure time. Address: 220 Holt St, Pinkenba.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travellers can participate
• Please arrive at Holt St Wharf 1 hour prior to departure time.
• Minimum age to participate in the Snorkel activity is 6 years
• Eco Ranger experiences are subject to change and subject to animal attendance.
• No refund if bookings cancelled 48 hours or less prior to travel, or in the case of a no-show.
• Tour departs Tangalooma Island Resort at 4.00pm and returns back to Holt St Wharf at 5.15pm.
• Minimum age to participate in the ATV Quad Bike tour is 10 years
• Some Tangalooma activities and tours are physically demanding and may pose a health or safety risk. For your safety, you must disclose if you are suffering from any injury, medical condition (such as pregnancy, epilepsy, asthma or cardiovascular conditions), disability, disease, or illness, after booking. If you have an injury or a pre-existing medical condition, it is essential to provide a medical certificate confirming your fitness to participate in snorkelling. Please bring the certificate with you on the day. If you suffer from asthma please bring your medication. If you are unsure or have any further questions please check before booking.
• Power Supply: Any guest that requires uninterrupted continuous power supply for life support equipment, is required to provide a minimum of 96 hours advanced notification of this requirement to Tangalooma directly prior to check-in.
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travellers
• If you cancel at least 3 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
• If you cancel within 2 days of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.

• BonStar82 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Loads of fun Beautiful place to visit. Really friendly staff. Lots to do. We went on the quad bike tour, that could have been longer - maybe a 2 hour excursion!? Read more Written 25 March 2024
• Lisa18652 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Fab day out- do your research before you go re what's on offer so can plan better! Lovely place. Got 4 out 5 due to lack of information following our booking. Shame it was overcast and drizzling...but can't book the weather. Quad bikes were fabulous! Read more Written 24 March 2024
• Kevin B 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Reef and wreck tour at Tangolooma Resort Lyrik and Philippe gave an excellent reef and wreck tour. We experience seeing multiple turtles and several fish species. The tour was informative and the perfect duration, we give it a resounding recomendation if you visit the resort. Read more Written 17 March 2024
• Q7894RFcarmeng 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Marine discovery cruise to Moreton Island The ferry across was slightly longer and then you are told to go to the tour office to check in straight away. I booked onto the Marine Discovery cruise. Don't bother, you see a turtle or 2 very briefly and some fish. Just do the beach day visit and walk to the shipwrecks. You get a really good view of them. The food isn't great either. It's a nice island and a nice beach though. Read more Written 10 March 2024
• a8546927 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles This is a good place for vacation This is a good place for vacation. Tangalooma have a beautiful beach and exciting activities. I love feeding dolphins. Read more Written 2 March 2024
• T5610MHlaurar 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Spent the Whole Day Lining Up - I'm Never Getting that Time Back TLDR; I will never do another Tangalooma Tour and will warn others away from them. We booked a day cruise with a guided snorkel of the wrecks and late return with "sunset cocktails" and dolphin feeding viewing for a Saturday. We had hoped that with the extra hours on the island we would also be able to walk over to the wrecks to do some extra snorkeling. Sadly there was no time because every single thing we needed to do required a wait in a long line. Our day trip came with vouchers for access to the "VIP" day lounge with showers, vouchers for food, and vouchers for two cocktails. The ferry: The ferry was quite full. Due to people saving seats with their things and then wandering off to spend their time somewhere else on the ferry, my SO and I were unable to sit next to each other. When I booked the day trip, the information said that the ferry took 70 minutes, but it actually took at least 90 minutes. As others have mentioned we were advised to show up an hour before departure time to check in, the first long line up of the day. The "VIP" day lounge: there are small lockers (require a $2 coin to lock each time), 2 toilets and 2 showers per gendered restroom. There were stacks of towels with a sign saying these were not for beach use. We had to go line up at reception to get beach towels - the line up at reception was unexpectedly long. When we returned at the end of the day to shower there was a massive pile of used towels and no fresh towels for the shower. It appeared that the lounge restrooms had not been serviced during the day, as the floors were muddy and, as mentioned, the lack of towels. The food: we ate at the cafe and were able to get a light lunch (sandwich and bottled water) using the vouchers. There was a line up to order. It was difficult to find seating. The wrecks snorkel: this was advertised as a 90 minute snorkel tour. When we arrived at the island we went to the Tanga Tours desk where they told us our tour would be at 3:15 and to show up at the watersports hut at 3:00. We got there at 3:00 and stood by the check-in tent with several others waiting for the tour. There was a sign saying to fill in the online indemnity form, so we did that. Around 3:15 two staff people showed up and started checking people in. I didn't count how manny people there were, but I'd guess it was around 60. Check-in, which involved answering questions about swimming and snorkeling abilities, took a ridiculous amount of time. We already had our own snorkel gear with us, but the tour requires participants to wear a wet suit so we had to line up for that. (This is not a bad idea as many of the participants were non-swimmers or poor swimmers and the wrecks themselves are tetanus waiting to happen.) We were then split into smaller groups for the safety briefing before boarding the boat. By the time we were on the boat it was after 4:30. Once we arrived at the snorkel site (about 5 minutes) we were herded around the wrecks in our smaller groups at breakneck speed with hardly any time to actually look at what was beneath us. I spent most of the swim keeping track of where our guide and my SO were and avoiding getting kicked in the face by the other participants. It was not enjoyable at all. We got back to the resort after 5:00. Zero stars for the snorkel tour. Do not waste your money