Reviewed · DESERT AND OUTBACK TOURS
Epic Surf Safari Beach 4WD Day Tour -Noosa to Double Island Point
Long waves make this beach trip worth the ride. The Great Beach Drive is the first attraction, taking you from Noosa across sand, ferry routes, and the wide-open North Shore to Double Island Point. I like the warm, clear water and the rare chance to practice on long point-break waves, even if you are new to surfing. I also like that boards, wetsuits, park fees, refreshments, and instruction options are built into one practical package.
The main consideration is food. The tour provides only light snacks and refreshments, so I would bring extra water and something filling. Also, confirm the activity details before booking if kayaking matters to you, as that option may be arranged through direct bookings but is not clearly part of this package.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you book
- Why Double Island Point is the real prize
- The 4WD trip across the Great Beach Drive
- Double Island Point Lighthouse and Great Sandy National Park
- Teewah Beach and Noosa North Shore
- What surfing is like for a complete beginner
- How much practice time you get
- What is included for $85.35
- The small details that can shape your day
- Who will enjoy this outing most
- Should you book the Double Island Point surf safari?
- FAQ
- Where does the tour start and finish?
- How long does the experience last?
- Is the tour suitable for complete beginners?
- Is a surf lesson included?
- What surf equipment is provided?
- Are national park and ferry fees included?
- What should I bring?
- What happens if the weather is poor?
Key things to know before you book

- Ride the Great Beach Drive: Your transport is part beach drive, part national park outing, with a 4WD vehicle handling the sandy route.
- Surf long, gentle waves: Double Island Point is promoted as one of Australia’s easiest places for long waves, giving beginners more time to stand and balance.
- Choose your level of help: The base trip includes equipment and a national park surf experience, with a group lesson for an extra $30 per person or a private lesson for $350 per group.
- Expect a small-group feel: The maximum group size is 17 people, large enough for company but not a giant coach outing.
- Bring your own beach supplies: Pack a towel, sunscreen, water, camera, spare clothes, and extra food.
- Watch the sky: The experience depends on good weather, with a new date or full refund offered if poor conditions force cancellation.
Why Double Island Point is the real prize

Double Island Point is not simply a beach stop added to a surf excursion. It is the reason to make the journey.
The point-break waves can run for hundreds of metres. That matters because a beginner normally gets only a brief ride before a wave closes out or the board loses speed. Here, a longer wave gives you more time to stand, correct your balance, and enjoy the ride before it ends.
The setting is part of the appeal. The water is described as warm and crystal clear, and the area sits within the Great Sandy Marine Park. Pods of dolphins, turtles, rays, seabirds, and seasonal whales can appear in the wider area. Whale sightings are most likely from October through June according to the supplied tour information, so keep expectations sensible. Wildlife is possible, not promised.
I would choose this outing for the combination of access and practice time. Double Island Point can only be reached by 4WD along the Great Beach Drive, so booking this tour removes the need to plan the beach route, ferry arrangements, national park access, and surf equipment separately.
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The 4WD trip across the Great Beach Drive
The journey begins at The J Noosa, at 60 Noosa Drive in Noosa Heads. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to reach the meeting point yourself. Public transport is nearby, which helps if you are staying in central Noosa.
The 4WD drive is not just a transfer. It is one of the strongest parts of the day. Driving along Teewah Beach and Noosa North Shore gives you a very different view of the Sunshine Coast from the usual roads and town beaches. The route includes beach sand, national park scenery, and a ferry crossing, with the driver handling the practical details.
A 4WD beach drive also brings one small uncertainty: timing can depend on conditions. The tour lasts about six hours, but beach access and weather can affect the day. Keep the rest of your schedule flexible rather than booking a tight connection or fixed evening plan.
The maximum group size is 17. That is not a private outing, but it is far more manageable than a large sightseeing bus. Several strong comments about the team specifically name guide Kevin and Ellie, the owner’s daughter. The atmosphere appears friendly and easygoing, with the guides helping make the long transport section feel social rather than wasted.
Double Island Point Lighthouse and Great Sandy National Park

The lighthouse stop gives you a high viewpoint over the coast and helps explain the shape of the surf area. It is a useful pause before the beach time, especially if you want photographs or a clear sense of how remote the point feels.
The Great Sandy National Park section adds more than scenery. Your national park entry fee is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate permit. The surf experience takes place within the park, which is part of why the outing feels less like a standard lesson at a busy town beach.
The park setting also means you should bring sensible beach protection. Sunscreen, water, a hat if you use one, and a change of clothes are all worthwhile. A camera is suggested, but protect it from sand and water as you would on any beach outing.
Teewah Beach and Noosa North Shore

Teewah Beach and Noosa North Shore are part of the route and help make the transfer memorable. You are not simply moving from one paved pickup point to another. The beach drive puts you beside a long stretch of coast and shows you how much of the Sunshine Coast remains open and lightly developed.
The route also includes the colored sands near Rainbow Beach as part of the wider national park experience. This is a useful addition for anyone who wants more than surf practice. You get a sense of the coast’s natural variety without needing to add another full-day excursion.
Still, keep the focus clear. This is primarily a surf and beach-drive outing, not a dedicated sightseeing tour of every North Shore attraction. The stops support the main experience rather than replacing it.
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What surfing is like for a complete beginner

