• Enjoy more than stand up paddle boarding... rope swings, swim holes, tropical fruit tasting
• Join a stand up paddle boarding tour of the beautiful Mossman River in the rainforest and explore secluded locations
• Small group tour minimum 2 maximum 24 guests, great half day activity.

Stand up paddle boarding tours Mossman River north of Port Douglas. People everywhere are discovering the joys of stand up paddle boarding! It’s easy, great for core strength and yet so relaxing!

What to Expect

Discover the joys of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) on the serene Mossman River, north of Port Douglas. Our unique SUP tour takes you gliding gently on crystal-clear waters beneath the lush canopy of the Daintree Rainforest. Experience the tranquillity of this ancient landscape, spot native wildlife, and enjoy a passive full-body workout.

Features and Highlights

Guided Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour

• Learn the basics of SUP with a skills session from our expert guides. They will ensure you feel confident and comfortable on your paddleboard. This Daintree Rainforest tour is suitable for all skill levels, including beginners.

Wildlife Encounters

• As you paddle along the Mossman River, keep an eye out for fish, turtles, lizards, and the electric blue Ulysses butterfly. Listen to the symphony of birdlife echoing through the treetops of the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest.

Scenic Stops and Refreshments

• Enjoy stops at secluded riverbank beaches where you can relax, sunbathe, or take a refreshing dip in the clear waters. Taste exotic local fruits like dragon fruit and black sapote, and indulge in a natural day spa treatment using ochre found on the riverbanks.

Downstream Drift

• On the return journey, lay back on your paddleboard and let the gentle current carry you downstream. Soak in the sights and sounds of the rainforest canopy above as you drift peacefully back to the starting point.

Small Group Experience

• Our stand-up paddle board nature tours are limited to a maximum of 24 guests to ensure a personalised and intimate rainforest experience. This is perfect for families, groups of friends, or solo travellers looking for a unique adventure.

Sample Itinerary

• 2:15pm – Arrive at Mossman River
• Start your SUP adventure on the upper reaches of the Mossman River.
  Receive a skills session from your tour guide, learn the safety rules, and get tips on how to paddle and what to look for in this stunning rainforest environment.
• 3:00pm – Paddleboarding Adventure
• Launch your SUP boards and begin your journey down the Mossman River.
  Enjoy the feeling of walking on water as you glide through the tranquil waters surrounded by the ancient Daintree Rainforest.

3:45pm – Riverbank Break

• Take a break on a sandy riverbank beach. Taste fresh exotic tropical fruits and learn about their origins from your tour guide. You can also swing from a rope like Tarzan or simply relax and enjoy the natural surroundings.

4:30pm – Downstream Drift

• Lie back on your board and drift downstream with the current. Watch the rainforest canopy glide by above you and feel completely at one with nature.

5:00pm – Natural Body Scrub

• Finish your adventure with a unique natural body scrub using the ochre clays found on the riverbanks. This is a perfect way to end your memorable nature and rainforest afternoon.

FAQ

• What if it’s raining prior to your session? - Our team monitors weather conditions closely. If conditions are not ideal or safe, we will inform you and provide options for rescheduling, refunds, or alternative activities.
• What if it’s my first-time paddling? - The river is flat with a gentle flow. Our tour guides will provide a skills session on arrival, demonstrating how to stand up, balance, and navigate the river. You can also sit, kneel, or prone (lie down) paddle on our inflatable boards.
• What if I’m not a strong swimmer? - The average depth of the Mossman River is knee- to waist-deep, with a few deeper swim holes. Our rainforest tour guides are strong swimmers and qualified first aiders. Life jackets are available on request.
• Are there crocodiles? -  No, crocodiles do not inhabit this part of the river. The water is clear, cool, and shallow, making it unsuitable for crocodiles.

Other Watersport Tours Available

Low Isles Kitesurfing & Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour A full-day tour to Low Isles off Port Douglas, including kitesurfing and SUP. Snorkel equipment is provided for exploring the clear waters, famous for their sea turtle population.

Snapper Island, Cape Tribulation A fast boat takes you to this idyllic, uninhabited island for a day of snorkelling, sea kayaking, or SUP.

Undine Cay Travel to this iconic cay with pristine white sands and turquoise waters, located just off Cape Tribulation National Park.

Explore more Daintree Rainforest tours and attractions for a comprehensive adventure in Tropical North Queensland.

Learn more about the best rainforest tours before you go. 

Half Day Afternoon SUP Tour | Rainforest River | Port Douglas | WND-SWL

Please note a minimum of 2 guests is required for this tour to depart.

Your stand up paddle tour will start on the upper reaches of the Mossman River. The river starts just below the Devils Thumb at an altitude of 1050m (3400 ft). This is crystal clear Rainforest water, straight from the rainforest clouds, that is making its way down to the Coral Sea and the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. 

For SUP beginners, you will have a skill session given by your tour guide/instructor.  You will be taught the safety rules of stand up paddle boarding, how to paddle as well as what to look for in this amazing environment. Once on the water on your stand up paddleboard you will be given another short skill circuit before heading off up the River. With always the best advice that if you’re not sure.. just sit down!

