Tasmanian Seafood Cruise Hobart: Guide Dives for Abalone

Rock lobster sashimi and hand-caught sea urchin, prepared on the water while you watch.

A full-day gourmet seafood cruise from Hobart explores the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island's sheltered waters with two expert guides and up to 12 passengers. Your guide dives into a secluded bay to harvest abalone and sea urchins, then prepares them on deck alongside rock lobster, oysters and salmon, paired with local wines and artisan cheeses. The day runs eight hours from Franklin Wharf on Hobart's waterfront.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day gourmet seafood cruise

• Meet guides at Franklin Wharf
• Travel along Derwent River
• Admire scenery near Bruny Island
• Cruise to secluded bay
• Guide dives for abalone and sea urchins
• Watch seafood preparation on boat
• Enjoy lobster, calamari, oysters, and more
• Dine with local breads, salads, and cheeses
• Drink premium wines, beer, and juices

The experience

The boat leaves Franklin Wharf in central Hobart and heads down the Derwent River into the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, where the water stays sheltered and the scenery shifts from city to open coast. Your two guides navigate to a secluded bay (the kind of spot only locals know), and one of them enters the water to hunt for abalone and sea urchins by hand. You watch from the deck as they work, then return to prepare what they've gathered. This is not a demonstration you sit through. It's the actual meal, caught and cooked in front of you.

Lunch arrives in stages. Rock lobster comes two ways: cooked, and raw as sashimi. Freshly shucked oysters and salmon follow, each plate timed so nothing sits. The spread includes fresh local breads, salads and artisan cheeses. Wine, boutique beer, cider and locally-made organic juice flow throughout the day. The guides share years of knowledge about the region and its waters as you eat, so the meal and the storytelling run together.

The small group, capped at 12 people per boat, means no queuing, no crowds, and room to move around the deck. The day runs eight hours total, which gives time to linger in the bay and eat without rushing. The boat operates in all weather, so bring layers and waterproof gear. The guides will advise what to wear when you book. If you have dietary needs, mention them at the time of booking so the guides can adjust the menu.

What’s included

• Local wine, boutique beer, cider and locally-made organic juice.
• a full gourmet lunch of rock lobster, oysters, sea urchin, abalone and salmon with fresh breads, salads and artisan cheeses.
• two expert guides who share knowledge of the region throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 10:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Child (4 to 16 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 12

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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Pennicott Wilderness Journeys

Is this one for you?You watch your guide dive and harvest the seafood, then eat it fresh on the boat, so you get the story of where the meal came from, not just the meal itself. The small group of up to 12 means you can ask questions and move around the deck without the noise and wait of a larger tour.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 16 years); Infant (under 4).

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 exactly do the guides catch and cook on the boat?

Rock lobster prepared cooked and sashimi style, freshly shucked oysters, sea urchin, abalone and salmon. The guide dives to harvest the abalone and sea urchin by hand in a secluded bay, then prepares everything on deck while you watch.

How long is the full-day cruise and when does it start?

The cruise runs eight hours and departs from Franklin Wharf on Hobart's waterfront. It travels down the Derwent River and into the D'Entrecasteaux Channel around Bruny Island before returning to the wharf.

What's included to drink throughout the day?

Local wine, boutique beer, cider and locally-made organic juice are included and flow throughout the eight hours. The meal is paired with these beverages as you eat.

How many people go on each boat?

A maximum of 12 people per tour, which keeps the group small and means you have room to move around the deck and ask your guides questions without competing for attention.

What should I bring or wear for the day on the water?

Bring layers and waterproof gear, as the boat operates in all weather. The guides will advise what to wear when you book, and you can mention any specific needs at that time.