The crystalline waters off Brisbane’s Moreton Island deliver reliable dolphin encounters throughout the year. Two standout tours make the most of this marine wonderland: the All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise packs excellent value with its combination of wildlife spotting and wreck exploration, while the Tangalooma Snorkeling Tour & Dolphin Feeding offers an intimate evening experience with these intelligent creatures. I’m especially impressed by how these operators balance tourism with environmental stewardship – the dolphins remain wild and free while visitors learn about marine conservation. Let’s explore the best dolphin watching options around Brisbane.
Key Points
- The Tangalooma Resort offers a range of dolphin watching tours, including the Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise and the Tangalooma Snorkeling Tour & Dolphin Feeding.
- The Tangalooma Desert Safari & Dolphin Feeding tour combines a 4WD desert safari with the opportunity to feed the resident dolphins.
- The Marine Discovery Cruise & Dolphin Feeding tour provides a full-day experience with round-trip ferry transfers and access to the Tangalooma Resort facilities.
- The Tangalooma Whale Watching & Dolphin Viewing tour offers the chance to spot whales and dolphins in their natural habitat, with a focus on the resident dolphin pod.
- Reviewers report enjoyable experiences with the Tangalooma dolphin watching tours, highlighting the value for money and the unique opportunities for close interactions with marine wildlife.
All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise Brisbane
For the all-inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise in Brisbane, travelers can explore the marine biodiversity of Moreton Island.
The tour includes a guided snorkel tour of the Tangalooma Wrecks, a buffet lunch, and beach relaxation.
The cruise aboard the Spirit of Migaloo II offers opportunities to spot dugongs, turtles, and dolphins.
Travelers can enjoy a tropical buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea, and snacks.
The tour departs from either 222 Margaret St, Brisbane City, or Rivergate Marina at 9 AM, with a duration of approximately 9 hours, including 1 hour of snorkeling.
The experience is popular, with a 4.5-star rating from 231 reviews.
Read our full review: All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise Brisbane Review
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Moreton Island: Tangalooma Snorkeling Tour & Dolphin Feeding
Visitors to Moreton Island can embark on a captivating Tangalooma Snorkeling Tour & Dolphin Feeding experience. This full-day tour includes a 75-minute ferry ride to the island, followed by a guided snorkeling adventure at the Tangalooma Wrecks and the opportunity to hand-feed wild bottlenose dolphins at sunset.
With access to the resort’s pools, restaurants, and bars, visitors can make the most of their time on the island. The tour is priced from $146.43 per person and is suitable for ages 6 and up.
While the dolphin feeding is dependent on weather and tide conditions, the snorkeling and resort facilities provide a memorable day trip from Brisbane.
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Moreton Island: Tangalooma Desert Safari and Dolphin Feeding
This captivating day trip on Moreton Island combines a thrilling 4WD desert safari with the chance to hand-feed the resident wild bottlenose dolphins.
Departing from Brisbane, the tour includes a 75-minute ferry ride to Tangalooma Island Resort, where you’ll explore the facilities and enjoy a lunch voucher.
The 4WD desert safari offers speeds up to 40 km/h, and sand tobogganing is an optional activity.
At sunset, the highlight is the dolphin feeding experience, assisted by the Dolphin Care Team.
The tour then departs Moreton Island in the evening, returning to Brisbane around 8:15 PM.
With an overall rating of 4.4/5, this immersive day trip promises beautiful scenery, memorable wildlife encounters, and a well-organized experience.
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Moreton Island: Marine Discovery Cruise & Dolphin Feeding
The Moreton Island Marine Discovery Cruise and Dolphin Feeding experience offers visitors a chance to explore the island’s diverse marine life. Priced from Kč 3,342 per person, the full-day tour includes round-trip ferry transfers, access to Tangalooma Resort, and a lunch voucher.
Highlights include a marine discovery cruise, where guests may spot dolphins, dugongs, and turtles, as well as the iconic dolphin feeding program at sunset.
While reviews are generally positive, some note limited wildlife sightings on the cruise and long waits for the dolphin feeding.
Nevertheless, the tour provides a unique opportunity to take in Moreton Island’s natural wonders, making it a popular choice for visitors to Brisbane.
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Moreton Island: Tangalooma Quad Bikes and Dolphin Viewing
For those seeking a thrilling adventure on Moreton Island, the Tangalooma ATV Quad Bike and Dolphin Viewing tour offers an unparalleled experience.
Priced at $133.41 per person, this day-long excursion includes a 75-minute ferry ride, an exhilarating ATV quad bike ride along the beach, and the chance to witness the captivating dolphin feeding at sunset.
Lunch and a complimentary beverage on the return boat are also included.
While the dolphin viewing is weather-dependent, the tour promises a scenic cruise, access to resort facilities, and an eco-center presentation.
With an overall rating of 4.4/5 from 23 reviews, this tour is suitable for travelers aged 10 and above, excluding those with certain medical conditions.
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Moreton Island: Tangalooma ATV Quad Bike & Dolphin Feeding
Situated on the picturesque Moreton Island, the Tangalooma ATV Quad Bike & Dolphin Feeding tour offers an exhilarating day of adventure and wildlife encounters.
