Dolphin-Watching Cruise: Spot Wild Bottlenose Dolphins

Enjoy a 1.5-hour afternoon dolphin-watching cruise that takes you directly to the best spots for sightings of wild bottlenose dolphins. Learn about the playful creatures from your onboard guide and enjoy fantastic views of the Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands as well. Bring your swim gear as there are opportunities to take a dip or ride in the boom net.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Moonshadow-TQC Cruises - Discover why Port Stephens is known as Australia’s Dolphin Capital.
    This cruise boasts a high success rate for dolphin sightings, thrilling boomnet rides, engaging and informative commentary, and a scenic harbour tour featuring the stunning Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands.
    Guests have a unique chance to observe the playful…
What's Included
  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Boom-net Rides
What's Not Included
  • The listed price does not include parking fee applicable along with waterfront
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transportation to/from attractions
  • Towels & swimming costume for use in the boom-net
  • Lunch
Additional Information
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Due to the nature of this tour and the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
  • Please note we do not run on…
Location
Moonshadow-TQC Cruises Boarding
Boarding commences 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure time. To avoid the risk of missing the cruise during peak times; please allow extra 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.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(377 Ratings)
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Daydream31641804671
Nov 11, 2025
Wonderful day out - We enjoyed our morning trip out and had lovely sunny weather. We were so lucky to see lots of Bottlenose Dolphins. When we are in Port Stephens, we always book a trip with Moonshadow Cruises. Friendly and helpful staff.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emmaaz6490tm
Oct 26, 2025
Amazing experience - Had an amazing time on this cruise. Josh was informative, entertaining and we saw so many dolphins. Would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a dolphin cruise and also a great informative look around the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rebecca_o
Oct 26, 2025
Amazing! - Amazing ! We saw lots of dolphins. Family friendly and lots of fun. Friendly staff and beautiful scenery
Review provided by Viator
Annettehg7032bh
Oct 22, 2025
Brilliant experience. - The Dolphin Discovery Cruise was everything it promised, the commentary, the boat, the staff and, of course, the dolphins. We saw plenty of dolphins and to top it all off was the opportunity to go through the slippery dip onto the boom net. It also gave us all an amazing tour of a glorious part of Port Stephens. Highly recommend and thank you Moonshadow Cruises.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Becmurray83
Oct 15, 2025
10/10 and a must do when visiting this area - Absolutely fantastic and highly recommend to all families. Staff 10/10. We were also lucky enough to see dolphins and whales on this cruise.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stacey_m
Sep 16, 2025
Dolphin sightings - Friendly staff, great captain, interesting commentary, we were lucky enough to see a small sighting of playful dolphins
Review provided by Viator
Stacey_e
Sep 14, 2025
Nice cruise. - Nice cruise very relaxed and yes we did see dolphins. Full bar and food available. Friendly crew and comfortable.
Review provided by Viator
Davidbg8045nl
Sep 6, 2025
Dolphin Cruise - Enjoyable - Excellent and friendly service on a comfortable cruise. Weather not perfect but comfortably able to go inside and out. Good price for a pensioner - thanks
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yosepk221
Sep 28, 2025
Excellent experience for family - Excellent experience, and beyond expectations. very well informed crew, know the best spot, and the most of all my family has lots of fun.... dolphin watch is fun, and the best is the boom net....
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christa
Oct 5, 2025
Cost effective but crowded - The experience was enjoyable, but you get what you pay for, this is obviously a more cost effective option, which meant there were significantly more people on the boat than some of the other cruises may have, it meant that it was hard to get a view of the dolphins at some points.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $27
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).