Mulgrave River Cruise
From the rainforest to the reef
Nestled in the heart of Far North Queensland, the Mulgrave River system stretches 70 kilometres in land and is the departure point for cruises out to the Coral Sea and the pristine Frankland Islands.
Our short, 6km river journey begins and ends at our private jetty located just opposite the small community of Deeral. After the check-in process is complete, you can enjoy morning tea onboard the Turtle Islander with tea, coffee and biscuits. After casting off, enjoy a relaxing journey through the tranquil waterways towards the river mouth and then out to the Frankland Group National Park.
The Mulgrave River’s lush ecosystem supports a diverse range of creatures, both above and below the water’s surface. You are likely to see Kingfisher birds darting around the water’s edge and many other wading birds who feed along the river bank.
Keep your eyes peeled for the more camouflaged and formidable river residents such as the saltwater crocodile. These apex predators blend in perfectly with their dark grey colour making them almost invisible when resting along the river bank. Crocodiles inhabit the waterways throughout Far North Queensland including rivers, creeks, swamps and lagoons.
Enjoy the river view from the Turtle Islander’s panoramic windows as you sit inside in air-conditioned comfort, or step out onto the shaded outdoor decks for a closer look. The Frankland Islands Reef Cruises crew will be on hand to help point out any interesting flora and fauna and share any fun facts about the journey along the way.
During the return journey, an afternoon tea of tea, coffee, and cakes, served with a side of croc-spotting!
Enjoy the river cruise experience as part of our All-Inclusive day tour
Adult (17+)
$229
Child (16 and under)
$129
Family Pass (2AD and 2CH)
second child travels free!
$587
Flora and Fauna of the Mulgrave River
Learn more about the wildlife and plants that you can see from the Turtle Islander
Mangroves
The Mulgrave River is home to both Grey and Red Mangroves, which protect the coral reef by absorbing pollutants and trapping fine sediments. The unique smell of the mangroves comes from hydrogen sulphide, which is created as bacteria in the mud breaks down surrounding leaf litter.
Saltwater Crocodiles
Tropical North Queensland is known as crocodile country – and the Mulgrave River is a great place to spot them from. Saltwater crocodiles can grow up to six metres long and can hold their breath underwater for up to an hour and a half!
Wading Birds
There are a number of rare or threatened birds that reside within the Mulgrave River drainage sub-basin, including the Black-necked Stork (pictured), a large wading bird with a pronounced black bill, and unique white wings with a central black panel underneath.
The crew was so friendly and everything was well organized! Pick up & drop off were timely. They had so much gear and we saw so much wildlife.
A fun day with lots to do and a very friendly and helpful crew. Enjoyed all the activities. The snorkelling was great, all the gear was provided and one crew even swam with us and took us out to see the reef as we weren’t very confident and are not very good swimmers. The semi submarine was beautiful and we saw a turtle and a sting ray. And finally the island walk – very interesting and informative. All in all a great experience and a big thanks to the crew.
Amazing day out on the reef so many turtles and fish to see the staff are amazing they know exactly where to look for things and let you know. Day is well run and organised friendly and helpful staff made the day one to remember.
Absolutely loved my experience with Frankland Island Tours! From start to finish, it was a fantastic day. The staff were all incredibly friendly and helpful, making us feel welcome right away. Our guides, were amazing! They were so knowledgeable about the reef, the island, and all the marine life. We learned so much and had a great time doing it.
The island itself is stunning, and the snorkeling was out of this world. We saw so many colorful fish and even a few turtles! Everything was well-organized and ran smoothly, which made the whole day relaxing and enjoyable. If you’re looking for a great day trip in the Cairns area, I highly recommend Frankland Island Tours! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Truly Cairns hidden gem… knowledgeable and friendly staff all inclusive .. absolutely pristine..turtles baby sharks so much marine life large fish and variety of coral .. food was lovely .. very good value for money .. not a huge day ..felt relaxing ..even W kids 😉
Our experience with Frankland Islands Cruises was absolutely incredible! The staff were remarkably knowledgeable, helpful, fun, and full of energy, making the entire day a joy from start to finish.
We’re so glad we chose this cruise over the others—it was perfect for families and packed with activities! Snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking—we did it all! Swimming with turtles, countless fish, and seeing the vibrant coral up close was simply unforgettable.
Lunch was delicious and exactly what we needed after such an action-packed day.
This has truly been the highlight of our trip, and we can’t thank the amazing staff enough for making it so special. Highly recommend Frankland Islands Cruises!
Despite some showers and a thunderstorm during lunch, it was an excellent day for my two kids and I. We much prefer this experience over the outer reef because the water was calmer and easier for the kids to handle. Plenty of marine life to see. Staff were great. We did not partake in the glass boat tour or the island walk because my kids wanted to stay on the beach, snorkel, and kayak. You can customize your experience to suit your desires. Thank you Frankland Island Reef Cruises for a memorable day!
Great tour. Worth the money. The crew makes sure that everyone finds the right activity. The equipment is sufficient. The activities are well planned. I would absolutely recommend the tour.
This tour was the highlight of our holiday and the best snorkeling to be had outside of the outer Great Barrier Reef. We saw clown fish living in bright blue anemones, a reef shark, turtles and a bright yellow box fish. Conditions were very calm and clear on the day we went. It was like swimming my in an aquarium.
Staff were professional and helpful and food was great. There were even beach games for young children.
We loved our day on a tropical island, admiring the views, snorkeling, swimming and stand up paddle boarding.
Undoubtedly one of the best island trip, if not the best. To begin with, once you are picked up by the bus, the bus ride to the ferry is unbelievably beautiful. With mountains and sugar cane fields. The ferry ride on the river and sea is smooth and not bumpy which keeps sea sickness away.
The island itself is a Virgin island. You will have semi submarine tours and snorkeling. Beginners will have guides on water. The underwater coral view is truly amazing. The staff is super friendly and will take good care. Highly recommend 👌