From Coles Bay: Wineglass Bay Cruise with Lunch

Wild coast, calm water, big rewards. This 270-minute cruise gives you a close view of Freycinet’s granite cliffs, sea caves, and coves that you cannot get from the walking trails. I especially like the chance to see Wineglass Bay from the water and the friendly crew, who take safety seriously while keeping the mood light.

I also like the simple Tasmanian-style Ploughman’s lunch, served in a bento box, and the large windows in the Vista Lounge. The main drawback is the weather: strong wind or rough seas can change the route, and you may not reach Wineglass Bay itself. This is a boat trip, so warm clothes and a steady stomach matter.

Quick points before you book

• Wineglass Bay from the water: See the famous curved beach and the Hazards granite range from a viewpoint most land-based visitors miss.
• Wildlife is a real possibility: Dolphins, fur seals, penguins, whales, albatross, sea eagles, and other birdlife have all been spotted.
• A four-and-a-half-hour outing: The 270-minute cruise is long enough to feel substantial, but it takes most of a day.
• Lunch is included, drinks are not: The Ploughman’s box includes meat, cheeses, and other simple picnic foods. Drinks are sold at the onboard bar.
• Weather controls the route: In poor conditions, the boat may follow an alternative route around Oyster Bay or nearby coast.
• Helpful facilities onboard: Both levels have seating, toilets, heating, air-conditioning, and fully stocked bars. The Vista Lounge also has baby-changing facilities.

Why seeing Freycinet from the sea matters

Freycinet National Park is famous for its walking tracks and lookout over Wineglass Bay. Those views are excellent, but a cruise shows you a different side of the park. From the water, the granite cliffs rise directly from the sea, with colours and rock forms that are difficult to see from land.

The boat, Schouten Passage II, travels from Coles Bay along the coast toward Wineglass Bay. You may pass sea caves, sheltered coves, beaches, and sections of cliff where the stone changes colour in the light. One passenger especially appreciated seeing cliff colours that are not visible from shore.

The Hazards range gives the cruise its grand backdrop. From the deck, the mountains and coast feel connected, rather than separated into individual lookout points. You get time to watch the scenery change instead of stopping briefly at one viewpoint, taking a photograph, and moving on.

I would not book this cruise only for a single perfect photograph of Wineglass Bay. Book it for the whole coastal setting. The bay is the famous headline, but the cliffs, islands, caves, water, and wildlife make up the better part of the day.

The 270-minute route from Coles Bay

You check in at Wineglass Bay Cruises, at the corner of Jetty Road and the Esplanade in Coles Bay. The meeting point is easy to build into a Freycinet visit, but it is not a quick side trip from Hobart. Allow about 2.5 to 3 hours to drive from Hobart before the cruise, then allow extra time for the return journey.

Once onboard, you can choose between indoor seating and viewing areas. The Vista Lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows, which are useful when the weather turns cold or wet. You can still watch the coast without standing outside for the full four and a half hours.

The outside decks are the place to be for the clearest photographs and the closest feeling of the coast. Wear flat, comfortable shoes, and keep one hand free when moving around. The crew regularly reminds passengers to maintain three points of contact, a sensible rule when the boat is moving or the sea becomes lumpy.

The skipper and crew provide commentary throughout the cruise. The information covers local landmarks, geology, wildlife, and history, and the best commentary is not simply a list of facts. Captain Noah received particular praise for mixing humour with useful detail, even making lichen interesting. The commentary is generally easy to follow without taking over the whole trip.

Crew members also spend time on the front deck, where they can point out wildlife and explain what you are seeing. That is valuable because animals often appear for only a few seconds. A good spot from the crew can turn a routine stretch of coastline into the day’s highlight.

Wineglass Bay, sea caves, and granite cliffs

The approach to Wineglass Bay is the cruise’s central moment. The turquoise water, pale beach, and dark granite of the Hazards create the classic Freycinet view, but the angle from the boat changes as you move along the coast.

You do not simply arrive, take one photograph, and leave. The boat allows you to look back toward the bay, out toward the sea, and along the cliffs. That changing perspective helps you understand why the area is so highly regarded.

The sea caves and coves add variety. Some sections of coast look smooth and polished, while others are broken by narrow openings and rough rock. In rain, waterfalls can appear on the cliffs, adding another layer to the scene. A misty day may not deliver bright turquoise water, but it can make the cliffs and waterfalls feel more dramatic.

The tradeoff is that the exact route depends on sea and weather conditions. On some departures, the boat cannot safely reach Wineglass Bay and follows an alternative route around Oyster Bay or another section of the coast. This is not a minor detail. If reaching the bay is your one essential goal, you should understand that nature has the final say.

The alternative can still be worthwhile. One cruise followed a different route and produced close encounters with common dolphins and hundreds of fur seals. Another circled Oyster Bay, passing beaches, changing cliff formations, gannets, albatross, and an eagle. You may lose the famous destination but gain wildlife and a less expected view of the coast.

Wildlife sightings are luck, skill, and timing

This is not a guaranteed wildlife tour, and the company cannot promise whales or dolphins. Still, the cruise gives you a strong chance to look for animals in several coastal habitats, and the crew actively watches for them.

Dolphins are among the most memorable possibilities. They may travel near the boat, circle it, or appear in a pod. A particularly good sighting included about 30 dolphins, while other departures saw smaller groups with young dolphins. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire cruise staring at a screen.

Fur seals are another frequent highlight. You might see them resting on an island, squabbling on rocks, or moving through the water. One alternative route passed an island occupied by hundreds of seals. Their behaviour can be more entertaining than a static view, especially when they are playing or arguing for space.

