dolphin cruise port stephens

Dolphin Watching Cruise at Nelson Bay

Learn more about the Port Stephens region.

• About Port Stephens
• Port Stephens Weather
• Port Stephens History

Port Stephens has a wide choice of accomodation from budget to pure luxury.

• Bannisters Port Stephens
• Breeze Apartments
• Landmark Resort
• Marina Resort
• Oaks Lure Apartments
• Peppers Anchorage Hotel
• Salamander Shores Hotel
• Shoal Bay Resort & Spa

Discover Port Stephens best holiday parks, caravan and camp sites.

• Birubi Beach Holiday Park
• Fingal Bay Holiday Park
• Koala Shores Holiday Park
• Shoal Bay Holiday Park
• Thou Walla Sunset Retreat

Explore a world of beautiful destinations in Port Stephens.

• Lemon Tree Passage
• Salamander Bay
• Soldiers Point
• Tanilba Bay

Explore the stunning beaches at Port Stephens.

• Birubi Beach
• Dutchmans Beach
• Fingal Bay Beach
• Kingsley Beach
• One Mile Beach
• Samurai Beach
• Shoal Bay Beach
• Stockton Beach
• Wreck Beach
• Zenith Beach

Enjoy a wide range of things to do at Port Stephens.

• Adventure Activities
• Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
• Port Stephens Lighthouse
• Ship Wrecks
• Parasailing at Port Stephens
• Surfing at Port Stephens
• Port Stephens Boat Hire
• Toboggan Hill Park
• Nature Walks and Hiking
• Port Stephens Clubs
• Port Stephens Golf Courses
• Dolphin Watching
• Whale Watching
• Gan Gan Lookout
• Camel Riding Tours

Dolphin Cruise, Nelson Bay Watch dolphins in Port Stephens blue waters.

Nelson Bay is the perfect place in Australia to observe dolphins in the wild. There are a full range of daily dolphin cruises, available from Nelson Bay at Port Stephens, including dolphin watching trips.

Experience a dolphin watching tour just two and a half hours drive north of Sydney, and discover the diverse and unspoiled marine life at Port Stephens.

Port Stephens is home to around 165 bottlenose dolphins, which live in the Port itself. If you are lucky you can view them from the shore or hire a boat. Alternatively, join a tour which takes you around the Port dolphin watching.

Best Dolphin Watching in Port Stephens

Port Stephens has grown to be a great dolphin watching destination, these are some of the best dolphin watching tours in Nelson Bay:

• Moonshadow – TQC Cruises
• AquaMarine Port Stephens
• Imagine Cruises
• Port Stephens Ferry Service
• Dolphin Swim Australia

All operate from d’Albora Marina, Teramby Road, Nelson Bay, 2315.

Dolphin Watching in Nelson Bay

The ecological balance in the bay is perfect for dolphins so you are almost guaranteed to see, and even swim with them if you take a cruise on one of the Nelson Bay based boats. Unsurprisingly, this area is known as the Dolphin capital of Australia and between 150 and 200 bottlenose dolphins live in the water off Nelson Bay and Port Stephens.

Feel the thrill of being up close to the wild dolphins of Port Stephens, home to over 150 bottlenose dolphins.

Dolphins have the most complex behaviour in the animal world and are extremely intelligent animals. These factors make dolphins a marvel to watch.

Map of Port Stephens

Explore more with our Port Stephens map and find your way around Australia’s famous blue water paradise. Zoom in on the map to discover more.

Beautiful Bays

Fingal Bay Fingal Bay has a magnificent beach with an infamous walk across "the spit" to view the burnt out ruins of the outer lighthouse residence.

Nelson Bay Nelson Bay, a coastal resort town just inside the mouth of Port Stephens, treads a sensible line between tourism and charm.

Shoal Bay Shoal Bay offers the very best of Port Stephens, beautiful scenery and nature, and a wide range of activities to entertain all visitors.

Australia's blue water paradise

More great australian travel destinations.

• Great Barrier Reef
• Uluru Australia
• Kangaroo Island
• Hunter Valley
• Kimberley Australia
• Cable Beach
• Wiki Australia
• Great Ocean Road
• Australia's Best Beaches
• Aussie Hotel Bookings
• Blue Mountains
• Fraser Island
• Lord Howe Island

About 'Port Stephens Australia'

Port Stephens Australia is a 'Web Magazine' website that is dedicated to all things related to the Port Stephens region. We are passionate about Australia's blue water paradise, its beautiful sandy beach, warm clear waters and the unforgetable experiences that are waiting for all who visit. Our aim is to discuss Port Stephens, its history, its environment, its wildlife and its spectacular destinations. We hope that this website will inspire all who visit, just as much as Port Stephens has inspired us.

