1030 ratings
The cruise on Viator
Most reviewed listing
- Length4.5 hours
- GroupUp to 100
- CancelFree up to 24 hours
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The Wineglass Bay cruise, from Coles Bay round to the bay
Wineglass Bay Cruise from Coles Bay
★ 4.7 · 1,030 opinions
The quick take
The Wineglass Bay cruise runs 4.5 hours from Coles Bay, 9:45am to 2:30pm daily except Christmas Day, from AUD 190 for an adult who brings their own food.
Cruise essentials
Compare all 4 options
The cruise for your group
Choose your group size and compare cruise listings and the water taxi.
- Cruise on Viator4.5 hours · each person, from $133
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View - Cruise with lunch4.5 hours · each person, from $147
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View - Sky Lounge, adults4.5 hours · each person, from $228
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View - Water taxiHazards Beach · each person, from $91
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View
Figures are GetYourGuide from-prices, translated at the ECB reference rate. The booking step shows what you pay exactly.
The Wineglass Bay cruise is the one way to see the bay from the sea: 4.5 hours around the peninsula, lunch at anchor and a good chance of seals, dolphins and, in season, whales.
Editorial team, freycinetnationalparktour.com · Updated November 8, 2026 · Quick read: 7 min
In brief
- LengthA 4.5-hour cruise from Coles Bay to Wineglass Bay and back.1
- TimesCheck in by 9:30am; the boat cruises 9:45am to 2:30pm.2
- Adult ticketsAUD 190 bring-your-own, AUD 210 with lunch, AUD 325 in the Sky Lounge.3,4,5
- Whale monthsSeptember to December and May to July, as whales migrate.6
- Getting thereNo bus from Hobart: you make your own way to Coles Bay.7
What the cruise is, and where it leaves from
The Wineglass Bay cruise is a 4.5-hour trip through the waterways around Freycinet National Park, from Coles Bay to Wineglass Bay and back.1 It runs daily except Christmas Day: you check in by 9:30am, the boat cruises from 9:45am to 2:30pm, and it leaves from 61 Jetty Road in Coles Bay.2 The boat is Schouten Passage II, a Tasmanian-built 150-seat catamaran with two air-conditioned lounges.8
Every Wineglass Bay cruise from Coles Bay starts and ends at that jetty, so the real question is how you get there. The operator gives 185 km from Hobart on the Tasman A3 Highway, about 2.5 hours, and about 2 hours from Launceston.9 It runs no bus transfers from Hobart for the cruise.7 Guests staying at Freycinet Lodge can be picked up at the lodge jetty instead.10
In practice that means a night in Coles Bay, Swansea or Bicheno, or a very early start by car from Hobart. Driving up on the morning of the cruise is possible but tight, and wildlife on the roads at dawn is a real hazard on this coast.11 Sleeping nearby the night before takes the rush out of the morning and frees the afternoon for the lookout.
The ticket types
Vista Lounge and Sky Lounge compared
| Ticket | Adult | Child 3-16 | Food and drink | Deck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vista, own food | AUD 1903 | AUD 1153 | Bring your own3 | Main lounge18 |
| Vista with lunch | AUD 2104 | AUD 1304 | Ploughman's lunch4 | Main lounge18 |
| Sky Lounge | AUD 3255 | Adults only19 | Morning tea, lunch, drinks5 | Upper deck20 |
Operator prices in Australian dollars, as listed when we checked; resellers sell the same cruise from their own from-prices.4,5
The route: granite cliffs, Schouten Island and the bay
The boat heads south down the sheltered side of the peninsula, past white beaches such as Cooks and Bryans that the operator says can only be reached by water or a full day bushwalk.12 It then threads the inner passage of Schouten Island, where little penguins and short-tailed shearwaters live, and turns out into the Tasman Sea toward Wineglass Bay.13
The climax is lunch at anchor inside Wineglass Bay itself, looking back at the beach from the water.14 From the boat, the bay you know from countless photographs taken at the lookout turns into a wall of granite peaks with a thin white line at their feet. It is a very different picture, and arguably the more dramatic angle.
