ZigZag Eco Cruise, Two Snorkels

Snorkel & Whitehaven Beach Eco Cruise, Lunch | From Airlie Beach runs through ZigZag Whitsundays. Rated 4.9 across 1,109 reviews. Runs 8 hours. From A$239.

Overview

This ZigZag Whitsundays day trip spends the bulk of its time at Whitehaven Beach, with a snorkelling stop in the Whitsundays thrown in between. The day runs about 8 hours, starting and finishing at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. Check-in is at 8.20 am at Meeting Point D in the Northern Village, and the boat departs shortly after. There is no hotel pickup, but the meeting point is a 10 to 20 minute walk from most places in town.

Once at Whitehaven, the crew run unlimited boat to beach transfers, so travellers can split the day between the sand and the vessel. A guided bush walk with crew heads up to the South Whitehaven lookout, and lunch is a buffet served on board with snacks through the day. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and lactose intolerant diets are all catered for if noted at booking. Wetsuit or stinger suit is provided for all tickets, and the snorkelling tickets add mask, snorkel and fins.

The tour suits families with young children. Children from 4 years can do the beach plus snorkel ticket, infants can still come along, and parents alternate snorkelling so one stays with the baby. Anyone arriving by cruise ship is not accepted, since the schedule does not line up with ship times.

What's Included

Included

Lunch (Buffet Lunch And Snacks)
Unlimited Boat To Beach Transfers (Water Taxi)
Guided Bush Walk With Crew To South Whitehaven Lookout
Wetsuit/Stinger Suit for all tickets. (Mask, Snorkel, Fins, For Snorkelling Tickets)
Cold Water Refills At Lunch Time
Air-conditioned vehicle
Toilets on board (2 Bathrooms 3 Changing Rooms)
All Fees and Taxes

Not Included

No hotel pickup. Make own way to meeting point, 10-20 min walk from most places in Airlie Beach
Bottled water
Soda/Pop
Alcoholic Beverages (Licenced Bar Onboard - Beer, Wine + Cocktails Sold Onboard (No Byo))

Itinerary

Meet at Coral Sea MarinaCheck in at 8.20 am at Meeting Point D, Coral Sea Marina Northern Village, Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach. The boat departs shortly after check-in.
Whitehaven BeachAround 4 hours at the beach, with unlimited boat to beach transfers and a guided bush walk with crew to the South Whitehaven lookout.
Whitsunday IslandsThe itinerary lists 1 hour at the Whitsunday Islands, admission free.
Whitsunday IslandThe itinerary lists about 45 minutes at Whitsunday Island, admission free.
Return to Coral Sea MarinaThe tour passes Coral Sea Marina on the way back, with around 30 minutes allowed, and the day ends at the original meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what past travellers and the listing say the day actually feels like, from food and crowds to weather and timing.

Food and drink. Lunch is a buffet on board, with snacks included, and reviewers often call the food great and fresh. Cold water refills are available at lunch time only, so bring your own drink bottle, as this is a low impact tour. Bottled water, soft drinks and alcohol are not included, though the licensed bar sells beer, wine and cocktails to pay for on board.
Fitness and pace. The listing asks for a moderate level of physical fitness and warns against joining with heart problems or other serious medical conditions. The bush walk to the lookout is guided and taken with the crew. Beyond that, the day leaves plenty of time to relax at the beach.
Group feel. Up to 80 travellers can be on board, and several reviews describe the crew as attentive, funny and quick to help. The vessel has two bathrooms and three changing rooms, plus air conditioning in the vehicle.
Kids and babies. The beach plus snorkel ticket suits children 4 and older. Infants can still join, but parents snorkel at different times so one adult always stays with the baby, either on the boat or at the beach. One reviewer travelled with a 2 year old and found it easy.
Weather and suits. The tour requires good weather, and if it is cancelled for poor conditions travellers are offered a different date or a full refund. Wetsuits or stinger suits are supplied for all tickets, so there is no need to bring your own.
Getting there. Make your own way to Meeting Point D at Coral Sea Marina by 8.20 am, as there is no hotel pickup. The walk from most of Airlie Beach takes 10 to 20 minutes. Searching for ZigZag Whitsundays or Meeting Point D Coral Sea Marina in a maps app finds the spot.

Common issues. No hotel pickup, and cruise ship passengers are not accepted because the times do not line up. The boat takes up to 80 travellers. Weather can force changes or cancellation, and the tour also needs a minimum number of travellers to run. It is not wheelchair accessible.

How To Choose

Is hotel pickup included?

No. There is no hotel pickup, and travellers make their own way to Meeting Point D, Coral Sea Marina Northern Village, Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach. It is a 10 to 20 minute walk from most places in town, and check-in is at 8.20 am shortly before departure.

What food and drink are included?

A buffet lunch plus snacks are included, and the operator caters for vegans, vegetarians, gluten free and lactose intolerant diets if noted at booking. Cold water refills are available at lunch time, but bring your own bottle. Bottled water, soft drinks and alcohol cost extra, with a licensed bar on board selling beer, wine and cocktails, and no BYO.

Is snorkel gear provided?

Yes. A wetsuit or stinger suit is provided for all tickets, and mask, snorkel and fins come with the snorkelling tickets. Reviewers often describe the snorkelling as a highlight of the day.

Can children join the tour?

The Whitehaven Beach all day ticket takes children from 3 months, and the beach plus snorkel ticket suits ages 4 and up. Infants can still join the snorkel ticket, but parents snorkel at different times so one always stays with the baby. One reviewer travelling with a 2 year old reported it went smoothly.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours get no refund and are not accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather or because the minimum traveller number is not met, a different date or a full refund is offered.

What should I bring?

Bring your own drink bottle for the cold water refills at lunch time, since bottled water and soft drinks are not included. Wear shoes suitable for the guided bush walk to the South Whitehaven lookout. Note the tour is not wheelchair accessible, pushchairs are allowed, and the boat has two bathrooms and three changing rooms.