Great Sandy Strait

Take it easy and reconnect with nature in the marine park that recently celebrated its 30 year anniversary!

Between the Fraser Coast’s mainland and Fraser Island lies the Great Sandy Strait, about 70km of crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, a network of shallow lying flats and a maze of creeks.

The Great Sandy Biosphere covers 540,000 hectares of marine park and was highlighted by UNESCO in 2009 in the same class as the Galapagos Islands, the Central Amazon and Uluru.

The strait gives you the chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and take on a much slower pace.

By The Sea

Enjoy being surrounded by the crystal clear waters of our backyard when you sail this marine sanctuary and explore the remote western side of Fraser Island. You’ll get a chance to explore the many fishing and diving options or discover the quaint heritage-listed lighthouses on Woody Island.

On The Land

Put your feet up in the coastal communities of Tinnanbar, Maaroom, Boonoroo, Tuan and Poona. These spots are at the heart of the Great Sandy Strait and can be accessed via the Maryborough-Cooloola Road. There are a range of caravan and villa style accommodation options available that are a match made in heaven for relaxing and fishing.

Our Top Things To Do

Get on board some of Australia’s most diverse fishing

The waters full of wildlife and fish in the Great Sandy Strait present anglers with a huge diversity of species from whiting and flathead, barra and threadfin salmon to prawns and mud crabs. You can choose to hit the waters alongside Fraser Island or duck into one of the many creeks across the strait to hook your next catch.

Find out for yourself why it’s the best spot in Australia to see the Humpback Whales

This is also where you’ll find the best whale watching encounter in Australia if not the world. Every year from July to November, thousands of humpback whales head to the waters off Hervey Bay for a rest and play along their 10,000 km migration journey. It is this calm environment that moothers choose to teach their calves – we like to call it the whale nursery.

Jump on a fully guided tour around the Straits in summer

Whale season isn’t the only time you can delight in everything the Great Sandy Strait has to offer. A number of excellent local tour operators offer a variety of different options so that you can experience the straits without the hassle. Boat tours will travel up the beautiful coast of Fraser Island and often stop at a crowd favourite, Pelican Bank.

Put your feet up in a coastal community

Sit back and relax in the coastal communities at the heart of the Great Sandy Strait including Tinnanbar, Maaroom, Tuan and Poona. Each area can be accessed via the Maryborough-Cooloola Road. They offer caravan and villa stays that are made for relaxing and a spot of fishing. Locals choose to fish either from the shore or from mangrove-lined creeks and sheltered waterways.

Discover at your own pace by hiring a boat

Thanks to the shelter provided by World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and Hervey Bay, the waters of the Great Sandy Strait offers unique sailing conditions to rival the Whitsundays. You can explore these stunning waters at your own pace with yachts, catamarans and even the humble tinny all available for hire from Hervey Bay.

Check out the variety of marine life found in the strait

As part of a world recognised biosphere, the waters of the Great Sandy Strait provide a unique opportunity to spot stunning scenery and the wildlife that inhabit the area. On any given day you could get up and close and personal with dugongs, turtles, rare Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and a large variety of sea birds.

Stay alongside the Great Sandy Strait

Poona Palms Holiday Park

Poona is located on the mainland, opposite Fraser Island, and is popular with holiday makers…

Water-based Experiences

Spirit Of Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruises

Spirit of Hervey Bay is your best choice for a first rate whale watching experience….

Whalesong Cruises – Hervey Bay Sunset Cruise

Whalesong is a modern, environmentally friendly and multi-functional boat, providing tours out of Hervey Bay…

Kekoa Sports Fishing

Cairns giant black marlin fishing charters on the Great Barrier Reef annually late September to…

Hervey Bay Boat Tours

Hervey Bay Boat Tours offer guided sightseeing tours of Hervey Bay and the remote western…

Princess II Fishing Charters

Princess II is a 45ft purpose built fishing vessel catering for individuals and group bookings…

Whalesong Cruises – Whale Watching in Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay’s premium mid-sized whale watching and cruise boat, with a strong focus on ecological…

Great Barrier Reef Day Trip to Lady Elliot Island from Hervey Bay

Lady Elliot Island is a coral cay located at the southern tip of Australia’s iconic…

Whalesong Cruises – Fraser Island Beach and Barbecue Cruise

From November to May, Whalesong runs their ‘Taste of K’gari’ on their Fraser Island Beach…

Fishing Spot Cruise – The Boat Club

A four hour guided cruise introducing Hervey Bay’s best fishing spots including GPS coordinates and…

Luke Fallon Sport & Game Fishing

Luke Fallon is a long-time barra guide and has been working in the charter industry…

Remote Fraser Island Experience and Whale Watch Encounter – Tasman Venture

Remote Fraser Island and Whale Experience – Tasman Venture

Experience the unique and untouched remote west coast of Fraser Island (K’gari) and enjoy up…

Freedom Whale Watch and Dive Charters

Freedom III is a 17 metre Power Cat perfectly suited to luxury whale watching in…

Remote Fraser Island Tour – Tasman Venture

Be one of the few to see the untouched and unique side of this stunning…

Blue Dolphin Fraser Island Eco Adventure Sail

Blue Dolphin Marine Tours is Hervey Bay’s leading eco-tour operator. Whales, Dolphins and Sunset Sails…

Island Escapes Private Charter – Tasman Venture

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Tasman Venture Whale Watching Hervey Bay

Experience the trip of a lifetime aboard the luxurious and fast 20 metre catamaran, Tasman…

Blue Dolphin Exclusive Whale Encounter

Be one of the few, not the many, to experience their award winning Exclusive Full…

Sweet Escape Yacht Charters

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Hervey Bay Eco Marine Tours

Hervey Bay Eco Marine Tours is located on the beautiful Fraser Coast region and their…

Brilliant Fraser Getaway – The Boat Club

The Boat Clubs Brilliant Fraser Getaway cruise is a three-hour tour from Hervey Bay along…

Twilight Bay Cruise – The Boat Club

A tranquil two-hour evening cruise through the pristine waters of the Sandy Straits at twilight…

Hervey Bay Whale Watch Quick Cat II

Quick Cat II was operated by Brian and Jill Perry for 30 years who founded…

Boab Boat Hire Hervey Bay

Boab boats allows you to explore the secluded beauty of the Fraser Coast with out…

Fraser Island Boat Charters

Fraser Island Boat Charters offers self skippered luxury boat hire from 3 days up to…

Blue Dolphin Champagne Sunset Sail

Blue Dolphin Marine Tours is Hervey Bay’s longest running and only award winning sailing tour…

Hervey Bay Dive Centre

The Hervey Bay Dive Centre is Hervey Bay’s premier marine and dive tour operator. -Tourism…

Hervey Bay Fly and Sportfishing

Hervey Bay Fly and Sportfishing operates in the unique fishery of Hervey Bay, which is…

Pacific Whale Foundation Eco Adventures Australia

An international NGO and world ecotourism leader, Pacific Whale Foundation has been working to save…

Boat Club Whale Watch Hervey Bay

Boat Club Whale Watch and Adventure Cruises provide excellent value whale watching and day tours,…

Fraser Coast Jetski Tours

Your adventure awaits! Join Fraser Coast Jetski Tours on the adventure of a lifetime to…

Sweet Escape Yacht Charters

Sweet Escape Yacht Charters offers luxury, affordable boating holiday experiences, cruising idyllic destinations like world…