Wildlife & Nature Experiences in Noosa

Choosing an Animal Encounter

Three of the Noosa region's wildlife operators leave from the riverfront in Noosaville, while the fourth, Epic Ocean Adventures, works out of Noosa Heads and collects guests before driving up the beach. The real choice is between river calm, open ocean and a full day on the sand.

How the four trips compare:

Noosa River & Canal Cruises is the gentlest: two and a half hours looping the Noosa Sound canals and Woods Bay, from $38 per person.
Noosa Ocean Adventures crosses the Noosa bar for dolphins and the National Park coast, with groups capped at 12, from $95 per person.
Noosa Wave Ocean Adventures runs a fast 1.5-hour dolphin ride aboard an 11-metre boat with a deep-V hull, from $99 per person.
Epic Ocean Adventures spends six hours on its dolphin kayak day at Double Island Point, from $172 per person.
Humpbacks are seasonal: Noosa Ocean Adventures heads out from late June to early November, Noosa Wave from June to November.

A whole Noosa River & Canal Cruises boat can be chartered for up to 38, with a licensed bar, clothed table and Bluetooth sound.
Noosa Wave Ocean Adventures can be chartered whole, for 18 guests at sea or up to 25 on the river, and it names hens, bucks and birthday groups.
Noosa Ocean Adventures offers a private charter for 12, plus a two-hour river cruise through the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.
Age limits apply on the ocean trips: six and over for the Noosa Ocean Adventures park tour, 14 for Noosa Wave snorkelling.

Beyond the river mouth with Epic Ocean Adventures

Pick-ups run from Noosa Heads, Noosaville and the North Shore ferry, then 4WD vehicles drive the beach.
Double Island Point, inside the Great Sandy National Park's Cooloola section, is where most of its trips end up.
Whale kayak tours run June to October, watching humpbacks pass the point.
Private day tours bring a guide, kayaks, paddleboards, surfboards, snorkel gear and a picnic lunch.

Common Questions About Meeting the Animals

Which Noosa wildlife trip suits young children?

The river cruises are the calmest. Noosa Ocean Adventures' dolphin and National Park tour takes guests aged six and over.

Is there a whale guarantee on any Noosa tour?

Noosa Ocean Adventures offers a free return trip if no whales are seen between 1 July and 11 October.

Can a hens party charter a boat from Noosaville?

Yes. Noosa River & Canal Cruises and Noosa Wave Ocean Adventures both list hens parties among their charters.

Where do Epic Ocean Adventures tours start?

It collects guests from pick-up points around Noosa Heads, Noosaville and the North Shore ferry.

Wildlife & Nature Experiences in Noosa

Compare Noosa Wildlife Experiences