Orpheus Island Day Tour

Highlights & Inclusions

• Scenic cruise through the beautiful Palm Island Group
• Enjoy swimming, exploring, and relaxing on the beach at Yanks Jetty.
• Cruise in style on a fast, modern, air-conditioned catamaran
• Access to 20min self-guided nature walk
• Light morning tea & delicious lunch
• Snorkel gear hire (including lycra suit) available
• Environmental Management Charge (EMC) $8

• Pricing

  Passenger type	Price*
  Adult	$185
  Child (5-14 years)	$135
  Infant (0-4 years)	Free of charge

  *Price is valid from the 1st of April 2026 until the 31st of March 2027 and includes fuel surcharge. Prices are subject to change without notice.
  

• Tour dates

  2026

  Saturday 4th July

  Saturday 19th September

  Saturday 17th October

• Itinerary

  7:00am	Check-in opens.
  7:45am	Boarding commences.
  8:00am	Vessel departs from Townsville. A light morning tea is served while cruising for approx. 1hour & 45minutes.
  10:00am	Arrive at Yanks Jetty. Free time to swim, relax on the beach & explore Yanks Jetty.
  	Lunch is served.
  1:00pm	Depart Yanks Jetty.
  3:00pm	Arrive back at SeaLink Breakwater Terminal, Townsville.

  Please note: this is a sample itinerary, with estimate arrival/departure times, subject to change without notice. This tour doesn't stop at Orpheus Island Resort.

  Download your guide to Yanks Jetty
  

• Departure times and location

  Departure time: 8.00am.

  Return time: 3.00pm (approx.).

  Check-in: opens at 7.00am and closes 10minutes prior departure.

  Location: SeaLink Breakwater Terminal, Townsville.

• What to bring
  • small beach bag to take your essentials ashore
  • refillable water bottle
  • camera
  • beach toys
  • appropriate clothing – swimmers, comfortable clothes & footwear, light jacket/jumper during winter months
  • sun safe gear – hat, sunglasses, reef safe sunscreen, towel
• Important information

  Dietary requirements
  Our Orpheus Island tour is prepared by Michel's Catering who provide delicious and nutritious food. Morning tea consists of tropical seasonal fruits & sweet platters. An individual lunch pack is included for each guest and can cater only for the following dietary requirements:

  • Gluten-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan

  If you require any of the above options, please notify SeaLink at least 48 hours before departure in the comments section at check out or by calling our sales team on 07 4726 0800. We will do our best to accommodate your request. For any further dietary preferences or food allergies, you are welcome to bring your own food in addition to what we can supply.

  Drinks
  Barista made hot drinks are available for purchasing from the Terminal Café, prior tour departure.
  Cold drinks, snacks kiosk available for purchasing on-board the vessel. NO BYO alcohol.

  Snorkelling gear & safety information
  While snorkelling isn't the main activity on this tour, snorkelling equipment is available on board at no extra cost, including mask, snorkel, fins and stinger suits. You are also welcome to bring your own snorkelling gear if preferred.

  Guests who wish to snorkel will be required to complete a Medical Declaration and Travel Waiver, including a section specifically for snorkellers. This form will be provided on the day of travel and must be completed on-board before entering the water. This documentation is mandatory under Queensland Workplace Health & Safety regulations.
  

  Magnetic Island Guests
  Guests traveling from Magnetic Island will receive a complimentary return ferry ticket to make their way to Townsville prior to the tour. Tickets can be collected on-board on the day of travel. Please present your travel itinerary to the crew as proof of travel. Please catch the 7:00 am service departing from Magnetic Island at the latest.

  Travelling with children and infants
  Infants ( 0-4 years old) travel free of charge and must be included in the booking. Please note children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

  Parking
  Onsite car parking is subject to availability.. During peak season (April - September) and weekends we highly recommend arriving early for your tour to allow sufficient time to find alternative options if our car park is full.

  Travel and motion sickness
  This is an open water cruise and you will experience sea motion. We recommend you eat lightly before and during the cruise. Travel sickness tablets are generally most effective if taken prior to departure.

  If you are unsure or you need further assistance please contact our sales team on 07 4726 0800.

