Port Stephens Cruises

Port Stephens cruises leave from the Nelson Bay marinas and mostly go looking for the bay's resident bottlenose dolphins, from a sailing catamaran, a fast cat or a two-level boat with a boom net. In winter the same harbour becomes a whale watching base, and there's an evening cruise for sunset.

Dolphin cruises in Port Stephens, from calm to splashy

For a quieter look, the Dolphin Watch Express Cruise runs about an hour aboard 'Envision', with 360-degree viewing and limited passenger numbers. It cruises past Shoal Bay and the headlands to Jimmy's Beach, a known dolphin hot spot, and operates from November to April.

The Dolphin Watching and Sailing Cruise spends 1.5 hours on 'Imagine', a 52-foot sailing catamaran, with a dry bow-net or a wet boom net ride and a free return if you don't see dolphins. It also runs November to April.

For more action, Moonshadow's Dolphin Discovery Cruise runs 90 minutes past the Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands with a boom net, multi-level viewing decks and a licensed bar. The Splash and Slide Dolphin Cruise stretches to two hours, with a slide and swim stop where you drop anchor.

Whale watching cruises out of Nelson Bay

The Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise runs three hours from mid May to early November, looking for humpback whales, with southern fur seals and dolphins on the way. The Whale Watching Express Cruise is a 90-minute run on the 40-foot fast cat 'Envision' from June to November, and it comes with a whale sighting guarantee, which is a free return voucher if none are spotted. Our whale watching page compares the two.

Snorkel sail and sunset cruises

The Marine Discovery Cruise with Snorkelling is a 3.5-hour sail from November to April that finds the bay's bottlenose dolphins first, then anchors at a sheltered cove off Cabbage Tree or Fingal Island for a guided snorkel with soft coral, rays and fish. Snorkel gear is included, and the sails go up on the way back when conditions allow.

The Sunset on the Bay Cruise is a two-hour evening trip out of Nelson Bay, on multi-level viewing decks with live commentary from the captain. A licensed bar and kitchen mean you can buy food and drinks onboard.

Where the Port Stephens cruises depart

Nelson Bay has three boarding points, so check yours before you head to the water.

• Dock C, d'Albora Marina, Teramby Road: the dolphin watch, sailing, marine discovery and whale watching cruises.
• d'Albora Nelson Bay Marina, 6 Teramby Road: the Dolphin Discovery and sunset cruises.
• Wharf 1, Cruise Passenger Terminal, 40 Victoria Parade: the Splash and Slide Dolphin Cruise.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time for dolphin cruises in Port Stephens?

The Dolphin Watch Express Cruise, the Dolphin Watching and Sailing Cruise and the Marine Discovery Cruise with Snorkelling all run from November to April. More than 100 resident bottlenose dolphins live in the bay.

Do I get wet on a Port Stephens boom net?

On the wet boom net, yes. Bring swimmers and a towel if you plan to ride it, and you must be able to swim to take part in the Dolphin Watching and Sailing Cruise.

Can I buy food and drinks on a Port Stephens cruise?

On the Sunset on the Bay Cruise, yes, with a fully licensed bar and kitchen onboard. The Dolphin Discovery Cruise has a licensed bar and snacks, and the Dolphin Watching and Sailing Cruise has a licensed bar plus complimentary tea and coffee.

What happens if I don't see whales on a Port Stephens cruise?

The Whale Watching Express Cruise has a whale sighting guarantee, which gives you a free return voucher if no whales are sighted.

Is seasickness medication provided on Port Stephens cruises?

On the Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise and the Marine Discovery Cruise, complimentary sea sickness tablets are available onboard. On the Dolphin Watching and Sailing Cruise the crew can't provide medication, so speak to your pharmacist beforehand.

Local tip: Dolphin cruises run November to April and whale cruises run mid May to early November, so between them there's something on the water for most of the year.

Choose your Port Stephens cruise above, from the dolphin boom net to the humpbacks to the sunset sail. All good days are waiting.