Wildlife RIB Tour of Mornington Peninsula
from
$90
Sorrento
VIC
1-12
people
price for
1 participant
1 hour
30 minutes
  • • High Speed Scenic Coastal Rib Ride near Melbourne
  • • 90 Minute Seal, Dolphin and Whale Watching Trip
  • • Discover the Wildlife and History of Victoria

Why We Love This Unique Experience

Melbourne Experience Gifts: Go on a high-speed seal, dolphin and whale watching cruise with this wildlife boat excursion around the Mornington Peninsula. 

Setting off from Sorrento Pier, this ninety minute award-winning RIB ride is one of the best wildlife spotting excursions in the region. There are only a handful of places on the continent where you can see seals, and the south coast of Victoria is one of them. This boat cruise takes you along Port Philip Bay and the Mornington Peninsula to see native marine and bird life, including fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, gannets, albatross, and pelicans. During migration season you can also hope to catch a glimpse of magnificent Humpback Whales on their long journey. Learn some of this coastline’s significant history as the location of the first settlers and see the earliest forts that were built for the defence of Port Phillip Bay. 

A Wildlife Spotting RIB Ride on the Mornington Peninsula makes a fabulous day out for animal lovers, and a unique experience gift for history and wildlife buffs.

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Experience Overview:

Wildlife Rib Tour Of Mornington Peninsula

This sightseeing cruise from Sorrento is an award-winning 1.5 hour cruise exploring the gorgeous Mornington Peninsula bays and coastline. Explore local waters for seals, whales & dolphins sightings on a boutique tour for 12 guests. 

  • Escape the crowds on a fast RIB boat ride and explore the waterways and coast that welcomed the first settlers in 1803 to establish the city of Melbourne. 
  • Encounter seabirds, seals, whales and dolphins and see the only black lighthouse in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Avoid the crowds on our 6-12 passenger RIB boats, with plenty of one-on-one to ask questions and a more personalised tour experience
  • Enjoy an adventurous, informative and educational cruise whilst visiting this spectacular region to see abundant and diverse marine and birdlife
  • Immerse in fascinating history and explore the entry to the bay, imagining the arrival of the first settlers
  • Ideal for Bird, Seal, Whale & Dolphin Watching and Wildlife Photography
  • Adventurous Nature Escape and Rich History Cruise
  • Fun, Swift and Stable RIB Boat Ride
  • Visit Internationally Significant Bird Habitat
  • Ethical Sustainability Focused Guided Cruise

Cruise the glorious coast of the Mornington Peninsula and southern Port Phillip Bay. You're likely to see gannets diving, fur seals playing, nesting cormorants, or a pod of dolphins riding the waves and frolicking about.

See entertaining unique local wildlife on our boutique 1.5-hour seal, whale and dolphin watching cruise for up to 12 guests.

On board our swift eco boat Apollo, we'll cruise by the glorious coast of the Mornington Peninsula. Guests explore over 20-million years old sandy cliffs, immaculate holiday homes and pristine beaches. The coastline is part of the Point Nepean National Park and Port Phillip Bay. It is home to a variety of wildlife including seals, dolphins, occasional migrating whales and abundant seabirds well known to exceed 70 different species.

Touring southern Port Phillip Bay, you'll see several unique features that are unequalled. Cruising by the Ticonderoga Bay Dolphin Sanctuary tales of history will unfold. The cliffs leading to Point Nepean and the original defence forts precinct built to guard the entrance to Port Phillip Bay, known as The Rip. The Rip is where the waters of the bay meet the seas of Bass Strait. Here you'll cross the very first point our earliest settlers would have seen after their months long ship's journey. 

During the summer months, the migratory shearwater birds congregate en masse at the waters at the heads, thousands upon thousands of birds rafting together on the surface. 

Australian Fur Seals, once hunted excessively for their pelts, are now fully protected and enjoy resting on Chinaman's Hat, a man-made haul out platform in the bay. Here the seals get out of the water and rest after days of fishing. Seeing them up close you will be mesmerised by their presence, agility and adore their features.

From around June through to August (winter), along the southern coast of Victoria, our waters are home to the migration passages of whales. Sightings of Humpback, Southern Right and Killer whales (Orca) are increasing year on year. Visits into Port Phillip Bay are becoming more frequent and it's possible to gain some amazing sightings.

Any other day seals, seabirds including gannets, pelicans, shy albatross or white-faced storm petrels may greet you out on or above the water. 

Passing by protected marine parks and one of only 64 Ramsar wetlands in Australia, you'll enjoy 360 degree views from our open vessel. Through sharing and developing understanding, we hope to aid protection and conservation of our significant nature and wildlife.

Every trip will teach you something new. The 1.5-hour Wildlife Sightseeing Boat Tour gives you a personalised view into the beauty and richness of Port Phillip Bay. Everyone enjoys the stable ride and freedom felt on board our small and robust tour vessel. Open air seating provides all-round view and a feeling of connectedness with the marine environment.

Your friendly crew will guide you as you explore the incredible diversity and magic of our beautiful coastal region.

