Top Queensland On the Water

Experience the thrill of an up-close encounter with migrating whales on this half-day cruise from Brisbane, available only between June and November. Set sail around Moreton Bay on a luxurious high-speed catamaran and tuck into a delicious buffet lunch on-board as you soak up the scenery. Finally, keep your camera to hand as you spot humpback whales swimming and breaching beside the ship – a rare opportunity to spot the gentle giants in their natural environment.

If you’re trying to choose between taking a bus tour or a boat tour of the Sunshine Coast you don’t have to with an amphibious Aquaduck tour. The one-hour tour starts with a land tour around Mooloolaba and then the duck becomes a boat and tours around the canals, and waterways. Learn more about the history and culture of the Sunshine Coast from the commentary and enjoy the excitement of riding in this special vehicle.

Experience the Gold Coast’s beautiful Surfers Paradise on a tour aboard an amphibious Aquaduck that transforms seamlessly from bus to boat. Bring the kids and hop aboard this unusual dual-purpose vessel for a jaunt along the area’s picturesque beaches, past local landmarks like Marina Mirage, and along the glitz of Millionaire’s Row.

Take a leisurely river cruise from Brisbane to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on this two-in-one, time-saving tour. This half-day tour departs from bustling Southbank and cruises along the Brisbane River with views of iconic landmarks on the way to Lone Pine. Upon arrival, enjoy ample time to view the animals, from koalas and platypus to kangaroos and more.

Spend a day on the Great Barrier Reef at two different snorkel and dive sites on this luxury catamaran cruise from Cairns. Travel in style aboard a fast, comfortable catamaran to the outer edge of Upolu Reef, "Wonder Wall," and the Upolu Cay reef area, where you can choose to snorkel or dive (additional cost) and observe the coral that's teeming with colorful fish. Refuel with a buffet lunch on board the catamaran, ensuring there's

Discover the vibrant underwater world of the outer Great Barrier Reef with a Quicksilver snorkeling cruise from Port Douglas. Board a luxurious catamaran to Agincourt Reef, where you can tailor your day with activities like snorkeling, fish feeding, semi-submersible tours, or the unique Ocean Walker helmet dive. Complete the adventure with a tasty buffet lunch and options to take your exploration deeper with scuba dives for beginners or certified divers alike.

Watch the sunset from the deck of a luxury catamaran on a relaxing evening cruise from Port Douglas. Admire the coastline during golden hour for epic photos, and enjoy being outside when temperatures have cooled. Your captain steers your vessel to prime viewpoints for watching the sunset and the Coral Sea, the Low Isles, and the gorgeous coastline around Port Douglas.

Be amazed by the tropical fish, coral, and possibly even turtles at the Low Isles Reef, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ride a speed boat out to the reef, which is just offshore from Port Douglas, minimizing the risk of sea sickness. Enjoy an intimate small-group tour in which you’ll learn more about the reef as well as seeing it up close. Use of snorkeling gear is included.

Built around a complicated system of winding canals and waterways, the Gold Coast can be difficult to navigate alone. This short sightseeing tour around the region focuses on the city’s attractions and landmarks in the unique Quack’rDuck duck bus. Drive around Surfers Paradise, Southport and Main Beach, then plunge into the waterways and tour them too in this amphibian bus.

Enjoy a relaxing yet activity-filled half-day on Magnetic Island. On board the cruise you’ll learn about the unique biodiversity of this island from your local guides. Snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddle boards are provided so you can fully explore the underwater environment of Magnetic Island’s fringing reef. This is a fun trip for the whole family.

Escape into nature on this cruise along the Noosa River to Australia's Everglades in Cooloola National Park. Gain deeper insight into the flora, fauna and natural history of the area with live commentary as you go. Perfect for first-timers to Noosa who want to explore their surroundings at a leisurely, relaxed pace.

