Frequently Asked Questions

ALL TOURS DEPART DAILY (excluding Christmas Day, 25th December)

Tongarra Day Sail: Winter Schedule (1st June to 31 October): Check in at Coral Sea Marina at 9.00am, Departs 9.30am, returns at 6pm. Summer Schedule (1st November to 31st May): Check in at Coral Sea Marina at 9.30am, Departs 10am, returns at 6.30pm.

Thundercat Day Tour: Default pickup is at Red Cat Adventures shop, Airlie Beach Main Street, at 8.20am.  The boat leaves Coral Sea Marina North End – Meeting Point B each day at 9am and returns at 5pm. If you decide to make your way to the marina, please check in at 8:30am.

Falls To Paradise: Check in at Red Cat Adventures at 10.20am, Departs 10:30am and returns at 3:30pm. Red Cat Adventures is located in Airlie Main Street, 250 Shute Harbour Road. Guests are welcome to stay at Northerlies and take the courtesy bus home at their leisure

Outer Reef Snorkelling Adventure: Check in at Coral Sea Marina, Northern End, Meeting Point B, at 7.30am. Departs at 8:00am sharp. We arrive back at Coral Sea Marina at 4:00pm that same day.

Tongarra: 30 passengers and 2 crew members

Thundercat 1 & 2: 32 passengers and 2 crew members

Thundercat 3: 38 passengers and 2 crew members

Falls to Paradise: 20 Passengers (10 on each bus) and 2 crew members

Outer Reef Snorkelling Adventure: 40 passengers and 3 crew members

Boat Tours:

• Free use of snorkeling equipment – mask/snorkel provided on Thundercat and Tongarra. We do not provide fins to reduce damage to coral (Outer reef tours fins are included)
• Free use of lycra suit or wet suit in winter months
• All meals plus morning and afternoon snacks
• We provide the eskies and the ice
• Awesome, friendly staff

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Towel and a hat
• Practical clothing and footwear (warmer items during winter)
• Wet weather jacket/windproof jacket
• Underwater camera and iPod with your favourite music
• BYO alcohol (no glass or red wine, please)
• A sense of fun and adventure!

We do not have a specific changing room on Thundercat or Falls to Paradise.

Outer Reef Snorkelling Adventure: Please bring a credit card for the bar purchases.

The Red Cat Adventure vessels are all stable catamarans, which means they don’t roll as much as other vessels in the Whitsundays. You’re less likely to get seasick on Tongarra, Wildcat or Thundercat than on a monohull. We cannot predict how your body will react to the vessels; some passengers still get sick. We advise taking a seasickness tablet 30 minutes before stepping on board.

Falls to Paradise

On tour with ‘Falls to Paradise’, you travel by bus (10 seats per bus). If you are known to get bus sickness, we advise taking a motion sickness tablet 30 minutes before stepping on board.

Tongarra Day Sail: Winter Schedule (1st June to 31 October): Check in at Coral Sea Marina at 9.00am, Departs 9.30am, returns at 6pm. Summer Schedule (1st November to 31st May): Check in at Coral Sea Marina at 9.30am, Departs 10am, returns at 6.30pm. Please make your way to Coral Sea Marina (North End) meeting point B next to the roundabout. The vessel will depart at the times listed above sharp, so please don’t be late.

Thundercat Day Tour: Default pickup is at Red Cat Adventures shop, Airlie Beach Main Street, at 8.20am.  The boat leaves Coral Sea Marina North End – Meeting Point B each day at 9am and returns at 5pm. If you decide to make your way to the marina, please check in at 8:30am. If making your own way, please meet at the Coral Sea Marina meeting area next to the roundabout at 8.30 am. The vessel will depart at 9 am sharp, so please don’t be late.

Falls To Paradise: Please make your own way for check in at Red Cat Adventures at 10.20am, tour departs at 10:30am and returns at 3:30pm. Red Cat Adventures is located in Airlie Main Street, 250 Shute Harbour Road. Guests are welcome to stay at Northerlies and take the courtesy bus home at their leisure.

