tasman island cruises port arthur tas

• Bruny Island Cruises
• Bruny Island Traveller
• Fluted Cape Walk
• Iron Pot Cruises
• Seafood Seduction
• Port Arthur Bus

Tasman Island Cruises

• Three Capes Track
• Wineglass Bay Cruises
• Wilsons Promontory
• Our Story & Awards
• Boats & Buses
• Environment

Travel Trade

• Times & Prices
• Explore Tasman Peninsula
• Explore Hobart

• Environmental Sustainability
• Community Sustainability
• Employment Opportunities
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional)

Tasman Island Cruises provides unforgettable wilderness cruises along the spectacular coastline between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck in southern Tasmania.

The cruise travels beneath the highest vertical sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere at Cape Pillar. Guests explore waterfalls, rock formations, archways and deep-sea caves.

The coastline is part of the Tasman National Park. It is home to a variety of wildlife including hundreds of seals, migrating whales and abundant sea birds in their thousands.

At any time of year you're likely to see the feeding frenzy of diving gannets, albatross and sea eagles wheeling on the wind, cliff-nesting cormorants and peregrine falcons, or a pod of playful dolphins surfing the bow wave of the boat.

The custom built yellow boats are ideal for viewing the spectacular coastline and wildlife of the Tasman Peninsula. Each vessel holds a maximum of 43 guests. Covered open-air tiered seating means an excellent all-round view and connection with the environment. The boats have been created for these journeys and they are gentle on the environment due to their fuel efficiency and low emission operation.

Tour Options & Prices          Book Now   

See Australia's highest sea cliffs

Encounter marine wildlife & seabirds

Keep a close lookout for sea eagles soaring above the cliffs, pods of dolphins surfing the bow wave, albatross wheeling on the wind and shearwaters skimming the swells. 

TOUR OPTIONS

The cruise departs daily from Port Arthur.  You can drive yourself to Port Arthur, or take our Full Day Tour from Hobart.

• Full Day Tour
• Full Day Tour + Devil Park
• Full Day Tour + Historic Site

Drive yourself to Port Arthur and join the cruise.

Cruise Times

Morning Cruise (All Year) Check in by 9.15am Cruise 10am to 1pm approximately 

Afternoon Cruise (peak periods) Check in by 1.15pm Cruise 2pm to 5pm approximately 

Getting There

The cruise starts and finishes at our Tasman Island Cruises Booking Centre, located at 6961 Arthur Highway, Port Arthur 7182. This is on the left side of the road, 100m before the Port Arthur Historic Site entrance.

Guests should allow 90 minutes to drive from Hobart to Port Arthur. It is important that guests check in on time to allow for pre-cruise briefing and bus transfer to the boat.

Cruise Route

Each day we tailor the route of your cruise to make the most of the sea conditions between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck.  Whichever route we take, you will always start and finish at our Tasman Island Cruises Booking Centre in Port Arthur. 

Important Information

Make sure you dress warmly for the cruise - warm jackets, scarves, beanies and gloves are recommended. And don't forget your camera!

Tours operate daily except Christmas Day, however bookings are essential as places are subject to availability. Bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions .

During the COVID-19 pandemic we will not allow guests to join our tours if we believe they are unwell.  If you are feeling unwell or display flu-like symptoms we would encourage you to contact us and cancel your booking.

For information about accessibility, download our Accessibility Guide .

Our Flexible Cancellation Policy   

If you book directly with us, we have a very flexible cancellation policy:

• No cancellation fees if you need to cancel due to COVID  right up to the time of departure.  This includes if you are unwell or if you have to change your travel plans due to flight changes or travel restrictions.  We will happily move your booking to another day or provide you with a full refund.  Please note you need to advise us prior to departure so that we have an opportunity to re-sell the seats. 
• For non-COVID related cancellations our normal cancellation policy applies . We reserve the right to charge 100% for cancellations within 24 hours of departure.  Bookings are fully flexible up to 24 hours prior to the tour departure. 

Please note that if you book through a third-party website or travel agent, they each impose their own cancellation policies and restrictions.  

Duration   3 Hours Approximately

Operates   Daily, except Christmas Day

Departs From 6961 Arthur Highway Port Arthur TAS 7182 View on Map

Prices Adult $175 Child (3-16 yrs) $105 Family $540 (2 adults, 3 children)

Tasman Island Cruises Full Day Tour

Take a Full Day Tour and spend a day on the Tasman Peninsula, including return guided bus tour, morning tea, lunch and our award-winning 3 Hour Wilderness Cruise.