• Sustainability

  Sunscreen's Impact on the Ocean

  Chemicals in sunscreen, like oxybenzone, can be absorbed by corals if you go for a swim after applying it. Nanoparticles in these chemicals have been shown to disrupt coral reproduction and growth cycles, which in turn can lead to bleaching. Here are some pointers on reef-safe sunscreens. For more information on what to avoid, what to look for, and how to lessen your impact, check out this useful article from Reef Check :

  1. Check out the contents first:
     1. Stay away from oxybenzone, nanoparticles, parabens, and cinnamates.
     2. Look for "Non-Nano" and water-resistant sunscreens containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.
     3. The recommended waiting time between applying sunscreen and entering the water is 15 minutes.
  2. Don't use a spray when we use an aerosol, much of the sunscreen misses and ends up in the sand.
  3. Bring an umbrella or a tent to the beach to provide some of your own shade.

  SeaLink’s popular Orpheus Island Day Tour, Whale Watching, Private Charter, and Outer Reef Experiences which incorporates the world-first Museum of Underwater Art, are Ecotourism Certified by Ecotourism Australia.

• Frequently asked questions

  Will the boat staying at the jetty?
  No, therefore access to the vessel will not be available while you are at Yanks Jetty.
  

  Can I bring a fishing rod?
  No, Orpheus Island is a green zone.
  

  Can I take my stand-up paddle board?
  No, for the safety of all guests the use of SUP’s is not permitted.

  Does this tour stops at Orpheus Resort?
  No, this tour visits Yanks Jetty.

  Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
  All SeaLink vessels are wheelchair accessible, however access to Yanks Jetty is not wheelchair accessible, passengers will need to be able to make their own way on/off the vessel by foot via a steep ramp.

  I’m travelling from Magnetic Island, do you provide a pickup for this tour?
  No, unfortunately this takes too much time out of the tour itinerary. SeaLink will however provide Magnetic Island guests with a complimentary return ticket to make their way to Townsville prior to the tour (7:00am service at the latest). Tickets are available for collection on-board on the day of travel, please show your booking number or travel itinerary.

  Can I BYO alcohol?
  All SeaLink vessels are fully licensed venues, all liquor must be purchased and consumed onboard (BYO liquor is not permitted). Carriage of Liquor from our vessels to the shore is not permitted whilst disembarking. Our on-board bar is open for the duration of the tour for the purchase of light snacks and refreshments (alcoholic drinks available from 1.00pm on the return journey).

  Will I get seasick on this tour?
  This is an open water cruise and you will experience sea motion. We recommend you eat lightly before and during the cruise. Travel sickness tablets are generally most effective if taken prior to the departure. Please dress according to the weather – it will often feel colder at sea. Smoking is not permitted on board.

• Bookings & Cancellation

  1. Cancellation by the Traveller
  If you cancel your booking the following fees apply:

  • Between 14 days and 48 hours before departure: 20% of total cost
  • Between 24 hours and 48 hours before departure: 50% of total cost
  • Within 24 hours of departure: 100% of total cost

  A ‘no show’ will incur 100% penalty. No refunds are given on unused tickets.

  2. Cancellation by SeaLink North Queensland
  All tours cancelled by SeaLink North Queensland due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances are eligible for:

  • Full refund
  • Transfer or reschedule to another SeaLink North Queensland Tour
  • 100% Credit to use for a future SeaLink North Queensland Tour
    

  3. Booking changes
  SeaLink North Queensland will accept travel date changes or changes to another SeaLink North Queensland Tour (subject to availability) up to 48 hours before departure for a $20 p/person administration fee – any difference in tour price is payable by the passenger. Please note cancellation fees apply for any changes within 48 hours – please refer to the above Cancellation Policy.
  

  4. Change of Itinerary
  Tours and itinerary are subject to prevailing weather and sea conditions including tides, wind, swell and rain. The vessel master will determine the most appropriate course on the day of travel.

  5. Travel Insurance
  Holiday plans can be disrupted and cancellation fees can be costly. We highly recommend that you have your own travel insurance. Please note that Travel Insurance may not cover disruptions caused by mechanical breakdowns or adverse weather conditions.
  

  View the full list of SeaLink North Queensland Terms and Conditions.