Far North Queensland, Australia
The Daintree River flows for 140 kilometers through ancient rainforest. It is a prime location for spotting estuarine crocodiles and tropical birds.
4.9 from 832 traveller reviews on Viator
Tickets & tours
Compare 1-hour boat trips, sunset cruises, and full-day rainforest tours.
Most bookedEmbark on the Total Daintree Experience from Port Douglas with Daintree Discovery Tours, where small groups and expert local guides provide an unforgettable journey...
From$200per person
Best for: a comprehensive rainforest and river experience
Best value1 hour Daintree River wildlife and crocodile cruise on the only solar electric boat on the Daintree river. The boat it is nice and quiet and there are no petrol fumes or...
From$26per person
Best for: eco-conscious travelers and wildlife spotting
Small groupA small group Advanced Eco Accredited tour specifically designed to showcase the very BEST of the Daintree Rainforest focusing on spending less time in the vehicle and...
Explore
Discover the two main areas for river access and boat departures.
Estuarine crocodiles inhabit the entire river system.
Never swim or wade in the water.
Plan your visit
Allow 1 to 1.5 hours for a river cruise. Add 10 to 12 hours for a full-day trip from Cairns.
The dry season from May to October offers comfortable weather. Crocodiles are easier to spot at low tide during these months.
Drive 45 to 50 minutes north from Port Douglas on the Captain Cook Highway. The river is 100 kilometers from Cairns.
Viewing the riverbanks is free. A return car ferry ticket costs approximately $47 AUD. Adult cruise tickets start around $40 AUD.
The Daintree River is a tropical waterway in Far North Queensland. It rises at 1,270 meters near Black Mountain and covers a 2,107-square-kilometer catchment area. The river winds through the ancient Daintree Rainforest before reaching the Coral Sea.
Visitors typically interact with the river in two ways. They take a crocodile-spotting boat tour, or they cross it using the Daintree River cable ferry to access Cape Tribulation. The river sustains dense mangroves and rare bird populations.
Crocodiles are highly dangerous and prevalent here. You must stand at least 5 meters back from the banks. Read about Swimming Safety for crucial safety facts before arriving.
We detail exactly what each cruise or day tour provides.
We highlight small-group options and specialized boat types.
We summarize common issues raised in recent passenger reviews.
From Viator
832 reviews of the full-day discovery tour on Viator
Excellent service and very beautiful. Highly recommended to anyone. Our host was very knowledgeable and friendly
Mark went above and beyond to show us the true crocodile lifestyle, couldn’t have asked for a better guide, he was happy to answer questions and genuinely had passion for the local nature
SO so good, our guide Ray was hilarious and so informative we literally would have been happy even without seeing crocodiles just from the comedy
Great guide very knowledgeable who ensured that all on the tout saw all the available wildlife
Had the wonderful experience of being on this cruise late afternoon. We saw lots of wildlife and Murray was extremely knowledgeable about all the species we saw and it really was a special place to visit, really beautiful. I would highly recommend this trip.
Spotting the various birds, particularly the well camouflaged ones was fun. The Boatman was very knowledgeable, with a small vessel to get up close to the wildlife. With less than 10 people it was a quiet and relaxing experience with like minded travellers. The 2hr cruise was a good amount of time to see and experience the river and adjoining forest.
From pick up to drop off, such a great day! Everything included was fantastic including morning tea, lunch, site seeing and the experience in all its magical beauty! Our tour guide Matt was awesome and an absolute bundle of knowledge, Thanks for a unforgettable day!
Gavin was so passionate about his job and an excellent tour guide!
Amazing full day tour of the Daintree Rainforest and surrounding areas. It was a pleasure to have Chris as our guide. Super knowledgable about the area, incredible stories and just a ‘Superguide’ all around! 🥰 No croc or cassowary sightings unfortunately, but the wild will be the wild! Phenomenal tour and day overall! Highly recommend it and Chris.
Travel tips
Ferry Ticket PricesCurrent costs and rules for crossing the Daintree River by ferry.Read 
Best crocodile cruisesCompare top Daintree River wildlife cruises by location and boat type.Read 
Best time for crocsFind the best season, tide, and time of day for crocodile spotting.Read 
Cairns Driving RouteDirections and transport options from Cairns to the Daintree River.Read 
Swimming SafetyWhy you must never swim or wade in the crocodile-inhabited Daintree River.Read 
Packing GuideFind out exactly what to wear and pack for the Daintree River.Read Yes, estuarine crocodiles are highly prevalent in the Daintree River. They are dangerous apex predators. You must stay at least 5 meters away from the water's edge at all times.
A return ticket for a standard car costs approximately $47 AUD. See Ferry Ticket Prices for more details on different vehicle categories.
No, you cannot swim in the Daintree River. Estuarine crocodiles are highly dangerous. Check Swimming Safety for strict safety guidelines.
Most commercial crocodile and wildlife spotting cruises last exactly 1 hour. Some specialized tours, like sunset or photography cruises, may take longer.
The cable ferry operates continuously from 5:00 AM to midnight daily. The crossing takes about 15 minutes including loading time.
Standard vehicles do not need to book the ferry in advance. Oversized vehicles and heavy equipment must contact the operators prior to arrival.
Secure your cruise or full-day Daintree tour today.
