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Trip checklist
Covered, to bring, left out
Included4
- A fully guided day with a guide who speaks English
- Snorkelling around the Tangalooma Wrecks
- A transparent kayak paddle and a sand tobogganing run
- A pickup from a meeting point in Brisbane or the Gold Coast
Bring3
- A towel, sunscreen, a hat and swimwear
- Cash for the park and ferry fees, paid to the driver
- Your booking on your phone
Not part of it2
- The national park and ferry fees, which are paid in cash on the day
- Children aged 3 and under, who may not join
2,260reviews
guests have reviewed this day on GetYourGuide
75minutes
the cruise across Moreton Bay
15wrecks
vessels sunk off the Tangalooma beach
24hours
the free cancellation window
In their words
What travelers wrote
4.5
★★★★★2,260 checked guest reviews
A great, well-organised day where the instructors were helpful and made it fun, and we came away with memories to keep.
VickyJuly 2026, with friends
The weather was iffy, but we still had a wonderful time and felt safe throughout, looked after by friendly, welcoming guides.
LouiseJuly 2026, as a couple
My kids loved the snorkeling and the sand boarding, and the day got our family out exploring the island together.
DeidreJuly 2026, with family
The instructions on where to show up were clear, the guides were welcoming, the boats and gear were well kept, and I would recommend the day without hesitation.
CatherineJuly 2026, with family
Sliding down the dunes, kayaking and snorkeling were all a lot of fun, and the clean water showed us many fish and even turtles.
MaMay 2026, traveling solo
An awesome day where we loved every activity, the guides really knew their stuff and we are already planning another trip.
LisaMay 2026, with kids
the day in brief
What a Moreton Island day trip involves
Our pick for a Moreton day trip is a full-day trip from Brisbane, which its listing describes as fully guided, with a 75-minute cruise across the bay. On the island the named activities are snorkeling around the Tangalooma Wrecks, kayaking in a transparent kayak, sand tobogganing in The Desert, 4WD driving along the beach and through bushland, and a lunch break.
Guests meet at a point in Brisbane. The listing gives the Port of Brisbane, 14 Howard Smith Dr, at 7:30 AM, and the Brisbane Coach Terminal at 7 AM, and says the meeting point may vary with the option booked. The exact departure time arrives when you confirm the reservation, so wait for that message before you plan the morning.
The trip starts from $126, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The guide speaks English. The pages of this guide go deeper on the wrecks, the dunes, the ferry and the dolphins, and the booking panel below keeps the price live.
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Discover Moreton Island toursPhoto set
Wrecks, dunes and clear water
Photos from Moreton Island day-trip listings
the wrecks
The ships under the water at Tangalooma
The wrecks are a cluster of ships scuttled by the Queensland Government between 1963 and 1984, lying just north of the Tangalooma resort. The resort counts 15 vessels, and says coral is now forming in and around them, a haven for over 100 species of fish. Snorkeling around them is the first activity our listing names for the day.
The water has rules of its own. A strong current sweeps between the wrecks and the beach when the tide is running, and the beach is unpatrolled. The resort adds that many inexperienced boats and jet skis pass between the wrecks and the beachfront. A guided snorkel keeps you with a group and a leader, which is a good way to meet this place.
The wrecks are also a free public attraction, according to the operator of the Micat ferry, which says no booking is needed to visit them. A separate page on this site compares a guided snorkel with swimming out from the beach, with the time in the water, the age limits and the tide to watch. Plan around the tide as well, because the Micat operator says tide times at the wrecks run about 30 minutes earlier than the Brisbane Bar tables.
Book, with fee-free cancellationSeasons
Heat and rain on Moreton Island by month
Highs, lows and wet days from the NOAA station at Cape Moreton Lighthouse, 19.1 km from Tangalooma, averaged 1991 to 2020.
Pick a month for its temperatures and rainfall.
Typical daily highOne dot stands for 20 mm rainNOAA 1991 to 2020 · Station Cape Moreton Lighthouse
the money
What the day costs once you add the cash
The trip starts from $126, and that is a from price, so the amount you pay depends on the date and the group. At departure the listing has you hand the national park and ferry charges to the driver in cash, 85 AUD for an adult and 65 AUD for a child of 13 or under. Those costs are part of the real price of the day, so we show them here and not only on a page further down the site.
A peak surcharge of 20 AUD is payable on gazetted public holidays. Those items sit outside the from price on the booking page, so add them when you compare this day with others. We state prices only as from prices taken from listings, and fees only as the listing writes them, and we never convert the Australian dollar figures ourselves.
Free cancellation runs up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is a useful cushion in a place where the weather decides a lot. Booking is simple: pick a date on the panel, choose the number of guests and confirm. Because you can pay later, the reservation takes no money today, and the 24-hour window lets you step back if the forecast turns against you.
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Your island day
Pick a date and cross the bay.