07:15am - Check in at Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Centre 07:30am - Bus departs  09:15am - Arrive on Tasman Peninsula, Morning Tea 10:00am - 3 Hour Wilderness Cruise 01:00pm - Cruise concludes 01:15pm - Lunch, followed by local sightseeing 04:30pm - Bus departs 06:00pm - Arrive Hobart, hotel drop-off 

Departure Point

The Full Day Tour departs from the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Booking Centre.  This is situated on Hobart's waterfront on Franklin Wharf, next to the Constitution Dock Lifting Bridge.  Please check-in by 7.15am for a 7.30am departure.

If you have your own car, we don't have any parking available.  There is all-day parking available nearby at the Evans Street Car Park or Market Place Car Park - click here for more information .

Morning Tea & Lunch

Your day includes morning tea and lunch served at local restaurants on the Tasman Peninsula.

During the COVID-19 pandemic we will not allow guests to join our tours if we believe they are unwell.  If you are feeling unwell or display flu-like symptoms we would encourage you to contact us and cancel your booking. Full refunds are available for customers who cancel due to illness or travel restrictions during the Coronavirus pandemic.

For information about accessibility,  download our Accessibility Guide .

Duration   10¼ Hours Approximately (7:30am - 6:00pm)

Departs From Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Dock Head Building Franklin Wharf Hobart TAS 7000 View on Map

Prices Adult $265 Child (3-16 yrs) $195

Tasman Island Cruises Full Day Tour + Tasmanian Devil Unzoo

Take a Full Day Tour and spend a day on the Tasman Peninsula, incorporating return guided bus tour from Hobart, our award-winning cruise, morning tea, lunch and a visit to the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo .  

07:15am - Check in at Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Centre 07:30am - Bus departs  09:15am - Arrive on Tasman Peninsula, Morning Tea 10:00am - 3 Hour Wilderness Cruise 01:00pm - Cruise concludes 01:15pm - Lunch 02:45pm - Visit Tasmanian Devil Unzoo 04:30pm - Bus departs 06:00pm - Arrive Hobart, hotel drop-off 

During the COVID-19 pandemic we will not allow guests to join our tours if we believe they are unwell.  If you are feeling unwell or display flu-like symptoms we would encourage you to contact us and cancel your booking. Full refunds are available for customers who cancel due to illness or travel restrictions during the Coronavirus pandemic.  

Prices Adult $290 Child (3-16 yrs) $210

Tasman Island Cruises Full Day Tour + Port Arthur Historic Site

This is the ultimate Tasman Peninsula day tour.  Your day includes return guided bus tour from Hobart, our award-winning 3 Hour Cruise, morning tea and lunch as part of three hours at the Port Arthur Historic Site .

07:15am - Check in at Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Centre 07:30am - Bus departs  09:15am - Arrive on Tasman Peninsula, Morning Tea 10:00am - 3 Hour Wilderness Cruise 01:00pm - Cruise concludes 01:30pm - 3 Hours at the Port Arthur Historic Site                     including lunch and time to explore 04:30pm - Bus departs 06:00pm - Arrive Hobart, hotel drop-off 

Your day includes morning tea at a local cafe and lunch at the Port Arthur Historic Site.

Prices Adult $320 Child (3-16 yrs) $250

GUEST IMAGES

More information.

Let us help you to make the most of your visit to the Tasman Peninsula.

Do I Need to Book?

We recommended booking a few days ahead as our boats are often full and you may be disappointed if you chance to just turn up on the day. We are flexible with bookings so it is not a problem if you decide to change to another day or cancel, whatever the reason. No fee is charged for cancellations before the cruise date (so long as you contact us).

What about the weather?

Our boats are designed to suit the coastline along which we travel and we will certainly make the most of any weather conditions. Our bookings are fully flexible so if you decide the weather on the day is not for you, you can give us a call and we can change your reservation to a different day. Our staff are upfront and honest about the weather and you are welcome to contact us a day or two ahead to get an honest indication of the forecasted weather. Of course, in Tasmania the weather can at times be a little surprising and so a forecast is exactly that, a forecast!

What about sea sickness?

