This risky adventure is leaving Aussies speechless – would you dare try it?
- Replies 6
When it comes to adventure tourism, some activities push the boundaries of thrill-seeking.
But what happens when a seemingly exciting experience raises serious safety concerns?
Read on to find out why this daring tour is causing such a stir and whether it's really worth the risk.
In Far North Queensland, known for its crocodile-populated waters, an unusual tourist attraction stirred reactions when a local tour company offered visitors the chance to spot crocodiles from jet skis.
While the region is famous for its breathtaking scenery, it is also home to an abundance of both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles, which pose a significant safety risk.
Terra-Marine Adventure Co (T-MAC), based in Cairns, advertised its unique experience on social media, promising tourists the opportunity to see crocodiles from as close as five metres while riding jet skis.
Photos shared by the company featured grinning tourists zooming across the water with crocodiles visible in the background, sometimes lounging on sandbanks nearby.
While the sight of these prehistoric creatures might be thrilling, the idea of being so close to them left many in disbelief.
Critics were quick to label the tours as ‘stupid’ and to voice their concerns over the safety of the activity.
Comments on social media included warnings like, ‘It’s an accident waiting to happen’.
One user warned, ‘What happens to a skier when you hit a croc just under the surface mid-river? Ski flips, cranky croc, long swim to shore. Good luck fools.’
Another exclaimed, ‘This can’t be real’.
Lead tour guide Kai Walsh defended the tours, stating, ‘People are always aware of what they’re getting into’.
He noted that safety relied heavily on ‘common sense’.
He acknowledged the potential risks, saying, ‘There are wild crocs in the water, so people need to be competent and aware. If they’re stupid and they want to fall in, then that’s on them’.
Credit: @terramarine_ on Instagram
Walsh emphasised that participants were briefed thoroughly before embarking on their adventure.
T-MAC required all guests to adhere to safety guidelines and to be aware of the potential dangers.
He also mentioned that there was a weight limit of 180kg for participants, to reduce the risk of falling into the water.
Despite admitting that ‘multiple people have fallen into the water’ over his four years with the company, Walsh assured that no incidents involving crocodile attacks had occurred.
However, locals and experts remained concerned. Authorities regularly cautioned against venturing into areas populated by crocodiles, which are found in estuaries, rivers, and even lagoons far from the ocean.
The Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation warned that ‘the smaller the vessel, the greater the risk — crocodiles have taken people from small vessels’.
This caution resonated with many who argued that high-speed watercraft, like jet skis, posed a significant danger, particularly if control was lost and a rider ended up in the water.
In Queensland, using a jet ski on an organised tour does not require a personal watercraft licence, thanks to the ‘Hire and Drive’ provisions.
However, participants must be supervised by a qualified guide, who must be on board the jet ski at all times. While this regulation helps minimise risk, it still leaves room for concerns regarding safety and potential encounters with crocodiles.
T-MAC maintained that it had not experienced any incidents with crocodiles despite the history of three jet-ski-related deaths in Queensland over the past five years.
Walsh shared: ‘I would consider it dangerous, yeah’.
But he stood by the safety measures in place, stating that anyone unsure of their comfort level should reconsider participating: ‘If you’re scared and you think something’s going to go wrong, I wouldn’t suggest it’.
The allure of a ‘croc-spotting jet ski tour’ may appeal to the adventurous, but with crocodiles lurking just beneath the surface, many remain wary about the risks involved.
So, would you take the risk for the thrill of a lifetime, or would you steer clear of this daring adventure? The debate is far from over, and your opinion matters. Share your thoughts in the comments.
But what happens when a seemingly exciting experience raises serious safety concerns?
Read on to find out why this daring tour is causing such a stir and whether it's really worth the risk.
In Far North Queensland, known for its crocodile-populated waters, an unusual tourist attraction stirred reactions when a local tour company offered visitors the chance to spot crocodiles from jet skis.
While the region is famous for its breathtaking scenery, it is also home to an abundance of both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles, which pose a significant safety risk.
Terra-Marine Adventure Co (T-MAC), based in Cairns, advertised its unique experience on social media, promising tourists the opportunity to see crocodiles from as close as five metres while riding jet skis.
Photos shared by the company featured grinning tourists zooming across the water with crocodiles visible in the background, sometimes lounging on sandbanks nearby.
While the sight of these prehistoric creatures might be thrilling, the idea of being so close to them left many in disbelief.
Critics were quick to label the tours as ‘stupid’ and to voice their concerns over the safety of the activity.
Comments on social media included warnings like, ‘It’s an accident waiting to happen’.
One user warned, ‘What happens to a skier when you hit a croc just under the surface mid-river? Ski flips, cranky croc, long swim to shore. Good luck fools.’
Another exclaimed, ‘This can’t be real’.
Lead tour guide Kai Walsh defended the tours, stating, ‘People are always aware of what they’re getting into’.
He noted that safety relied heavily on ‘common sense’.
He acknowledged the potential risks, saying, ‘There are wild crocs in the water, so people need to be competent and aware. If they’re stupid and they want to fall in, then that’s on them’.
Credit: @terramarine_ on Instagram
Walsh emphasised that participants were briefed thoroughly before embarking on their adventure.
T-MAC required all guests to adhere to safety guidelines and to be aware of the potential dangers.
He also mentioned that there was a weight limit of 180kg for participants, to reduce the risk of falling into the water.
Despite admitting that ‘multiple people have fallen into the water’ over his four years with the company, Walsh assured that no incidents involving crocodile attacks had occurred.
However, locals and experts remained concerned. Authorities regularly cautioned against venturing into areas populated by crocodiles, which are found in estuaries, rivers, and even lagoons far from the ocean.
The Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation warned that ‘the smaller the vessel, the greater the risk — crocodiles have taken people from small vessels’.
This caution resonated with many who argued that high-speed watercraft, like jet skis, posed a significant danger, particularly if control was lost and a rider ended up in the water.
In Queensland, using a jet ski on an organised tour does not require a personal watercraft licence, thanks to the ‘Hire and Drive’ provisions.
However, participants must be supervised by a qualified guide, who must be on board the jet ski at all times. While this regulation helps minimise risk, it still leaves room for concerns regarding safety and potential encounters with crocodiles.
T-MAC maintained that it had not experienced any incidents with crocodiles despite the history of three jet-ski-related deaths in Queensland over the past five years.
Walsh shared: ‘I would consider it dangerous, yeah’.
But he stood by the safety measures in place, stating that anyone unsure of their comfort level should reconsider participating: ‘If you’re scared and you think something’s going to go wrong, I wouldn’t suggest it’.
The allure of a ‘croc-spotting jet ski tour’ may appeal to the adventurous, but with crocodiles lurking just beneath the surface, many remain wary about the risks involved.
So, would you take the risk for the thrill of a lifetime, or would you steer clear of this daring adventure? The debate is far from over, and your opinion matters. Share your thoughts in the comments.
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