Images and Video
1.5 hour Dolphin Watch & Eco Adventure
Highlights
- Explore the Port Stephens Marine Park aboard the eco-friendly MV Osprey, enhancing your adventure with sustainable cruising.
- Spot Bottlenose Dolphins in their natural habitat, creating unforgettable memories during your marine wildlife experience.
- Venture to Jimmy’s Beach for stunning views of Yacaaba and Tomaree headlands, immersing yourself in breathtaking coastal scenery.
- Enjoy knowledgeable commentary on WWII history, enriching your journey with fascinating insights into the region's past.
Explore the natural beauty of the Port Stephens Marine Park, onboard the MV Osprey, a 24 metre fast super cat eco-vessel, designed with sustainability in mind.
Your journey starts by searching for the resident Bottlenose Dolphins that call the beautiful Port Stephens’ waterways home. This cruise offers incredible viewing opportunities onboard to see the dolphins in their natural habitat. While cruising offshore, keep your eyes out as you may find penguins, seals, turtles and sea birds.
Venture across to Jimmy’s beach, and take in the spectacular views looking out towards Yacaaba and Tomaree headlands before heading offshore and exploring Murphy’s Gap and Cabbage Tree Island if the weather allows.
Cruising back along the stunning shores of Shoal Bay, catch a glimpse of the boats launching at Little Beach, before returning back to Nelson Bay, showing you Nelson Head to Fly Point, one of the region’s most popular snorkelling and diving spots.
Knowledgeable and entertaining commentary is provided throughout the cruise, including the WWII history of Port Stephens, enhancing the overall experience for guests.
Tour details
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Available from 29 August 2023 to 30 April 2026
Features
Service facilities
Actively welcomes people with access needs.
General access
- Offers multiple options for booking – web, email, phone is available.
- Assistance with booking arrangements (includes providing clear itineraries with written instructions on what to do at various destinations)
Physical – Mobility
Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)
- Uses floors/coverings which are slip resistant, firm and smooth
- Uses non-slip tiles in the bathroom or slip resistant matting
- Grab rails in the bathroom
Operation information
Moonshadow – TQC Cruises
Moonshadow TQC is a family-owned cruise operator based in Port Stephens, only 2.5 hours north of Sydney, and 30 minutes from Newcastle Airport. With over 40 years of experience and boasting the largest vessels in Port Stephens, Moonshadow – TQC Cruises gets you close to the action quickly and safely.
Join their Dolphin Cruises that depart daily in search of the resident Bottlenose dolphins, with a 95 per cent success rate in sightings. Enjoy boom-net rides whilst taking in spectacular views of Port Stephens (depart daily except Christmas Day).
Get up close and personal with friendly giants on their Whale-watching cruises, when over 40,000 humpback whales pass their shores during the annual whale migration from May to November.
Explore the hidden gem of Port Stephens, which is Broughton Island on their full day cruise adventure out to Broughton Island National Park.
Explore the magnificent Islands of Port Stephens. Explore the picturesque Broughton Island cruise or join their range of Historical Cruises, hosted in collaboration with local historian and legend, John ‘Stinker’ Clarke.
Make your next special event a private charter aboard Moonshadow – TQC Cruises with six vessels all equipped for all occasions and catering for casual and formal events.
Accreditations
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ATEC India Host
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ECO Certified (Advanced Ecotourism) by Ecotourism Australia
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International Ready Accreditation
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Quality Tourism Accreditation
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Sustainable Tourism Accreditation by ATIC
Memberships
- Australian Tourism Export Council
- Charter Vessel Association
- New South Wales Business Chamber
- Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation
- Visitor Information Centre
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