Port Stephens Dolphin Discovery Cruise: Boom-Net Swim

Watch wild dolphins from the deck, then float in the boom net between sightings

A 1.5-hour afternoon dolphin-watching cruise in Port Stephens puts you on the water with a live guide to spot wild bottlenose dolphins and learn about their behavior. The boat stays in the best sighting areas and passes the Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands. Boom-net rides are included. You can take a dip or float in the net while the crew watches for dolphins. Bring swim gear if you want to use it. The experience works just as well from the deck.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dolphin Discovery Cruise Experience

• Show ticket at vessel boarding
• Board Moonshadow V vessel
• Join 1.5-hour dolphin cruise
• Learn about bottlenose dolphins
• Enjoy views of headlands
• Swim or ride boom net
• Return to departure dock

The experience

You show your ticket at the dock and board the Moonshadow V, a vessel built for small groups. The 1.5-hour cruise heads straight to the spots where bottlenose dolphins feed and play in Port Stephens. Your guide talks through what you're seeing (how the dolphins move, what they're doing, why they're here), so the sightings make sense instead of just happening. The boat holds position when dolphins surface nearby, giving you time to watch instead of chasing them.

The Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands frame the water as you cruise, and the guide points out what's worth noticing about the landscape too. If you've brought swim gear, you can climb into the boom net (a rope net that hangs over the water), and float there between sightings. It's included in the ticket, and the crew handles the logistics. You just decide whether you want to use it. Some people stay on deck the whole time and that's fine. The boat returns to the same dock you left from, so there's no second pickup or transfer to arrange.

The cruise runs in all weather, so dress for the conditions: warmer layers in winter, sunscreen and a hat in summer. If you're prone to seasickness, the operator recommends consulting a pharmacist before you go. The water in Port Stephens can move. Children must have an adult with them, and collapsible strollers are allowed in the main cabin if you're traveling with a baby, though they can't go to other areas of the vessel.

What’s included

• All taxes, fees and handling charges.
• boom-net rides and the option to swim or float in the net between sightings.
• a live guide in English who explains the dolphins and the headlands as you cruise.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:30 and 13:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (15 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 250

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Moonshadow - TQC Cruises

Is this one for you?The 1.5-hour afternoon slot works for a free afternoon or a first visit to Port Stephens. You're on the water watching wild dolphins instead of planning a longer day trip, and the boom net is there if you want to cool off, but you can skip it and stay dry the whole time.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years); Infant (under 4).

What time does the Port Stephens dolphin cruise leave and how long does it take?

The Dolphin Discovery Cruise is an afternoon departure that runs for 1.5 hours total, including the journey to the sighting areas and back to the dock.

Will I definitely see dolphins on this cruise?

The cruise goes to the best spots in Port Stephens where wild bottlenose dolphins feed, and your guide will explain what you're seeing, but dolphin sightings depend on where the animals are that day: the boat positions itself in the areas they frequent most.

What is the boom net and do I have to use it?

The boom net is a rope net that hangs over the water from the side of the boat. It's included in your ticket and you can float in it for a swim or a dip between dolphin sightings, but using it is optional. You can stay on deck the whole time if you prefer.

What should I bring for this cruise?

Bring comfortable casual clothing, footwear, sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen. If you want to use the boom net, bring swim gear: the operator recommends a camera as well to capture the dolphins and headlands.

How do I get to the dock and is there parking?

Public transportation options are available near the departure point. Parking is available at the waterfront, though a parking fee applies and is not included in the cruise ticket.