REVIEW · AUSTRALIA
Epic Surf Safari Beach 4WD Day Tour -Noosa to Double Island Point
Long waves make learning easier. This six-hour trip from Noosa takes you along the Great Beach Drive to Double Island Point, where warm, clear water and gentle point-break waves give beginners a fair chance to stand up and ride. I like the unusual 4WD journey, which is part beach drive and part national park outing, and I like that the price includes boards, wetsuit or wetshirt, park fees, ferry fees, refreshments, and an instructor-driver. The main consideration is food: only light snacks and refreshments are included, so you should bring more to eat.
I also like the freedom built into the day. You can choose an unguided surf package, add a group lesson for $30 per person, or book a private lesson for $350 per group. The trip suits families and mixed-ability groups, but the optional lesson details deserve attention when booking. One direct-booking arrangement apparently included kayaking for some people, while that option was not clearly offered through every booking channel.
The important details at a glance

- Double Island Point waves: Long, uncrowded point-break waves can give even first-time surfers plenty of room to practise.
- 4WD access only: The route follows the Great Beach Drive, with beach driving, ferry travel, Teewah Beach, and Noosa North Shore along the way.
- Lesson choices: Add a group surf lesson for $30 per person or a private lesson for $350 per group.
- Small maximum group: The tour accepts up to 17 people, enough for a social outing without becoming a huge coach trip.
- Wildlife potential: Dolphins, whales from October to June, turtles, rays, and seabirds are often seen in the Great Sandy Marine Park.
- Bring your own lunch: Light refreshments are supplied, but you should pack snacks, water, sunscreen, a towel, and spare clothes.
Why Double Island Point works for first-time surfers
Double Island Point is promoted as one of Australia’s easiest places to surf, and the reason matters more than the slogan. Long point-break waves give you more time to get balanced than a short, steep beach break. For a beginner, that extra time can mean the difference between repeatedly falling and enjoying a proper ride.
The waves can run for hundreds of metres. You will not necessarily surf that whole distance, of course, but the long shape of the break gives you room to practise without feeling rushed. The area is also known for uncrowded water, which makes a big difference when you are still learning where to sit, how to catch a wave, and how to steer a softboard.
You do not need to arrive as a surfer. Specialized softboards and a wetshirt or wetsuit are supplied, and full instruction is available as an add-on. The included equipment is a practical touch, especially if you are visiting Noosa with limited luggage or do not want to rent a board separately.
I would choose the guided group lesson if this is your first time on a surfboard. The extra $30 is modest compared with the total cost of the day, and an instructor can help you use the practice time well. Confident beginners and intermediate surfers may prefer the basic package, which leaves more room for independent surfing or relaxing on the beach.
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Leaving Noosa for the Great Beach Drive

The meeting point is The J Noosa at 60 Noosa Drive in Noosa Heads. The tour returns to this same point, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. That makes the start simple, but you need to arrange your own way to The J.
The route itself is part of the reward. You travel by 4WD along the Great Beach Drive, a stretch where the beach is not just something you look at from a roadside viewpoint. You ride over the sand and follow the coast toward Double Island Point, with the vehicle doing the hard work.
A beach journey can feel more adventurous than a normal transfer, yet it also keeps the day practical. You do not need to organize a separate vehicle, ferry crossing, or national park entry. The driver-guide handles those parts while you watch the coast pass by.
The vehicle carries a maximum of 17 participants. That is not a private outing, but it is far smaller than a large sightseeing bus. The group size should work well for couples, families, and friends who want a shared day without losing the outdoor feel.
Double Island Point Lighthouse and the first views

The first listed stop is Double Island Point Lighthouse. The stop gives you a useful sense of place before the surf portion takes over. From here, the coast, point, and open water become easier to understand, and you can appreciate how far this beach setting is from the usual Noosa day out.
The lighthouse stop also breaks up the journey. If you have children or non-surfers with you, these pauses matter because the day is not six straight hours in the water. You get changing views, time to look around, and a chance to settle into the remote setting.
The tour description does not promise a long lighthouse visit or a guided historical talk, so I would treat it as a scenic stop rather than a full attraction visit. The main focus remains the beach, the 4WD route, and surfing.
Great Sandy National Park and Teewah Beach

The trip passes through Great Sandy National Park, with national park entry fees included. That is good value because you do not need to handle permits or pay a separate fee at the entrance.
Teewah Beach is another key part of the route. Its broad coastal setting helps show why the 4WD is necessary and why this feels different from a standard surf-school lesson in town. You are not simply driven to a crowded urban beach, given a board, and sent into the water.
The beach drive can also be the most memorable part for people who do not surf. One review singled out driving on the beach as a highlight, while another praised the scenery, Rainbow Beach, surfing, and the staff together. If one person in your group would rather watch than surf, the journey gives that person a worthwhile reason to come along.
The supplied inclusions also mention Rainbow Beach coloured sands. That adds a scenic element to the wider outing, though the exact amount of time spent there is not specified. I would not book this as a dedicated coloured-sands sightseeing tour. Think of it as part of a broader coastal day.
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Surf time, lessons, and the beach break

