Whale Watching

$110 per adult, $80 per child

Half Day. Operates July-August.

The Mackerel Islands are visited by various species of whales during their migration and calving season. Our half day whale watching tours give you the opportunity to observe these magnificent gentle giants in the wild.

Each winter, hundreds of humpback whales leave Antarctica to migrate northwards to warmer waters along the coast of Australia to breed and calve, before heading back to their feeding grounds in the polar waters of the Antarctic. Other species you might see include the pilot whale, false killer whale, sei whale and bryde’s whale.

It is common for island guests to have continuous whale sightings and view awe-inspiring whale behaviour like blowing, breaching and tail slapping.

Fishing Charter

Departing Thevenard: $300 per person own line, $440 per 2 people share line
Departing Onslow: $340 per person own line, $480 per person share line

Full Day. Operates All Year.

Specialised skipper and guide for the experience of a lifetime - we'll get you to the best fishing grounds in the Pilbara fast, in comfort and style. Our brand new, custom built 11m twin hull LeisureCat, powered by 300hp Yamaha outboards, is fitted out with marlin poles, toilet/shower and the latest electronics.

Our charters include top quality Shimano gear, all bait and tackle, morning tea, lunch, water and cool drinks, overhead reels, spinning combos and game rods.

Try out bottom fishing, trolling, stick baiting and GT popping, with deep and shallow water jigging available.

Mackerel Islands Fishing Charters are renowned for Red Emperor, Rankin Cod, Gold Band, Coral Trout, Spanish Mackerel, Wahoo, Yellow Fin Tuna, Amberjack, Jobfish, Pearl Perch, Giant Trevally, Queenfish, Ruby Snapper, Marlin, Sailfish and Mahi Mahi.

Turtle Tour

New tour coming for summer!
$10 per adult, free for children

2 Hours. Operates November- March.

Learn about the lifecycle of the Mackerel Islands sea turtles and the conservation program run by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), then head out on a field trip to see and interact with the turtles.

Our very special turtle season occurs each summer, when flatback, hawksbill, loggerhead and green turtles come home to the islands to mate, dig nests in the sand dunes and lay eggs. After incubating for around 6-10 weeks, the baby hatchlings dig to the surface and scurry to the ocean.

Every year DBCA and volunteers monitor a 1.5km stretch of beach on Thevenard Island for flatback turtles. They apply flipper tags, a PIT tag/ID chip, take length and width measurements of the shell, and a biopsy sample from the rear flipper. They also count turtle tracks to identify which species the tracks belongs to. This important work helps to protect populations of flatbacks - the only marine turtle species that nest exclusively in Australia - listed as vulnerable under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

See the satellite tracked turtles here.

More info about the conservation program here.

Sunset 4WD Tour

$20 per adult, free for children

2 Hours. Operates All Year.

Head out on a 4WD bus tour with our driver to the other side of Thevenard Island, known as Back Beach, to watch the sun sink below the ocean's horizon as the sky lights up with reds, oranges, pinks and yellows.

On the way, spot the island's distinctive osprey bird nests.

Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or a beer with some nibbles, plus some spectacular photo opportunities.

Scenic Flight & Day Trip with Self-Guided Tour

8 Hours. Operates All Year.

Departing from Exmouth Aerodrome:
$1515 for 2 people / $1645 for 3 people / $2419 for 4 people / $2549 for 5 people

Departing from Learmonth Airport:
$1640 for 2 people / $1770 for 3 people / $2518 for 4 people / $2708 for 5 people

Departing from Onslow Airport:
$1598 for 2 people / $1728 for 3 people / $2541 for 4 people / $2671 for 5 people

Scenic flight in a Cessna 172 or 337 aircraft, along the coastline, over the stunning Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park, to land on Thevenard Island. You'll then enjoy a self-guided island tour with a picnic lunch and non-motorised activity hire included.

Scenic Flight & Day Trip with Fishing Charter

11 Hours. Operates All Year.

Departing from Exmouth Aerodrome:
$1855 for 2 people / $2155 for 3 people / $3099 for 4 people / $3399 for 5 people

Departing from Learmonth Airport:
$1980 for 2 people / $2280 for 3 people / $3558 for 4 people / $3858 for 5 people

Departing from Onslow Airport:
$1938 for 2 people / $2238 for 3 people / $3521 for 4 people / $3821 for 5 people

Scenic flight in a Cessna 172 or 337 aircraft, along the coastline, over the stunning Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park, to land on Thevenard Island. You'll then enjoy a sensational fishing charter on Island Escape with our experienced skipper and guide, top quality Shimano gear, bait, tackle, morning tea, lunch, waters and cool drinks included. Island Escape is a brand new, custom built 11m twin hull LeisureCat powered by 300hp Yamaha outboards, fitted out with marlin poles, toilet/shower and the latest electronics to get you onto the fish. Tick this one off your bucket list!

Plaka Boat Hire

$240 per day including fuel

Full Day Hire. Requires a recreational skipper's licence.

Explore the waters surrounding the Mackerel Islands yourself on our 4.6m plaka boats. These stable boats are unsinkable and ideal for snorkelling, fly fishing, catching a fish or crayfish for dinner or just getting out on the water. Comfortably seating up to 4 adults, or 2 adults and 2-3 kids, they make a great day out. All safety gear is on board, with GPS, sounder and shade awnings.

Kayak & SUP Board Hire

$10 per hour kayaks, $20 per hour stand up paddle boards

Per Hour Hire.

Get fit and have fun exploring and discovering different areas, bays, beaches and coral reef systems around the Mackerel Islands. See colourful fish from above the water. You could even come across turtles, stingrays and dolphins!

Snorkel Set Hire

$10 per day

Per Day Hire.

Swim out from the beach and snorkel over the fringing coral reef situated close to shore, to see a kaleidoscope of tropical fish, crabs and marine life. A hypnotic seascape will drift and roll around you in the calm waters of the bay. The Mackerel Islands are teeming with beautiful sea creatures and opportunities for underwater photos or videos.

Fishing Rod Hire

$20 per day

Per Day Hire.

Try your hand at beach or jetty fishing, squid jigging, or reef walking at low tide for octopus, in the Pilbara's fishiest waters. If luck's on your side, you could land a catch to cook up a seafood feast at your beachfront cabin. You could even fillet and take home some 5 star species the Mackerel Islands are famous for.

Bookings

To book a tour or activity hire, contact us on +61 8 9184 6444, or [email protected].