Shipwrecks, Sand Dunes and Milkshakes: A JetSki Day Trip from Sanctuary Cove to Surfers Paradise
Written by Bruce Holliday
Jetski Club member for over 3 years with Trident Jetskis, super-dad, husband, and hotel manager.
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Here’s the story of two dads, two twelve-year-old daughters, and a plan to make the most of a winter Sunday on the water. Here's how a day trip from Sanctuary Cove around the Gold Coast and back actually went — the route, the conditions, the gear I'd recommend, and a few honest lessons for anyone thinking of doing the same ride.
The plan
The idea was simple on paper:
Launch at Sanctuary Cove and run down to Jumpinpin on the low tide
Walk the dunes and swim in the natural lagoon
Cruise south along the inside of South Stradbroke ("South Straddie") on the rising tide, watching for dolphins, turtles and other sea life
Take a nosy look at the deserted resorts like Couran Cove and the shipwrecks along the way
Continue past Wavebreak Island and under the Sundale Bridge
Wind through the canals for a milkshake stop at Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise
Return into the Broadwater, poke outside the Seaway for a photo of the Gold Coast from the ocean
Home again through the mangroves and off the water within four hours
That was the plan, anyway. Here's the reality.
Getting on the water
The day got off to a slower start than anticipated. We came down from Brisbane just after 8am and were on the water by 9:30 — which suited us, because we were chasing the rising tide. The skis were cleaned, prepped and ready to go, so the launch from Sanctuary Cove was quick and seamless. Refuelling at the Cove is a doddle, too.
What I'd bring:
Take your own anchor,
Tow ropes,
PLBs (personal locator beacons) and so on — the gear supplied on the ski is limited, and honestly, we should all own a basic safety kit anyway.
On life jackets: I chose to use the Trident jackets because they're more modern and comfortable than my own. I'm a 3XL and the kids are small — there's a big range of sizes for everyone.
What the conditions were like
The weather was more inclement than first forecast, but a spray jacket cut the wind and made it comfortable. Temperatures sat in the late teens to early 20s, with moderate winds around the late teens to early 20km/h — we were more than comfortable. My tip: layer up on days like these. There'll be moments when you're hot, cold, wet (spray comes from every direction) and dry, and you want to be comfortable when you're standing in a café ordering a milkshake.
Heading out: the Coomera River and the Broadwater
We headed down the Coomera River North Bar — a well-patronised flat-water speed track. It's nice to get on the plane quick and early, warming into the ride. Be mindful and respectful of the fishos who anchor in the channels. There's no avoiding them when they do this, but you can ease your impact by giving them a wide berth. The Broadwater itself was bumpy, and the lighting wasn't great for spotting beacons — though that makes it fun in its own way. It was too cold to swim, but the dune walk was thoroughly enjoyable; it was hard to get the girls back on the skis. Because of the light and the ripples, we didn't spot any sea life.
Know your tides and beacons. The Broadwater can be very shallow in spots, and the beacons can be confusing (port to port when heading into port… but who ever knows which way you're travelling on the Broadwater?). When in doubt, follow the bigger boats and other skis, travel slow, and check your maps. You'll see more sea life going slow anyway, especially in the shallows.
Tipplers, Couran Cove and the shipwrecks
We didn't stop at Tipplers — the waits are generally too long — but there were hardly any vessels ashore, so I suspect we'd have had the place to ourselves. The food is always good and the service always friendly here; just avoid peak times or you're in for an hours-long wait. Poking around the shipwrecks and Couran Cove was good fun. Just respect any local inhabitants while you're there.
The crew at Jumpinpin, South Stradbroke Island.
The Spit and the canals into Surfers Paradise
Coming past the Spit, the swells were large and the adrenaline was up. Never unsafe — but it makes you realise how small a jet ski is in the scheme of things in open water. The ride through the canals into Surfers Paradise was the opposite: flat, sheltered and fun. Respect the speed limits and other users and you'll have no problems. We tied up at Budds Beach — a quiet little riverside pocket right in the heart of Surfers Paradise, and one of the few spots where you can step off the ski and walk straight to a café. The girls rated the milkshakes at Bumbles Café, and the bathrooms at Budds Beach are clean.
Evie and her Trident Jetski at Budds Beach.
John and the kids on their Jetskis at Budds Beach before getting milkshakes.
The ride home
The trip home was similar to the way down, but we pushed the adrenaline a little and went out the Seaway — just far enough to still see the Gold Coast buildings from the sea. Had it been flatter we'd have taken photos, but nobody was letting go of the handholds in swells like that. Maybe one day when it's calmer. The girls steered us home from there at a comfortable speed (no rush), and we took the Coomera River North branch home again because it's a fun, fast ride. Beware getting back into this section from the Broadwater on a low tide — it can be very shallow. We refuelled at Sanctuary Cove and were off the water and checked in within 30 minutes.
Leave the ski better than you found it.
Pay it forward and clean the ski like you'd want to receive it. Take the time to get rid of all the sand and towel it dry so it looks like new for the next person — their kids will appreciate feeling like they're on a fresh, dry "new" ski. Member to member: Please don't rush this part. Lunch at the Hope Island Marina Tavern and back in Brisbane by 3 pm. A good day out.