• This is a very unique tour operated from Port Douglas, combine river drifting and rainforest walk
• This is a great half day activity you will all enjoy, perfect for families, groups of friends, cruise ship passengers. 
• Educational insight into the complexity of the Daintree Rainforest its wildlife and its underwater world which will totally surprise you.
• This is a wildlife tour like no other of the Daintree Rainforest and a snorkelling tour that is totally unexpected.

Would you like to do something unique in amongst the Daintree Rainforest that is one of a kind in Australia? This small group half day tour will see you drift with the river current and snorkel in the cool refreshing waters of Mossman River.

What to Expect

Set out for a really unique adventure to explore the heart of the Daintree Rainforest with the River Drift Experience. This half-day tour from Port Douglas allows you to engage with nature through a combination of hiking and river floating. Ideal for those looking to escape the tropical heat, this excursion offers a unique opportunity to explore the serene Mossman River, just a 20-minute drive north of Port Douglas to see the beauty of the underwater world in the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest.

Features & Highlights

Unique Rainforest Experience

River Drift Snorkelling:

• Begin your half day tour adventure with a peaceful hike upstream along a granite sand bed, pulling along your river sled. As you reach a designated point, you’ll enter the Mossman River water and let the gentle river current guide you downstream.

Rich Biodiversity:

• The Mossman River is home to a diverse ecosystem. As you float, keep your eyes peeled for 33 species of freshwater fish, rare birds, Butterflies, water dragons, and elusive creatures like platypus and turtles.

Educational Insight:

• Learn about the ecological significance of the Mossman River and its surroundings. Your guide will share insights into the local flora and fauna, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of the rainforest.

Comfort and Accessibility

Equipment Provided:

• All necessary gear, including wetsuits, wetsuit shoes, and snorkel masks, are provided to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the tour.

Family-Friendly Options:

• Suitable for children and adults, with special accommodations like child-friendly water sleds for younger or nervous swimmers.

Fitness Level:

• Designed for guests with a reasonable fitness level. The river snorkelling tour is generally suitable for ages 8 and up, depending on river conditions, which can vary the tour’s intensity. When the river level is higher, the faster flowing water is only suitable for strong swimming adults 15+ with good fitness and mobility

Itinerary and Logistics

Convenient Pickups:

• The half day tour includes pickups from accommodations in Port Douglas and Mossman. Self-drivers can meet at a designated pickup point in Port Douglas.

Detailed Schedule:

• 8:40 am/9:15 am: Pickup at Port Douglas/Mossman accommodations.
• 9:20 am: Arrival at the river snorkelling site, gear up and prepare for the river drift.
• 9:35 am: Begin the trek through the rainforest to the river start point.
• 9:40 am - 11:50 am: Engage in river drifting, starting with a safety briefing and swimming test, followed by the drift experience.
• 11:50 am - 12:10 pm: Wrap up and enjoy light snacks.
• 12:10 pm - 1:00 pm: Return drive through the scenic sugar cane fields back to your accommodation.

This half-day Daintree Rainforest and Mossman River Drift Experience offers a blend of adventure and tranquillity, providing an intimate encounter with one of Australia's most stunning rainforests. This is a great half day tour from Port Douglas that suits adventurous folks looking for something different.

It's also a great tour for cruise ship passengers whose ships are berthing off Port Douglas.  

Perfect for those staying in Port Douglas or Mossman Gorge, this tour promises a refreshing and enlightening escape into nature, making it an essential addition to your travel itinerary.

See all Daintree Rainforest tours from Port Douglas.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Port Douglas

Departure Time

• AM Tour: Port Douglas 9.00am, Mossman 9.20am to 12.30pm
• PM Tour: Port Douglas 2.00pm, Nossman 2.20pm to 5.30pm

Departure Instructions

• Self-drivers
• While we still need to drive you the last bit, this is a great option if you’re travelling up from Cairns, or simply wanting a more flexible day.
• Mossman: this is the closest meeting point to where our tour operates, and a great option if you’re planning to visit Mossman Gorge or travel north to the Daintree. We meet guests at George Davis Park Mossman, in front of the toilet block (under the giant trees). Pickup is approx. 20 minutes after our Port Douglas pickups
• Pickup point for guests staying outside Port Douglas & Mossman is the Wildlife Habitat carpark

Destinations

• Daintree Rainforest
• Mossman Gorge
• Mossman River

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

No tours operate Christmas Day (25th Dec), Cairns Iron Man (14th June 26)
2025 - 2026 - Public holiday surcharge (15%) in place on: 18 Apr | 19 Apr | 20 Apr | 21 Apr | 25 Apr | 5 May | 21 Jul | 6 Oct | 26 Dec | 1 Jan | 26 Jan
2026 - 2027 - Public holiday surcharge (15%) in place on: 3 Apr | 4 Apr | 5 Apr | 6 Apr | 25 Apr | 4 May | 20 Jul (Mossman Show) | 5 Oct | 26 Dec | 1 Jan | 26 Jan | 26 Mar | 27 Mar | 28 Mar | 29 Mar

Duration

3.5 hours including transfers

Fitness Level Required

Medium

Restrictions

• All adults must be confident in moving water and be able to swim.
• River Drift Experience is an active tour and not suitable if:
• Guests have limited mobility or recent injuries, e.g: difficulty walking, injured or limited movement of: knees, ankle, shoulder etc
• Are pregnant, due to risk of falling on stomach, sudden jarring movements and impacts
• Weigh more than 110kg/243lb, due to the limitations of our equipment
• If you have any concerns over guests suitability, please contact us before booking.
• Refunds are not guaranteed if guests are deemed unsuitable at pickup

Weight: Up to 120 Kg / 265 Lb

Additional Information

• All guests participating in River Drift Experience are required to complete a medical questionnaire and sign a liability waiver before their tour.
• A link to our digital waiver will be sent through when the booking is confirmed.
• Free tour photos are available for all guests on our shared tours. Due to the nature of our activity, there may be times we are unable to guarantee photos.
• All guests are required to agree to a media release as photos are shared online, and may be used to advertise Back Country Bliss. Guests can easily choose to optout of photos when completing their waiver form if they do not consent.
• We don’t swim with crocs!
• You should always be Croc-wise in Croc country; that is why you can rest assured that our tour operates in a very safe, Croc-Free stretch of water.
• Crocodiles use the water, sun and shade to maintain their preferred body temperature of 30–33°C.
• Where we swim is too clear, too cold at 16-22°C, and too shaded for crocodiles.
• The cool water is one reason we provide you with a very fashionable wetsuit to use during your tour.

• Guests should wear swimmers or board shorts. Bikinis or traditional bathers are not recommended unless wearing underneath a wetsuit.
• Towel
• We recommend guests wear their swimwear at pickup, as there are no change rooms available at the river.
• Guests that require glasses should wear contact lenses.
• Any personal medication
• Please leave all valuables and loose fitting jewellery (rings) at accommodation

• Child rate covers 4-15 years inclusive for shared tours & 3-15 years for private tours
• Child seats are available on request free of charge
• Due to the nature of our tours, there will be times when children will not be allowed to participate. A full refund or date change will be offered for any bookings affected
• Private tours are recommended for guests travelling with infants/toddlers.
• Minimum age to participate is 4 years. There may be times when the river is not suitable for small children, we will communicate with guests before hand to advise. A full refund will be offered if we are unable to move the tour to an alternative date.