or time on this. The "sunset cocktail": after the snorkel and discovering that there were no more towels at the lounge for showering we went to the only open bar (one bar with two bartenders on a Saturday evening guys) to exchange our vouchers for a drink and watch the sunset. My SO lined up at the bar while I sat at a table on the terrace that we managed to snag. I people watched and watched a Curlew that seemed to think it was trapped on the terrace. Sunset was at around 6:30. My SO returned with the drinks at 6:45. The dolphin feeding viewing: If you have not seen the film "Nope" watch it (warning: disturbing scenes and blood). This gave me flashbacks to that film and it's own "feeding" scene. There were long lineups of people along the beach - one line for each dolphin. The area was lit with very bright floodlights and there was an announcer on a loud speaker. Photographers were in the water documenting each person's feeding. It just really felt wrong. As soon as the ferry staff started allowing people to board we got on, leaving the dystopian dolphin experience behind us. The feeding was not yet over so we had to wait a while before we finally left the island. We got back to Brisbane at 9:30pm. Note that Ubers are not given access to the ferry terminal at night but taxis are. This day trip was disappointing at its best. The descriptions on the site over-promise what it actually is, especially the guided snorkel of the wrecks. The bar situation was odd. The ""VIP" day lounge was pretty gross by the end of the day. But worst of all, we spent most of our time in lineups to get the things that we had paid for. Never again. Read more Written 24 February 2024
• 95sonja95 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great day full of fun! Me and my friend had a great experience visiting tangalooma island resort, the atv driving is 100 per cent worth it and a lot of fun! Everyone we came across from the ferry transfers staff to the staff at the resort and activities were super friendly and so so kind, they made out visit even better, only down side was not being able to stay longer Read more Written 7 February 2024
• Margaret C 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles A very nice day in Tropical Tangalooma!. I booked the Tangalooma Day Cruise through the Brisbane Visitor Information Centre. It was a very organised day and i would recommend it to anyone staying in Brisbane. I opted to walk to the wrecks, swim at the beach and enjoy lunch which was included. The weather was great as well. Read more Written 30 January 2024
• Shirley L 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Quad bike and dolphin feeding Had a fantastic day at Tangalooma. It was well worth it. The quad biking was such fun and the dolphin feeding was a great way to end the day. Read more Written 14 January 2024
• Meer5253 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Tangalooma Day Cruise Well organized tour. Nice place to visit for a day with a bunch of fun activities to choose from. Great place to visit with a family. Aziz Meer Windsor, ON, Canada Read more Written 24 December 2023
• JayHi96 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Tangaloomeh We took our 4yo for the day cruise and dolphin feeding. The trip to the island was a glimpse of what was to come, with half the boat lining up at the bar at 10am. Once on the island we were shunted along and met with a tour guide, who gave us vague details of what was to come, we spent the day on the beach and on a fish feeding cruise, which was uneventful, but fun. Unfortunately, the dolphin feeding only happens at 730pm, which too late for our little one, so we missed it in favour of a trip home early. When we tried to board the earlier ferry, we were lectured by the older man at the ticket booth about how we are supposed to wait until 8pm to board. The trip back was full of very drunk people from a work Xmas party, which made for a colorful experience. Read more Written 20 December 2023
• C6944EGlees 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A day out with the family We had decided to take our 16 year old daughter and 4 of her friends out for the day to celebrate her birthday, Tangalooma had everything covered and it run like clockwork, highly recommended a visit for any occasion as it caters for all ages, thanks for a great day. Read more Written 19 December 2023
• Ingi77 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Any evening on the water is a good one The wonderful people of Tanga Tours (especially Lyrika!) made this trip a really pleasant evening - helped by a spectacular lightning storm! Don't wear long pants as it's a wet entry boat! Read more Written 2 December 2023
• 81mason 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Happy & Memorable Experience We took the 7.30 ferry to Tangalooma, did the ATV activity in the morning. That was really good fun! I would highly recommend that! We wore our own shoes but the ATV tour does provide you with some shoes if you happen to be wearing flip flops. The weather was perfect so spent some time chilling at the beach! The main course was the dolphin feeding in the EVENING (6.30pm after sunset). Apparently that's when they dolphines know its their food time. The feeding takes a few minutes and immediately after everyone have to board the ferry right after. I'd recommend bringing some spare clothes to change on the ferry as you would be cold and soaked after getting into the water. Overall, a very happy and memorable experience for my wife and I. Read more Written 31 October 2023
• mandybLiverpool 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Staff and Animals amazing Good trip out to the Island and met on arrival. Advised Marine discovery tour was starting early due to high winds and had a really informative trip with Lyric and Scott. Didn't see turtles but still a great trip and lots of Information provided. Voucher for food must be used in one go which is a bit of a pain but does go far depending where/what you order. As a disabled traveller I then struggled with what to do and where to go as no chairs or sunbeds to sit on the beach and very limited seating g by the pools. However lots to do with kids and for those able to participate in both the free and paid activities. Lots of wildlife around especially birds and the kookaburra talk was really interesting. The highlight of course was feeding the wild dolphins who came in and that was just fabulous and once in a lifetime experience. The trip home was very rough and not pleasant but that was the weather and nothing g to do with the trip. Overall I would recommend but take your own chairs and plenty of suncream Read more Written 30 October 2023

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Day Cruise to Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island provided by Tangalooma Island Resort Day Cruises