Boat Cruises., Gold Coast

HUMPBACK WHALES are in Queensland waters Winter & Spring, [end May - end October]

They come from Antartica to the warm Queensland waters to give birth. They stay for a short while, then head back south to the cold waters. Hervey Bay is the best place to see them, but if you can't go there, then go to the Gold Coast.

There are quite a few different companies that do tours, the one I went on was called "Tallship Whale adventures" A lot of people went on this tour, infact, the big Catamaran at Mariner's Cove was full when we departed from the dock and headed out the seaway into the open ocean.
We managed to see about 4 Whales, although none of them were very active, which was a little disappointing, but one did come right alongside the Boat.
AS with NATURE, YOU CANNOT PREDICT WHAT YOU WILL SEE.

I didn't think this was the best design Boat for viewing, there was not much open area, so it was VERY HARD TO GET PHOTOS.
The best Boat I saw out Whale watching, was an older style with the WHOLE TOP AREA OPEN WITH PLENTY OF SEATS. If I went again, this is what I would choose.
The Crew were very good, nice , professional, and a nice morning tea with freshly baked Muffins was included.

Be aware, that Whale watching takes patience, it is not a fast moving event, as the Whales like one we saw, submerged for about 20mins.

TIME 8.30 - 11.30am
PRICES IN 2012 FOR WHALE WATCHING....ADULTS...$99 CHILD $59

THE WHALE WATCH & ECO ADVENTURE....ADULTS...$109 CHILD $69
TIME...8.30 - 4.30pm
FREE Coach from Hotel to Marina Mirage where boat departs from.

If you like looking at beautiful, expensive homes, then this is the way to do it as most of the homes you can only see from the water. The boat takes you around the Gold Coast Canals, pointing out different homes of the rich and famous, yachts, high rises and other points of interest. Included in the 2 hour cruise, is a nice Devonshire morning tea, Yummy!
I think there are other cruise companies that do cruises.

We enjoyed Broadwater Canal Cruises.

COST IN 2012.....ADULTS $35 CHILDREN 5-16YEARS $18 FAMILY 2+2 = $95

DEPARTS FROM...Mariners Cove Marina Berth C(Seaworld Drive) Tiki Village, Cavill Ave (River End)
Departs 10:30 am.......Returns 12:30 pm
Departs 2:00 pm.......Returns 4:00 pm

DEPARTS FROM.....Tiki Village, Cavill Ave (River End)
Departs 11:00 am........Returns 1:00 pm
Departs 1:15 pm........Returns 3:15 pm

Take a day trip to Couran Cove Resort on South Stradbroke Island. This is an eco resort built 10 years ago by olympic athlete Ron Clarke . It is really worth a look.
There is a secluded beach there as well as great food outlets and watersports.

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Experience 30 minutes of thrills on waters near Mariner's Cove with high speed fish tails, wake surfing, beach blasting, power brake stops and 360-degree spins.

With an 8.2L V8 502 cubic inch engine, Oz Jet Boating has the Gold Coast's most powerful jet boat ride flying across the water at speeds of up to 80 km's per hour.

Life jackets are provided with a safety briefing. You get three opportunities to put into practice the "brace position" that all airlines tell you about.

Price: Beach Blast

Adult: $55
Child: $40 under 16 years and must be at least 1.3 metres tall.
Family: $150 (2 Adults + 2 Children)

I did a 3 day sailing trip around the Whitsunday Is. which still is one of the best things I have ever experienced in my life. It was on a boat called the 'Mandrake', which was an ex-racing sloop. You sign up for it in Arlie Beach. The food was out of this world, we snorkelled and boom-netted in the day and drank wine as the sun set.

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There are many tour in GC. Some boat trip you ride can see pelicans. You feed them and enjoy with them. They were crazy to bite fishes. I ride mudcrab ship.