The package supplies specialized softboards and a wetshirt or wetsuit. Softboards are a sensible choice for first-timers because they are forgiving and easier to handle than many hard boards. If you already own a board, you may bring it, but the supplied equipment means you do not need to travel with one.
The base option includes the national park surf experience and equipment, while a guided group lesson costs an extra $30 per person. I would pay for the group lesson if you have never surfed, feel unsure in the water, or want help with the basics rather than simply trying to copy other people.
The private lesson costs $350 per group. That makes it most useful for a family or small group that wants focused help. For one person, it is a major jump from the base price. For several people sharing the cost, it may make more sense, especially if everyone wants direct instruction.
The strongest praise for the surf instruction centers on patience and encouragement. One first-time group of five reportedly managed to catch waves, and another customer singled out a patient, friendly instructor. That fits the site well: long waves give you more chances to practice, while softboards lower the technical barrier.
You should still expect some effort. Surfing is not effortless simply because the waves are beginner-friendly. You may spend time paddling, standing, falling, and trying again. The reward is that the conditions appear designed to give beginners a fair chance rather than a quick lesson in rough surf.
How much practice time you get

The tour promises plenty of time to practice or relax on the sand. This is important because a six-hour day can feel poor value if most of it disappears into transport. The Great Beach Drive does take time, but Double Island Point is far enough off the normal route that the journey is part of the price.
If you add a lesson, your time becomes more structured. Without one, you have greater freedom to work on your own, enjoy the beach, or spend time with friends and family. That flexibility suits mixed groups, where one person may want to surf repeatedly while another prefers a slower beach day.
The description does not give a precise breakdown of driving, surf, and stop times. I would not book this expecting a minute-by-minute schedule. Think of it as a guided half-day outing with a substantial beach section, not a short lesson beside Noosa.
What is included for $85.35

At $85.35 per person, the base price is strong if you need transport and equipment. Included items cover the 4WD Great Beach Drive, national park entry, ferry fees, surf equipment, a driver or guide, light refreshments, and the national park surf experience.
That bundle saves you from paying several small charges on the day. The ferry and park fees are already covered, and you do not need to hire a board or wetsuit separately. For a visitor without a car suited to beach driving, the access alone adds real value.
The price is less attractive if you already have a 4WD, your own board, and a way to manage the beach route. In that case, you are paying mainly for the guided outing, access planning, and group experience. I would compare the total cost of arranging those pieces yourself, not just the ticket price.
The $30 group lesson upgrade is reasonable for a first attempt. The $350 private lesson is a different proposition and should be considered only if your group values individual coaching. Food is the main extra cost to plan for. Light snacks and refreshments are included, but lunch is not specified, so bring your own substantial food.
The small details that can shape your day

Start by packing like you are spending a full day at the beach, even though the advertised duration is about six hours. Bring a towel, sunscreen, water, camera, spare clothes, and extra snacks. The supplied information specifically advises bringing what you normally take to the beach.
The meeting point is The J Noosa, and the tour returns there. Since hotel pickup is not included, check your route to Noosa Heads before the morning of departure. The mobile ticket makes access simpler, but you still need to arrive at the stated meeting place.
The activity is suitable for most people, including complete beginners. It is not presented as an accessible specialist tour, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator for current details before booking.
The cancellation terms are friendly if your plans change early. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Because weather matters, a poor-weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.
One point deserves a direct question before you pay: kayaking. A customer found that kayaking seemed to be available to people who booked directly, while it was not presented as an option through this booking. If you want to kayak rather than surf, confirm exactly what your ticket includes.
Who will enjoy this outing most
I would recommend this tour to first-time surfers, families, couples, and friends who want a beach day with transport handled for them. It works particularly well for people staying in Noosa who do not have a suitable 4WD or who do not want to solve the Great Beach Drive logistics themselves.
It also suits mixed-ability groups. A confident surfer can practice, a beginner can add instruction, and someone less interested in surfing can enjoy the beach, scenery, and wildlife possibilities. The small maximum group size helps keep the day more personal than a large coach trip.
Strong surfers looking for advanced breaks may find the outing less compelling. The selling point is ease, length, and beginner access, not powerful waves or technical surf conditions. Likewise, people seeking a quiet luxury day may not love the group vehicle and basic snack setup.
The overall rating is 4.9 from 34 ratings, with 100 percent recommendation shown in the supplied information. The most praised features are consistent: friendly guides, a memorable beach drive, patient instruction, beautiful surroundings, and the fact that first-timers can get up on the board.
Should you book the Double Island Point surf safari?
Book it if you want a long-wave beginner surf experience and a memorable route from Noosa. The $85.35 base price is good value once you count the 4WD access, ferry, park entry, equipment, guide, and refreshments.
Choose the $30 group lesson if you want clear help from the start. Consider the private lesson only for a group willing to share the higher cost. Bring extra food, allow flexibility for weather and beach conditions, and confirm kayaking separately if that is important to you.
I would skip it only if you need hotel pickup, want a tightly timed schedule, or are looking for advanced surf. For nearly everyone else, this offers a rare combination: a proper off-road coastal outing and a forgiving place to learn.
FAQ
Where does the tour start and finish?
It starts and ends at The J, 60 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads, Queensland 4567. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
How long does the experience last?
The tour lasts approximately six hours.
Is the tour suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. The experience provides equipment and full instruction, and Double Island Point is known for long, beginner-friendly waves.
Is a surf lesson included?
The base package includes the national park surf experience and equipment. A guided group surf lesson costs an additional $30 per person, while a private lesson costs $350 per group.
What surf equipment is provided?
Specialized softboards and a wetshirt or wetsuit are provided. You may also bring your own surfboard.
Are national park and ferry fees included?
Yes. National park entry fees and ferry fees are included.
What should I bring?
Bring a towel, sunscreen, water, camera, change of clothes, and extra snacks or food. Light refreshments are included, but food and drinks are not generally included unless specified.
What happens if the weather is poor?
If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The tour may also be rescheduled or refunded if the minimum number of participants is not met.
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