Orpheus Island Day Tour

Inclusions

• Cruise through the beautiful Palm Island Group to Orpheus Island
• 3 hours of free time to swim, snorkel and explore Yanks Jetty
• Morning tea & lunch, served on board in air-conditioned comfort
• 1x complimentary tea or coffee to collect from the cafe prior to boarding
• Snorkel gear is available on-board for use throughout the day at no extra cost

• Tour dates

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• Pricing

  Passenger type	Price
  Adult	$145
  Child ( 5-14 years)	$95
  Family (2A+2CH or more) receive 10% discount*
  Infant ( 0-4 years) free of charge*

  Group discount: book 10 adults or more and receive 10% discount at check-out time.

  *Please note: only one discount can be applied to any booking. Infants must be included at time of booking. All prices are "from" and subject to change without notice.
  
  
• Itinerary

  Embark on a 1.5 hour cruise from Townsville to Orpheus Island Yanks Jetty.

  Once you arrive

  • The day is yours (approx. 3 hours) to laze on the beach or jetty, cool off and explore spectacular fringing reefs or take part in some beach fun –BYO beach toys.

  • A snorkelling area is defined for your safety & ease of underwater exploration with access from the jetty or beach. Our snorkel crew will provide snorkelling instructions and set you on your way to finding some hidden gems beneath the water.

  • Yanks Jetty is surrounded by a National Park, therefore, there are no facilities on the island. The SeaLink vessel remains alongside the jetty and is accessible throughout the day for use of the toilets and purchase of light snacks & refreshments (all liquor must be purchased and consumed on board). Undercover seating is also available on the jetty.

  ** Please note, this tour does NOT stop at the Orpheus Island Resort and cruising path may vary depending on weather.

• Facilities
  • Licensed bar on Sealink vessel - NO BYO alcohol
  • Drinks and snacks kiosk available on-board
  • Modern, spacious and air-conditioned 300 seater catamaran with maximum guest number capped to less than half capacity, to provide a comfortable and enjoyable cruise.
• Departure times and location

  Departure time: 8.00 am

  Return time: 3.00 pm (approx.)

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

  Location: SeaLink Breakwater Terminal, Townsville.

  
  
• Need to know

  Dietary requirements

  Our Whale Watching tour is prepared by Michels Catering who provide delicious and nutritious food and can cater for the following dietary requirements:

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

  Please advise in the comments section at check out or call our sales team on 074726 0800, no later than 48 hour prior departure and where possible we will endeavor to meet your request.

  For any further dietary preferences or food allergies, you’re welcome to bring your own food, in addition to what we can supply.
  

  Snorkel gear hire

  Snorkel gear is available on-board for use throughout the day at no extra cost (mask, snorkel, fins and stinger suit), however you are welcome to bring any personal snorkel items if you wish to.

  Magnetic Island Guests

  Any guests travelling from Magnetic Island will receive a complimentary return ferry ticket to make their way to Townsville prior to the tour. Tickets are available for collection on-board on the day of travel, please show your booking number or travel itinerary. Please note: must 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 at one of their parents at all times.
  

  Parking

  Onsite car parking is $9.00. Please note that car-parking is very limited and availability cannot be guaranteed. During peak season and weekends we highly recommend you find alternative options.

  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.

• What to bring
  • refillable water bottle
  • camera
  • beach toys
  • appropriate clothing (hat, polarized sunglasses, swimmers, towel, light jacket/jumper during winter months)
  • reef safe sunscreen
  • a small amount of cash for purchases at the bar
• 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.
• Frequently asked questions

  Is snorkelling gear hire included in the cost?

  Snorkel gear is available on-board for use throughout the day at no extra cost (mask, snorkel, fins and stinger suit), however you are welcome to bring any personal snorkel items if you wish to.

  How long is the stay at Yanks Jetty, Orpheus Island?

  There will be approximately 3 hours to laze on the beach or jetty, cool off and explore spectacular fringing reefs or take part in some beach fun.

  What do I bring?

  We recommend you bring a camera, hat, sunscreen, a small amount of cash for purchases at the bar plus any beach toys, snorkelling equipment & a towel (jacket during winter).

  Is Scuba Diving available on this tour?

  Scuba diving is not available on this tour.

  Can I take my stand-up paddle board?

  No, for the safety of all guests the use of SUP’s is not permitted.

  What food is included?

  An individual morning tea and lunch pack is included for each guest. If you have food allergies or specific dietary requirements, please advise our team at least 48 hours prior to departure and where possible we will endeavour to meet your request.

  Can I bring a fishing rod?

  No, Orpheus Island is a green zone.

  Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

  All SeaLink vessels are wheelchair accessible, for toilet use travel in the lower cabin is required. Access to Yanks Jetty however 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 10am).

  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.
  

  Click here for a full list of SeaLink North Queensland Terms and Conditions.