Information & FAQs

This tour is suitable for all ages. Our minimum age requirement is 5 years old and minimum height 120cm. All children must be accompanied by an adult for check-in.

No loose items can be taken on board E.g. Cameras, hats etc. They must be left in the storage boxes provided.

You are going to get wet so wear swimmers or clothing that can get wet and bring a towel to dry off.

This tour is not suitable for travellers with back or neck problems, heart problems, pregnancy or other serious medical conditions.

Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible.

We do not offer a bus pick up for this tour. You will need to check in at N00 arm, Coral Sea Marina South, we have a floating office with a yellow roof (next to the jetskis). We are located near public transportation (13-minute walk from town or 2-minute taxi)

We are still able to operate when it is raining but certain wind directions will affect 8the tour. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Unfortunately, our vessel is not wheelchair accessible. There are stairs to get on and off the vessel and bus.

If you are making your own way, please meet us at Shute Harbour Marine Terminal outside the café 15 minutes prior to departure. Alternatively, call us to arrange a courtesy bus pick up from our selected locations.

This tour is suitable for all ages. Infants aged 0-2 travel for free.

Unfortunately, we do not have the space for prams on board the vessel.

Yes! We have 2 toilets on board our vessel.

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages can be purchased on board from our fully licensed bar.

Shute Harbour has plenty of parking. The first hour is free!

There are no specific requirements. The vessel is fully shaded from the sun.

Child restraints are not required on buses, trains or personalised transport services such as taxi, limousine and ride-booking services. A bus is a motor vehicle that can carry 13 or more people (including the driver).
Children less than 1 year old can be held on the lap of someone 16 years or older. Children more than 1 year old and less than 7 years old can be restrained using a seat belt (but must not sit in the front seat if the vehicle has 2 or more rows of seats).

We provide light snacks on board consisting of crackers, dips, deli meats, cheese and fruit.

We do not cater for specific dietary requirements, but you are more than welcome to bring along your own snacks.

We offer a courtesy bus service from selected hotels and areas in Cannonvale, airlie beach and jubilee pocket. Call our team for pick up times and locations.

Parking is available at Shute Harbour (The first hour is free!)

At Pioneer Adventures we are dedicated to offering an inclusive experience for individuals of all abilities.

Our tours are designed to be accessible to people with diverse physical, sensory, and intellectual abilities. Our team is here to ensure your Jet Boating and Glass bottom boat adventures are unforgettable, fun-filled experience!

This accessibility statement provides detailed information about our facilities and services to help you determine if our experience is the right fit for you.

The Experience
Before boarding the jet boat, the crew will provide a safety briefing to prepare you for the ride.

You will get wet during the ride, so it’s a good idea to wear a spray jacket or bring a change of clothes.

Bags and personal belongings cannot be taken on board, but secure storage is available to keep them safe until you return.

Please note that mobility aids like wheelchairs cannot be accommodated on the boat, and all guests must be able to board and exit the jet boat independently.

For the safety of service animals, they are also not permitted on the boat.

Boarding
There is ramp access down to the jetty where you’ll board the boat.

To board, you’ll need to step over a 40-centimeter-high side from the jetty to the boat’s lip, then step down 20 centimeters to the seat and another 50 centimeters to the floor.

The jet boat has a loud engine and is open to the wind, and you will get wet from the sea spray.

We are committed to working with you to ensure you have a fantastic and enjoyable experience.

Sensory Information

Boarding

• Shared personal space
• Weather exposure: wind, rain
• Sea spray

Sounds

• Music whilst operating
• People talking
• Jet boat engine noise
• Wind and water sounds

Sights

• Bright light and glare
• Views of buildings and boats
• Water

Smells

• Exhaust fumes at the jetty
• Natural outdoor scents

The Experience

Whilst on board the glass-bottom boat, your crew will provide a safety briefing to prepare you for the trip.

You can keep your bags and personal belongings with you throughout the trip.

Please note that mobility aids such as wheelchairs and prams cannot be accommodated on the boat.

For the safety of service animals, they are also not permitted onboard.

Boarding There is ramp access leading down to the jetty where you will board the boat.

To get on the boat, you’ll need to use a ramp followed by two steps.

The glass-bottom boat is equipped with an engine and is open to the elements, so expect exposure to wind and sea spray.

We are more than happy to accommodate your needs to ensure you fully enjoy your experience.

Sensory Information

Boarding

• Shared personal space
• Weather exposure: wind, rain
• Sea spray

Sounds

• People talking
• Commentary over a microphone
• Engine noise
• Wind and water sounds

Sights

• Bright light and glare
• Views of buildings and boats
• Water and underwater marine life visible through the glass
• Bubbles under the glass bottom

Smells

• Exhaust fumes at the jetty
• Natural outdoor scents

Here at Pioneer Adventures, we’re not just about thrill rides and epic reef days, we’re also on a mission to give back to the big blue playground we love so much.

We’re teaming up with reef friendly projects, soaking up all the eco knowledge we can and sharing it with our awesome passengers so they can go home as eco warriors too.

Whether it’s cutting down single use plastics or spreading the word about reef safe habits, we’re all about taking action today to protect tomorrow. Because let’s be honest, what’s an adventure without an ocean to explore.

Join us and help keep the magic alive beneath the surface

At Pioneer Adventures, protecting the stunning natural environments we explore isn’t just important, it’s at the heart of everything we do. We believe in making unforgettable memories without leaving a trace. Here’s how we’re doing our part:

Low Impact Tours – We design all our tours to be low impact on the ecosystems we visit. Our vessels follow strict marine park guidelines, avoid sensitive areas like coral bommies, and operate on reduced wake settings in fragile zones to prevent shoreline erosion and disturbance to marine life.

