What is the best season for turtle tours?

Cook Island is one of the only places in Australia where they are frequently spotted all year round.

Where does the tour depart from?

We are departing from: NSW Tours: 139 Chinderah Bay Dr, Chinderah NSW 2487. Look for the big trailer parked along the river, and your friendly crew!

How long does the tour go for?

The whale watch tours are approx. 2 ½ hours from departure. Our whale swim tours are approx. 3 ½ hrs from departure

What type of boat is this?

RIB-Rigid Inflatable Boat, originally designed and built as rescue craft and patrol vessels and are driven by 2x 250hp engines.

What do I need to bring?

It is colder out on the water so come prepared with layers. We recommend: Beanie, warm jumper/ jacket Spray jacket/ Rain coat Sunglasses and hat Camera, Gopro etc Drinking water

Make sure you wear multiple layers, it gets a lot colder out on the water. We recommend a long sleeve shirt, a jumper and a jacket. Make sure to bring a Hat as well. Please referred to our what to bring section

I might get seasick. What happens then?

Seasickness is a common disturbance of the inner ear - affecting your sense of balance and equilibrium. If you think you’re prone to seasickness or motion sickness, we do advise that you consult your doctor or pharmacist and purchase your own seasickness tablets prior to joining us. However if you forget we have seasickness tablets available for purchase before we depart on your ocean adventure.

What if the trip is cancelled due to bad weather?

Unfortunately, Mother Nature plays a big role in whether or not we run the tour. If we cancel due to the weather, you will have the option of booking on another day! Please read our terms & Conditions in regard to refunds.

Can I book a private charter?

Yes, Private charters are available. Please call or email us for availability.

Daylight Savings Time! We run on QLD time

Please note we operate on QLD time! This is one hour behind NSW. (daylight saving applicable from October to April)

DOLPHIN & TURTLE
SAFARI GOLD COAST

Join us for a safari style Dolphin & Turtle - watching experience on our open-ocean adventure vessel. Observe these beautiful creatures at eye level with a maximum of 12 guests, while you also soak in the diverse stretch of coastline.

BOOK NOW

ABOUT OUR TOUR

Enjoy a fun day out on the ocean, engaging with turtles, Dolphins and other marine life, while making memories that will last a life time.

With our informative and captivating commentary from our experienced skipper and crew. We guarantee you will encounter Turtles & the Dolphins we have an 80% success rate, Be mesmerised as you observe them in their natural habitat, with our ecologically conscious Dolphin & Turtle Tour!

BOOK NOW

TOUR DETAILS

PRICE

$110 Adult
$99 Child (6 to 12 years)
$399 2 adults and 2 children
$299 2 adults and 1 child
$1,299 Private charter, 1 to 12 people (call to book)
LOCATION & DURATION

Chinderah, NSW. 1.5 to 2 hours approx.
Daily Departure Times

Early or late afternoon
Guarantee

Guaranteed Turtle sightings or return for free!

BOOK NOW

our TOUR GALLERY

BOOK THIS TOUR

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Guaranteed Turtle sightings or return for free!
Qualified, experienced and professional skipper and crew.
Maximum 12 passengers onboard.

Informative and captivating commentary throughout the tour on Turtles, Dolphins & other marine life.
Sunscreen provided.

BOOK NOW

Enjoy a fun day out on the ocean, engaging with turtles, Dolphins and other marine life, while making memories that will last a life time.

With our informative and captivating commentary from our experienced skipper and crew. We guarantee you will encounter Turtles! and as for the Dolphins we have an 70% success rate!! Be mesmerised as you observe them in their natural habitat, with our ecologically conscious Dolphin & Turtle Tour! Our tour begins with a 10min boat ride through mouth of the Tweed River entrance, then onwards to Cook Island Aquatic Reserve (Joongurra-Narrian). The reserve lies approximately 600m off the shore of Fingal Head, NSW. It is a foraging ground to a significant number of sea turtles.

The numbers are so significant that the island was originally named Turtle Island. The surrounding waters of the reserve are also home to a wide variety of subtropical and temperate species of fish, crustaceans, and rays - just to name a few! Prepare to be awed by the magical underwater world that lies here on our doorstep!

After exploring Cook Island, we will cruise along the Fingal/Tweed head coast, in search of the many local species of dolphins that live near by! Our dolphin friends love playing in the waves close to the shore lines of Fingal Head, and occasionally in the wake or bow of our boat! A few species of dolphins that call the Tweed area their home, include: Indo-Pacific Dolphin, Short-beaked Common Dolphin & the Common Bottlenose Dolphin. These playful creatures can be found feeding, resting, and socialising in pods of 4-5, or even 40-50 at a time! Come and experience the wonderful and thrilling action of these beautiful creatures up close!

Every Turtle & Dolphin Safari is always a unique adventure! With our highly experienced, professional and personal skipper and crew on hand throughout your trip, to pass on a wealth of knowledge and passion for the marine life of the the stunning Tweed and Gold Coast region!

what to expect

On arrival you will be greeted by one of the friendly crew, they will check you in on the iPad and get you amped for an epic adventure!

Tea and coffee are on offer upon arrival, and if you have a keep cup please bring it with you to reduce even more waste for our daily operation's.

Following the introduction and safety briefing from the Skipper, your lifejackets will be fitted, and we will board the vessel for your tour!

