Tangalooma is a resort on the western side of Moreton Island, reached by a 75 minute ferry from Brisbane, and it is best known for feeding wild dolphins at its jetty at dusk. Day cruises leave from Holt Street Wharf at Pinkenba, so you can be on the island by lunchtime without a 4WD.
Most people come for the dolphins, the shipwreck snorkelling or the sand dunes. This guide covers Tangalooma Island Resort itself; for the whole island, camping and driving on the sand, see our Moreton Island guide.
Tangalooma day cruises from Brisbane
Day visitors book a day cruise, and the price includes the return catamaran, a resort access pass and a lunch voucher. Boats leave Brisbane at 7:30 am or 10 am and the standard return is the 4 pm boat from Tangalooma. Resort shops, restaurants and bars are for resort guests and authorised day guests only, so a casual visit without a booking is not an option.
- Aquatic Adventure: kayak, snorkel gear and stand-up paddleboard hire, plus the two resort pools. It costs about $165 an adult and $125 a child (6 to 14 years). Kayaks need a child of 4 or older sharing with an adult, snorkel gear is for ages 6 and up, and paddleboards for 12 and up.
- Desert Safari: a 4WD bus to the Tangalooma Desert and a go on the sand toboggan boards. About $165 an adult and $125 a child (3 to 14 years).
- Snorkel the Wrecks: a guided snorkel at the wrecks, about $179 an adult and $149 a child (6 to 14 years).
- Dolphin feeding versions: adding feeding to the Aquatic Adventure or Desert Safari costs about $239 an adult and $189 a child, and you travel home on the late boat.
Prices change with the season, so check the Tangalooma website before you book. Tours are weather dependent and subject to availability.
Tangalooma dolphin feeding
Wild dolphins come up to the jetty at dusk, around 7 pm from November to February and around 6 pm in winter. Guests may need to wade into waist-deep water to feed them, so pack a change of clothes. You cannot swim with or touch the dolphins.
Rinse off sunscreen, insect repellent and lotions first, and take off jewellery, watches and rings. The standard day cruise and the whale watching cruise leave the resort at 4 pm, before the dolphins arrive, so pick a cruise that says dolphin feeding. The Dolphin Viewing cruise lets you watch the feeding from the jetty without getting in. The late boat leaves shortly after the feeding, between about 7 pm and 8:30 pm depending on the season.
The Tangalooma Wrecks
A line of old ships was deliberately sunk off the beach north of the resort between the 1960s and 1980s, and they are now a snorkelling site. The guided tour starts at the beachfront, takes a short boat ride and runs about 90 minutes, with 30 to 35 minutes in the water. Wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins are included.
You can also walk to the wrecks, about 15 to 20 minutes north of the resort along the beach. Our Tangalooma Wrecks guide has the details.
Whale watching and sand dunes
The resort runs whale watching cruises from June to October.
The Desert Safari takes you by 4WD bus to the Tangalooma Desert, where you can have a go on the sand toboggan boards. The resort also runs a Sea to Sky package that adds a short helicopter flight.
A short history
Tangalooma was a whaling station from 1952 to 1962, and the concrete flensing deck is one of the few reminders left on the resort grounds. Hunting humpbacks was banned in Australian waters in 1963 and the site became a resort.
Is Tangalooma dog friendly?
No. Moreton Island is a national park and all pets are prohibited. If you want a dog-friendly day by water, try Red Beach on Bribie Island.
Getting to Tangalooma and parking
The ferry leaves from Holt Street Wharf, 220 Holt Street, Pinkenba, about 20 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD. Check in at least one hour before departure. Pre-booking is required, and the resort asks you to confirm at least 24 hours before travel.
- Parking: the fenced wharf car park costs $20 a vehicle per day or $80 a week. You pay on arrival, it cannot be pre-booked, and it is locked each evening.
- Public transport: there are no public bus or train services to the wharf.
- Shuttles: bus transfers run from selected Brisbane and Gold Coast hotels, Brisbane CBD and the airports. Book through Tangalooma on 1300 652 250.
Most guests come by the resort ferry. The Micat vehicle barge from the Port of Brisbane is the other way across, covered in the Moreton Island guide.
Planning your visit
- How long: a day cruise from the 10 am boat gives you roughly five hours on the island, and the 7:30 am boat gives you more. Dolphin feeding makes it a long day, ending after dark.
- Best time: dolphin feeding is at dusk (earlier in winter), and whale watching cruises run June to October.
- Accessibility: the resort is wheelchair friendly with ramps to most facilities, and a limited number of accessible rooms. Request one when booking. Soft sand makes the beach walks harder.
- Lockers: from $2 a use, near the coffee shop and at Tanga Water Sports.
- What to bring: a change of clothes if you are feeding dolphins, swimmers, a hat and sunscreen to apply before you rinse off for the dolphins.
- Staying over: the resort sells accommodation; book through its website.
Nearby
- Moreton Island – ferries, 4WD tracks and camping across the island.
- Tangalooma Wrecks – the sunken ships you can snorkel.
- Russell Island – a quieter Moreton Bay island by ferry.
- Bongaree, Bribie Island – the island you can drive to.
- Islands and Moreton Island – more places to visit.
Quick answers
How do you get to Tangalooma from Brisbane?
By passenger ferry from Holt Street Wharf at Pinkenba. The crossing takes about 75 minutes and you must pre-book.
Can you visit Tangalooma for the day?
Yes, on a day cruise. Boats leave Brisbane at 7:30 am or 10 am and the standard return is at 4 pm.
What time is dolphin feeding at Tangalooma?
At dusk, around 7 pm from November to February and around 6 pm in winter. Only some day cruises include it.
Is there parking at Holt Street Wharf?
Yes. It costs $20 a vehicle per day, is paid on arrival and cannot be pre-booked.
Can you take a dog to Tangalooma?
No. Pets are prohibited on Moreton Island.
Can you swim with the dolphins?
No. You feed them from waist-deep water but cannot swim with or touch them.
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