Weather can change the plan. If conditions stop the boat from reaching Wineglass Bay safely, the operator offers a full refund to anyone who decides not to sail, or an alternative route around the Schouten Island group and its large fur seal haulout.15 In extremely bad weather the cruise is cancelled with a full refund or another date.16 It never cancels just because few people booked.17
Wildlife you can expect on board
The operator lists sea eagles roosting on the granite cliffs, dolphins surfing the bow wave, cormorants on the crags of Schouten Passage and Australian fur seals hauled out along the coast.24 Seabirds are a constant: albatross, shearwaters, diving gannets, little penguins and cormorants all appear on its list.25 A pair of binoculars earns its place in your bag.
Whales are seasonal. The operator says humpback and southern right whales migrate past between September and December and between May and July.6 The Parks and Wildlife Service adds that whales, particularly humpbacks, regularly visit the waters off the peninsula in the winter months.26 Nothing is guaranteed, but those months give you the best odds.
Keep your distance in mind when the boat slows for animals. Let the boat set the distance, and watch seals on a haul-out rock quietly from the deck. Sit on the side the guide points to early, because everyone moves at once when a dolphin pod arrives. Keep your camera on a strap and a lens cloth in your pocket: spray on the bow deck is part of the deal on the open-sea stretch.
Which ticket
Pick your seat on the catamaran
Say how you travel and see which way of doing the bay fits you.
If We are a family with young children
Vista Lounge
The Vista Lounge has no age or height restrictions for children.21
If We want oysters, wine and a quiet deck
Sky Lounge
Morning tea, lunch and drinks are included, for adults only.5,19
If I want to keep the cost down
Vista, own food
At AUD 190 for an adult, it is the cheapest cruise ticket.3
If I want to walk on the beach itself
The water taxi
A boat to Hazards Beach, then a 2 km walk to the bay.22
If I get seasick easily
Vista, rear seats
There is much less movement at the back of the boat.23
Where to book it
The same boat, three listings
Lunch included
Cruise with lunch
Vista Lounge
- Length4.5 hours
- AccessWheelchair accessible
- CancelFree up to 24 hours
Oysters and drinks
The adults-only deck
Sky Lounge
- Length4.5 hours
- Check-in9:30 AM
- Ages18 and older
Vista Lounge or Sky Lounge: tickets and prices
Most passengers ride in the Vista Lounge, which has floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor decks.18 It has a licensed bar and cafe, and three restrooms, one of them fully accessible.31 With lunch the ticket costs AUD 210 for adults and AUD 130 for children 3-16, and the lunch is a ploughman's style box.4 If you bring your own food, it is AUD 190 for adults and AUD 115 for children.3
The Sky Lounge on the upper deck is adults only and seats up to 30, with access to the captain's bridge and a private viewing deck.20 Its AUD 325 ticket includes morning tea, a lunch with local oysters and drinks.5 The Vista Lounge, by contrast, has no age or height restrictions.21 The Sky Lounge suits a celebration or anyone who wants a quieter deck and an unhurried lunch; for families and budget travelers the Vista Lounge sees exactly the same coastline.
Wineglass Bay cruise prices also differ by where you book. On Viator the cruise starts from $133 and carries 1030 ratings; on GetYourGuide the version with lunch starts from $147 and the adults-only Sky Lounge from $228. The GetYourGuide listing notes that concession prices are not offered.
A cruise morning
The cruise from check-in to the jetty
By 9:30am
Check in at Jetty Road
Check in at 61 Jetty Road in Coles Bay.2
9:45am
Cast off from Coles Bay
Heading south
Beaches and Schouten Island
Past Cooks and Bryans beaches and through the inner passage.12,13
Midday
Lunch at anchor
Lunch inside Wineglass Bay, looking back at the beach.14
2:30pm
Back at the jetty
The cruise ends where it began, in Coles Bay.2
Booking, check-in and cancellations
The operator strongly recommends booking ahead because its tours often sell out.28 It asks guests to check in 15 minutes before departure.27 If you drive from a base outside Coles Bay, leave a buffer for parking and for slow traffic behind caravans on the Coles Bay Road.
Cancellation terms depend on who sold you the ticket. Booked directly, the operator may charge 100% for cancellations within 24 hours and 50% within 48 hours of departure.34 Both reseller listings shown here offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. With loose travel dates, that flexibility can matter more than the ticket price. Weather on the east coast can turn quickly, and a free day-before cancellation lets you swap a stormy forecast for a calmer morning later in your trip.
One more detail for drivers: the cruise starts in Coles Bay, outside the park gate, but if you also plan to walk to the lookout afterwards you need a parks pass for your car.32 The Freycinet Visitor Centre sells passes and is open daily from 9am to 4pm.35,33 Buying online the night before saves a stop, and a vehicle pass also covers your passengers.36
Video
A cruise around the peninsula into Wineglass Bay
Lei, Cinematic Travel on YouTube · Tap play to load the video; not before.
