From Coles Bay: Wineglass Bay Cruise with Lunch

Wineglass Bay is famous from land, but the finest view may come from the water, where its pale curve sits below Freycinet’s granite cliffs. This cruise also takes you past sea caves, coves, beaches, and islands where seals gather. The crew, including skipper Noah on some departures, adds useful commentary without talking over the scenery.

I like the excellent wildlife chances and the way the crew keeps safety and comfort in mind, especially for people using wheelchairs or feeling queasy. I also like the Tasmanian Ploughman’s lunch, which turns a scenic stop into an easy half-day outing. The catch is simple: weather can change the route, and rough water may make the trip uncomfortable.

Key points to know

• Wineglass Bay from the sea: See the beach, Hazards range, and granite cliffs from an angle you cannot get on the walking track.
• Wildlife is part of the day: Dolphins, seals, whales, albatross, eagles, penguins, and other seabirds may appear.
• A 270-minute outing: Allow four and a half hours, plus extra time to reach Coles Bay if you are coming from Hobart.
• Lunch is included: Your bento-style Ploughman’s box includes meat, cheeses, and Tasmanian produce. Drinks cost extra.
• The boat suits many mobility needs: Seating, toilets, heating, air-conditioning, and viewing areas are available on both levels.
• Weather matters: Bring warm clothes and flat shoes. The cruise may follow an alternative route in poor conditions.

Why the water is the best place to see Wineglass Bay

From the deck, Freycinet National Park arrives as a long series of granite walls, rounded headlands, sea caves, and small coves. The colours shift as the boat moves, from pale grey rock to warm pink and orange tones that are difficult to appreciate from the beach or lookout.

Wineglass Bay is the centrepiece, but it is not the whole show. The boat approaches the bay across clear water, giving you time to take in the famous white sand and curved shoreline. You do not land for a walk, so this is a sightseeing cruise rather than a beach visit.

That difference matters. If your main goal is swimming or hiking to the Wineglass Bay lookout, choose a land-based visit. If you want a relaxed view of the coast without climbing a track, the boat makes a strong case for itself.

The Hazards, Freycinet’s granite peaks, form a dramatic backdrop. From the water, you see the scale of the cliffs more clearly, along with sections of coast hidden from roads and walking paths. Rain can even improve the scene by bringing temporary waterfalls down the rock faces.

Setting out from Coles Bay on Schouten Passage II

You check in at Wineglass Bay Cruises, at the corner of Jetty Road and the Esplanade in Coles Bay. The trip lasts 270 minutes, so plan it as a substantial half-day rather than a quick harbour ride.

Schouten Passage II has seating on two levels, indoor comfort, toilets, heating, air-conditioning, and fully stocked bars. The Vista Lounge has large, floor-to-ceiling windows, which help when the wind picks up or the weather turns cold.

You can move outside to the viewing decks when conditions suit. The front deck is especially useful for photographs and for spotting animals before they pass behind the boat. Keep your flat shoes on and use care when walking around. The crew places strong emphasis on safe movement, including the three points of contact rule in choppy conditions.

The Sky Lounge is reserved for adults aged 18 and over. That gives adults a quieter option, while families can use the other seating areas. Baby-changing facilities are available, an important practical detail if you are travelling with a young child.

Granite cliffs, sea caves, and hidden coves

The first part of the cruise is about the coast itself. Commentary covers local landmarks, geology, wildlife, and human history, giving shape to what you see rather than leaving you to guess at each headland.

You may pass cliffs with striking bands of colour, narrow sea caves, and small beaches with no road access. The boat’s position lets you look directly up at rock faces and into openings along the coast. On a calm day, the water also reflects the cliffs, adding another layer to photographs.

The commentary is generally designed to support the view, not compete with it. Skipper Noah has earned particular praise for making details memorable, even pointing out small natural features such as lichen. Crew members also spend time on the front deck, where they can answer questions and help you find the best viewing side.

This is a good cruise for you if you like learning a little as you go. It is not a silent sightseeing trip, but the information is part of the value. You get context on the park while the scenery is in front of you.

Wildlife watching along Freycinet’s coast

Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, but this coast gives you plenty to watch for. Dolphins are among the most exciting possibilities. Pods may approach the boat, circle it, or travel alongside for a short time. Seeing young dolphins close to the vessel can be a highlight of the day.

Fur seals are another strong possibility. They may rest on rocks, argue noisily, or move through the water around offshore islands. The cruise can take you past groups of seals gathered in numbers that are hard to see from shore.

Whales have also been seen from the boat, especially at times when they are moving along the coast. Sightings can range from distant blows to several humpback whales breaching. Keep expectations sensible: the crew can search and point, but no wildlife encounter is promised.

Bring your patience and scan widely. Albatross, gannets, sea eagles, and other birds may appear overhead or near the water. Penguins are listed among the possible sightings, though you should not book this as a dedicated penguin tour.

The crew’s attitude toward wildlife is important. They point animals out and allow you to watch without treating the encounter like a staged performance. Good weather helps visibility, but even a grey or rainy day can bring waterfalls, seals, and a moody coast.

Lunch in the Vista Lounge

Your included meal is a bento-style Ploughman’s lunch. Expect a simple spread built around meat, cheeses, and other picnic-style items, with Tasmanian produce included. It is a practical meal for a boat trip and avoids the need to buy lunch before boarding.

