Are you keen for a trip on your jet ski pretty shortly to North Straddie? Well, I’ll help you with some of the essential planning needed for a safe and successful trip.

General travelling times to North Stradbroke Island (Dunwich) via jet ski or high powered boat is 35 minutes from Southport yet only 10 to 15 minutes from Cleveland. For those coming from the north and west, expect 40 minutes from Redcliffe and 25 minutes from Manly boat ramp.

Sometimes North Straddie can get confused with Russell Island. From experience there is a lot that one can experience on both islands but my personal preference goes towards North Straddie.

Planning a Jet Ski Trip to North Stradbroke Island

Let’s say you were aiming to head out this weekend for a run on the jet ski. Well, I’d be looking at the weather conditions first. While you are sheltered from the North and South Stradbroke Islands, the swell can pick up and you can be in for a bumpy ride.

I’d also be getting to the boat ramp early. Get there by 8am especially on public holidays because it gets seriously busy otherwise with long ques. Watch out for the traffic out there too. Depending on where you come from you may or may not have container and fuel ships to look out for.

Taking Extra Fuel

Unlike Moreton Island, there often isn’t a necessity to take extra fuel for a run to North Stradbroke Island unless you’re coming from the Sunshine Coast. You won’t be able to get marina fuel as there are no depots but you can take an empty fuel can and fuel it up at one of the numerous service stations if required.

There is no real need to take extra fuel if you’re coming up from Southport/Main Beach on the Gold Coast. Keep in mind that some jet skis do have small gas tanks and a headwind and a pillion passenger can chew up additional fuel.

Staying Overnight

Most people generally don’t stay overnight on the island. Sure – they’ll park their jet ski at one of the numerous beach landings (Dunwich and Amity Point boat ramps are popular) and get some lunch at the pub, but they’re probably not to keen to leave their ski parked all night long. If you did want to stay, then nearby Tangalooma is ideal and they have a section for parking boats and jet skis securely.

Safety Tips

Heading over to the island seems like an easy pursuit…and it is! I hope to help you with some basic safety tips to make your life easier out there for a fun day on the water.

1. Watch the sandbars! While the speed limits are often 40-knots, there are sandbars that move about and it can get real shallow. If you hit one of these at anything above 20-knots, you’re going to do some real damage to the ski and probably to yourself as well.
2. Get there early. Like I mentioned previously, North Stradbroke Island gets real busy on weekends especially in summer. It’s alsmost like half of Brisbane and the Gold Coast swarms for the island making boat ramps and the waterways especially tricky.
3. Pack some clothes, water and snacks. Walking around with your rashie all day and board shorts isn’t that much fun, unless you simply plan on spending all of it at the beach. Chances are that you’ll want to trek inland so pack some shoes too. There are heaps of hiking trails to explore inland that really need 2 days to see it all.

Above all else – have fun and don’t forget a few snaps for Facebook and Instagram. North Straddie is one of Australia’s best-kept secrets. 😃

See you out there!

Heading out to Tangalooma (Moreton Island) with a jetski on a weekend is a lotta fun! Well, provided you get there real early that is….before half of Brisbane rocks up!

The jet ski travel time does vary depending on where you’re departing from. For instance, Southport to Tangalooma takes around 75 minutes for most people and may use up slightly more than half a tank of fuel. From Scarborough and Manly it’s only 20 minutes and only slightly more from Wellington Point at 25 minutes.

There are also other variances such as your choice of jet ski (a Sea-Doo Spark, for instance, isn’t the best choice for a Tangalooma Run), the weather conditions and how much weight you have on the ski.

In this guide, I’ll help you better plan your solo or group trip to Moreton Island including the national park.

Planning Your Tangalooma Run

One of the most popular spots for boaties and jet ski riders is Tangalooma and on weekends it turns into an amusement park of sorts, especially in summer. I recommend heading out there on a weekday if possible, or if you need to do weekends, then aim to arrive there by 9am and head some place else by lunchtime.

If you are leaving from the Gold Coast then the main channel certainly gets a lot of traffic. Once you get into Moreton Bay then you’ll see your fair share of container ships heading in and out of the Port of Brisbane. Give these big guys a wide berth!

While you’re protected from the chop due to North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island, it still pays the check the weather report. If the forecast is for high winds later in the day because this will chew up more fuel than expected, which brings me on to the next point.

See also: 7 Best Places to Jet Ski on the Gold Coast 😎

Taking Extra Fuel

Some riders strap on some extra fuel on the back for a Tangalooma Run with their jet ski, and some riders don’t. Again, it really depends on several factors including your choice of machine, if you’re riding solo or 2-up and the current conditions.

Moreton Island doesn’t have a petrol station though they do have 20L drums of fuel for sale at Bulwer General Store. It’s kinda awkward to go down this route but I know a few people have done this over the years to get themselves unstuck. There are also fuel stations on North Stradbroke Island but this requires bringing your own jerry can.

Staying Overnight

While most people just come for the shipwrecks on a daytrip, you can certainly take your jet ski and stay overnight on Moreton Island. Tangalooma Island Resort welcomes jet ski riders with their own vessel parking area right on the beach with the boats. There are security guards here to keep an eye on things but unsure if they monitor the area overnight.

There is a jet ski landing zone where you can beach your ski. If you need a mooring (unlikely) then you’ll need to call them up in advance and there is an additional cost for this.

