About the Trip

Our eco-cruise travels along the coastline of the Tasman National Park between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck. A major highlight of the voyage is the huge variety of wildlife - on land, sea and air - and the magnificent scenery of Tasman Island and Cape Pillar, where the highest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere tower into the sky.

Tasman Island is one of the great landmarks of the Southern Ocean - its slender white lighthouse is still a beacon for seafarers entering Storm Bay. Few places on Earth have such a rich variety of marine wildlife and seabirds. The Continental Shelf runs close to Tasman Island and an upwelling of nutrients from the ocean's depths creates a smorgasbord for all the creatures in the complex food chain of the sea, from plankton to great white sharks.

So much is happening out there, every day of the year. Who knows what you'll see on your cruise? Close encounters with wildlife are common:

• We guarantee sightings of seals at the extensive seal haul-outs at Tasman Island and Cathedral Rock
• From September to December and again between April and May, you may observe migrating humpback or southern right whales
• In late summer, we often see great rafts of shearwaters in their tens of thousands
• At any time of the year, you're likely to see the feeding frenzy of diving gannets, albatrosses and see eagles wheeling on the wind, cliff-nesting peregrine falcons and playful dolphins surfing in the bow wave of the boat.

 

We are the only operator able to tailor our trip to suit the weather conditions.

We decide each day which direction to cruise depending on the wind and the sea. Our main departure point is from Port Arthur, site of our booking centre and car park. Most of our eco-cruises start at Port Arthur and finish at the finishing port of Eaglehawk Neck, in a sheltered corner of Pirates Bay. From there a 20 minute coach trip takes you back to Port Arthur, past the location of the infamous Dog Line across the narrow isthmus. But if weather conditions dictate, we can travel by coach from Port Arthur to Eaglehawk Neck and cruise in the opposite direction; or we can make a return cruise from either location to Tasman Island and back.

 

Essential Info

When?
December to May: Cruises operate daily departing 10am and 2pm.
June to November: Cruises operate daily departing 10am.
Tours run daily all year round except Christmas Day.

For tours departing 10am, please meet at our booking office at 9.15am.
For tours departing 2pm, please meet at our booking office at 2pm.

Where?
Cruises depart daily from our booking office at Port Arthur.

How Much?
Adults $100
Children $55 (aged 3-16)
Family $300 (2 adults and up to 3 children)
Children under 3 years travel free

Getting There

Your Own Car
You can make your own way by car to our booking office near the entrance to the Port Arthur Historic Site.
There is parking available at our booking office.

Let Us Take You
Better still, save petrol and come aboard our Full Day Tour from Hobart. Meals, all transport and entry to the Port Arthur Historic Site are all included in your fare. And if you start your adventure with us in Hobart, you're adding four more hours of guided travel experience to your day.
More information available here.

Things You Need to Know

So we can ensure that all things go to plan in regards to your day with us, please ensure you have read and are familiar with the information on the "Things You Need To Know" page. If you haven't read these yet, please click here.