Being in open ocean, sea sickness can be an issue for a small number of people. We have had 13 years experience in dealing with this and have developed some very effective techniques to minimise the chance of sea sickness occurring.

We offer all-natural Travel Calm Ginger tablets to everyone when they step onboard. This product has proven extremely effective in preventing sea sickness in most people. Our staff can also suggest a number of things to further assist in minimising the chances of any sea sickness symptoms:

• Selecting a seat in the back third of the boat (there is a lot less movement up the back of the boat)
• Keeping your body temperature on the cooler side
• If you wear glasses or sunglasses keep the lenses clean at all times
• Avoid looking through cameras, binoculars etc
• Stay away from acidic foods before the cruise such as Orange Juice and coffee

We do emphasise that communication is the key - if you have any concerns please let our staff know.

What do I need to wear?

It is important that you are adequately dressed because it is cold on the boats, even in summer. Warm jackets gloves, scarves & beanies are a good idea. We provide wet weather jackets which go over the top of your clothing, but we encourage you to bring a few warm layers of your own.

Can you cater for special dietary needs?

We use local cafes and restaurants for meals on our Full Day Tours. These venues are able to cater for most dietary requirements. Please mention any special requests to our staff when booking.

Can I do the cruise and Port Arthur Historic Site on the same day?

Yes, our Booking Centre is right next door to the Port Arthur Historic Site. Both can be done in the same day.

Are young children OK?

Children of all ages are welcome aboard our boats and we take many children along on our cruises. As parents you are probably the best judge as to how your children will cope with being out on the water for 3 hours, but we have found that the majority of children enjoy the experience and love seeing the amazing wildlife, huge cliffs and caves along the Bruny coastline.

Is the cruise OK while pregnant?

For the majority of days the cruise is quite suitable for pregnant women and we have had lots do our trip. Our boats are custom built for the coastline that we cruise along. They are able to cut through chop and therefore we can avoid the bumping of waves that some boats experience. It is a good idea to take into account the weather conditions on the day of the cruise as this will effect comfort levels for someone who is heavily pregnant. You can contact us a day or two ahead to get a weather report for the day of your cruise and we are happy to move or cancel bookings if it is not looking suitable for you.

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

6961 Arthur Highway Port Arthur

(03) 6250 2200

Terms & Conditions

[email protected]

Our Journeys

Bruny Island Cruises Bruny Island Traveller Fluted Cape Walk Iron Pot Cruises Port Arthur Bus Service Tasman Island Cruises Tasmanian Seafood Seduction Three Capes Track Wineglass Bay Cruises

Our Story & Awards Boats & Buses Environmental Sustainability Community Sustainability Employment -->

• Bruny Island Cruises
• Bruny Island Traveller
• Fluted Cape Walk
• Iron Pot Cruises
• Seafood Seduction
• Port Arthur Bus
• Tasman Island Cruises
• Three Capes Track
• Wineglass Bay Cruises
• Wilsons Promontory
• Our Story & Awards
• Boats & Buses
• Environment

Travel Trade

• Environmental Sustainability
• Community Sustainability
• Employment Opportunities
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional)

Explore Our Incredible Wilderness Journeys

Experience an unforgettable adventure with our multi-award winning team

Australian Tourism Legend Robert Pennicott and his team of passionate local staff have been sharing Tasmania's scenery, wildlife and produce since 1999. We now provide Bruny Island Cruises , Bruny Island Traveller , Iron Pot Cruises , Tasman Island Cruises , Tasmanian Seafood Seduction  and  Wineglass Bay Cruises .

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Dock Head Building Franklin Wharf, Hobart

(03) 6234 4270

Terms & Conditions

[email protected]

Our Journeys

Bruny Island Cruises Bruny Island Traveller Fluted Cape Walk Iron Pot Cruises Port Arthur Bus Service Tasman Island Cruises Tasmanian Seafood Seduction Three Capes Track Wineglass Bay Cruises

Our Story & Awards Boats & Buses Environmental Sustainability Community Sustainability Employment -->

Tasman Island 3 Hour Cruise - Departing Port Arthur

Discover the unspoilt coastline of the Tasman National Park between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck on this 3-hour adventure

Tasman Island 3 Hour Cruise - Departing Port Arthur Highlights

• Get up to $15 cash back per person when you book with us

An unforgettable 3-hour wilderness cruise  along the coastline 

Travel beneath the highest vertical sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere at Cape Pillar

Guests explore waterfalls, rock formations, archways and deep-sea caves

Discover a variety of wildlife including hundreds of seals, migrating whales and  sea birds in their thousands

Ride in a  custom-built yellow boat that is ideal for viewing the spectacular coastline and wildlife of the Tasman Peninsula

Enjoy covered, open-air tiered seating that provides an  excellent all-round view

What's Excluded

Jut includes the cruise - does not include Port Arthur Historical site

Why Do We Love This

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, are  dedicated  to minimizing our environmental impact. Their tours are  fully carbon offset.

