Maria Island & Ile Des Phoques: Cruise, Seals & Convict Walk

Summary

Seals basking on rocks, convict tales echoing through Maria Island’s wild coast

You’ll cruise past wild cliffs and into hidden sea caves near Ile Des Phoques, watch fur seals up close with marine scientists guiding you, then share lunch with Tasmanian wine before walking through Maria Island’s convict past — all with pickup from Hobart if you want it. It’s not just scenery; it’s stories and salt air that stick with you.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it feels like to sip coffee while a bunch of fur seals laze just meters away? I didn’t either, until we were bobbing off Ile Des Phoques — that’s “Island of Seals” if your French is as rusty as mine. The boat left Triabunna (it’s about 75 minutes from Hobart — we took their shuttle, which saved us the car rental headache), and the water was that cold, glassy blue you only get in Tasmania. Our guide, Ben, pointed out albatross gliding above and told us how these seals nearly vanished two centuries ago. He had this way of making even old bones sound urgent.

I still remember the smell of salt and something almost herbal coming off the cliffs as we drifted into these massive granite caves — apparently the biggest sea caves in Australia. The engine went quiet for a bit and all you could hear was water echoing around stone. Morning tea tasted better than it had any right to with all those seals staring back at us (I swear one winked). After that, we cruised over to Maria Island itself for lunch — salad bowls with smoked salmon for me, plus a glass of Tassie wine that made me wish I’d brought a second stomach. There was this sandy beach right there beside us; some folks actually went for a swim but I chickened out. Water felt like it could freeze your toes off.

The afternoon walk around Darlington was slower, more thoughtful somehow. Our guide (Li) told stories about convicts who built half the place — she even showed us where wombats like to nap in the sun near old stone walls. I tried to say “wombat” in Mandarin; Li laughed so hard she nearly dropped her map. There were kangaroos too, just hopping along like they owned the island. You could wander off if you wanted or stick with the group for more history — nobody rushed you. Honestly, by the time we got back on the boat I felt both lighter and heavier at once. Still not sure how that works.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cruise and walk on Maria Island

• Depart from Triabunna at 9:00am
• View albatross, dolphins, seals, whales
• Visit Ile Des Phoques and watch fur seals
• Enjoy morning tea with seals
• Explore giant Rainbow Caves by boat
• Cruise to Maria Island for lunch
• Dock at Maria Island jetty
• Guided walk of Darlington convict settlement
• See wombats and kangaroos on island
• Return cruise to Triabunna by 4:30pm

Top questions

How long is the Maria Island & Ile Des Phoques day tour?

The tour lasts about 7.5 hours including a 4-hour cruise and 2 hours on Maria Island.

Is hotel pickup from Hobart included?

Yes, shuttle bus transfers from Hobart are available if you choose the Tour + Bus option when booking.

What animals can I see during this cruise?

You may see Australian fur seals, dolphins, albatross, wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, eagles and whales during migration season.

Is lunch provided on board?

Yes, lunch is included with options like smoked salmon or chicken salad bowls plus local wine or soft drinks.

Are guided walks part of the tour?

Yes, there’s a guided walk through Darlington’s convict settlement on Maria Island led by local guides.

Can children join this tour?

Yes, it’s suitable for families and children; infants can ride in prams or strollers.

What happens if weather is bad?

If weather prevents visiting Ile Des Phoques, the cruise will circle Maria Island instead.

Are seasickness remedies available?

Yes, tablets and wristbands are provided onboard if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes shuttle bus pickup from Hobart if needed (just select Tour + Bus), a four-hour scenic cruise around Ile Des Phoques and Maria Island led by marine scientists, seal viewing up close from the boat, morning tea and snacks with coffee or tea onboard, lunch featuring fresh salads and Tasmanian wines beside a white sand beach, entry fees for Maria Island National Park covered already, plus a relaxed guided walk through Darlington’s preserved convict buildings before heading back in comfort at sunset.