Tour Highlights:

  • Swift eco style rigid inflatable boat
  • Opportunity to see wild dolphins, seals and sea birds including gannets and cormorants
  • Small group tour for a more personalised experience
  • Up close remarkable wildlife viewing
  • Completely natural wildlife experience, no feeding or trained animals
  • Face-to-face expert commentary and interaction with qualified guides 

FAQ

Activity FAQs

When do we arrive?
Be at the pier 15-minutes before departure. Allow plenty of time to find parking and make your way out to the end of the pier. At the pier you will be greeted and then welcomed aboard the tour vessel.

What does the tour involve?
Hosted by your expert guide, you’ll enjoy a swift ride to take in the many highlights of the bay. Enjoy plenty of one-on-one time to ask questions and receive tips and advice about the local Mornington Peninsula region and the exquisite temperate marine life of our gorgeous Port Phillip Bay. Enjoy fantastic sights and incredible wildlife photography captures.

Will I get seasick?
Our Rigid Inflatable Boats are the same as the ones the Navy, Search and Rescue, Water Police, Fisheries and Coastguard operators use around the world. We call them the rally cars of the sea because of the sure-footed, stable and capable handling they have in all kinds of conditions.

Seasickness does not happen often on a RIB boat, they are open so you feel the fresh air, and the boat sits close to the water surface. If you’re worried about seasickness, we recommend talking with your local pharmacist or doctor about the various remedies available and follow their advice for taking precautions.

How cold are the conditions?
The Bay waters here on the Mornington Peninsula are beautiful with sandy beaches and exposed coastal cliffs. The air temperature is generally cooler on the water than on land and the wind chill of the open style vessel can at times reduce the temperature significantly. Always dress appropriately for the conditions and plan to be cooler than on land.

When is the best time to see dolphins?
The best time to see dolphins is when you’re out on tour! The local population of bottlenose dolphins (also referred to as Burrunan dolphins) are a geographically significant small population that reside in Port Phillip Bay. Their feeding and rest habits govern their movements, which are also influenced by the season, the time of day, the tide direction and flow, as well as the prevailing sea conditions, so the best time to see them is when they choose to interact, because it’s a genuine and authentic interaction.

Our experience and insights enable us to have the highest chance of dolphin sightings, and even though sometimes they choose not to appear, or their behaviour prevents an interaction, when they do appear you’ll know it’s the best authentic interaction you can enjoy.

Are marine wildlife and birdlife sightings and encounters guaranteed?

Port Phillip Bay and the Great Southern Reef marine and bird life provide the most amazing opportunity to view an incredible array of species.

The bottlenose dolphins do not always appear, even though they appear quite often, because of their feeding and resting habits which influence their movements around the southern part of Port Phillip Bay, so it’s not possible to provide a sighting guarantee.

Whales including Humpback, Southern Right and Orca transit the region from May-September however do not often visit the inner part of the bay.

Animals such as the Australian Fur Seals are a guaranteed sighting as they haul-out onto specific locations in Port Phillip Bay to rest, so you can be confident you’ll see them.

These are all the reasons why every hour and every day is an exciting adventure in Port Phillip Bay, it’s a true wildlife experience and you never know exactly which amazing marine life interaction you’re going to have in the moment. And it’s exactly what we love about our tours and what keeps us thriving and fascinated by the waters at our doorstep. We hope you’ll appreciate and love it for these reasons too! 

What You Should Bring?
Warm layers are recommended as the temperature can vary throughout the day and drop in the afternoon and evening. As the vessel is open, you are recommended to wear clothing that may get wet from occasional spray, including shoes. Small bag with drink bottle, camera, hat, sunglasses, warm clothing. 

Details & Important Info

Additional Experience Details & Important Information

Please allow up to 2 hours including arrival, check-in & briefings.

Dolphin Sightings: All tours operate on a high success rate of interaction, however as they are wild animals we are unable to guarantee sightings on all tours.

Cancellations & Refunds

Reservation Changes, Cancellations & Refunds

Changes to reservations for tickets can be made until 2 days prior to the date scheduled. Reservations may be re-scheduled by the operator of the activity due to reasons such as weather, minimum participation requirements, mechanical issues or other interruptions beyond their control.

All gift certificate sales are final and not refundable. Gift certificates can only be exchanged prior to redemption.

A full list of terms of sale of tickets and certificates can be viewed here.

Organized by

WaterMaarq

Escape the crowds on an award-winning WaterMaarq boat tour from the lovely historic seaside town of Sorrento on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. Enjoy an ethical wildlife tour experience and connect better in nature on a more personal boutique up close eco boat tour. On board our swift and stable RIB boats swim with dolphins and seals and discover the hidden secrets of Port Phillip Bay as you snorkel the waters over the Great Southern Reef. Here you'll discover the beauty of the environment above and below the water with professional guides in comfort. WaterMaarq's personalised approach gives you the confidence to enjoy life-changing marine wildlife experiences. WaterMaarq is based just 90 minutes from Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia.

Product SKU: AU-1206-0002
Google Business Profile: WaterMaarq

Mornington Peninsula Wildlife RIB Tour

Sorrento
VIC
1-12
people
price for
1 participant
1 hour
30 minutes
  • • High Speed Scenic Coastal Rib Ride near Melbourne
  • • 90 Minute Seal, Dolphin and Whale Watching Trip
  • • Discover the Wildlife and History of Victoria

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