Whales are seasonal and never certain, but several cruises recorded humpbacks, including multiple breaches. Other sightings included whales at a distance. Albatross, gannets, sea eagles, penguins, and flying fish have also been seen.

The crew’s role matters here. They help you scan the right part of the water and explain how to watch without disturbing the animals. That respectful approach is important. The best wildlife encounter is one where you get a good look while the boat gives the animals room.

Lunch in the Vista Lounge

The included meal is a boxed Ploughman’s lunch. It is a practical choice for a boat cruise because you can eat at your seat while continuing to watch the coast. The food has been praised for its meat, cheeses, freshness, and use of Tasmanian products.

I would describe the lunch as satisfying rather than elaborate. Most people will find it a welcome break during a long cruise, especially with the bay or cliffs outside the windows. One person felt the meat portion was a little light, so very hungry eaters should not expect a large restaurant meal.

Drinks are extra and available from the onboard bars. Coffee has also received positive comments, and the bars are fully stocked. Prices for drinks were described as reasonable, though the exact cost is not provided, so bring a payment method rather than assuming the lunch covers everything.

If you are travelling with an infant, note that lunch is not included for infants. Dietary requirements have been catered for on some departures, but you should raise any needs when booking rather than relying on a last-minute request.

The boat, seating, and comfort

The Schouten Passage II offers two levels of seating, indoor areas, viewing decks, toilets, heating, and air-conditioning. That mix gives you a useful choice: sit inside for comfort, then head outside when the light or wildlife improves.

The Vista Lounge is especially useful on a cool Tasmanian day. Its floor-to-ceiling windows let you keep watching the coast while staying warm. Baby-changing facilities also make the boat more manageable for parents with young children.

The Sky Lounge is reserved for adults aged 18 and over. If you are travelling as a family, plan to use the other seating and viewing areas. Families with a baby and a four-year-old have enjoyed the cruise, but the length and moving boat mean you should think about how well your children handle a four-and-a-half-hour outing.

The cruise is wheelchair accessible, and several passengers using wheelchairs received strong assistance from the staff. Crew members have helped passengers move around safely and paid close attention to individual needs. If you use a wheelchair or need specific assistance, it is still wise to confirm the practical details when booking.

How rough is the water?

Conditions can change quickly around Tasmania. A sunny departure can become damp, and flat water can turn into a noticeable swell farther out. Some passengers described the ride as exhilarating, while others found it lumpy but manageable.

Pack warm clothing even if Coles Bay feels mild when you check in. The wind on the viewing decks can make the temperature feel much lower, and wet weather is always possible. Comfortable, flat shoes are more useful than fashionable footwear here.

If you are prone to seasickness, sit in a stable indoor area, keep your eyes on the horizon when possible, and ask the crew for help. The staff have assisted passengers with troublesome stomachs and monitor safety carefully. The cruise is not a calm-water ferry ride, so this is an important part of your decision.

The route may be altered or the cruise may be affected by weather and availability. If a cancelled or changed departure would disrupt your trip, leave some flexibility in your Freycinet schedule.

Is $141 good value?

At $141 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend a few hours. It is also more than a simple harbour cruise. The price covers 270 minutes on the water, the boat, onboard commentary, access to the viewing areas, and a Ploughman’s lunch.

The value improves if you want to see several parts of Freycinet without arranging separate walks, lookouts, and wildlife trips. You also get the unusual perspective of the coastline from offshore. The crew’s effort is part of the value, particularly when they find dolphins, seals, or whales and help passengers see them.

The price is harder to justify if you only want to reach Wineglass Bay and take a quick look. A land-based visit may suit you better if you prefer walking, independent timing, or a lower-cost day. The cruise is best seen as a full coastal experience, not transport to one beach.

Concession prices are not offered to students or seniors. Drinks are separate, and transfers from Hobart are not included. The flexible booking option allows you to reserve and pay later, while cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want strong scenery without spending the day on a demanding hike. It also suits photographers, families, older visitors, and anyone who wants a broad view of Freycinet in one outing.

It is a good choice for wildlife fans, but only if you can accept uncertainty. You might see dolphins, seals, birds, or whales, or you might spend more time admiring cliffs and coves. The crew will search and explain, but no responsible operator can control the animals.

The cruise also works well for visitors with limited time in Freycinet. You see a wide stretch of coastline in one trip and receive an introduction to the area’s geology and wildlife. The downside is that a Hobart-based day requires a long drive each way, so staying near Coles Bay makes far more sense.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, get seasick easily, or need a guaranteed Wineglass Bay visit. I would also avoid packing too lightly. Tasmania’s weather can turn a comfortable cruise into a cold one within minutes.

Final booking advice

Book this cruise if you want to experience Freycinet from the water, enjoy guided interpretation, and value a well-run outing with lunch included. The repeated praise for the crew’s care, humour, safety work, and wildlife spotting is well deserved based on the details of the experience.

Go in with sensible expectations. Wineglass Bay may be the main goal, but weather can send you elsewhere. If you can treat the entire Freycinet coastline as the attraction, $141 buys a memorable half-day with excellent scenery, a decent meal, and a real chance of seeing dolphins, seals, or whales.

FAQ

Where does the Wineglass Bay Cruise depart from?

It departs from Wineglass Bay Cruises at the corner of Jetty Road and the Esplanade in Coles Bay.

How long is the cruise?

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

How far is Coles Bay from Hobart?

The meeting point is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours by car from Hobart.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A boxed Ploughman’s-style lunch is included for guests. Lunch is not included for infants.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available to purchase from the onboard bars.

Can the cruise reach Wineglass Bay every time?

No. The route depends on weather and sea conditions. An alternative route may be used if it is not possible to reach Wineglass Bay.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

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

What should I bring?

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