Travel web design

Travel and tourism website design by Jimmyweb Sydney website design by Jimmyweb Blue Mountains website design by iVent

DEDICATED TO THE PROTECTION OF

Dolphins & whales, hi nature lovers.

Join us on our 3-hour Whale & Dolphin Watch Eco Sailing Cruise. Whales, dolphins, seabirds and seals are all the stars of the show. A great chance for you to have an amazing wildlife interaction plus take some really excellent pics!

Help us care for our marine environment. We are dedicated to the protection and interpretation of Dolphins and Whales and $1 from every Dolphin Watch booking is donated to the Marine Parks Association for important research projects that help sustain our pristine marine environment.

Whale season begins in early May and runs until the end of October.

Remember, if you have a special event coming up, maybe a big birthday or anniversary, we can work with you to create a memorable Private Charter or Whale Watch. Please fill in the Hub Spot Charter inquiry form or contact us directly on +61 2 4984 9000

Capt. Frank Future

Capt. Frank Future Manager

IMAGINE CRUISES

Imagine cruises is committed to helping you experience the best of what port stephens has to offer within the largest and most scenic marine park in nsw. our dedication to the protection of dolphins and whales enables us to tailor a unique style of cruise, combining our love for the environment with the natural beauty of port stephens., view our other cruises.

WHALES: MAY – NOV

DOLPHINS: NOV – APRIL

SNORKEL: DEC – MAR

Shop 7 The Cascade Walk 6 Stockton Street Nelson Bay 2315

Phone: +61 (0)2 4984 9000 Email: [email protected]

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Moonshadow - TQC Cruises

With a variety of cruises on offer by Moonshadow-TQC Cruises, there is a cruise available to suit everybody.

With the longest history and largest boats in Port Stephens Moonshadow-TQC Cruises has operated as a family-owned business for over 40 years.

MOONSHADOW-TQC CRUISE TIMES:

DOLPHIN WATCH CRUISES DAILY - 10.30am and 1.30pm. Choose from our Dolphin Discovery Cruise, Splash 'n' Slide Cruise or Dolphin Watch Eco Adventure.

WHALE WATCH CRUISES (BETWEEN MAY & NOVEMBER) - 10am & 1.30pm. Over 40,000 whales pass our shores during the annual whale migration, and the best way to see them is with Moonshadow-TQC. 

BROUGHTON ISLAND CRUISE: with bonus dolphin watch from December - April; Departs 10am Sundays plus Wednesday during NSW School Holidays.  If you are looking for a full day of cruising, snorkelling, swimming, exploring and eating, you can't go past the Broughton Island National Park Cruise.

NEW YEARS EVE FAMILY FIREWORKS CRUISE - 31 December - The best vantage points for the end of Year fireworks at Nelson Bay. 

Cruises DEPART from various locations from d'Albora Marina, Nelson Bay OR Cruise Passenger Terminal, 40 Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay.

Should a cruise not operate for any reason passengers will be offered an alternative day of travel or a refund will be authorised.

Tentative bookings are held for 7 days unless otherwise advised.

At the time of booking a cruise, you must pay for it in full.

Standard Cruises

• 100% cancellation charge within 24 hours of departure time
• A travel voucher or refund with more than 24 hours' notice

Pre-booked catered cruises

• 50% cancellation charge within 48 hours of departure time
• A travel voucher or refund with more than 48 hours' notice

A fee of $10 may be charged to cover administration costs for any booking amendments.

d'Albora Marinas, Teramby Road, Nelson Bay and Cruise Passenger Wharf Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay

Cancellation Policy

Dolphin Watching & Sailing Cruise - Nelson Bay, Port Stephens

Go dolphin spotting on a sailing cruise around Nelson Bay, Port Stephens - the perfect place in Australia to observe dolphins in the wild and home to around 150 bottlenose dolphins.

Description

• Get out on the water for an exciting sailing adventure around Nelson bay
• Look out for the abundance of bottlenose dolphins in the area
• Enjoy a dry bow-net or a wet and wild boom net ride
• This is a seasonal experience available from November to April only

Discover the huge bottlenose dolphin population off the coast of Port Stephens on this exciting sailing cruise around Nelson Bay. For 1.5 hours you’ll explore the beautiful waterways, looking out for dolphins and riding in the bow-net or boom-net if you’re up for it.

Just north of Sydney, Port Stephens is home to a large population of migrating dolphins and other marine life between November and April each year. Head out on board a comfortable 52 foot sailing catamaran with a spacious deck for dolphin watching and 360-degree views. You can stay dry and watch from the deck or in the bow-net, or bring your swimwear and jump into the boom-net and hold on tight for a wild ride.

This is an exciting opportunity to get close to the dolphins, and this cruise runs with a 99% dolphin sighting success rate plus a guarantee. If conditions allow, you’ll hoist the sails for your way back to the marina to wrap up your adventure. This experience is part of our Low-Footprint Adventures range because it is ECO certified by Ecotourism Australia.