Outer Reef Snorkelling Adventure: Check in at Coral Sea Marina, Northern End, Meeting Point B, at 7.30am. Departs at 8:00am sharp. We arrive back at Coral Sea Marina at 4:00pm that same day.

We’ve designed our menus to be able to cater to most dietary requirements, including complimentary vegetarian options.  We are unable to cater to vegan or halal diets.

Our menu across all products caters to most dietary requirements, including gluten-free, vegetarian and lactose Intolerant.  If a passenger has an allergy other than a nut allergy, we recommend that they take note of our menu; If it’s not satisfactory, please feel free to bring additional food and snacks, and we will happily place them in our cold esky.

Falls to Paradise: We’ve designed our menu to be able to cater to most dietary requirements and include vegetarian options for lunch. The menu is subject to change without notice.

• All open-dated tickets are valid for one year from the purchase date, so please ensure you book within that year, or the ticket may have expired.
• All prize vouchers have a 2-year expiry date.
• Please call our reservation team on 07 4946 4444 preferred travel date and a ticket number.
• All bookings MUST reconfirm 72 hours before departure during office hours (9 am – 5 pm). 07 4946 4444
• Open tickets MUST provide 14 days notice to book.

Thundercat/Tongarra Day Sail: Cancellations within 24 hours of departure will forfeit the full cost of the trip.

Falls to Paradise: Cancellations within 24 hours of departure will forfeit the full cost of the trip.

Private Charter (Dayboat / Day Tour): Cancellations within 14 days of departure will forfeit the full cost of the trip.

Tongarra Overnight Private Charter: Cancellations within 21 days of departure will forfeit the full cost of the trip.

Outer Reef Snorkelling Adventure: Cancellations within 24 hours of departure will forfeit the full cost of the trip.

Please call our reservation team on 07 4946 4444

Please note that all transfers must provide 24 hours’ notice for Thundercat, Tongarra Day Sail, Outer Reef Snorkelling Adventure & Falls to Paradise.

Adventure sailing includes risks. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard clients, we cannot be held responsible for personal injury or loss due to actions that are beyond our control. We HIGHLY recommend that all customers have travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings, road closures, flooding and other natural disasters – especially during the wet season – which may cause you to miss your trip.

Boat tours:

Parking is available at Coral Sea Marina and is charged per day.

Falls to Paradise:

Parking is available at the Lagoon Car Park and is charged per day.

Red Cat Adventures: All prices are per person in AUD and include GST, National Park and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park entry fees, professional skipper and host, live aboard, all meals, fresh linen and use of snorkelling equipment and snorkel suits. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure (Thundercat, Outer Reef Snorkeling Adventure and Tongarra Day Sail) or less than three weeks before departure private charters will result in complete forfeiture of the full price. We reserve the right to substitute vessels without notice at any time for any reason. We recommend you take out travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss of personal goods and the inability to travel due to weather. Clients should note that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard guests, we cannot be responsible for any damage, personal injury or loss due to the actions of passengers that are beyond our control. All cruises are subject to weather and the vessel operator’s discretion. Please allow extra time to travel during the wet season (Dec-May) as we occasionally have road closures due to flooding. At certain times of the year, ‘dangerous’ jellyfish inhabit these waters, and passengers should take care of their own safety. Passengers entering the water do so at their own risk, and the vessel’s owner will not be liable for any personal injury, illness, death or other consequences of passengers being stung by jellyfish. To minimise this risk, you will have a full-length protective ‘Snorkel Suit’ to wear while swimming and snorkelling during the cruise. Accordingly, Red Cat Adventures shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including but not limited to indirect or consequential loss) or for any injury to a person or property which is suffered or sustained by any passenger as a result of participating in any of its sailing adventures, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law. Outer Reef Snorkel Adventure – while we strive to reach the Outer Reef during the Outer Reef Snorkelling Adventure, our operations are subject to weather conditions. The safety of our guests is our highest priority. If, on the day of your tour, weather conditions are deemed unsafe for travel to the Outer Reef, we will instead conduct the tour within the Great Barrier Reef’s inner reef, snorkelling along the fringing reef of the Whitsunday Islands.

