About this tour
An 8-hour cruise and walk combining seal and wildlife viewing around Ile Des Phoques and Maria Island with a guided convict heritage walk. Departing from Triabunna (90 minutes south of Hobart), you'll spend 4 hours cruising past dramatic cliffs, sea caves and granite peaks, then 2 hours on foot exploring the Darlington convict settlement. Led by marine scientists, the tour includes lunch, drinks and wildlife commentary; shuttle transport from Hobart is available separately.
Highlights
- Seal viewing at Ile Des Phoques — the only regular cruise operator since 2006
- Painted Cliffs and Fossil Cliffs, giant sea caves, granite east-coast faces
- Guided walk through Darlington convict settlement with UNESCO heritage context
- Dolphins, whales (seasonal), wombats, kangaroos, eagles and albatross sightings
- Lunch and one complimentary Tasmanian wine or local lager on board
- 4-hour scenic cruise plus 2-hour island exploration in one day
- Maximum 28 people per boat — smaller groups than standard tour vessels
What to expect
You'll meet at Brooke Street Pier in Hobart for the shuttle bus (if booked separately), or go directly to Triabunna wharf to board. The 4-hour cruise departs and takes you past Maria Island's dramatic geological features — Painted Cliffs, Fossil Cliffs, sea caves and mountain peaks — with live commentary from professional guides spotting seals, dolphins and other marine life. You'll then land on Maria Island for a guided 2-hour walk through the Darlington convict ruins, learning about the site's 19th-century history.
Lunch and drinks (including a complimentary local wine or lager) are served on board during the cruise. The boat has onboard toilets and is designed to handle the Tasmanian coast; waterproof jackets and seasickness aids are provided if needed. Tours return to Triabunna by mid-afternoon. Weather or minimum numbers may require the cruise to circumnavigate Maria Island instead of reaching Ile Des Phoques.
What travellers say
- Only operator reaching Ile Des Phoques regularly — seal sightings are the main drawcard
- Expert marine scientist guides with live commentary throughout cruise
- Convict heritage walk adds historical depth to the day
- Lunch and complimentary Tasmanian wine or lager included on board
- Small group cap of 28 keeps it less crowded than larger tour boats
- Practical extras: seasickness aids, waterproof jackets, onboard toilet and change room
- Weather or low bookings can force rerouting away from Ile Des Phoques
- Hobart shuttle bus costs extra and departs from city pier, not hotels
- Seal sightings and whale watching are seasonal and not guaranteed
- 8 hours is a full day commitment with 90-minute drive from Hobart to start
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
Strong fit for families, history enthusiasts and wildlife viewers seeking a combined marine and heritage experience. Children and infants in prams are welcome; the boat is designed for all fitness levels. Seasickness is a possibility on the open water; tablets and wristbands provided. Tours depend on weather and minimum numbers — cancellations are refunded. Shuttle from Hobart is optional, booked separately; departure is Brooke Street Pier, not hotel pickups. Small groups (max 28) mean reasonable space on board. Waterproof jackets and onboard facilities included.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BookNow summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.