Choose a day from Brisbane, safe in the knowledge that cancelling stays free until 24 hours before.
the crossing
From the Port of Brisbane across Moreton Bay
Regular ferries serve the island from different terminals, and they are not the same boat. The Micat leaves from 14 Howard Smith Dr, Port of Brisbane, takes about 90 minutes and lands next to the wrecks. The Tangalooma passenger ferry leaves from Holt Street Wharf, Pinkenba, and takes 75 minutes. The park manager adds that the island lies 40 km offshore and can be reached by ferry, barge or boat, with bookings essential.
Our listing gives a 75-minute cruise and a Port of Brisbane meeting point at the same address the Micat operator gives for its terminal, but it does not name the vessel, so we cannot say which boat you will take. What the listing does say is that the meeting point may vary with the option booked. If you want to know the boat before you book, ask the operator, since the exact departure time is also given when you confirm.
A page on this site walks through both crossings, with check-in times, luggage limits, parking and the rules on alcohol. The park manager notes that large seas can be experienced between the island and the mainland, which is one more reason to leave a little slack in your day. Our ferry page also sets the crossing times of the Micat and the Tangalooma launch side by side, so you can see what each one asks of your morning.
Book, with fee-free cancellationThe score
2,260 people reviewed this
4.5
Excellent★★★★★
- 5 star rating100%
- 4 star rating0%
- 3 star rating0%
- 2 star rating0%
- 1 star rating0%
The distribution above is taken from the 10 newest entries in our dataset, and GetYourGuide ranks the best first. Over 2,260 reviews in total, the rating is 4.5.
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from $126 · no fee to cancel
Confirmation at booking · by GetYourGuide
the dunes
Sliding down The Desert on a board
The Desert lies about 1 km south east of Tangalooma, a bare field of dunes that the resort says is formed by natural erosion and keeps changing shape. It is famous for steep sandy hills that suit sliding on waxed boards. Our listing names sand tobogganing in the area known as The Desert. Digging beside Lightning Ridge reveals 32 colours of sand, which shows how varied the ground under the surface is.
Speed claims differ. The resort says sand tobogganing reaches up to 40 km per hour on its tour, the Micat operator says sandboarding reaches up to 60 km/h, and our listing text gives over 40 miles per hour. We do not convert them, because each comes from a different source in its own units. Treat each number as a claim from its own source, and not as a measurement made on your slope.
You carry the board back up, and the resort calls the climb an extra fitness challenge. Wet weather stops the slide on the resort tour, which then becomes a sightseeing visit to the wrecks. Our page on sandboarding explains who should skip the dunes and what to wear on them. Bring a hat and sunglasses, as the resort suggests, because the dunes offer little cover from the sun.
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FAQ
Ask away,we reply.
How long is the Moreton Island day trip?
A full day.
The listing gives a duration of 1 day, with a 75-minute cruise, and the exact departure time follows your confirmation.
Where does the day trip start in Brisbane?
At the Port or the Coach Terminal.
The listing gives the Port of Brisbane at 7:30 AM and the Brisbane Coach Terminal at 7 AM, and the point may vary with the option.
What activities does the trip include?
Snorkel, kayak and toboggan.
The listing names snorkeling at the Tangalooma Wrecks, a transparent kayak, sand tobogganing in The Desert, 4WD driving and a lunch break.
Are the park and ferry fees included?
No, you pay them in cash.
At departure you hand the driver 85 AUD per adult and 65 AUD per child of 13 or under, in cash.
Can children come on the trip?
From 4 years upward.
Our trip does not admit children aged 3 or under, so check the age rule before you plan a family day.
Is the trip suitable for wheelchair users?
It is not recommended.
The listing advises against it for people with walking disabilities or in a wheelchair.
Does the day include dolphin feeding?
No, it is not listed.
The resort limits feeding to its own guests and official day trips, and our listing does not list it.
Can I cancel for free?
Yes, up to 24 hours before.
The listing offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.
What should I bring on the day?
Towel, sunscreen, hat and swimwear.
The listing asks guests to bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat and swimwear, and to carry cash for the fees.
What if the weather turns bad?
You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead.
Free cancellation runs up to 24 hours in advance, and a reviewer called the day wonderful despite iffy weather.
the reviews
What recent guests keep mentioning
The listing has 2,260 reviews and a 4.5 rating, with the guide scoring 4.7, transport 4.6 and value for money 4.3. The newest English reviews praise the guides, the organisation and the activities, naming the snorkeling, the kayak and the sand boarding. One family said their kids loved the snorkeling and the sand boarding.
Reviewers describe clear instructions on where to show up, well-maintained boats and equipment, and guides who made everyone feel safe. A few note details worth knowing: one guest found the weather iffy and still had a wonderful time, and another wished the ferry fees were folded into the tour price.
Read the newest reviews on the booking page with the fees in mind, since the listing says national park and ferry fees are paid in cash to the driver on departure. A rating is a good guide to the day on offer, and it leaves open the questions about tide, weather and cost that the other pages of this site answer.
Book, with fee-free cancellation15sunken ships
The wrecks in a number
The Tangalooma resort counts 15 vessels sunk off its beach.
