Great Keppel Island: Ferry Day Trip & Snorkel from Yeppoon
Soft sand under your feet, reef in front of you, ferry behind you.
You board the 9am ferry from Yeppoon, land on Great Keppel Island's main beach thirty minutes later, and spend the afternoon snorkeling or paddling. Lunch with a drink is included, along with snorkel equipment and park fees. The ferry departs at 4pm, giving you a full day on the island without arranging transport, meals, or gear separately.
7h 30m
Step-by-step itinerary
Great Keppel Island day trip
- Depart 9am ferry from Keppel Bay Marina
- 30-minute ferry to Great Keppel Island
- Disembark onto soft white sand
- Head to Hideaway sign and GKI Watersports
- Arrange snorkel hire or 1-hour SUP/kayak
- Walk up sandy track to Hideaway lawn
- Enjoy lunch and refreshments (11:30am-2pm)
- Depart island at 4pm
The Experience
The 9am ferry pulls away from Keppel Bay Marina just outside Yeppoon, and thirty minutes later you're stepping straight onto the white sand of Great Keppel Island — no jetty, no dock, just the ramp down and the beach. Your feet will get wet. That's the first thing. The island is small enough that you can walk it in an afternoon, and the Hideaway's lawn area is where lunch happens between 11:30am and 2pm, so you've got time to choose: snorkel gear for the full day, or an hour on a SUP or kayak if you'd rather stay on top of the water.
Lunch is one choice off the menu, and it comes with a schooner of Great Northern, a glass of house wine, or a soft drink — your call. The reef is close enough that you don't need a boat to reach it; the snorkel gear is included, and the environmental management charge (the reef tax) is already paid. The island has no shops, no crowds the way the mainland does, and the walk from the beach to the Hideaway takes you past the hula-girl logo sign. Light refreshments are available throughout the day, so you're not rationing water or getting stranded. Your ferry back leaves at 4pm, which gives you a full afternoon without the rush.
The sand is uneven in places, and the beach itself is soft — it's not a paved path or a boardwalk. The ferry company runs this with Great Keppel Island Hideaway and GKI Water Sports, so everything is coordinated: you arrive, you know where to go, and the timing is built in. National park fees are covered. It's a day trip, not an overnight, so you're back on the mainland by evening.
What’s included
Your day includes ferry transfers from Keppel Bay Marina in Yeppoon, a thirty-minute crossing to Great Keppel Island, lunch with one choice from the menu, one drink (beer, wine, or soft drink), snorkel equipment for the full day or a one-hour SUP or kayak session, national park fees, the environmental management charge, and light refreshments throughout the afternoon. The return ferry departs at 4pm.
Operated by Keppel Konnections
Is this one for you?A good fit if you want a full island day without arranging your own transport, meals, or gear — the ferry schedule and lunch timing are set, which is what makes fitting everything into one afternoon possible. The beach landing and soft sand mean comfortable shoes are worth packing, and mobility is easier if you can walk uneven surfaces.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What time does the ferry leave Yeppoon?
The ferry departs at 9am from Keppel Bay Marina, just outside Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast.
How long is the ferry ride to Great Keppel Island?
Thirty minutes.
What's included in the day trip?
Ferry transfers, lunch (one choice from the menu), one drink (beer, wine, or soft drink), snorkel equipment, national park fees, and the environmental management charge.
Can I do water sports other than snorkeling?
Yes. You can arrange a one-hour SUP or kayak session instead of full-day snorkel hire. Both are available through GKI Water Sports & Activities on arrival.
What time do I need to leave the island?
The return ferry departs at 4pm.
Is there a jetty on Great Keppel Island?
No. The ferry pulls in and a ramp goes down so you disembark directly onto the beach. You may get wet feet.
When is lunch served?
Lunch hours are 11:30am to 2pm at the Hideaway's lawn area.
Is this suitable for people with mobility issues?
Due to uneven sand surfaces, it is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
Can I bring infants?
Yes. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or ride in a pram or stroller. Infant meals are not included.
Are there shops or facilities on the island?
The island has no shops. Refreshments and lunch are available at the Hideaway. Bring sunscreen and any personal items you'll need.
Great Keppel Island: Ferry Day Trip & Snorkel from Yeppoon
7h 30m
from AU$ 110 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.64236 reviews
