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2 hours
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Set sail on the stunning waters of the Gold Coast on this exclusive, two-hour lunch and sightseeing cruise, departing from a convenient spot in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Step aboard our luxurious vessel Spirit of Elston, and enjoy one of the best sightseeing and dining experiences on the Gold Coast. Panoramic views from the spacious upper deck showcase some of the city's most famous landmarks - such as the glittering waters of the Gold Coast Broadwater, Sea World, HOTA (Home of the Arts) and the glamorous Imperial Hotel Gold Coast. Satisfy your appetite with an irresistible buffet lunch, including locally sourced king prawns, succulent roast chicken, freshly baked ham off the bone and delicious salads. Pair lunch with wine, craft beer or treat yourself to a tasty cocktail. Head upstairs to the open-air top-deck and soak in the sunshine with a drink in hand, while listening to entertaining commentary from our expert crew about the iconic Gold Coast.
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Sea World
The Gold Coast's most conveniently placed theme park, Sea World is a wonder of flamboyant sea creatures and amusement rides.
HOTA, Home of the Arts
This must-see destination has something for everyone, exclusive art exhibitions, art-house cinema, swimming lake, cafe, award winning restaurant and rooftop bar with unforgettable views.
Comfortable air conditioned lower deck with full amenities
Take in the spectacular skyline views of the famous Surfers Paradise
Entertaining and informative onboard commentary
Fully stocked onboard bar for optional beverage purchases
Gold Coast waterways cruise
Tropical Buffet Lunch with fresh prawns
Inside Seating
Outside Seating: The outside table option is weather dependant, if it rains, booking will be cancelled.
254 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Larissa G,,Dec 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
Great cruise, very friendly crew, beautiful food and views. If travelling on the deck make sure you are protected from the sun as umbrellas were not provided on our cruise.
Monique C,,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
Delicious lunch with oysters, shrimp, salad and chicken. There was plenty. And dessert and coffee and tea! It lacked nothing. Very friendly and helpful staff. Thanks for the nice boat trip.

murray r,,Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
The cruise was not as advertised as it did not go out to Broadwater and was very disappointing just cruising around in circles.
Navigator01698372536,,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Another wonderful experience for our group of 18 Seniors who have been enjoying this outing for the past five years. Our ages range from 60's to 90's and not one complaint from any! In fact, we will be back again next year to enjoy wonderful fresh food and great hospitality. My only suggestion for improvement is to add 30 minutes more to the cruise 👍
TravellingDaniellos,,Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Looking for things to do on the Gold Coast and came upon this cruise after a google search. Glad we found it. Perfect way to spend half a day. The food exceeded our expectations and was plentiful. From prawns to mussels and leg ham and chicken, delicious salads and desserts. The event was extremely well organised with an exceptional crew, special shout out to Piper who was a bubbly ray of sunshine. Highly recommend this buffet cruise.
Siba S,,Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
Very nice relaxing, exactly what we needed after a stressful period Everyone was excited and happy The boat was clean and excellent servicep
Donna G,,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
Lovely few hours on the water. Delicious and generous quantities of food on the buffet. Staff were friendly. A very pleasant exoerience. Parking takes time to find, building across street is convenient but expensive. Give yourself plenty of time before departure.
laura b,,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
Ideal way to spend a couple of hours relaxing and sort of seeing different angles of Gold Coast. V surprised by the high quality of the food given the price point of the trip. Staff v pleasant. Flow moving to the top of the boat after lunch v nice. Only comment is the commentary itself is V Limited! I thought I’d be learning more facts. More history on the area.

Warsha S,,Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
10/10 experience. Had a great time on board with a friendly service and beautiful lunch buffet. Lots of variety and selection of food. Traveling around the water was so relaxing and view of city was amazing. Highly recommend.
E2925JEjessicab,,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
I would not recommend this cruise unless you’re non-indigenous it seems to be catered more to that demographic and not very inclusive of large indigenous families. Price $99 adults and $69 for kids spent total $663 for family of 7. Cruise was 2 hours long. Given the chance again, I’d take use the $663 for something else entirely and not do this sightseeing cruise ever again. Food and staff were average, one in particular seemed annoyed from the start (accent German or Dutch)… totally understand we boarded late 11:55 to depart 12:00, unfortunately not from QLD and parked way too far from the dock and we had 2 elderly parents who go at their own pace. Once aboard, lunch was underway so we put our belongings down at our top level table and helped our parents start the line up. When waiting in line the same disgruntled German/Dutch staff member told me (quite aggressively) not to use the plates on the plate cart (where everyone was getting plates from)? She proceeded to repeatedly say to me “bring your plates from your table” (we were on the top level and my elderly dad and elderly aunty required support coming down the stairs) so I didn’t bring our plates…observed her only say this to people of colour (when non-coloured people did the same thing) - not a peep out of her…weird… Food was average, sweets ran out only options were brownies and pavlova with cream so my elderly father and aunty just had cups of tea, shellfish and prawns were nice, however, I was questioned about taking a plate of buns (3) and lemons (10 small wedges) ummmm they were for our table of 7? The buns were for myself, my father and my aunty (who by that time refused to come downstairs anymore). Maybe if the staff did the rounds they’d see this…then when requesting a jug of water (again for the table I was told there’s a decanter at the bar for a glass of water) come on now guys… am I going to carry 7 glasses up the stairs? The cruise announcer didn’t really give any info for what we were passing by (pretty sure I booked a sightseeing cruise). Fun part or I so I thought…the announcer invited guests who have birthdays to give a shout out - our entire family are November babies (various years and days but still) I gave the list of names (7) to which the announcer said over the intercom “this is a strange request that a family have birthdays all in the same month”, he absolutely butchered pronunciations then made a snide comment about “August has been and gone”? We are all November babies…if he wanted ID we could have proven this? Ridiculous really…my parents come from a family of 18 (I have 100 first cousins just from this side of my dads family - we also whangai family members so the family is extended even more so in some cases) maybe the announcer is not aware of different family dynamics and only use to small non-indigenous family units but that’s not us…anyways… All in all we made the best of the afternoon as a family and enjoyed our time together but very very very disappointed with SeaWorld Cruises. Hopefully whoever does recruitment will train all levels of staff to be more inclusive, mindful and aware of all peoples.


Operated by Sea World Cruises