What should you bring?
It can be colder out on the water so come prepared. We recommend:
- warm jumper/ jacket (if you are prone to feeling the cold)
- Spray jacket/ Rain coat (we have some complimenatry if you don’t 🙂
- Sunglasses and hat
- Camera, Gopro etc
- Drinking water
Participation requirements
Onboard safely

BOOK NOW

HOW TO GET HERE

Our departure location is Chinderah, situated 5mins from the pacific highway.

139-151 Chinderah bay drive Nsw 2487

Usually we offer a pick up/ drop off shuttle bus service, however due to COVID-19 we are unable to provide this.

Directions

If you are driving from the south on the pacific motorway, take the Kingscliff/ Cudgen exit. and go left at the round about, follow this road.

If you are driving from the north on the Pacific Motorway, take the Kingscliff/Cudgen exit, and go right at the round about. Passing under the motor way and then follow this road.

PARKING

There is street parking available along Chinderah Bay Dr.

Please Note: Do not park in front of the Cubby Bakehouse.

OUR vessel

Cooly Eco Adventures operates with a customised commercial safari style open ocean RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) vessel, at 32ft in length and seating 12 guests plus captain and crew.

It is an efficient, fast and fun vessel offering the most intimate encounters available for Gold Coast whale watching.

The vessel provides ‘jockey’ seating, which offers a secure, comfortable and fun means of travel. Each seat opens up to provide water-tight storage for valuables.

Perfectly geared for off-shore Gold Coast water adventure, it is powered by two best-in-class 250HP Suzuki Engines, allowing us to cover greater distances quickly and efficiently, with less fuel burn. This ultimately means more successful whale watching and marine life encounters for you!

REDUCING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Biodegradable

We use Biodegradable and reef friendly cleaning products and provide reef safe sunscreen onboard. This helps reduce the impact of harsh chemicals on the reef and marine life.

Plastic free wherever possible

We have reduced our single use plastic waste or cut it out entirely wherever we can.

No touch, no take

All our guests are informed about the marine life they are going to see in and out of the water. A no touch, no take policy implemented on all tours, ensures minimal disturbance to marine life.

Minimal marine emissions

When only the best is good enough. The boats engines two best in-class 2025 Suzuki 250hp with ultra low emissions. They are serviced and updated regularly to ensure efficiency and minimal emissions.

A Clean, Green machine

The company Troop Carrier has been upgraded to a Hydrogen enhancing fuel system, which has increased the mileage by 40% and reduced 99% of the emissions coming out of the tail pipe!!

Composting

We compost our food scraps, leftovers and our coffee cups so that less ends up in landfill.

Uniforms

All crew uniforms are made from recycled materials and are fair trade certified.

gear

The gear we provide is purchased from reputable, high quality brands to ensure longevity. When our wetsuits reach the ends of their lives, we give them back to brands that recycle the rubber.

I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH HOW FANTASTIC OUR WHALE SWIM ADVENTURE WAS, FROM START TO FINISH.

What an incredible experience! Swimming with whales has always been a bucket list item for me, so this trip was amazing. Lachlan the captain and Kas the guide were amazing with how they ran the whole tour and their knowledge of whales and the area. They knew which whales to just watch and which ones to jump in the water with. He tracked down a whale that was breaching so many times, we lost count and even breached right near the boat! Easily one of the best experiences I have had so highly, highly recommend doing it!!

- Rob Barbuto
Thanks to Lachie and his crew for one of the best wildlife experiences we have had.

Lachie is so knowledgeable and was committed to giving us the best experience possible. The whales welfare was also paramount, as it should be. The crew were super friendly and patient and made us all feel safe with our induction and time in and out of the water. Will definitely go again! A huge thank you to the crew!

- Joanne Aldridge
Cooly Eco Adventures provided an unforgettable experience!

The team was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the trip so enjoyable. We were lucky to see an abundance of turtles and other incredible marine life up close - truly amazing! Highly recommend for anyone looking to connect with nature and have an amazing day out on the water!

- Travis Wakefield
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING MORNING!

Attentive and respectful guides, beautiful views, swam with whales twice plus so much spotting. Real once in a lifetime experience.Highly recommend!

- Meg Burns
AMAZING TEAM AND A WHALE WATCHING EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME!

Forget the large boats, here you will be close and agile and you have a crew who does everything to ensure you get to see, hear and feel these incredible creatures of our seas. Highly recommended!

- Quirin Schwaighofer
WE HAD A FABULOUS DAY WITH THE COOLY ECO TEAM, SWIMMING WITH TURTLES AROUND COOK ISLAND.

The experience was magical, the guides were knowledgable, and the memories will last a lifetime! Highly recommended.

- Renee Bertolus

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

got questions?we’ve got answers.

View all FAQS Get in Touch

When is the best time of year to see whales?

From June to November on the east coast of Australia. Behaviours change throughout the season. If you want to try see mothers and calf’s, come in late October November. The best time to swim with whales is between the months of August to October
Where does the tour depart from?

We are departing from:

NSW Tours: 139 Chinderah Bay Dr, Chinderah NSW 2487.

Look for the big trailer parked along the river, and your friendly crew!
Can I book a private charter?

Yes, Private charters are available. Please call or email us for availability.