Once you reach the surf area, you can use the supplied softboard and wetsuit or wetshirt. The activity is designed for all levels, including complete beginners. That broad appeal is useful for families or groups where one person has surfed before and another has never stood on a board.
A group lesson costs an extra $30 per person. The price makes sense if you want clear instruction on safety, paddling, standing, and catching waves rather than simply experimenting. The guides have received strong praise for patience, friendliness, and helping first-timers get onto waves.
A private lesson costs $350 per group. That option will suit a family or close group that wants more direct attention, though the value depends on how many people share the fee. For one or two people, it is a substantial upgrade. For a larger group, the per-person cost becomes easier to justify.
The basic package leaves you with practice time or free beach time. That flexibility is one of the tour’s better features. You can surf as much as you like within the scheduled visit, then dry off, relax, or watch others try.
You should set realistic expectations. The long waves improve your odds, but nobody can guarantee that every beginner will stand up or that conditions will be perfect. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.
Marine life in the Great Sandy Marine Park

The water around Double Island Point sits within the Great Sandy Marine Park. The area is known for clear, warm water and regular marine-life sightings.
You might see pods of dolphins, turtles, rays, and seabirds. Whales are often present from October through June. These sightings are not guaranteed, so I would treat them as an extra rather than the reason to book.
The wildlife adds another layer to the day. You are not only learning to surf in a designated activity area, you are spending time in a marine setting where the water may be busy with life. Keep your camera nearby, but protect it from water and sand.
What the price includes, and what it does not

At $85.35 per person, the basic price is strong for a six-hour outing. You are paying for the 4WD Great Beach Drive, ferry fees, national park entry, surf equipment, a driver-guide, the national park surf experience, light refreshments, and the coastal route.
That bundle matters. If you tried to arrange the drive, ferry, equipment, and park access independently, the day would become more complicated. The price also covers the unusual transport experience, not just the surfing.
Food is the main extra expense. Light snacks and refreshments are included, but food and drinks are not included unless specified. Bring your own lunch-style snacks, water, and anything you need between surf sessions. One couple specifically brought extra snacks and found that useful.
You should also bring a towel, sunscreen, camera, and change of clothes. If you already own a surfboard, you are welcome to bring it, though equipment is supplied. The practical packing list is short, but forgetting dry clothes after a beach day is an avoidable mistake.
What the guides add to the day

The strongest praise has gone to the staff. Kevin is named as a guide, and James is also singled out for doing an excellent job. The team is described as friendly, helpful, fun, and patient, especially with first-time surfers.
That matters because a surf day can become stressful if instructions are rushed or the group feels ignored. The feedback points to a more relaxed approach, with guides helping people get started while keeping the day moving.
A guide also makes the beach drive easier. You do not need to work out the route, ferry arrangements, or park access yourself. You can focus on the scenery, the surf, and the people in your group.
Still, a group of up to 17 means attention will be shared. If you want one-to-one coaching, book the private lesson rather than assuming the standard package will provide it.
Timing, comfort, and practical limits
The experience lasts about six hours. That is long enough for a proper coastal outing without taking up an entire day in Noosa. It is a good fit if you want to surf and still have time for another evening activity.
The tour operates near public transportation, but the supplied information does not promise hotel pickup. Plan to reach The J in Noosa Heads independently and return there at the end.
Most people can participate, but surfing involves entering the water, handling a board, and spending time on the beach. The tour is not described as wheelchair accessible, and no special accessibility arrangements are provided in the details available here.
The activity also depends on a minimum number of participants. If that number is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Poor weather can produce the same result.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so keep your plans reasonably firm once the cutoff passes.
Who should book this Double Island Point day?
I would recommend it to first-time surfers who want a softer introduction than a crowded town beach. The long waves, supplied gear, and optional instruction create a friendly setup.
It also suits families and mixed groups. A confident surfer can practise, a beginner can take a lesson, and a non-surfer can enjoy the 4WD route, lighthouse, beach, and scenery.
Couples who want a scenic outdoor day will likely enjoy it too. The trip feels more distinctive than a standard surf lesson because the journey is a major part of the experience.
I would be more cautious if you want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour with lots of historical commentary. The information provided focuses on surf, beaches, wildlife, and transport rather than detailed cultural or historical guiding.
I would also clarify activity options before booking if kayaking is important to you. Some direct bookings apparently included kayaking, but it is not listed among the inclusions here. Do not assume it is part of this package.
Should you book it?
Book this tour if you want a practical, good-value day that combines surfing with a genuine beach-drive adventure. The $85.35 base price covers enough major costs to make planning easy, and the optional $30 group lesson is a sensible addition for beginners.
Bring extra food, confirm the lesson choice, and check the weather forecast. If you want private coaching, calculate the $350 group upgrade across your party. For a first surf experience, a family day, or a coastal outing with a little off-road flavour, this is an appealing choice from Noosa.
FAQ
Where does the tour start?
It starts at The J, 60 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads, Queensland 4567.
Where does the tour finish?
The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Noosa Heads.
How long does the tour last?
The tour lasts approximately six hours.
How much does the tour cost?
The listed price is $85.35 per person for the base experience.
Is a surf lesson included?
Full instruction is available, but a guided group surf lesson costs an additional $30 per person. A private surf lesson costs $350 per group.
Is surfing equipment provided?
Yes. Specialized softboards and a wetshirt or wetsuit are included. You can also bring your own surfboard.
What fees are included?
National park entry fees and ferry fees are included, along with the 4WD Great Beach Drive experience, driver-guide, surf equipment, and light refreshments.
What should I bring?
Bring a towel, sunscreen, water, camera, change of clothes, and extra snacks. Food and drinks are not included beyond the stated light refreshments.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to a new date or a full refund.
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Safari, compared.

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