This tour has obtained  Advanced Ecotourism certification . This certification guarantees that the tour is supported by  well-executed sustainable practices, providing travelers with the assurance of  responsible and environmentally-friendly experiences .

What to Expect

Relax and unwind on this three-hour coastal wilderness cruise  along the unspoilt coastline of the Tasman National Park between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck.

Experience sitting at the foot of the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere including the spectacular Dolerite...

Frequently Asked Questions about Tasman Island 3 Hour Cruise - Departing Port Arthur Expand all

What to bring/wear

Make sure you dress warmly for the cruise - warm jackets, scarves, beanies and gloves are recommended. And don't forget your camera!

Where does the tour depart from?

6961 Arthur Highway Port Arthur TAS 7182

Please arrive 30 mins prior

Getting There

The cruise starts and finishes at our Tasman Island Cruises Booking Centre, located at 6961 Arthur Highway, Port Arthur 7182. This is on the left side of the road, 100m before the Port Arthur Historic Site entrance.

Guests should allow 90 minutes to drive from Hobart to Port Arthur. It is important that guests check in on time to allow for pre-cruise briefing and bus transfer to the boat.

Reviews for Tasman Island 3 Hour Cruise - Departing Port Arthur

Total review count and overall rating based on Backpackerdeals and Travello reviews.

We’d love to hear about your experience! Share your feedback with us, and get rewarded!

All Reviews

very exciting. Wildlife spotting is fabulous

very exciting. Saw some dolphins and seals. Great adventure.

The cruise was absolutely amazing and worth the price we paid! Will definitely go again if we get a chance.

The Tasman peninsula wilderness cruise was beyond amazing! We spotted dolphins, seals and heaps of birds all in their natural habitat. The crew was amazing and made it a wonderful experience for us overall. Cannot recommend this tour enough

One of the Best Experience we had. The staff was very amazing and we had great experience and worth way more than what we paid. It was just awesome!!

very nice, it is a must do activity in taz

This was an amazing experience to behold. The cliffs were beautiful and the crew was wonderful. Would gladly return

Capable competent fun staff, but even better views

We learned so much and saw a ton! We learned so much and saw a ton!

The trip and the crew were very nice. It worth it, although I cannot give them 5-stars because we did not complete the trip from Eaglehawk Neck to Port Arthur, we only get to Cape Pillar and then back to Eaglehawk Neck.

Visit: https://www.pennicottjourneys.com.au/terms

Cancellation Policy: 24 hours notice to departure for a full refund

All customer cancellation & refund requests are also subject to our website’s own  refund conditions .

Tour Operator

Guide To Bruny Island Cruises in Tasmania

I wanted to visit Bruny Island off the southeast coast of Tasmania as soon as I heard it was the ultimate wilderness experience to have in Tasmania.

Not only is there abundant coastal wildlife, but the boat is a thrilling adventure that passes under crags, through narrow gaps, and into the wild of the Southern Ocean in search of seals, penguins and whales.

We decided to sail with local legend Rob Pennicott from Pennicott Wilderness Journeys on our Bruny Island Cruise.

Caz said Rob reminded her of Steve Irwin; passionate about nature, enthusiastic, and quick with a joke.

We had an incredible experience exploring Bruny Island via a Bruny Island cruise and so we have prepared this guide on how you can do the same.

We’ll be sharing with you how you can find Bruny Island cruises and what to expect from one…

About Pennicott Wilderness Journeys

Where is bruny island, about the bruny island cruise, tips for taking a bruny island cruise, final thoughts on a bruny island cruise.

Rob started Pennicott Wilderness Journeys as a small family business in 1999, running cruises along the Tasman coastline, and now boasts a staff of over 70 people.

Rob Pennicott has won numerous awards because of its world-class service and sustainable coastal wilderness experiences.

