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Turtle Tracks
7.5+ hours - April to October inclusive - weather dependent
Enjoy the spectacle of a tropical sunset in an extraordinarily remote location on this eco-certified turtle tour!
This odyssey through the Arafura Sea is for those with a spirit of adventure. Leaving Stokes Hill Wharf at 4pm your cobwebs will be blown away as Darwin Harbour is left in the wake of the Snubfin. With the warm breeze on your face and the smell of salt in the air, your holiday will be surreal as you skim over turquoise waters on the way to the nesting ground for flatback and olive ridley turtles.
Your journey will take you past historic Charles Point Lighthouse into Bynoe Harbour, arriving at a remote beach in time for the sun set. Explore the island with Team Turtle, learn about the ancient mariners who inhabit these waters, experience day turning to night as you walk the bare sand.
Back on board your bento meal will delight, and then after twilight fades, Team Turtle will charge the torches for a guided walk to witness the egg laying ritual. For those who take this adventure late in the season you may have the privilege of witnessing the eruption of baby turtles from their home under the warm sand. A fast boat ride will get you back to Darwin, with memories that will last a life time.
Every Turtle Tracks tour offers exceptional encounters and experiences. Mangrove Route is fortunate to have a professional photographer from Untamed Outback Images travel with us to record your evening and preserve the memories. This service ensures that you have access to quality images and also minimises the impact that a multitude of photographers can have on the nesting turtles. While you are very welcome to bring your own camera along, photography of the turtles will be at the discretion of our guides to ensure minimal disruption of these majestic creatures. Our professional photographers carry with them equipment that provides high quality images in low light situations, and while they are busy capturing your experience it leaves you free to enjoy the remote location, the stunning sunset and the ancient mariners.
Every photograph contained on this page of our website was taken by Untamed Outback Images. Photographs taken by Untamed Outback Images are displayed onboard after your turtle experience. To contact Untamed Outback Images click here, to view tour photos click here.
In 2010 ten dollars from every tour ticket will be donated to Austurtle, specifically to be used towards Mangrove Route’s sponsorship of a tracking device on a flatback turtle. It is anticipated that the tracker will be attached to a turtle early in July 2010, and we have our fingers crossed that our chosen lady will revisit the island at least two times during the nesting season. Digital mapping of her adventures will be displayed on board Snubfin.
Capacity:
Twenty passengers per tour, pick up from Stokes Hill Wharf
Minimum 8 passengers.
Operation of Tour:
April to October inclusive.
Tour is conducted around the lunar cycle – full moon and new moon are the best times to see the turtles. In 2010 neap tide tours are offered on Friday evenings. These tours are not premium times to see nesting turtles, but it is anticipated that hatchling activity will be witnessed and that tour participants will experience a unique sunset adventure.
Pick up from pontoon landing at Stokes Hill Wharf at 1600 hours.
Nature dictates your experience and return time – the ladies usually come up around sunset, but not guaranteed. Later return if babies are hatching. Note that nesting turtles or hatchlings cannot be guaranteed on any tour. In 2009 we had a nesting turtle 94% of the time.
2010
dates:
| April Thursday 29 April 2010* Friday 30 April 2010* May Friday 14 May 2010 Saturday 15 May 2010 Friday 28 May 2010 Saturday 29 May 2010* Sunday 30 may 2010 |
June Sunday 13 June 2010 Monday 14 June 2010 Friday 25 June 2010 Saturday 26 June 2010 Sunday 27 June 2010 |
Friday 2 July 2010 (Austurtle) Saturday 3 July 2010 (Austurtle) Thursday 15 July 2010 Friday 16 July 2010 Friday 23 July 2010* Neap Tuesday 27 July 2010* Wednesday 28 July 2010* Thursday 29 July 2010 Friday 30 July 2010 Saturday 31 July 2010 |
August Friday 6 August 2010* Neap Friday 13 August 2010 Saturday 14 August 2010 Friday 20 August 2010* Neap Wednesday 25 August 2010* Thursday 26 August 2010* Friday 27 August 2010 Saturday 28 August 2010 |
| September Friday 10 September 2010 Saturday 11 September 2010 Friday 24 September 2010* Saturday 25 September 2010* |
Friday 8 October 2010 Saturday 9 October 2010 |
Email Mangrove Route or phone (08) 8942 3995 to discuss alternate dates for groups of 8 or more.
What to bring:
Flat shoes or sandals, camera, warm jacket.
Inclusions:
Drinking water, bento meal (choice of local prawns, chicken or vegetarian), complimentary drink, experienced guides.
Licensed bar available. Regrettably, no BYO on this adventure.
Pricing:
$220 per adult, $150 per child (6 – 13 years)
Family price by negotiation. Please note, Mangrove Route is family friendly however this adventure is not suited to children under the age of 6.
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