The Sea World Lunch Cruise is a great way to get out on the water and see the Gold Coast in Queensland from a different perspective (not to mention enjoy some delicious food).
We had previously done the Sea World Dinner Cruise at night and wanted to experience it during the day. So we booked in for the lunch cruise.
Parking
The cruise kicks off from Surfers Paradise. We parked at Bruce Bishop Car Park, which only costs $5 per day and is just a short walk from where you board the cruise (as well as being convenient to Cavil Street and the rest of down town Surfers Paradise.)
Our boat pulled in to the wharf on time. It was the same vessel we had taken for our dinner cruise, the Spirit of Elston.

Once on board; we were seated indoors on the lower deck where the galley and bar are located. They seated us right next to the window but regardless of where you sit, you still get a great view.
Danielle lined up to get us a drink as the The Spirit of Elston pulled away from the wharf and sailed north along the Nerang River toward the Broadwater.

Lunch

Lunch was ready soon after we got underway and tables were invited up individually to have their selections served up. There is plenty of fresh seafood on offer in the form of oysters and prawns but also plenty of cold meats and salads.

After lunch we were free to head up on the top deck. Here, we could enjoy a drink in the sunshine as we watched the world float by. The advantage of the lunch cruise is what you can see in the light of day. You can see as far as the mountain ranges in the West, and right back down to The city scape of Surfers Paradise to the South.

Once we reached the top end of the spit, it was time to turn around and head south again. On the way back, the Captain pointed out sights of interest and provided commentary on some of the boats at the Southport Yacht Club, where to buy the best seafood, a great snorkelling location and even Jackie Chan’s holiday house.
Dessert
For dessert they served up blueberry pavlovas which were delicious (I may have eaten Danielle’s as well as mine).

Not long after dessert, the Spirit of Elston rounded the final corner. The high rises of Surfers loomed ahead of us and the vessel pulled back into the wharf.

We had a great day! The lunch cruise was definitely worth doing even after we had done the dinner cruise, as you see and experience very different things. Have you been on a Sea World Cruises lunch cruise? What was your experience?
If you would like to experience a Sea World Cruise at lunch or dinner time, you can learn more here.