We had also previously experienced a tour with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys on a Tasman Island Cruise and knew Rob to be a great guide.

So we made plans to jump on a three-hour eco-adventure cruise with Rob’s company.

We did the 3 hour wilderness cruise but there is also a full day tour .

If you take a full day tour, a morning tea and lunch of fish and chips are included in the ticket price (vegetarian and gluten free options available too).

Tours operate every day except Christmas Day.

To get all the details on Rob Pennicott Wilderness Journeys of Bruny Island including information on pick-up and tours from Hobart’s waterfront on Franklin Wharf (next to the constitution dock lifting bridge), visit the official website: www.BrunyCruises.com.au

Bruny Island is an easy day trip from Hobart . You can jump on a tour or self-drive to Bruny Island like we did and catch the vehicle ferry crossing over from Kettering.

Access to Bruny Island is by vehicle ferry which departs from Kettering, 40 minutes’ drive south of Hobart.

The 3-hour cruise starts from the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Booking Centre at the aptly named Adventure Bay (40-minutes’ drive from Bruny Island Visitor Centre) , and whilst we weren’t having Rob as our guide today we soon learned that his personality shines through on all his staff, they obviously love what they do, and they were just as excited as we were.

We boarded the custom-built boats, nicknamed the yellow boats, which were built for eco-cruising in the ever-changing waters of Southeast Tasmania, and were put through a quick safety briefing, with humour.

Our kids were made feel safe being fitted with life jackets, and we grabbed a seat at the back of the boat which appeared to have the best viewing options, but we soon discovered the open-air tiered seating gives each passenger an excellent all-round view.

We were all set, camera in hand, and had been blessed with a sunny day (which can be hard to come by in Tasmania.)

We took off in our yellow boat to explore the rugged coastline of the Tasman Sea and search for the wildlife of Bruny Island. I anticipated it was going to be good, but it was AWESOME!

The boats are designed to be highly maneuverable and allow the skippers to get up close and personal with the waves and swells.

On one maneuver, we sped between a narrow gap in two huge rock formations known as The Monument, which I and the kids loved, and being the nice tour guides that they were, turned around for a second go to watch the following boats for an action shot.

But there was so much more to come.

Our yellow boat took us past some of Australia’s highest sea cliffs and into some dramatic deep sea caves scattered along the spectacular coastline and right up close to the towering Jurassic Dolerite cliffs and natural rock formations, with some cliffs being over 200 metres above sea level.

I was taking photos like crazy and the colours and rock formations were fantastic.

But Bruny Island is not just about rock formations and sea caves. It’s also home to wildlife such as Sea Eagles, Albatross, pods of dolphins, fur seals, fairy penguins, an abundance of other sea birds, and if you time your trip, the opportunity to see migrating whales.

We didn’t get to see whales on our cruise, but we did meet some furry seals and Black-faced Cormorants.

The Bruny Island cruise is a must-do for anyone visiting Tasmania, but there are some tips to share with you before you go…

• If you’re seasick, take meds. You can also get some herbal ginger tablets which help combat seasickness.
• Make sure you dress warmly, even if you are visiting in the summer, as the wind is biting cold. Beanies, gloves, scarves and warm jackets are a must.
• Pack waterproof housing for your camera. There will be splashes, though you won’t get drenched.
• You need to check in for your cruise 30 minutes before departure, so plan ahead.
• Click here for car rental rates and availability from DiscoverCars.com

Book your tour in advance with Get Your Guide. You get free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and mobile passes!

• 3-Check rates and availability for the 3-hour wilderness cruise .
• Click here for the full day tour .

Don’t miss nearby attractions and experiences:

• A Guide To The Port Arthur Historic Site, Tasmania
• Boo – Getting spooked on the Port Arthur ghost tour in Tasmania
• Guide to Visiting The MONA Museum in Hobart, Tasmania
• Cruising the Rugged South East Tasmanian Coastline
• What to do in Hobart, Tasmania

If you’re visiting Hobart, or on an extended road trip around Tasmania, I highly recommend the Bruny Island cruise experience.

The whole package was incredible from the scenery to the wildlife spotting, and I can’t speak highly enough of how professional and infectious the staff was.

It made for a truly memorable family day out.

And whilst you’re on Bruny Island, consider indulging in some local fresh oysters, homemade cheese and fudge, and some premium wines at the southernmost vineyard in Australia.