Thundercat Whitsundays
Tour overview
A full day adventure visiting Whitehaven Beach and touring the islands. Thundercat Whitsundays has two 300 horsepower engines, making this an exciting ride. This catamaran has been built to be extremely stable and fast, so it is perfect for guests who are worried about getting seasick.
The one day tour visits Hill Inlet Lookout at Whitehaven Beach, 2 beaches and 2 snorkel locations on the fringing Great Barrier Reef. Thundercat is ideal for all travellers including singles, couples, groups and families. The tour is a three time Australian Gold Award winner, run by a proudly Australian owned business for the past 14 years.
Tour Highlights
- 2 hours on the iconic Whitehaven Beach (North End)
- Guided bush walk to Hill Inlet Lookout (swirling sands) with a knowledgeable crew member
- Snorkel 2 different locations on the fringing Great Barrier Reef
- Fast catamaran with a value for money extended day, 9am to 5pm
- Includes lunch, snacks, snorkel equipment, lycra suit and wetsuit (winter months)
- 38 guests, 3 crew
- Travel with accredited Climate Action Leaders and don't leave a footprint
- Australia's only Marine-accredited Savannah Guide Enterprise
Itinerary
*Example itinerary only. The order, timing and stops may change on the day due to weather and operating conditions.
Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach
Free pickups run from various locations in and around Airlie Beach from 8:30am, with the default pickup at Base Backpackers. The boat leaves at 9:00am sharp.
Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout
The Thundercat Whitsundays tour spends around 2 hours at the iconic Whitehaven Beach. During this time you embark on a guided bush walk from Tongue Point at the northern end of Whitehaven with a knowledgeable crew member. The walk takes around 15 minutes, and once at the top you will experience Whitehaven Beach from above on the viewing platform. The breathtaking view from here lets you see all 7 km of the beach as well as the world famous swirling sands that form the inlet.
Snorkelling the reef
During your day tour you will get 2 opportunities to snorkel the coral filled bays on the fringing Great Barrier Reef, on the coastal fringes of the islands. Here you can see turtles, Maori wrasse, batfish, parrot fish, clown fish (Nemo) plus plenty more. In most bays the coral starts close to shore and is easily accessible by the small tender boats. For non confident swimmers there are noodles and flotation devices available for safety.
Lunch, morning and afternoon tea
There is always great food on this tour, served on board across the day. See the full menu in the food section below.
Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach
The tour returns to Coral Sea Marina at around 5:00pm, with courtesy drop offs back around Airlie Beach.
Good to know
Pickup reminder: If you would prefer an alternate pickup please call 1300 653 100 or 07 4940 2000. Passengers not at the pickup at the exact time will miss the courtesy bus and have to make their own way to the marina. The boat leaves at 9:00am sharp and will not wait for passengers that miss the bus.
Is This Tour Suitable For You?
What's included
Included
- Lunch, morning tea and afternoon tea catered by a local supplier with qualified chefs
- Snorkel equipment (mask and snorkel only) and lycra suit, fitted on board
- Wetsuit during the winter months
- Local bus transfers in and around Airlie Beach
- GST, National Park and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park entry fees
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks (BYO welcome, no glass or red wine)
- Travel sickness medication (the crew are not allowed to provide any)
What To Bring
Pack a small waterproof bag and include:
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, a towel and a hat
- Practical clothing and footwear (warmer items during winter)
- Underwater camera
- BYO alcohol (no glass or red wine) for the boat only
- Refillable water bottle
- A sense of fun and adventure!
Food on the tour
There is always great food on this tour, catered by a local supplier with qualified chefs. The menu includes:
Morning tea: Chocolate and cream cheese brownie (GF, V).
Lunch: Crusty bread rolls (DF, V, VE), baby cos (GF, DF, V, VE), cheese, tomato and cucumber (GF, V), sliced meats with 3 selections (GF, DF), vanilla and spring onion potato salad (GF, V), basil and Parmesan pasta salad (V), and Asian rice noodle salad (GF, DF, V, VE).
Afternoon tea: Seasonal fruit board (GF, DF, V, VE).
GF = Gluten Free, DF = Dairy Free, V = Vegetarian, VE = Vegan.
Please note: Thundercat is unable to cater for all specific dietary requirements. If the menu provided is not suitable, guests are welcome to bring along their own snacks or food items, which can be stored in the onboard esky.
BYO: Thundercat is a BYO vessel, and guests are welcome to bring their own alcoholic beverages. Cans are preferred and can be kept chilled in the esky throughout the day. For safety reasons, red wine and glass containers are not permitted onboard.
Finer Details
Quick information: Thundercat Whitsundays 1 day tour departs Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach QLD 4802 at 9:00am and returns at 5:00pm. The boat is a catamaran power boat named Thundercat carrying a maximum of 38 guests. Tour locations are the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout and 2 snorkel locations.
Travel sickness: If you are not quite sure whether or not you may suffer from travel sickness, please make sure that you are prepared. The trained crew will assist as much as possible in making you comfortable but they are not allowed to provide you with any medication to help with the problem.
Snorkelling gear: Masks and snorkels are all included in the price of your trip and will be distributed on board.
Lycra suits and wetsuits: Wearing a lycra stinger suit will prevent UV exposure and significantly reduce your risk from marine stingers. You will be fitted for your suit on board the boat.
Tour Departure Point Map
The tour departs from Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach.
Tour Video
Thundercat Whitsundays Reviews On Google
Terms and Conditions Of Travel
All prices are per person in AUD and include GST, National Park, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park entry fees, professional skipper and host, all meals and use of snorkel suits and snorkelling equipment. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure will result in complete forfeiture of full price. The operator reserves the right to substitute vessels without notice at any time for any reason. We recommend you take out travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss of personal goods and the inability to travel due to weather. Clients should note that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst every effort is made to safeguard guests, the operator cannot be responsible for any damage, personal injury or loss due to the actions of passengers that are beyond their control. All cruises are subject to weather and the vessel operator's discretion. Please allow extra time to travel during the wet season (Dec to May) as there are occasionally road closures due to flooding.
Health & safety: At certain times of the year dangerous jellyfish inhabit these waters and passengers should take care for their own safety. Passengers entering the water do so at their own risk and the owner of the vessel will not be liable for any personal injury, illness, death or any other consequences whatsoever of passengers being stung by jellyfish. To minimise this risk you will be provided with a full length protective snorkel suit to wear whilst swimming and snorkelling during the cruise. Accordingly, Red Cat Adventures shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including but not limited to indirect or consequential loss) or for any injury to person or property which is suffered or sustained by any passenger as a result of participating in any of its sailing adventures, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law. Red Cat Adventures ABN 56747506028.
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Author: Nath J
Nath J is a Whitsundays Tourism expert with over two decades of industry experience, beginning in 2001. Key roles have included Operations Manager at Tallarook Sail and Dive and founder of Ripple Effect Online. Nath J has delivered workshops on direct tourism bookings and authored the ebook, "Whitsunday Islands: A Journey through Paradise." Certifications include "Whitsundays Tourism Hero" and "Respecting First Nations Cultural Protocols in Australia" from the Queensland Tourism Industry Council. Testimonials from regional tourism businesses highlight a unique and genuine approach to tourism marketing.