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Port Stephens: Wild Port Stephens Cruise

Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Newcastle, Australia
  • 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Explore Port Stephens harbor and outer islands while searching for its resident bottlenose dolphins. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Port Stephens Marine Park as your relax on the MV Osprey—a 78-feet (24-meter) fast Super Cat eco-vessel. See dolphins in their natural habitat, and take in spectacular views looking out towards Yacaaba and Tomaree headlands. If the weather allows, explore Murphy’s gap and Cabbage Tree Island. Knowledgeable and entertaining commentary is provided throughout the cruise, including the WWII history of Port Stephens.
  • Magnificent views of Port Stephens from the water
  • Listen to live commentary and learn more about Port Stephens
  • Maximize your chances of spotting dolphins with guides who know the best spots to find them
  • Plenty of photo ops of Port Stephens Marine Park

What's Included

  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • GST (Goods and Services Tax)
  • Live commentary on board
  • The listed price does not include parking fee applicable along with waterfront
  • Food and drinks
  • Lunch

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Moonshadow-TQC Cruises Boarding
    Dock C, D’Albora Marina, Nelson Bay NSW 2315, Australia

    Boarding commences 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure time. To avoid the risk of missing the cruise during peak times; please ensure you allow yourself ample time to find parking etc, we do suggest that you aim at arriving to the marina 30 - 45 minutes prior to boarding time of your cruise.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Start time
.10:30 am

Itinerary

1

Moonshadow - TQC Cruises

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Please note we do not run on Christmas Day
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Please Bring: Comfortable casual clothing and footwear, Sunglasses, hat, Sun Cream, Camera. We recommend dressing warmer for winter months
  • If you or any member of your party experience or feel they may experience motion sickness, we highly recommend consulting your pharmacist regarding seasickness medication.
  • **TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL:** The passenger acknowledges that during the cruise the vessel will be and will remain under the absolute control of the company, and that the direction and control of the vessel and its crew is at all times the sole responsibility of the Master of the vessel. Moonshadow TQC reserves the right to refuse entry of a passenger on the vessel. It is also at the Master's sole discretion to require a passenger to disembark the vessel. Moonshadow TQC reserve the right to cancel or abandon the cruise either prior to or during the cruise, if the Company or Master of the vessel considers that the cancellation is necessary for reasons of weather or in the interest of the safety and well-being of the vessel, its passengers and crew. The Company will not be held liable for any loss or expense incurred by the passengers caused by such substitution or cancellation. Moonshadow TQC does not accept any liability in contract or in tort for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expenses or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by force majeure or other events which are beyond our control, or are not preventable by reasonable diligence on our part including but not limited to; war, civil disturbance, fire, flood, unusually severe weather, acts of God, acts of Government or of any authorities, or failure of machinery (including vessel engines) or equipment or industrial action. Please note smoking is not permitted on any of our cruises. **RISK WARNING:** Care is taken to ensure your safety whilst on board this vessel. However, be warned that there are inherent risks by being aboard any vessel including, but not limited to, movement of the vessel, unpredictable sea conditions, unfamiliar design features such as stairs, coamings and water on decks, slides, boom nets, ancillary equipment used and/or from the vessels etc. Entry onto this vessel is at your own risk. Neither the owner, Master, nor any members of the crew will be liable for any injury to passengers, or damage to passengers property, however occurring. Fares and itinerary are always subject to variation without notice. Moonshadow TQC Pty Ltd reserves the right to cancel or vary the cruise specified and reserves the right to refuse to carry any passenger without stating any specific reason. A Moonshadow - TQC Cruises family ticket is valid for 2 Adults and 2 Children (0-14yrs). All children including infants aged from 0-14 years of age (not inclusive in a family ticket) are charged the child rate. Concession rate includes full time students and Australian seniors/old age pensioners upon presentation of student or seniors card. Once on board a Moonshadow TQC Pty Ltd vessel all persons are under the authority of the vessel's Captain and Company Management, and are expected to conduct themselves in a socially acceptable manner. The law is clear about the Responsible Service of Alcohol and licenced venues are entitled to refuse service to people who are intoxicated, quarrelsome or disorderly. Moonshadow TQC Pty Ltd reserves the right to return to dock and disembark any disorderly passengers without refund. Passengers must not bring any alcoholic beverages or illegal substances onto the vessel. ID may be required to purchase alcoholic beverages. These terms are an integral part of the contract between passengers and Moonshadow TQC Pty Ltd. When your booking/ticket is confirmed, it will be deemed at all times that you have read, understood and accepted the conditions hereof, and agreed to the terms herein contained.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 130 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Shweta_A
It was a beautiful sunny day, and we saw so many dolphins up close. It was the most incredible view of dolphins and big rock formations. I took my elderly parents, and they enjoyed every moment of it.

Reviews

4.8
based on 51 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Magnificent views

Shweta_A, Jan 2025
It was a beautiful sunny day, and we saw so many dolphins up close. It was the most incredible view of dolphins and big rock formations. I took my elderly parents, and they enjoyed every moment of it.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Hi Thank you for your 5 star review of our 1.5hr Dolphin Watch Eco Adventure cruise. Glad you enjoyed your cruise with us, and amazing to hear your parents also enjoyed their experience. Thanks

Should improve the details

Jeeraporn_Y, Jan 2020
In the ticket, the address details are not clear, just Stephen Port why not not tell address of Nelson Bay. Customers waste a lot of time because we lose we need company to enter the location of the ticket office or provide the address details as clearly as possible and call the office for ask the way, no one pick up phone and on the boat very smelly toilet.

All very good.

Kamlesh_S, Jan 2020
No comments at all. All good. I ike recommended everyone friends and families. It's was great online

Excellent.

Emily_E, Oct 2019
Excellent tour. Kids loved it. Great combo of dolphin watching and boom netting. Good time frame as well.

Lucky, good weather for boom nets

Young B, Sep 2019
Otherwise i wouldnt recommend. There are any other cruises departing from Circular Quay, which can meet bigger an more active dolphins without being charged any extra instead! If you are confident cold water swimmer, try boom net, but it depends on the weather conditions. So it is your luck if you can use that.

Two pods in one go

Relax44439242530, Jun 2019
This 1.5hr cruise was really nice. We saw one pod with ~5-6 dolphins. Then the captain got a call from another boat saying there was a huge pod somewhere else and, although we didn't have much time left, he headed their way, and we got to see this huge pod (with >30 dolphins) for around 15min before heading back. The captain was really friendly and allowed our children (7y) to take a peek in the cabin. It was very, very special.
Member Pricing
From

$31.22

per person
Was $32.86(-5%)

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 13 days in advance.

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