Curtis Island Services t/as Red Cat Adventures ABN: 76 165 816 017

A pregnancy waiver must be signed before travel for all pregnant passengers. We are happy for anyone to travel who has been approved by a doctor to be fit and healthy in their second trimester.

If you are in your first or third trimester, we would need a doctor’s certificate before travelling. It is up to the skipper’s decision on the day they are happy for you to travel, depending on the weather conditions that day. Safety for mum and baby is our highest priority.

While we don’t have braille available, we are more than happy to assist guests who are blind or have low vision in any way we can. We have experience accommodating vision-impaired guests in the past, including providing assistance with snorkeling activities. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss how we can make your experience with us enjoyable and accessible.

Our safety briefings are conducted visually, similar to procedures on an aircraft, ensuring accessibility for guests who are deaf or have low hearing. Additionally, our staff are more than happy to assist in any way they can throughout your journey with us. We are dedicated to providing a memorable and inclusive experience for all our guests. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any specific needs or require assistance during your tour with us.

We do cater for people with limited mobility on our ‘Wildcat’ vessel. This vessel features a tie-down spot for one wheelchair, making it our most accessible option. However, please note that guests will need sufficient upper body fitness to utilise the facilities and participate in the tour offerings. The vessel amenities basin is at the right height, but unfortunately it does not accommodate a wheelchair, and the floor is raised approximately 50mm off the deck. 

Additionally, access from the water back onto the boat requires the ability to physically lift your upper body, as it involves large steps. We are committed to providing assistance and ensuring the comfort and safety of all our guests, so please contact us to discuss how we can cater to your needs.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate mobility scooters on board. However our ‘Wildcat’ vessel includes a tie-down spot for one wheelchair, enhancing accessibility. However, it’s important to note that guests must possess sufficient upper body strength to utilise the facilities and engage in tour activities.

We prioritise dietary requirements and food allergies, particularly for medical needs such as colic and nut allergies. Our buffet-style lunch offers a variety of vegetarian options, allowing guests to pick and choose according to their preferences. While vegan options are somewhat limited, there are still choices available. 

If you have any specific dietary requirements or concerns, please inform us in advance so we can make suitable arrangements for you.

We do cater for people with cognitive disabilities or people on the Autism Spectrum. It’s important to note that our vessel can be quite loud, and guests may be sprayed with water during the tour. Therefore, we encourage you to contact us ahead of time so we can make necessary preparations to ensure your tour is as comfortable as possible.

We are more than happy to cater to individuals with sensory needs. Our tour promises an immersive sensory experience, allowing guests to intimately encounter a diverse array of marine life. However, it’s important to acknowledge that our vessel can generate considerable noise, and guests may encounter water spray during the journey. To optimise your comfort and enjoyment, please contact us in advance so we can tailor your experience accordingly.

Departing from both Mackay and Airlie Beach, Red Cat Adventures promise an incredible day out. For those seeking accessibility, our departures from Mackay Marina offer better ease of access.

Important Information:

• Mackay Marina is more accessible-friendly
• Tours require guests to be fit with upper body strength
• Aimed at fit and adventurous individuals
• Vessels may be noisy
• Guests with noise sensitivity should be prepared

Recommended tours:

Thundercat Whitsundays all inclusive day tour

Outer Reef snorkel adventure

Wildcat Mackay all inclusive day tour

Contact reservations to discuss options and tailored tour experiences

We offer a 25% discount for carers with a valid carer’s card. If you have a carer’s card, please don’t hesitate to let us know when booking so we can apply the discount to your tour.

We can accommodate assistance animals. Please inform us at the time of booking so we can make necessary arrangements. Additionally, please ensure you have the required papers for national parks.

Yes, some of our staff members have undergone disability awareness training. If you have specific needs or require assistance during your visit, please don’t hesitate to let us know, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

We provide amenities onboard the boat, as detailed above.

Regarding access to departure points, please reach out to us for information on accessibility options and assistance available at each location. For any specific needs or requirements, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the time of booking. We’re here to discuss how we can best accommodate you.

We offer assistance to individuals whose primary language is not English. Our safety briefing is provided in multiple languages, including Chinese, Japanese, German, French, and Spanish, ensuring that all guests can understand and adhere to important safety guidelines.