Several details make it work well. You can eat while looking through the Vista Lounge windows, and the boat offers a more comfortable setting than trying to balance food on an exposed deck. The lunch has been described as fresh, tasty, and good value, although one person found the meat portion a little light.

Drinks are not included, but you can buy them from the onboard bar. Coffee is also available, and it has received favourable attention. Reasonable drink prices make the extra cost less painful, though you should budget for beverages if you want more than the included food.

Dietary requirements have been catered for on departures, but you should provide those details when booking or checking in rather than relying on last-minute arrangements. Infants do not receive an included lunch, so plan food for them separately.

Weather, comfort, and the route

Tasmania’s weather can change quickly. A sunny morning may turn cool and damp, while calm water can give way to a noticeable swell farther out. Wear warm layers even in summer, and bring comfortable flat shoes rather than sandals with a slippery sole.

The boat has indoor heating and air-conditioning, so you are not forced to remain outside. Still, the best views usually come from moving between the lounge and the decks. A waterproof outer layer is sensible if you want to spend time outside in unsettled weather.

Sea conditions are worth considering if you are prone to motion sickness. Some departures have been smooth, while others have been lumpy beyond the sheltered water. The crew assists people who feel unwell, but this remains a boat trip on open coastal water. If you know you get seasick, prepare accordingly.

Poor weather can change the route. The boat may not reach Wineglass Bay if conditions make that unsafe. An alternative route can still deliver strong wildlife sightings, including dolphins and fur seals, but you should understand that the famous bay is not guaranteed on every departure.

That flexibility is a sensible safety measure, not a fault. The coast is exposed, and the skipper must work with the sea rather than force a fixed itinerary. If reaching Wineglass Bay is your only reason for booking, check the forecast and keep your plans flexible.

Accessibility and family comfort

This cruise is wheelchair accessible, and the crew has shown a strong willingness to help passengers who need assistance. That does not mean every part of the boat will suit every mobility need, so it is wise to confirm your requirements when booking.

Seating, toilets, bars, and climate control are available on both levels. The crew can help passengers move around the boat, and safety is taken seriously near steps, decks, and changing conditions.

Families can bring babies and young children. Baby-changing facilities are available, and children use the general seating areas rather than the adults-only Sky Lounge. The cruise lasts four and a half hours, so consider your child’s comfort with a long boat outing.

The experience also suits older passengers who prefer scenery without a demanding walk. You get views of the national park without climbing to the Wineglass Bay lookout. Comfortable shoes still matter, since you may want to move between indoor and outdoor viewing areas.

Is $141 good value?

At $141 per person, this is not a cheap short excursion, but it includes a 270-minute cruise and lunch. You are paying for the vessel, crew, commentary, wildlife search, access to the coastline, and a meal with Tasmanian ingredients.

The value is strongest if you do not plan to combine this with another boat trip. You see a large section of Freycinet from the water and gain views that a road visit cannot provide. The onboard facilities also matter, especially in cool weather or for anyone who prefers not to spend hours on an exposed small craft.

The price is harder to justify if you only want a quick photograph of Wineglass Bay. You can reach a lookout by land for less, though the view will be different and you will miss the cliffs, caves, offshore islands, and possible wildlife.

I would also factor in transport. Transfers from Hobart are not included, and Coles Bay is about two and a half to three hours by car from Hobart. If you are staying in the Freycinet area, the price makes more sense. If you are making a long return drive from Hobart on the same day, the outing becomes a very full day before and after the cruise.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose it for a first visit to Freycinet when you want a broad introduction without spending the day on a hiking track. It suits photographers, families, older visitors, wildlife fans, and anyone who enjoys coastal scenery with a running explanation of what they are seeing.

It is also a good choice for people who value service. The crew is attentive, funny, and willing to help, while the skipper actively looks for good viewing points. That human side matters on a long excursion.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, struggle with motion sickness, or need a guaranteed view of Wineglass Bay in perfect weather. The route depends on sea conditions, and the water can become rough. You should also allow enough time to travel to Coles Bay instead of treating this as an easy side trip from Hobart.

Final call: book it for the coast, not just the beach

I recommend the cruise if you want to understand Freycinet as a whole coastal park rather than simply tick off Wineglass Bay. The scenery is excellent, the lunch is useful and well prepared, and the crew adds real value through wildlife spotting, safety help, and clear commentary.

Book it with warm clothing, flexible expectations, and enough time around the four-and-a-half-hour cruise. If the weather turns, you may see a different route instead of the bay, but dolphins, seals, cliffs, birds, and changing coastal light can still make the day worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the Wineglass Bay Cruise depart from?

Check in at Wineglass Bay Cruises, at the corner of Jetty Road and the Esplanade in Coles Bay.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts 270 minutes, or four and a half hours.

Is transport from Hobart included?

No. Transfers from Hobart are not included. The meeting point is about a two-and-a-half to three-hour drive from Hobart.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The cruise includes a bento-style Ploughman’s lunch. Lunch is not included for infants.

Can I buy drinks on the boat?

Yes. Drinks are available for purchase from the onboard bars.

What wildlife might I see?

You might see dolphins, penguins, fur seals, whales, albatross, sea eagles, gannets, and other birdlife. Sightings depend on conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible. Seating, toilets, heating, and air-conditioning are available on both levels.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable flat shoes and warm clothing. Tasmania’s weather can change quickly, and it may feel cold on the water.

Can the cruise be cancelled or rerouted because of weather?

Yes. The cruise is subject to availability and weather conditions. Poor conditions may require an alternative route, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.