They were scuttled between 1963 and 1984, and coral now forms in and around them, a haven for over 100 species of fish, which is why the snorkel is the heart of the day.
the season
Weather, and the months that suit the island
The resort gives day temperatures of 22-30 °C in summer and 12-22 °C in winter. The climate station at Cape Moreton Lighthouse, 19.1 km from Tangalooma, gives an average daily high of 27.7 °C in January and 19.7 °C in July. That station sits on the island's northern tip, so it is a guide to the island and not the weather at the wrecks.
Rain varies by month. September is the driest month at that station, with 37 mm of precipitation and 3 wet days, while February brings 120 mm and 7 wet days. The weather block further down the page shows every month with highs, lows and wet days from the same NOAA record. Check the monthly table in the weather block before you pick a date, and treat it as a guide to the island's climate and not as a forecast.
A trip on a wet day is still possible, since a reviewer called their day wonderful despite iffy weather, but the dunes behave differently in the wet. The resort says sand tobogganing cannot operate in wet conditions on its own tour. Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead gives you a window to watch the forecast.
Book, with fee-free cancellationThe day in brief
A cruise.A wreck snorkel.A dune slide.
Our choice for a day trip from Brisbane to Moreton Island is a fully guided full day with a 75-minute cruise, snorkeling around the Tangalooma Wrecks, a transparent kayak, sand tobogganing in The Desert and 4WD driving on the beach. It starts from $126, with 2,260 reviews, and the guide speaks English.
Cancel for free up to a day beforehand
who it suits
Who this day suits, and who should wait
The day suits people who want to be active and outdoors. The listing names snorkeling, kayaking, sand tobogganing and 4WD driving, and a reviewer said their children loved the snorkeling and sand boarding. It is a guided trip, with a live guide who speaks English. Those limits belong to this listing, so another operator may set different ones, and it is worth checking before you book a family trip.
The listing sets some limits. Our trip does not admit children aged 3 or under, and the listing advises against it for people with walking disabilities or in a wheelchair. The resort's own tours ask guests to disclose any medical condition before booking an activity, which is a sensible habit for any active day.
If your party is split between those who want the dunes and those who would rather sit on the beach, a guided day still works, since the beach and the lunch break are part of it. Ask the operator about the pace when you book, and read the page on what to bring so that everyone arrives prepared. Tell the guide about any concerns on the morning so that the day can be paced to suit your group.
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what to bring
What to pack for sun, sea and sand
The listing asks guests to bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat and swimwear. Add cash for the park and ferry fees, which are paid to the driver on departure. A dry change of clothes is a sensible extra for the journey home. Keep your confirmation email and the meeting-point lines handy before the morning, since the listing gives the Port of Brisbane meeting point as 14 Howard Smith Dr.
The Micat operator says to bring enough food and water for the day, since there is no easy access to shops on the island. Walk-on passengers on that ferry are limited to 3 pieces of luggage. A single backpack covers most needs, and a waterproof pouch protects a phone near the water. The operator adds that there are public toilets at the wrecks campground, at the ferry terminal and on board the Micat.
Protect your skin and your camera. The resort suggests sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a camera with a head mount for the dunes. Our page on what to bring goes through each item, with a checklist you can tick before the morning of the trip. Keep your phone in a sealed bag until you need it, because sand and salt water are hard on electronics.
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the dolphins
Dolphins, the resort and what is not included
The famous dolphin feeding at Tangalooma belongs to the resort. It says the feeding runs each evening at sunset, and that only guests of its official day trips and select overnight stays can take part, and only if it was in the package. Check the confirmation paperwork of any package for exactly what it includes.
Visitors on a tour run by a company not affiliated with the resort are counted as casual visitors, who are not allowed onto the resort grounds for the nightly viewing or feeding. Our listing names snorkeling, a kayak, sand tobogganing and 4WD driving, and it does not list dolphin feeding. The resort's casual day pass has been discontinued, so there is no way to buy your way in on the day.
If the dolphins are your priority, read our page on the feeding before you book, and choose a day that lists it. Wild dolphins also turn up on boat tours, and one wrecks cruise lists average sightings of dolphins at 92%, though that is the operator's own figure and not a promise. From the land, Cape Moreton is a good viewing point for marine life, with whales listed from June to November by the island manager.
Book, with fee-free cancellationother days
How other Moreton Island days compare
Our day is the most reviewed, with 2,260 reviews from $126. A Tangalooma day with a guided wrecks snorkel and resort access starts from $119, with 478 reviews. A ferry and activity pass, with a kayak or paddleboard session, starts from $104, with 1,276 reviews. Prices are from prices and change with the date, so check the booking panel before you compare.
A wrecks cruise with a buffet lunch starts from $188, with 1,178 reviews. The comparison table further down puts the four side by side with their length, cancellation rule and guide languages. Prices shown are from prices and refresh live, so use the table as a guide and the booking panel as the final word.
Choose by what you want from the island. If it is the resort, the pools and the restaurants, a resort day suits you, since its guests have access that others do not. If it is a guided day on the wrecks and the dunes without the resort, ours is built for that, and our page on the Tangalooma resort explains the difference in detail.
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