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Accessibility Guide

Spirit of Migaloo II

Australia’s most advanced whale watching vessel

Spirit of Migaloo II is a three-level whale watching vessel with an open bow. Purpose-built as one of Australia’s premiere whale watching vessels, it is one of the best ways to the beautiful humpback whales.

Boarding

Guests access the pontoon via a declining ramp that is 1.5 metres at its narrowest point. The ramp to the pontoon can shift in steepness with the tide. It may be difficult to get onto the ramp when shifting tides and individuals may need assistance to get onto it. Our friendly crew are available to assist if required.

Access to Spirit of Migaloo II is via a ramp that is 0.8 metres wide, and 1.6 metres long. Handrails are available on both sides of the ramp at a height of 0.92 metres. Guests with disabilities are offered priority boarding. The crew are able to provide assistance if required.

Lower Deck Navigation

The entrance to the lower deck cabin is 1.5 metres wide that has a rubber ramp at 0.06 metres at its highest to access the cabin. There is a safety rail that is 1 metres high when entering and exiting the lower cabin. The lower deck is wheelchair accessible with 18 tables that are 0.75 metres high and chairs that are 0.45 metres high with a backrest height of 0.85 metres. These tables and chairs cannot be moved. There are large windows through the lower cabin. There is a bar for snacks and drinks that is 1.19 metres high. The front bench often used for photography sales is 1 metres high.

Mid Deck Navigation

Access to the mid decks is via a flight of stairs with twelve steps that are 0.19 metres high, 1.08 metres wide, and 0.28 metres deep. The stair handrails are 0.98 metres high. The second level has six tables that are 0.76 metres high with bench seating that is 0.42 metres high with a backrest height of 0.9 metres. The chairs are 0.43 metres wide.

There are safety handrails at a height of 1 metre high to hold onto around the sides of the vessel. To access the bow there are two doors that are 0.9 metres wide.

Captain's Club Navigation

There are two doors to access the Captain’s Club that is 0.95 metres wide with a sill of 0.8 metres. The seats in the Captain’s Club are 0.48 metres high with a depth of 0.54 metres with a head rest height of 0.3 metres. There is a bench with a mini fridge that is 0.94m high.

Top Deck Navigation

There is a steeper flight of stairs made of 11 steps that are 0.23 metres, 1.08 metres wide and 0.27 metres deep to access the top level. There is a safety rail on the staircase that is 1 metre high. There is a number of bench-style seats for passenger comfort that are 0.52 metres high with a backrest height of 0.86 metres. The chairs are 0.93 metres wide. The safety rails around the top deck at 1 metre high.

Due to the motion of the ocean, it can often be difficult to descend Spirit of Migaloo II’s stairs. We recommend using both hands on the rails at all times.

Bow Navigation

The bow of the boat can be accessed by four steps from the lower cabin that are 0.18 metres high with a width of 0.91 metres and a depth of 0.25 metres, reaching a max steepness of 0.86 metres. The door to the steps has a sill of 0.1 metres. There is a safety rail that is 0.95 metres high. Accessing the bow from the mid-deck is via 6 steps that are 0.22 metres high, 1.17 metres wide, and 0.25 metres deep with a safety handrail that is 0.95 metres high.

There is a safety rail at the front of the bow that is 0.96 metres high. There is an additional safety rail in front of the seating area that is 1.09 metres high. We ask all guests to place one hand on the rail at all times when standing on the bow of the boat.

There is bleacher-like seating that is accessible by one step that is 0.19 metres high. The seats are 0.45 metres high with a depth of 0.45 metres and a width of 4.84 metres. There are safety rails that divide the three-level bleachers that are 0.7 metres.

Wheelchair Access

Spirit of Migaloo II is wheelchair accessible only on the lower deck. It can be accessed from the jetty via ramp. There is one designated space for a wheelchair. We recommend the tethering of wheelchairs by safety tethers to ensure stability and comfort during the tour. The skipper makes it a priority to place the vessel in a prime position for wheelchair users to view whales.

Wheelchairs are permitted to move around the vessel on skipper discretion. Weather and ocean conditions can impact the safety and stability of wheelchair users. However, these are advisers and it is up to the wheelchair user to choose what they would like to do.

Restrooms

There are two standard unisex restrooms on the lower deck and one standard unisex toilet on the mid-deck.

All of these restrooms have a toilet seat height of 0.44m, a handrail that is 0.9 metres high and a sink that is 0.85 metres high. The door frame is 0.69 metres wide.

There is one ambulant restroom.

Change places

A collapsible infant change table is available on request. This is suitable for newborns up to 12 months of age and up to 11 kilograms in weight. There are no adult height adjustable adult-sized change benches or ceiling-tracking hoists available.

Mobility Aids

Mobility aids are welcome. Please ensure your mobility aid conforms with the manoeuvrability assumptions of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002. If you require an alternative device, wheelchair hire is complimentary. A form is required and bookings must be made 24 hours before departure by contacting Guest Services.

Strollers

Due to limited space, we prefer you not bring strollers or prams on board. We can accommodate your stroller’s storage for the duration of your cruise at the Sea World Cruise Terminal.

Visual Considerations

There are handrails around the edges of the boat to hold onto when walking around the vessel. Our experienced skippers will always try and get the best views of the whales. For guests with visual impairments, we recommend brining a pair of binoculars to help see the whales. The crew can help if needed. Assistance animals are welcome aboard. If you would like more information, you can see Assistance Animals.

Auditory Considerations

On transit to the whales, the sound of the engines of the vessel may make it difficult to make conversation for some guests who are hard of hearing. Once we have found whales, the engines slow down and are much quieter. During whale watching time, there is onboard commentary that can be heard from speakers throughout the vessel.

Weather Considerations

The amount of boat movement is dependent on the weather. If there is a risk of rough weather impacting the cruise, passengers will be advised of rough weather prior to the cruise.

Sensory Considerations

There is no sensory room/chill-out space available. Sensory kits in the form of pop bubble fidget toys and earplugs are available onboard. Complimentary children’s activity packs are also available. If you would like more information, you can see Sensory Guide

Environmental Considerations

Spirit of Migaloo II Whale Watching tours operate on the open ocean. As such, there is a risk of seasickness. However, if you want to take precautions, you can find more information at Sea Sickness Advice.

We advise all passengers to have three-point contact on the vessel at all times once we are past the Gold Coast seaway.

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