Sorrento wildlife cruise: Seals, dolphins, gannets

Fur seals, gannets and cliff-top homes from the water

A 1.5-hour guided wildlife cruise from Sorrento Pier through Port Phillip Bay, aboard a purpose-built boat with open decks and a covered lounge. You'll see Australian fur seals and Australasian gannets in their colony, watch for resident bottlenose dolphins, and cruise past the coloured boat sheds and clifftop homes of Portsea. A qualified local guide leads the tour. Hot drinks and snacks are included.

The experience

The boat departs from the end of Sorrento Pier, where your crew meets you at the dock. The vessel is custom-built for this stretch of Port Phillip Bay, with large open deck spaces so you can move around freely, a covered lounge area for shelter, an onboard café and bathrooms. You'll find your seat and settle in with a free hot drink (tea, coffee or hot chocolate) before the 1.5-hour cruise begins.

The route takes you past Australian fur seals resting and playing in the water, then to the Australasian gannets and seabird colony. Your guide, a trained local interpreter, points out the wildlife and the landscape as you cruise the stretch between Sorrento and Portsea, where you'll see the famous coloured boat sheds and clifftop homes. Bottlenose dolphins inhabit the bay year-round, so keep watch: sightings are common but never guaranteed. The pace is leisurely, built around watching and photography rather than speed.

The boat's design lets you explore as you go: move between the open deck for unobstructed views and the covered areas if the weather shifts. Refreshments and snacks are available throughout, and the guide's commentary is built to be informative without talking over the moment. Children travel free with an adult. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

What’s included

• A 1.5-hour guided cruise aboard a custom-built vessel.
• premium hot drinks (tea, coffee, hot chocolate) and refreshments.
• a qualified local guide leading the tour.
• access to open decks and a covered lounge area.
• onboard café and bathrooms.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday6 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 16:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 40

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?This is a shared boat tour with a fixed schedule and a local guide, so it suits anyone who wants to see the wildlife and coastline without navigating the bay themselves. The open deck design means you choose how much time to spend in the sun or under cover, and the pace is built around watching rather than rushing between stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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 wildlife will I actually see on the Sorrento cruise?

Australian fur seals and Australasian gannets are reliably present. Bottlenose dolphins live in Port Phillip Bay and are often spotted, though sightings depend on the day. The guide will point out seabirds and explain the ecology as you cruise.

Can I move around the boat during the cruise?

Yes. The vessel has large open deck spaces and a covered lounge area, so you can shift between them to find your preferred vantage point and explore the boat throughout the 1.5 hours.

What's included in the ticket price?

The cruise includes a premium selection of hot drinks (tea, coffee, hot chocolate), refreshments and snacks, and the guide's commentary. The boat and all onboard facilities are part of the experience.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the end of Sorrento Pier. Park your car nearby and walk to the pier. Your crew will greet you and welcome you onboard before departure.