After launching your SUP boards you will feel almost like you are walking on water. As you traverse down the river with just the sounds of the water and the rainforest wildlife you feel like you are going into a journey of oneness with nature.

The current isn’t strong, so you will drift slowly and find you only need to paddle now and again for direction purposes.

The Daintree Rainforest is the oldest Rainforest in the world and you will see ferns and trees that have been there from prehistoric times. 

48 families of fish varieties, 33 species of aquatic amphibians and reptiles have been identified in the Mossman River alone and some are still unidentified, so you will likely paddle past new unknown species.

Identifiable species that you may see on your trip that inhabit the Mossman River are Jungle Perch, Perchlets, Trevally Bream and Tilapa. You might even see a turtle on a rock or a harmless tree snake… and in case you are wondering…. crocodiles don’t inhabit this part of the river.

After about 45/60 minutes you will have a break on a sandy riverbank ‘beach’. There’s nothing better to whet the appetite than freshly picked exotic fruit.  Your taste buds will love you as you taste the juicy purple flesh of the Dragronfruit, or a juicy mango, or a Black Sapote that tastes exactly like chocolate pudding without the calories! 

Your tour guide will also give you the history of the fruits. On the way back you’ll be drifting with the current so just lie back on your board and look up as the rainforest canopy passes you bye. This is ultimate chilling!

When you get back you will finish your wonderful adventure with a unique natural body scrub using the ochre clays found on the banks of the river.

This is going to be a memorable afternoon!

FAQ

"What if it’s raining prior to your session?"
The team at WindSwell will be monitoring the rain radar as well as river level gauges leading up to your session and will ensure to keep you informed. The crew has the right to cancel if conditions are not ideal or safe to run the paddle session and a refund, rescheduling or change in water sports activities that we provide will be organised.

“What if it’s my first time paddling?”
The river is flat – no wind, waves or swell – just a gentle flow. Your guide will run a skills session on arrival, providing a demonstration and tips on how to stand up, balance and navigate the river. Our experienced and trained guides have a few tricks up their sleeves in assisting you to provide you the best experience paddling through the rainforest. You can also sit, kneel and even prone paddle on our inflatable boards.

“What if I’m not a strong swimmer?”
The average depth is knee- to waist-deep with a few deeper swim holes that you’ll want to dive into. There are multiple beaches along the way that you’ll be stopping at to take in a deep breath of fresh air. Our guides are all fit, strong swimmers and qualified first aiders should any dramas arise. To make you feel more comfortable, we also provide life jackets on request.

Are there crocodiles?
No! or we wouldn’t risk running the session – the water is clear, cool, shallow flowing freshwater that are not idealistic crocodile habitats in regards to food availability, location access and ectothermic reptiles who prefer 29 to 33 degrees.

Other Watersports Tours Available

Low Isles Kitesurfing & Stand Up Paddle Boarding Tour

This is a full day tour to Low Isles off Port Douglas including kitesurfing and stand up paddle boarding as well as free time to visit the island. Snorkel equipment is provided so you can explore the clear waters of this island paradise famous for its sea turtle population.

Snapper Island, Cape Tribulation

Whizz on the fast boat to this idyllic uninhabited island 15 nautical miles north of Port Douglas off Cape Tribulation.  This island is on the SE corner of the Daintree National Park.  Great for snorkelling, sea kayaking or stand up paddleboarding.

Undine Cay

On the fast boat you will be at this iconic Cay – like you are arriving in a holiday commercial.  Pristine white sands with the turquoise, clear emerald waters of the surround Coral Sea. It’s a slightly longer journey than Snapper Island by another few miles and is located just off Cape Tribulation National Park

See more Daintree Rainforest tours and attractions.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Port Douglas

Departure Time

9:00am or 2.00pm

Departure Instructions

Self Drive: Meet at the Raintrees Service Station in Mossman OR Pick-up from your Port Douglas Resort $20 per person

Destinations

Mossman River

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

2 to 2.5 hours

Fitness Level Required

Medium

Restrictions

Not suitable for pregnant women

Additional Information

• A minimum of 2 guests is required on this tour however if you are on your own you can join an exisitng group booking.
• This tour can be organised as a private tour, minimum of 4 guests required - great for special occasion.
• This tour is suitable for all swimming abilities, the river is only knee deep. Life jacket can be supplied if you need one, please request at time of booking

• Swimwear & barefoot
• Hat & sun shirt optional – we will be shaded under rainforest canopy most of the tour
• Sunnies – these are the first items to go when you fall in for a splash
• Water bottle
• Camera – your guide will take photos for you, so you can just enjoy being in the moment
• Towel & dry clothes for after your session
• ANYTHING YOU WANT TO KEEP SAFE & DRY LEAVE IN THE CAR

• All children's ability will be assessed during safety briefing.
• Kids under the age of 7 ride for free - we have kids jackets for the little ones if they want to sit up front on the board