Wildlife First – We keep a respectful distance from wildlife. Our guides are trained to ensure all interactions are ethical, safe and educational, putting the wellbeing of the creatures we encounter first.

Contributing to Reef Science – Our team actively logs marine life sightings, including turtles, rays, dolphins, and unusual coral conditions, using the Eye on the Reef app, a monitoring program by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). This helps researchers track reef health and marine biodiversity in real time

Plastic Free Promise – We’re proudly single use plastic free. You won’t find disposable cutlery or plastic straws on our boats. We encourage guests to bring reusable water bottles and provide refill stations onboard.

Eco Efficient Vessels – Our vessels are fitted with fuel-efficient engines and are regularly maintained to reduce emissions. Where possible, we opt for environmentally-friendly cleaning products and maintenance methods to limit waterway pollution.

Education & Awareness – Every tour includes engaging commentary about local ecosystems, Indigenous culture, and the importance of conservation. We love turning curiosity into action and inspiring guests to care for the places they visit.

Leave No Trace Policy – All rubbish is removed from our tours and if we see rubbish, we don’t cruise past it — we pick it up.

More facts and information can be found on

https://www2.gbrmpa.gov.au/

1. Corals are animals!
2. There are 2 types of coral – hard and soft. Hard corals are built on a calcium carbonate (limestone) skeleton, where soft corals are not.
3. The easiest way to classify hard corals is by their appearance : Boulder/
   Branching/ Plate/ Table/ Vase/ Bushy/ Mushroom
4. How does a coral avoid getting sunburnt when the tide goes out and leaves it high and
   dry in intense sunshine? Coral needs to allow light to reach the zooxanthellae within its tissues, but is also at risk from the high UV radiation. Scientists have found that coral actually makes its own sunscreen!

1. Females are generally larger than the males Adults weigh around 35 to 50 tonnes
2. Flippers that are often as long as one-third of the animal’s body length
3. Humpback whales migrate farther than any other mammal on Earth, according to the NOAA. They
   can travel around 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometres) between their breeding and feeding grounds on a
   regular basis. The longest ever recorded migration was 11,706 miles (18,840 km), a trip that went from
   American Samoa to the Antarctic Peninsula.
4. Humpbacks use several different feeding methods

1. Marine Turtles are protected in Australian waters, but Indigenous people can obtain permits for traditional hunting.
2. All species of marine turtles have the same general life cycle. They grow slowly and take decades to reach sexual maturity.
3. At an unknown age (believed to be between 20 and 50 years) male and female turtles migrate to a
   nesting area located in the region of their birth.
4. Green turtles are largely vegetarian, feeding on seagrass and algae.

1. The history of the Whitsunday Islands dates back over 100 million years to a time of dramatic volcanic activity that formed a mountainous terrain initially connected to the mainland coast.
2. Indigenous tribes, particularly the Ngaro people, inhabited these islands for approximately 8,000 years prior to European settlement. Known as one of the earliest recorded and most established tribes in Australia
3. The Whitsunday Islands were first documented by Europeans on June 4, 1770, when Captain James Cook navigated through the area during his exploration of Australia’s east coast.

The Whitsundays are internationally famous for their rugged, green-clad islands, blue waters and white sands. But behind that beauty lies much more: a tumultuous geological history, a long tradition of Indigenous use, and a complex ecosystem with thousands of animal and plants, including rare and endangered species.

More information can be found at https://parks.desi.qld.gov.au/parks/parks-whitsundays/about/culture

Sure, the Whitsundays are famous for dreamy reefs and island hopping, but did you know there’s way more to explore inland too?

Head into Conway National Park, where lush rainforests, epic lookouts and hidden waterholes await. One highlight? Cedar Creek Falls, a picture perfect natural pool that turns into a jungle paradise after a solid tropical downpour. (Pro tip: bring your camera and your swimmers.)

From Airlie Beach to Shute Harbour, here are some walking tracks worth lacing up your boots for:

Bicentennial Boardwalk – Airlie Beach
4 km one way – approx. 1 hour
A flat and scenic coastal stroll from Airlie Lagoon to Cannonvale Beach. Perfect for golden hour photos, coffee stops or a laid back wander with stunning views.

Airlie Creek Track – Airlie Beach
1.7 km return – approx. 1 hour
A gentle walk through lush forest filled with giant fig trees, subtropical plants and native birdlife. Ends at peaceful natural rock pools.

Honeyeater Lookout – Airlie Beach
8.2 km return – approx. 3 hours
A rewarding uphill hike for those keen on a challenge, with panoramic views of the Coral Sea waiting at the top.

Mount Rooper Circuit – Shute Harbour
5.4 km return – approx. 2.5 hours
This loop track winds through forested hills, offering sweeping views over the Whitsunday Passage. Combine with the Swamp Bay track for a fuller experience.

Coral Beach Walk – Shute Harbour
2.2 km return – approx. 1.5 hours
A short and scenic walk leading to a quiet coral covered beach with beautiful views across the water.

Conway Circuit (The Great Whitsunday Walk) – Brandy Creek Entrance
27.1 km one way – 2 to 3 nights, or 8 hours for the advanced
This is the big one. A full trek through Conway National Park, best done over multiple days, though sections can be explored in shorter bursts for those not up for the full adventure.

So next time you’re in the Whitsundays, don’t just look out to sea — take a step inland and discover a whole new side of this tropical paradise.