Priced from $146.43 per person, this 1-day tour includes a 75-minute ferry ride, a quad bike ride, and the opportunity to interact with the island’s famous dolphins.
Participants can enjoy access to the Tangalooma Island Resort’s facilities and receive a $25 lunch voucher.
With an overall rating of 4.4/5, this tour is known for its fantastic staff, clean facilities, and the unforgettable experience of feeding the dolphins.
Guests should wear appropriate clothing and be aware of any health or safety risks before booking.
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Moreton Island: Tangalooma Snorkelling With Dolphin Viewing
Offering an unparalleled opportunity to take in Moreton Island’s enchanting marine life, the Tangalooma Snorkelling with Dolphin Viewing tour invites visitors to embark on a captivating day-long adventure.
Priced from $133.41 per person, this excursion includes round-trip ferry transportation, access to Tangalooma Island Resort, and a variety of activities such as snorkeling at the iconic Tangalooma shipwrecks and witnessing the renowned sunset dolphin viewing.
Travelers can enjoy a complimentary lunch, beverage, and sunset cocktail or mocktail as part of the package. While dolphin sightings are subject to various factors, the experience offers an eco-ranger presentation and access to observe the Wild Dolphin Experience firsthand.
With a rating of 4.2/5, this tour promises an unforgettable blend of nature, adventure, and relaxation.
Read our full review: Moreton Island: Tangalooma Snorkelling With Dolphin Viewing Review
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Moreton Island: Desert Safari Tour & Dolphin Viewing
The Moreton Island: Desert Safari Tour & Dolphin Viewing offers a captivating day-long adventure that allows visitors to explore the island’s unique desert landscape and witness the renowned sunset dolphin viewing.
Priced from $126.91 per person, the tour includes a 75-minute ferry ride to Tangalooma, lunch, and free time at the resort.
Highlights include a 4WD desert safari, optional sand tobogganing, and a cocktail while watching the dolphins.
The tour also provides access to the Tangalooma Island Resort’s amenities and the chance to attend the Wild Dolphin Experience.
Guests should be aware of the varying return times based on the season and disclose any medical conditions before the physically demanding activities.
Read our full review: Moreton Island: Desert Safari Tour & Dolphin Viewing Review
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Moreton Island: Tangalooma Whale Watching & Dolphin Viewing
Another popular option for visitors to Moreton Island is the Tangalooma Whale Watching & Dolphin Viewing tour.
This tour offers the chance to spot whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. The tour departs from the Tangalooma Jetty and lasts around 1.5 hours. Guests can watch for humpback whales during the annual migration season, typically from July to November.
The tour also includes the opportunity to see the resident pod of bottlenose dolphins that frequent the area. Visitors may even have the chance to feed the dolphins, though this is dependent on their behavior on the day.
The Tangalooma Whale Watching & Dolphin Viewing tour provides a thrilling wildlife encounter for those visiting Moreton Island.
Read our full review: Moreton Island: Tangalooma Whale Watching & Dolphin Viewing Review
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Moreton Island: Tangalooma Whale Watching & Dolphin Feeding
Along With the chance to spot whales, the Tangalooma Whale Watching & Dolphin Feeding tour on Moreton Island provides visitors with an opportunity to get up close and personal with the resident pod of bottlenose dolphins.
Participants can hand-feed the friendly dolphins, offering them small fish from the palm of their hand. This unique experience allows visitors to observe the dolphins’ social behaviors and interactions up close.
The tour also includes a scenic cruise around the island, showcasing Moreton’s stunning natural landscapes. With the chance to encounter both whales and dolphins, the Tangalooma tour offers an unforgettable wildlife experience just a short distance from Brisbane.
Read our full review: Moreton Island: Tangalooma Whale Watching & Dolphin Feeding Review
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Moreton Island: Marine Discovery Cruise & Dolphin Viewing
Moreton Island’s Marine Discovery Cruise & Dolphin Viewing tour offers visitors a chance to explore the island’s diverse marine life.
Priced from €119.97 per person, the full-day tour includes round-trip ferry transfers, a day pass to Tangalooma Island Resort, and a marine discovery cruise to spot dolphins, dugongs, sea turtles, and rays.
Guests can also enjoy lunch, access resort facilities, and watch the sunset dolphin feeding experience.
While dolphin viewing depends on weather and tides, the tour provides an opportunity to get up close with local marine wildlife.
Despite some initial communication issues, reviewers praise the overall enjoyable experience and value for money.
Read our full review: Moreton Island: Marine Discovery Cruise & Dolphin Viewing Review
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Sum Up
Moreton Island offers several excellent dolphin watching tours near Brisbane. These tours provide opportunities to view and even interact with dolphins up close. Whether you want to snorkel, take a cruise, or go on a desert safari, there are a variety of options to choose from. Most tours also include additional activities like visiting the Tangalooma Wrecks or going quad biking. With so many great choices, there’s a dolphin watching experience to suit every traveler’s interests.