Soak up the sights of the Gold Coast on this lunch cruise that departs from Surfers Paradise and travels up the Nerang River to the Broadwater. Commentary about landmarks that you pass, such as the Southport Yacht Club, Marina Mirage, Palazzo Versace hotel, Wave Break Island, and South Stradbroke Island, offers more info than you'd get alone. Enjoy a buffet lunch with seafood and chicken main dishes, and have the option to purchase drinks at the bar.

Reaching the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns can really eat into your time on the reef. Spend more time snorkeling and less time sailing with this tour that takes you out on the water aboard the fastest boat in Cairns. Escape the crowds as you explore the underwater world at several of the boat's exclusive outer reef moorings.

Enjoy a full-day tour of the stunning Whitsunday Islands, traveling on a sturdy motorized raft to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Beach. Choose from two tours that offer either more snorkeling or more beach time. Gain exclusive access to secluded spots where you can snorkel around pristine coral reefs, and take a walk with your guide in the national park to a lookout point with spectacular views.

Experience one of the wonders of the natural world up close and personal on this snorkeling and diving cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. Climb aboard a superyacht in Cairns and set sail to two different outer reef locations. Explore the colorful world underneath the water, and snorkel or dive for a closer look. A delicious barbecue lunch and light refreshments are included.

Experience the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns without giving up your entire day. This streamlined snorkeling tour uses a fast vessel to reach a nearby reef site quickly, so you spend more time in the water and less time traveling. Once there, a dedicated snorkel guide helps you get set up and leads you around the reef—making it an easy, time-efficient way to see vibrant coral and marine life.

What better place to learn to surf than at Surfers Paradise on Queensland’s Gold Coast? Master the basics, practice standing up on your board, and catch your first wave with this beginner-friendly 2-hour surf class. Pick a morning or afternoon start time to suit your schedule. With all equipment included and expert instructors to guide you, you can feel comfortable in the water and make real progress.

Experience Cape Tribulation on a half-day snorkeling adventure. After a convenient pickup at your hotel, board a sturdy ocean safari vessel and head for the cape. Throw on your gear and dive in, watching for sea turtles, eagle rays, giant clams, brilliant coral, starfish, and tropical fish as you swim along the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. Marvel at the Daintree Rainforest—a UNESCO World Heritage site—from the water.

If you want to enjoy a tropical island beach paradise from Cairns but don’t have a lot of time, this half or full-day trip to Green Island is ideal. Be transported by fast catamaran from Cairns to save time. Choose between a glass-bottomed boat tour or the use of snorkeling equipment. Get access to the island’s pool or take a self-guided walk of the island if you want to be more active.

The Great Barrier Reef is now one of Australia’s most popular attractions, but for tens of thousands of years before it was under the protection of the Traditional Custodians. This snorkeling and sightseeing tour led by Indigenous Sea Rangers gives travelers a chance to see the reef through their eyes and hear the Creation Story, as well as gaining an up close and personal perspective of this natural wonder.

Experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet on a glass-bottomed boat tour. Ideal for kids, grandparents, and non-swimmers, the experience promises uninterrupted views tropical fish, amazing coral, turtles, and other sea life at the reefs near Airlie Beach. Plus: learn about the marine ecosystem through on-board commentary.

Go snorkeling or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day cruise from Cairns. Relax on board your 80-foot (25-meter) luxury catamaran as your captain sails to two exclusive locations on the Great Barrier Reef. Choose to snorkel or dive, with full instruction provided by guides, and see an array of colorful fish, sea turtles, and corals. Your tour includes morning and afternoon tea, and a buffet lunch, with additional beverages available for purchase.

Get your adrenaline pumping on a Cairns jet boat ride. As you zoom across the waters of Trinity Inlet, hang on tight while the experienced boat captain performs spins and other maneuvers to make sure you stay cool in the splashing water. Admire landmarks from the boat, and keep your eyes open for marine life—you may get lucky and spot a crocodile. It’s a great way to spend 35 minutes in Queensland’s tropical heat.