Red Cat Adventures · Airlie Beach
Red Cat Adventures' Thundercat is a custom fast catamaran that collects you from your accommodation, then fits two snorkel stops, the Hill Inlet lookout and a buffet lunch on Whitehaven into eight hours. Book it if snorkelling matters as much as the beach and you want a steadier boat than an inflatable.
Red Cat Adventures is an Airlie Beach company, and Thundercat is the boat behind its main day trip: a custom-built fast catamaran designed for stability, with a toilet on board. Red Cat's own site lists up to 37 guests. The day starts with a bus at your door, from one of 24 listed places in Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and Jubilee Pocket, so there's no early walk to the marina.
The snorkelling is what sets it apart. Stop one is a fringing reef. Stop two is the northern tip of Hook Island, with caves and a wider mix of marine life, and one guest called it by far the best of the day. Then comes a buffet lunch at Whitehaven, free time on the sand and a guided bush walk to the Hill Inlet lookout with a history talk. An afternoon fruit snack keeps you going, and you're dropped off around 5 pm. Tides and wind can change the order.
Two things to know. The ride can be bumpy in a breeze, a reviewer warns, so take seasickness tablets early if you need them. And GetYourGuide sets the minimum age at 4, even though Red Cat's own site says 2. Water and soft drinks are sold on board; you may bring your own alcohol, but no glass and no red wine.
A bus collects you from your accommodation in Airlie Beach, Cannonvale or Jubilee Pocket and runs you to the marina. Morning snack on board.
A fringing reef, with mask, snorkel and a stinger suit in summer or a wetsuit in winter.
The northern tip of Hook Island: caves and more variety. One guest called it the best stop of the day.
Lunch at Whitehaven Beach, then free time on the sand.
A guided bush walk up to the lookout above the swirls, with a talk on the area's history.
Afternoon fruit snack on the way back, then the bus drops you off. Tides and wind can change the order of the stops.
★★★★★A great day trip run professionally and with a sense of fun by the crew.
★★★★★Hook Island the second stop we did was by far the best!
★★★★★Shannon told us loads about the reef which was super fun.
★★★★★Jared and Coby did an amazing job!
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Yes. The day includes a guided bush walk to the Hill Inlet lookout with a history talk, plus lunch and free time on Whitehaven Beach.
Two: one on a fringing reef and one at the northern tip of Hook Island, which has caves and more varied marine life. Mask, snorkel and a stinger suit or wetsuit are included.
Yes. The GetYourGuide listing includes bus pickup from 24 accommodations in Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and Jubilee Pocket, and drop-off around 5 pm.
On GetYourGuide the trip is not suitable for children under 4. Red Cat's own site says 2+, so book direct if your child is 2 or 3.
Ready to book
Hotel pickup, two snorkel stops, the Hill Inlet walk and a buffet lunch at Whitehaven on a fast catamaran.
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