If you’re heading over to Great Keppel Island (Woppa) and wondering which tours are actually worth doing, this guide will make your life easy. These are the tours locals recommend over and over again — the ones we take our own friends and family on.
Whether you’re visiting for adventure, a relaxing day in the sunshine, or a salty island escape, these experiences deliver the real Keppel feeling.
If you want a little bit of everything, the Adventure Tour is hands-down one of the most popular ways to experience Great Keppel Island.
You’ll cruise across turquoise water, swim with reef fish, spot turtles drifting past, boom-net off the back of the boat (like a giant ocean spa!), and enjoy a classic Aussie BBQ lunch cooked fresh onboard while floating above the reef. There’s snorkelling, swimming, relaxing on the deck, beach time — and plenty of laughs along the way.
What surprises most guests is that the tour also includes a Glass Bottom Boat experience, giving you a peaceful look at the coral gardens and marine life without even getting wet.
Locals love this tour because it’s high-energy AND low-pressure. Kids, grandparents, couples and groups all feel at home. It really is the best-value, full island day on offer.
The Combo Tour is ideal if you want a shorter, easy-going reef day that still includes all the highlights.
You’ll enjoy a gentle guided snorkel over one of the island’s calm coral areas, a chilled-out Glass Bottom Boat tour, a sausage sizzle lunch, and free time to explore the island at your own pace.
Locals usually recommend the Combo Tour to families with younger kids, anyone a bit nervous about snorkelling, or groups where some want to swim and others prefer to stay dry. It’s flexible, friendly and relaxed — a great introduction to the island.
This one’s perfect for anyone who wants to learn about the reef while staying dry.
You’ll drift over coral bommies, clams, parrotfish, rays and sometimes even dugongs, while the crew share their knowledge of the reef and its wildlife. It’s calm, peaceful and fascinating — and families absolutely love it.
It’s also one of the best ways to enjoy the reef if you’re not a confident swimmer.
If you want total freedom, the ferry is your best friend. Once you arrive on the island, the day is yours.
You can:
• Snorkel straight off Fisherman’s Beach
• Hike to secluded bays
• Enjoy a meal at Hideaway Bistro (open 7 days)
• Grab a beer or burger at Tropical Vibes (weekends & school holidays)
• Kick back with Island Pizza on the weekends
• Hire a kayak and paddle the shoreline
• And from 1.12.25 — hire your own motorised boat to explore nearby beaches and coves
Locals also love wandering to the end of Fisherman’s Beach, where kids climb rocks, explore tide pools and burn off energy while parents relax under the trees.
Be sure to look out for turtles, dolphins, rays — and in winter, you might even spot whales passing by.
If you’re celebrating something special or just want a private day on the water, a private charter is the way to go.
You can customise your day to include snorkelling, beach time, island hopping, wildlife spotting or just cruising the coastline. Locals love charters for birthdays, school groups, wedding parties and laid-back days with friends.
Why Locals Love Exploring With Freedom Fast Cats
We’re proudly family-owned, passionate about the island and reef, and committed to delivering friendly, genuine experiences.
Locals choose Freedom Fast Cats because:
- The tours are Eco Certified
- The crew know the island like home
- There’s a real community feel
- The value is great
- The days feel natural, fun and relaxed
Even after decades out here, we still get excited when a turtle pops up beside the boat or a whale tail cracks the horizon. That’s the Keppel magic.
How to Book
Tours and ferries run 7 days a week. You can book online, give us a call, or pop in and say hello at Pier One, Rosslyn Bay Harbour.
Local tip:
Winter and spring often have the clearest visibility for snorkelling — calm, glassy days that are perfect for reef exploring.