Byron Bay Cruises

Byron Bay cruises are river trips rather than ocean ferries: a sunset cruise on the Richmond River from Ballina, and a handful of Tweed River cruises near Tweed Heads, around 50 minutes north of Byron Bay. Pick by the time of day you want to be on the water and what you want to do while you're out there, because one lets you catch a crab and another puts a band on the deck.

Richmond River sunset cruise from Ballina

The Scenic River Cruise Ballina leaves Ballina Wharf at 5:30pm for sunset and runs about two hours through mangrove forest and creeks on the Richmond River. A marine biologist guides it, looking out for pelicans, eagles and dolphins, and the ticket includes two complimentary beer or wine, local snacks, spray jackets and water. A shuttle pickup is offered roughly 40 minutes before departure, and the cruise needs at least six passengers to run.

Tweed River lunch, sunset and wildlife cruises

The Tweed River and Rainforest Lunch Cruise is a three-hour trip through sugar cane country and sub-tropical rainforest, with morning tea, a grazing board and a bird-of-prey feeding. It's an all-weather tour that still operates in the rain, and the top deck has views toward Mount Warning.

The Tweed River Sunset Cruise with live music leaves from Tweed Marina for two hours with a local musician, a grazing box and an onboard bar. Check-in is 30 minutes before boarding.

Catch a crab cruises on the Tweed River

The Catch a Crab Cruise is hands-on: you trap crabs, pump for yabbies and hand feed pelicans, all with equipment and bait supplied, then watch an oyster presentation at an oyster farm. It takes about 2.5 hours. The Catch a Crab Cruise with Seafood Platter Lunch adds a seafood platter of crab, fish, chips and salad at a lakeside restaurant, making it 3.5 hours in all. Both are listed as suitable for all ages.

Choosing a river cruise near Byron Bay

For golden-hour photos with a drink in hand, pick Ballina or the Tweed sunset cruise. For a long relaxed lunch, take the rainforest cruise. For kids who'd rather get their hands dirty, the crab cruise wins. If you're after open ocean, Byron Bay whale watching runs from May to November, and Byron Bay water sports covers snorkelling and kayaking.

Frequently asked questions

Do cruises leave from Byron Bay itself?

The river cruises on this page leave from Ballina Wharf on the Richmond River and on the Tweed River near Tweed Heads, which is about 50 minutes from Byron Bay.

What time does the Ballina sunset river cruise leave?

The Scenic River Cruise Ballina departs regularly at 5:30pm for sunset, with a shuttle pickup roughly 40 minutes earlier. The cruise needs at least six passengers to operate.

Does the Tweed River lunch cruise run in the rain?

Yes. The Tweed River and Rainforest Lunch Cruise is an all-weather tour that still operates when it rains, though it needs a minimum of 15 passengers to run.

Are the Catch a Crab cruises suitable for kids?

Yes. Both Catch a Crab cruises on the Tweed River are listed as suitable for all ages, and children under 3 can travel free of charge.

Local tip: Sunset cruise departure times shift with the season, so look at the time on your booking before you plan dinner.

Choose a sunset, a lunch or a crab pot, and book your Byron Bay cruise. All good days are waiting.