Mangrove Route - Darwin Eco Tours - Team Turtle

About Us
Mangrove Route Pty Ltd

Mangrove Route P/L
Our Staff
Where We Are
Our Vessel
About Eco Tourism

With a science background, a past career in aquaculture and a lifetime of being either in, under or on the water, Jim Smith relishes his lifestyle developing and managing Mangrove Route. The idea to seed the company and its related products occurred during a personal sabbatical, when Jim took his family on a 12 month sailing journey through South East Asia and the West Pacific. Experiences with the long boats in Indonesia, the dive charters in the Philippines, and the Bento boxes in Palau are but a few of life pleasures that were put into the melting pot in formulating Mangrove Route. Jim has taken what he knows, and combined this with what he has experienced, to showcase what he loves - the absolute majesty of the Top End coastal habitat, the colourful history that has made Darwin what it is today, and the vibrant contemporary, ever changing harbour.

Our Staff
Mangrove Route commenced operation in July 2008 and our products continue to evolve with the fantastic assistance of a small team of committed staff. As a family business tasks are spread around. 15 year old Sam, a certified diver with saltwater in his veins, is a regular on board. He is using his time deckie time to learn coxswains and hospitality skills as part of The Duke scheme. Behind the scenes Georgia and Texta accept responsibility for construction of the Route Survival bags, as well as cleaning the Snubfin and recording mammal sightings for the Coastal Dolphin Research Project.

Our team of guides are selected for their knowledge, experience and skill. They all hold appropriate first aid certification and relevant qualifications. We are exceptionally fortunate to have Megan Brown, Dion Wedd and Roque Lee as guides. Each of these local identities brings to Team Turtle specific expertise in the habitat and history of the saltwater country.

Where We Are
All Mangrove Route tours depart from the floating pontoon at Stokes Hill Wharf. This pontoon is located opposite the Jetty Restaurant and behind the Darwin Convention Centre. Private Charters and Educational Encounters can nominate alternate departure points, with the vessel Snubfin designed for bow access onto beaches or boat ramps.

Our Vessel
The SnubFin is Mangrove Route’s first vessel. It was designed for Darwin’s coastal conditions by Gavin Mair of Western Australia, and constructed by GS Marine in Darwin and launched in July 2008. Snubfin is solid ‘RIB” all aluminium construction, 10m in length and surveyed to carry 21 passengers. It is powered by twin 225 HP Suzuki 4 stroke outboards which makes it capable of 40 knots. Its speed and comfort across tropical waters enables passengers to have an exhilarating ride at one with the elements. Snubfin features the following:

·   Sun canopy;
·   Toilet;
·   Bow or midship loading;
·   Hydrophone;
·   Bait tank;
·   Large LCD display screen for sonar or DVD;
·   Sonar and stereo

The name “Snubfin” comes from Australia’s only endemic species of dolphin. A family of these shy dolphins reside in Darwin Harbour. These dolphins are distinctive because of their dugong like snub nose. Their facial features are quite different to other species of dolphins, and if you priveldged enough to meet them, you will see that they always seem to have a smile on their face.

About Ecotourism
As a local company Mangrove Route is committed to fostering knowledge and understanding of the importance of the unique top end coastal habitat. All of Mangrove Route products have been designed with the following components:

A maximum of 20 people to provide a personalised experience;

Inclusion of interpretation sessions on the history, habitat and intrigue of the places visited;

A respect for the land, the culture and the traditions of the Larrakia people;

Involvement from the locals, whether they be scientists, naturalists, old salts, fishermen or people with a special interest.

Three Mangrove Route products, Turtle Tracks, Let the Tide Decide and The Mangrove Route carry the ecotourism certification. “Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation".

Mangrove Route acknowledges and appreciates the work done by Austurtle (with timing right, some of our lucky passengers get to meet the “Turtle Whisperer” Mick Guinea on Bare Sand Island).

Mangrove Route also acknowledges and appreciates the work in progress by Carol Palmer with the Coastal Dolphin Research Project. All verified dolphin sightings on Mangrove Route tours are recorded with the information forwarded to this project to contribute to the data base. During the first 3 months of operation, approximately 50% of all tours have recorded verified sightings of dolphins.

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