Experience Details

What to bring/wear.

• Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to ride on the boom net
• It's recommended that you speak to your pharmacist about preventative measures for seasickness before you board as crew cannot provide medication
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Adrenaline confirmation email

What is Supplied

• One and a half hour sailing cruise
• 360 degree viewing
• Friendly and knowledgeable crew
• Dry "Bow-Net" and wet "Boom Net"
• Complimentary tea and coffee
• Licensed bar
• Dolphin Guarantee (Free Return)

More Information

• Please note: this is a seasonal experience available from November to April only
• This experience is subject to sea conditions and minimum numbers

Cancellation Policy

• Change your booking up to 24 hours before the start time of your experience
• Changes are not permitted within 24 hours of your experience
• Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience

  Available Dates

Nelson Bay (Port Stephens)

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Get up close and personal with our Whales onboard Envision | Departing daily at 11am & 1:30pm

Dolphin Watch Express

360° viewing opportunities to see our resident Bottlenose Dolphins!

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 60 minutes
• User Ages: All ages
• Cruise Ship Location: 'Envision' departs from Dock C, d'Albora Marina, Teramby Rd, Nelson Bay. Look for the RED boat at the start of Dock C
• Clock Times: Departs daily at 2:00pm during November - April
• Info Note: Boarding commences 15 minutes prior to departure

With Valid ID

Private charter, up to 14 guests. please call the office if you have extra passengers, experience our beautiful bay.

Port Stephens has over 100 resident Dolphins that live in the Bay….on our crowd-free ‘Dolphin Watch Express’ we’ll spend time getting to know these friendly ‘locals’.

‘Envision’ moves through the water quickly, but safely and smoothly – you’ll want your camera handy as we cruise along beautiful Shoal Bay, past our iconic Headlands and across to ‘Dolphin hot-spot Jimmy’s Beach.

Relaxed – Personalised – Crowd-Free!

• Chat with our Friendly & Knowledgeable Crew
• Enjoy 360° viewing
• Hear some Interesting & Informative Commentary
• Baby prams, strollers are not permitted onboard the vessel

Private Charter Option

Enjoy the freedom of having your own private Dolphin Watch Express cruise onboard ‘Envision’ with your group or family. Get in quick to secure your preferred date and time.

• Pricing includes charter for up to 14 passengers. Please contact the office if you have more than 14 (4+ years old ONLY)
• Selected date and time upon availability
• Cancellation policy applies and lead guest must abide by terms and conditions of the cruise
• Chevron down What to bring

It is ALWAYS colder out on the ocean – please wear warm, comfortable clothing and bring a jacket. Don’t forget your camera!

Related Activities

• Most Popular!
• June - November
• Hour Glass 90 minutes

Whale Watch Express

The Whales are Here! – Cruising Daily at 9am, 11:am & 1:30pm

Cruise with us, onboard ‘Envision’ – head straight out to the Whales, less travelling time, more time with these awesome animals!

• Hour Glass 3.5 hours

Fingal Island Eco-Walk & Lighthouse Tour

Climb the spiral staircase to the top of unique Point Stephens Lighthouse – your Guide will share stories about its origin and history as you step out onto the balcony and take in the spectacular view!

• Hour Glass 3 - 3.5 Hours

Port Stephens Island Snorkelling Adventure

Explore the underwater world at one of Port Stephens’ best Snorkelling locations!

Our pristine Marine Park is home to lots of fun and fabulous creatures – and we always meet a few of them on our way to one of the outer island off Port Stephens!

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Port Stephens Dolphin Watching cruises

Let's Meet The Resident Dolphins Of Port Stephens

If you swing by Nelson Bay in Port Stephens anytime of the year, you're in for a real treat – a sneak peek into the entrancing world of the bottlenose dolphins.

Posted on Dec 12, 2023

Wassup in Port Stephens? Sunnyside, Surf, SUP & So On!

Arthur Morgan-style horse riding on the beach, sandboarding down gigantic sand dunes, cruising alongside breaching humpbacks, and surfing in style at sunset – Port Stephens is all about those exotic coastal vibes.

Posted on Nov 23, 2023

Port Stephens: Home To Beautiful Beaches & Bubbly Dolphins

Welcome to Port Stephens, fellow sunshine seekers, adventurers, and beach bums! If you are any of the above, we can already tell you that this little slice of coastal heaven in New South Wales.

Posted on Nov 02, 2023

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Port Stephens Dolphin-Watching Cruise

Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

Activity Level

Excursion Type

Wheelchair Accessible

Starting At

Minimum Age

Information Not Currently Available

Approximately 6 Hours

Meals Included

Meals not included

Port Stephens, on Nelson Bay, is widely regarded as the dolphin capital of eastern Australia . Its inner harbor is home to a resident population of 165 bottlenose dolphins . Take a boat cruise to view the Nelson Bay dolphins and other residents, such as sea turtles and pelicans. The boat features three open observation decks offering 360-degree views.