Safety and Dangers

You might think that a trip to Tangalooma is safe…and it very well can be! Just some things to be mindful of:

1. There are sandbars on the trip there if you’re coming up from Victoria Point, Logan or the Gold Coast. Sometimes you can’t see just how shallow the water is and if you get hung up at 40-knots, then I just about guarantee that you’re heading to the hospital afterwards.
2. You can join the Volunteer Marine Rescue out of Southport. It costs less than $100 annually. It works like RACQ and VMR will tow you back to the boat ramp if you get stuck. Well worth it for peace of mind and everyone there are volunteers so your fees go towards the rescue boats themselves.
3. The weather and wind can change. Keep an eye on what’s happening during the day and it can certainly get a bit choppy out there. Yes you can get some phone signal in most spots but don’t depend on it – just do regular 360s on the horizon!
4. Ideally, go together with someone else who has done the trip before. If you (or they) get stuck then it won’t feel like a lost day out there.
5. Be mindful if you’re going through the narrow swamps near Jacobs Well and Russell Island on the way there. There could be another jet ski or hellcat coming the other way and blasting through at the same speed you are.

Now – don’t let that scare you. Accidents seldomly happen out there though the media likes to blow things out of proportion.

See also: 7 Best Places to Jet Ski on the Gold Coast 😎

Plan your trip well and safe riding! Don’t forget the snorkels as there is some epic underwater life to see there among the wrecks.

Rottnest Island is one of the most beautiful and indeed the most popular places to visit for those who are in Perth.

This magical island attracts many people, including those with boats and jet skis. Just how long does it take?

Generally speaking, you can get from Fremantle to Rottnest Island on a jet ski in 15 to 20 minutes which is the quickest and shortest route to the island. Leaving from Hillary’s Boat Harbour, you can do the trip in around 25 minutes and around 50 minutes from Barrack Street Jetty. Taking extra fuel is often unnecessary.

Of course, those distances have variations based on:

1. The type of jet ski you have (something like the Sea-Doo Spark is very different to a super-charged GTR 230) and your riding capabilities. I’ve heard of guys making the trip in less than 10 minutes fully pinned on a clear windless morning.
2. The amount of swell that’s happening on the day and any headwind.
3. Where you are launching from and where you are eventually meeting landfall. There are dozens of boat ramps which are ideal for a Rottnest trip so it really depends.

But of course, your entire adventure depends on meeting the legal requirements set forth by the Department of Transport:

All boats under 3.75 metres (12 feet) in length (including personal watercraft), must stay within five nautical miles from the mainland, unless they are within the limits of a port or within one mile of any island.

https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/personal-watercraft.asp

With Rottnest Island being about 10 nautical miles from the mainland, it rules out most jet skis. Even the GTR230 is only about 3.4 metres in length. Some local riders are either totally unaware or simply ignore this rule entirely. And let’s say you hypothetically could do this trip, then the following still applies…

Rottnest Island Trip On A Jet Ski

It’s certainly an awesome way to get to Rottnest, after all the ferry operators are now charging a fortune due to a lack of international passengers. If you have a jet ski at home in the garage…then you may as well plan the trip!

I’ve noticed that the placement of the island reduces the swell quite considerably, though you still need to be checking the weather forecast before you head out. I’d also recommend taking a GPS with you as a safety precaution. While there are numerous boats heading to and from the island every hour, a loose drain plug could get you stuck real quick.

Where to Park

I personally haven’t been to every spot around but Longreach Bay, Parker Point and Thomson Bay are all great options worth considering. The waters here are clear and shallow allowing you plenty of space to beach the jet ski.

You can either anchor or beach your ski, with 99% of riders choosing the later option for obvious reasons. Over in Geordie Bay, you’ll actually find beach anchoring points.

A word of caution – There are reefs most of the way around the island so keep an eye out so you don’t scratch your hull. As the water is so clear, it’s easy to spot a reef from 30 feet or so away.

Things To Do

Now that you’ve parked your jet ski somewhere safely, there is a myriad of things to do on the island. Hopefully you’ve brought your snorkelling gear in the front locker as there is so much great swimming to be had!

One of the most popular things to do is hire a bike. This can be tricky if you’ve worn your wetsuit or board shorts that can restrict you from free movement, so I’d pack a spare change of clothes in the front locker. There is also some great fishing to be had so if you’re looking to go jet ski fishing, then you’re in the right place!

Getting Fuel for Your Jet Ski

You can get premium unleaded petrol for your jet ski at the Fuel Jetty and it’s available 24/7 on a self-service basis. This is why very few people take additional fuel with them for a trip. Of course, the prices are a little steep so just about everyone heads from the mainland with a full tank.

Staying Overnight

You can ride over to the island and park your jet ski overnight. I’d be choosing one of the 3 beach anchoring points at either Longreach, Thomson or Geordie Bay which are free. Keep in mind you’ll still need to pay for the individual or annual pass to access the island via marine vessel.

There are numerous accommodation options available and your ski (with a lock on it) will be pretty safe overnight. You aren’t allowed to leave your ski for more than 24 hours unattended, so an overnight trip is all you can generally have unless you use the ski during the day. I’d personally just find a new anchorage every night to avoid any attention.

The boaters get away with this as they use their boat during the day for fishing or stay overnight in their own accommodation onboard.

In Summary

One of the best experiences you can have is avoiding the tour boats and heading to the island with your own vessel, and taking a PWC is certainly safer than a tinny. Head over there as soon as you can…before the tourists make their way back!