Tasman Peninsula: Wilderness Cruise, Sea Cliffs & Wildlife

Summary

Raw sea cliffs, wild air and seals on the Tasman Peninsula

You’ll feel wind-whipped and wide-eyed on this Tasman Peninsula wilderness cruise from Port Arthur—watching seals laze on rocks, marveling at massive sea cliffs, slipping into echoing caves, and glimpsing Tasman Island’s lonely lighthouse. With a local guide steering through raw weather and wild water, it’s three hours that’ll stick with you long after you’ve dried off.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to get sprayed in the face before 10am, but there I was—salt on my lips and laughing with strangers as our boat zipped away from Port Arthur. The morning felt colder than I’d packed for (even with that big waterproof jacket they handed out), but honestly, it just made everything sharper—the way the wind whipped around Eaglehawk Neck, the way our guide, Sam, shouted facts over the engine noise. He pointed out a dark shape bobbing near the rocks—first seal of the day—and everyone scrambled to that side of the boat like kids at recess.

The Tasman Peninsula wilderness cruise is supposed to be about cliffs, right? But I kept staring at the water: this deep blue-green that almost looked fake. The cliffs themselves—Sam said they’re the highest vertical sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere—just kind of loom up at you. It’s hard to get your head around how tall they are until you see a tiny bird wheeling past halfway up. We squeezed into this cave where everything echoed weirdly and smelled like wet stone and kelp. My shoes got soaked but I didn’t care.

At some point we drifted close enough to Tasman Island that you could see the old lighthouse and what’s left of the haulage way. Sam told us about lighthouse keepers hauling supplies up those cliffs—I tried to imagine it and failed. There were dolphins for maybe ten seconds (or maybe longer? Time got strange out there). Someone next to me tried to name every seabird we saw; I just watched them glide, not even flapping their wings most of the time.

Back on land my hair was a mess and my hands smelled like salt, but I felt sort of awake in a way I hadn’t expected. If you’re after something polished or predictable, this isn’t it—but if you want three hours where you forget your phone exists and just watch wild things do their thing…well. I still think about that view inside the cave sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tasman Peninsula Wilderness Cruise

• Depart from Port Arthur
• View Tasman Island Lighthouse and haulage way
• Observe highest sea cliffs in Southern Hemisphere
• See sea caves and wildlife like seals and dolphins
• Return to Port Arthur

Top questions

How long is the Tasman Peninsula wilderness cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 3 hours along the coastline between Eaglehawk Neck and Port Arthur.

Is pickup included for this tour?

No hotel pickup is included; guests meet at Port Arthur for departure.

What wildlife can I see during the cruise?

You may see seals, dolphins, sea eagles, albatrosses, and various seabirds along the route.

Are waterproof jackets provided?

Yes, full-length waterproof and windproof jackets are provided for all guests.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No meals are included; only the cruise experience is provided.

Is this suitable for families with young children?

Yes, infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap during the cruise.

Does this tour operate year-round?

The cruise operates daily all year round except Christmas Day.

Where does the Tasman Peninsula wilderness cruise depart from?

The tour departs from Port Arthur; guests should arrive by 9:15am for briefing.

What’s included

Your day includes a 3-hour wilderness cruise along Tasmania’s dramatic coastline between Eaglehawk Neck and Port Arthur with a knowledgeable local guide leading every moment. You’ll get fitted with a full-length waterproof jacket before boarding (trust me—you’ll want it), plus all logistics are handled once you check in at Port Arthur for your short transfer to the boat.