Snorkeling with Dolphins and Seals: Mornington Peninsula

The dolphins decide whether they swim with you, and most of the time, they do.

Snorkel with wild bottlenose dolphins and Australian fur seals in Port Phillip Bay from Mornington Peninsula's Sorrento Pier, with a guide, lunch and full wetsuit included. You start in the shallow seal waters, then wait in small groups of ten for the resident dolphins to approach. If they don't appear, you return free within 30 days. The whole experience runs three hours.

The experience

You meet at Sorrento Pier, collect your snorkelling equipment and wetsuit, and board the boat for a cruise into Port Phillip Bay. The guide walks you through how everything works and what to expect. The first stop is the shallow seal waters, where you'll come face to face with fur seals of all ages and sizes: curious animals that often swim right up to you. After you're back onboard, lunch and refreshments refuel you for what comes next.

Once the dolphins are located, the guide observes their behaviour and position before the boat approaches the pod. You slip into the water in a small group of ten, floating on the surface and waiting. When the dolphins' squeaks and whistles get louder, that's the sign they're about to join you. Each encounter is totally different: sometimes they'll circle and swim around you for as long as you're in the water. Other times they'll glide past for a look and keep going. The guide keeps you in the water as long as possible while making sure the dolphins' natural behaviour stays undisturbed.

The bottlenose dolphins are resident to Port Phillip Bay year-round, so sightings are common, but not guaranteed. If you don't see them on the day you book, you're welcome to return for free anytime within 30 days. A qualified naturalist is available to give optional presentations during the cruise if you want to know more about what you're seeing.

What’s included

• Snorkelling equipment and full-length wetsuit.
• lunch and refreshments onboard.
• live guide instruction in English.
• optional naturalist presentations about the wildlife.
• dolphin guarantee allowing a free return visit within 30 days if dolphins aren't sighted.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 13:30

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 nearby

Operated by Moonraker Dolphin Swims

Is this one for you?Three hours is long enough to reach both the seals and the dolphins, but short enough to fit into the rest of a Mornington Peninsula day without eating up the whole afternoon. If you're visiting the peninsula for a single day and want one major wildlife activity, this fills that slot without forcing you to choose between the seals or the dolphins.

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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.

Can I snorkel with the dolphins if I've never done it before?

Yes. The guide walks you through the snorkelling basics on the boat before you enter the water, and you'll be floating on the surface rather than diving. The activity suits all physical fitness levels, and the full-length wetsuit is provided.

What happens if the dolphins don't show up?

Moonraker offers a dolphin guarantee: if you don't see dolphins on your cruise, you can return for free anytime within 30 days. You'll still snorkel with the fur seals and enjoy lunch during the three-hour outing.

How long does the whole thing take?

The experience runs three hours from when you board at Sorrento Pier, including the seal snorkel, lunch onboard, and the dolphin encounter.

What's included in the price?

Snorkelling equipment, a full-length wetsuit, lunch and refreshments are all included. A live guide in English leads the experience and provides instruction on the water.