The Island Treasure Hunt
Somewhere on a Moreton Bay beach there is a chest in the sand, and a hand-drawn map that will find it. Captain Jeremy buries the treasure before you arrive, then hands the map to the crew who matter most.
- 6 hours
- Up to 7 guests
- New Farm or Manly
How the hunt runs
- 01
The map arrives first
Captain Jeremy hand-draws and ages a map for your crew, with your children named on it. It comes out somewhere between the crossing and morning tea, usually when the island first shows on the horizon.
- 02
The chest is already buried
Before you step aboard, the chest is in the sand. Paces from a landmark, a cross on the map, and a lot of very serious digging. Jeremy chooses a quiet setting for the tide and the conditions on the day.
- 03
The rest of the day is yours
Snorkelling over the wrecks, shallow water for small swimmers, lunch on the sand. The hunt is the centrepiece, not the whole six hours.
The boat is exclusively yours
Beaches and sandbars are public places. Jeremy picks a quiet stretch of sand for the tide and the conditions on the day, which is exactly what you want when seven-year-olds are running a search operation.
What the grown-ups get
A day that runs at the speed of the youngest person aboard, and nothing to organise. Snorkelling gear sized for small faces, lifejackets in children sizes, shallow protected water chosen on the day, and a French style lunch served on the sand while the crew recovers from all that digging. Because the boat is private, a tired toddler is not a problem for anybody else's schedule.
Your price is for the whole boat and follows the total number of guests, including children: see the three private days and pick the one that fits your family. Monday to Thursday dates, including those in the school holidays, carry a lower rate and apply automatically when you book online. Captain Jeremy's school-holiday guide is coming to the journal soon.
Frequently asked questions
What ages does the treasure hunt suit?
It suits children roughly four to twelve. Younger ones love the digging and the chest; older ones take the map seriously and run the search themselves. Tell Jeremy each child's age when you book and he pitches the clues to match.
What is actually in the chest?
A wooden chest with a few keepsakes worth finding: shells, a certificate for the crew, and small treasures to take home. If you want to add something of your own, hand it to Jeremy before departure and it goes in the sand with the rest.
Is the boat suitable for small children?
Tell Jeremy each child's age and swimming confidence before booking so he can confirm equipment and activities. Accompanying adults supervise children throughout, and children count towards the seven guest maximum. Lifejackets come in children sizes, snorkelling gear is fitted to each guest including small faces, and swim stops are chosen for shallow, protected water on the day. Suitability in the water depends on swimming confidence and the conditions, and strong currents can occur around the wrecks. Captain Jeremy is a marine scientist and rescue diver, and yours is the only group aboard.
How many people can come?
Up to seven guests, children included in that total, and the boat is never shared. Most family bookings are two adults and two or three kids, which leaves plenty of room to spread out.
How do we add the treasure hunt to a charter?
Book any private day and mention the treasure hunt in your booking notes, or call 0468 930 952. It is arranged for you before the day and there is nothing to bring.
X marks a beach on Moreton Bay.
Book any private day and tell us the treasure hunt is on. Jeremy handles the map, the chest and the sand. You just have to get everyone aboard.