Snorkeling Mornington Peninsula: Seals and Sea Dragons

Swim with over 100 resident seals at Chinaman's Hat, then drift above kelp forests hunting camouflaged Sea Dragons.

Snorkel for 2 hours in Port Phillip Bay off the Mornington Peninsula, swimming alongside playful Australian fur seals at Chinaman's Hat and searching for Weedy Sea Dragons in kelp gardens at a second site. The boat departs daily from Sorrento Pier. Wetsuits and all snorkelling equipment are included, along with lunch, hot drinks and a live guide in English. The activity suits swimmers with water confidence.

The experience

You board at Sorrento Pier and head out into Port Phillip Bay to Chinaman's Hat, a platform where over 100 resident Australian fur seals bask and gather. The seals here are curious about visitors: juvenile seals swim around the boat and interact with snorkelers in the shallow, calm water. While you're in the water, watch for Smooth Rays gliding across the sandy seabed below. This first site is where most of the seal encounters happen, and the water is sheltered enough that even less confident swimmers find it manageable.

The second stop takes you to a kelp forest where Weedy Sea Dragons, Victoria's iconic marine creature, drift camouflaged through the swaying plants. These are rare sightings. The dragons move slowly and blend into their surroundings, so spotting them takes patience and a careful eye. You'll drift above the garden rather than chase, letting the current carry you through their habitat. This is quieter than the seal site and rewards the kind of attention snorkelers who want something beyond the obvious come for.

Everything is supplied: wetsuits fitted to your size, snorkelling mask and fins, lunch and hot drinks served on the boat. A qualified naturalist guide is on board and offers optional presentations about the marine life you're seeing. The 2-hour window covers the boat ride, both snorkelling sites and the time spent in the water. The whole outing (marine park fees, taxes, everything) is priced into your ticket.

What’s included

• Wetsuits and all snorkelling equipment.
• lunch and hot drinks.
• a 2-hour guided snorkel across two sites.
• marine park fees and taxes.
• optional presentations from a qualified naturalist guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Wednesday and FridayDepartures at 11:00, 11:15 and 11:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 30

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Moonraker Dolphin Swims

Is this one for you?Book this if you're a confident swimmer looking for close wildlife encounters in a small group setting. The 2-hour window and two distinct sites (seals in shallow water, then sea dragons in kelp) pack variety into a single morning or afternoon without eating your whole day.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the Australian fur seals like at Chinaman's Hat?

Over 100 resident seals live at the platform, and juvenile seals regularly swim around the boat and interact with snorkelers in the shallow water. They're curious and playful, making close encounters common on most departures.

How hard is it to spot a Weedy Sea Dragon?

Weedy Sea Dragons are camouflaged and move slowly through kelp, so spotting them takes patience and a careful eye. The guide helps point them out, but they're not guaranteed on every trip: part of what makes finding one memorable when you do.

What's included in the snorkeling price?

Wetsuits, snorkelling equipment, lunch, hot drinks, marine park fees and a live guide in English are all included. You don't need to bring or pay for any gear.

Do I need to be an experienced swimmer?

The activity suits guests who can swim and have water confidence. The first site at Chinaman's Hat is in calm, shallow water, making it accessible for most swimmers. The second site in the kelp garden is deeper but still manageable for confident water users.

When does the boat leave Sorrento Pier?

Departures are daily from Sorrento Pier. Check the booking page for specific departure times, as they vary by season.