Tea and coffee are served on board.

On the return journey, it's fun-time. A boom net is lowered into the water, and you can ride in the vessel's wake, sliding down the slide into the net below.

Back at the harbor, enjoy free time to explore the nearby maritime precinct, with a kids' playground, souvenir shops and waterfront restaurants.

Notes: Tour does not operate on holidays. Wear your swimsuit under your clothing; bring a towel, reef-safe/biodegradable sunscreen, light clothing to act as a full cover-up for further protection from the sun, and a hat. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed.

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Tours & Activities in Nelson Bay

Book your Tours & Activities with Bay Booking Office

Dolphin Watching

Port Stephens is home to over 160 resident Bottlenose dolphins and that’s why we call ourselves the Dolphin Capital of Australia!

Moonshadow TQC

Dolphin Watch & Eco Adventure

New Cruise – Exclusive to the Sep/Oct holidays

1.5hr Dolphin Watch

Dolphin Watching Cruises Nelson Bay, Port Stephens

The above times are subject to change – press the check availability button to see the schedule for your preferred date.

See our Dolphin Watching  FAQ’s  for more information about these fun-loving creatures!

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WELCOME TO Port Stephens

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Visit the whales on the Port Stephens Humpback Highway | Cruise Operating Daily at 10am & 1:30pm

Whale Watching Cruises

Come and see why Port Stephens is known as one of the best Whale Watching destinations in Australia!

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 2.5-3 Hours
• Ticket Ages: All Ages
• Calendar Availability: 18th May to 3rd November 2024
• Clock Times: 10am & 1:30pm

Whale Watching

Nelson bay departures, ages 4-14 | an adult must be entered before children, senior/student, with valid id, ages 0-3 | an adult must be entered before infants, 2 adults + 2 children (ages 0-14), whale season | 18th may to 3rd november 2024.

Join Moonshadow TQC onboard our 2.5hr Whale Watching cruise venturing out to the ‘Humpback highway’ during the northern Whale migration during May-November. Onboard the Hinchinbrook Explorer or the MV Osprey, you will have amazing viewing opportunities to see our Whales.

You will never forget seeing the awesome bulk of a humpback whale, up to 18 metres long and weighing 40 tonnes! Being the most surface active of all the whales, it is possible that you will see spectacular displays – spy hops, pectoral slaps, body rolls and … the breathtaking breach.

Enjoy entertaining and informative commentary from your Captain. We also have the chance to see some Australian Fur Seals, Common & Bottlenose dolphins, and exploring some of our outer islands – multiple cruises for the price of one!

With great viewing decks (both inside and outside), you can be sure you are getting the best view of these friendly giants. A fully licensed bar is available on board for beverages, and snacks.

What to Bring

• Comfortable casual clothing & footwear
• Sunglasses, hat & sun cream are recommended
• Dress 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.

Stand-by vouchers will be issued at crew discretion if whales are not sighted on your cruise. Conditions apply.

• Chevron down Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise

2.5hr Whale watching Cruise. As the whales begin their northern migration along the Port Stephens coast line, join us in search for the first whales of the season.

Daily from Saturday 11th May 2024 – Friday 17th May 2024 (inclusive)

T&C’s | No further discounts, vouchers or promo codes apply to this cruise. Stand-by vouchers are not issued on this cruise.

Whale Sightings

Learn More »

Related Cruises & Charters

• NEW CRUISE - Exclusive to the Sept/Oct Holidays
• Hour Glass 1.5 Hours
• Ticket All Ages

Dolphin Watch & Eco Adventure

Journey Port Stephens harbour and outer islands while searching for our resident bottlenose Dolphins!

Join our 1.5hr Dolphin Watch & Eco Adventure with a high success rate in dolphin sightings, and entertaining commentary onboard the MV Osprey. Enjoy picturesque views of the harbour, and explore the outer islands of Port Stephens.

• Hour Glass 5 - 6.5 Hours

Historical Cruises

Historical Cruise Series guided by local Port Stephens legend, historian and author, John ‘Stinker’ Clarke

Discover the beauty and learn about the history of Broughton Island, or climb Point Stephens’ Lighthouse on our Fingal Island Historical Cruise, or learn about the fascinating Western Harbour of Port Stephens, with a cruise by local legend, John ‘Stinker’ Clarke!

• Ticket Ages 5+

Whale Watch Express

The Fast & Fun way to explore our Whales off Port Stephens!

Cruise onboard ‘Envision’, our eco-friendly 40ft vessel – straight out to the Whales, less travelling time, more time with these awesome animals. Enjoy your cruise on the smaller boat, lower numbers and 360 degree viewing allowing a better viewing experience.