Join in the search for whales such as the humpback and southern right as they migrate between September to December and May to July.
Cruise day checklist
Before you board in Coles Bay
Getting there3
On board3
Seasickness, children and comfort on board
The operator says there is much less movement at the back of the boat and recommends a seat near the rear if you are prone to seasickness.23 It carries ginger tablets on every boat.37 Avoid a heavy breakfast before the crossing, keep your eyes on the horizon when the boat turns into the open sea, and step outside for fresh air if you feel queasy.
Families are welcome: the operator says children of all ages join its tours.38 Every boat has an onboard toilet.39 The GetYourGuide listing marks the cruise as wheelchair accessible and names baby-changing facilities in the Vista Lounge. If you use a wheelchair, call the operator ahead to talk through boarding at the jetty and where to sit.
Dress in layers. The cabin is enclosed and air-conditioned, but the operator still suggests dressing warmly, and the decks are exposed once you round the peninsula.29,8 A windproof jacket, a beanie in winter and sunscreen in summer cover it; UV, says Discover Tasmania, is high from September to April.30 Flat, grippy shoes help on wet decks and on the jetty steps.
Cruise or walk: which way to see Wineglass Bay
The lookout walk and the cruise answer different wishes. The walk is short and steep: the park service lists 1-1.5 hours and 2.6 km return, Grade 3.40 It gives the famous view from above for the price of a parks pass. The cruise takes most of a day and costs more, but it shows cliffs, islands and wildlife you cannot see from land.12,24
If you want to stand on the sand, there is a third way. The water taxi runs a 30-minute ride to Hazards Beach, from where a gentle 2 km walk reaches Wineglass Bay in about 30 minutes.41,22 Adults pay AUD 80 one way or AUD 130 return on the same day.42 You need your own parks pass for that trip.43 Pack a picnic and a towel: there are no shops on the far side, and the swim at Wineglass Bay is the reward for choosing this route.
The best plan on a fine day is to do both. Take the cruise in the morning, then drive into the park and climb to the lookout in the late afternoon, when the crowds thin. Seen from the water first and then from the saddle, the bay makes complete sense, and you will have earned dinner in Coles Bay. On a gray or windy day, reverse the order: walk in the morning and keep the cruise for a calmer date.
FAQ
Fast answers to common questions.
How long is the Wineglass Bay cruise?
4.5 hours.
It is a 4.5-hour cruise from Coles Bay to Wineglass Bay and back.1
What time does the cruise leave?
Check in by 9:30am.
The boat cruises from 9:45am to 2:30pm, daily except Christmas Day.2
Is lunch included on the cruise?
Can children go on the cruise?
Is there a bus from Hobart to the cruise?
No.
The operator offers no bus transfers from Hobart for its Wineglass Bay cruise.7
What happens if the weather is bad?
Another route or a refund.
If the boat cannot reach the bay safely you can take a full refund or the Schouten Island route.15
Will I see whales from the boat?
In the migration months, maybe.
Humpback and southern right whales pass between September and December and between May and July.6
Sources
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · FAQ ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Discover Tasmania (Tourism Tasmania) · Wineglass Bay Cruises listing ↩
- Discover Tasmania (Tourism Tasmania) · Getting around Tasmania ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Discover Tasmania (Tourism Tasmania) · Wineglass Bay Cruises listing ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Discover Tasmania (Tourism Tasmania) · Wineglass Bay Cruises listing ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Freycinet Aqua Express ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · FAQ ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (parks.tas.gov.au) · Freycinet National Park ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · FAQ ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · FAQ ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Discover Tasmania (Tourism Tasmania) · Climate and weather ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (parks.tas.gov.au) · Park pass frequently asked questions ↩
- Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (parks.tas.gov.au) · Freycinet National Park ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Wineglass Bay Cruises ↩
- Discover Tasmania (Tourism Tasmania) · Freycinet National Park ↩
- Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (parks.tas.gov.au) · Park pass frequently asked questions ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · FAQ ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · FAQ ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · FAQ ↩
- Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (parks.tas.gov.au) · Wineglass Bay Lookout ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Freycinet Aqua Express ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Freycinet Aqua Express ↩
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Freycinet Aqua Express ↩