From Coles Bay: Wineglass Bay Cruise with Lunch

The best part of this Wineglass Bay cruise is seeing Freycinet National Park from the water. Granite cliffs reveal colors and shapes you cannot see from the shore, while sea caves, coves, beaches, and the Hazards range pass at a steady, photo-friendly pace.

I like the chance to spot wildlife without leaving your seat, and I like the practical comfort of the Vista Lounge, with large windows, heating, toilets, and viewing decks. The main drawback is the sea and weather: rough water can make the ride uncomfortable, and poor conditions may force the boat to follow an alternate route instead of reaching Wineglass Bay.

Key points to know before booking

• Wineglass Bay from the water: See the famous curve of the beach, turquoise water, and surrounding granite cliffs from a viewpoint hikers do not get.
• Wildlife is a real possibility: Dolphins, fur seals, whales, albatross, sea eagles, penguins, and other birds have all been spotted, though nature keeps its own timetable.
• A useful half-day outing: The cruise lasts 270 minutes, long enough for the coast, wildlife viewing, commentary, and lunch without taking your whole day.
• Good onboard facilities: Seating, toilets, heating, air-conditioning, bars, viewing decks, and baby-changing facilities are available on both levels.
• Lunch is simple and local: Your bento-style Ploughman’s box includes meat, cheese, and other picnic foods. Drinks cost extra.
• Weather matters: Bring warm clothes and flat, comfortable shoes. The cruise can change route or be canceled if conditions are unsafe.

Why the water is the best introduction to Freycinet

Wineglass Bay is often pictured from the lookout above the beach, but the boat shows you a different side of Freycinet. From Coles Bay, Schouten Passage II heads along the coast toward the great sweep of granite that forms the Freycinet Peninsula.

The view changes constantly. One minute you are looking at the Hazards mountain range, and the next you are alongside steep rock walls marked with bands of color. Sea caves and small coves appear at water level, where their scale is much easier to appreciate than from a distant road or walking track.

I especially like this perspective for visitors who have only a short stay in Tasmania. You get a strong sense of the coast without committing to a long hike or arranging several separate stops. The boat also lets you see places that are not accessible from land.

The cruise is not a quiet sightseeing ferry. The skipper adjusts the route to make the most of the conditions and wildlife sightings. On departures led by skipper Noah, the commentary has been lively, funny, and full of small details, from local geology to lichen. Other crew members spend time on the front deck, helping point out animals and answering questions.

Leaving Coles Bay aboard Schouten Passage II

Check in at Wineglass Bay Cruises, at the corner of Jetty Road and the Esplanade in Coles Bay. The departure point is about two and a half to three hours by car from Hobart, so this is best planned as part of a Freycinet stay or a wider east coast road trip.

Once aboard Schouten Passage II, you can choose between indoor seating and outdoor viewing areas. The Vista Lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows, which are useful when the wind picks up or the weather turns damp. You still get broad views without having to remain outside for the full four and a half hours.

The boat has seating and facilities on both levels, along with heating and air-conditioning. A bar sells drinks, including coffee and other beverages. The Sky Lounge is reserved for adults aged 18 and over, so families and younger passengers should plan to use the other seating areas.

The crew takes safety seriously. Flat shoes are the sensible choice because the boat can move underfoot, especially once you reach more exposed water. If you are prone to seasickness, sit low and toward the center when possible, and move outside for fresh air if needed. The crew can assist passengers who are feeling unwell.

Granite cliffs, caves, and the Hazards range

The early part of the route is all about Freycinet’s shoreline. Sheer granite cliffs rise from the water, broken by sea caves and narrow inlets. A boat gives you a close look at the lower rock faces, where weather and waves have carved openings and ledges over time.

This is also where the cruise earns its price. You are not simply being transported to Wineglass Bay. The boat turns the coastline into the main attraction, with commentary explaining local landmarks, wildlife, geology, and the area’s past.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip looking through it. The best views can come quickly, especially when the boat changes position near a cave or cliff. The front deck is often the most exciting place for photographs, but it is also the coldest and windiest.

Weather can add to the mood. One departure described mist, rain, waterfalls, and seals as part of the appeal. Another had calm seas and bright sun. You need to accept that Freycinet may look different from the brochure image, and that is part of a coastal cruise in Tasmania.

Wildlife watching, from dolphins to whales

Wildlife is one of the strongest reasons to choose the boat. Dolphins may approach the vessel, sometimes circling it or swimming beside the bow. Fur seals can be seen resting on rocky islands, squabbling on the rocks, or moving through the water.

Whales are seasonal and never guaranteed, but sightings have included humpback whales and whales breaching at a distance. Birdlife can include albatross, gannets, sea eagles, and other coastal species. Penguins have also been listed among the animals you may see.

The crew helps here. Staff regularly watch from the deck and point out animals that are easy to miss. Their enthusiasm matters because a distant fin or bird can disappear before you find it yourself.

Still, book this as a scenic cruise first and a wildlife trip second. You might see dolphins, seals, or whales, but nature does not follow a schedule. If the boat changes route because of wind or swell, you could miss Wineglass Bay and see more wildlife elsewhere instead. That alternative can still be rewarding, but it is important to understand the tradeoff before you board.

Reaching Wineglass Bay by boat

Wineglass Bay is the emotional center of the trip. The water takes on the clear turquoise color that makes the bay famous, while the pale beach curves between wooded slopes and granite peaks.

Seeing the bay from the boat is different from reaching it on foot. You do not get the long downhill walk or the beach experience, but you do get a broad view of the entire setting. The boat can place the beach, water, cliffs, and surrounding headlands in one frame.

This is a good option for anyone who cannot manage a hike, or for anyone who wants to combine Wineglass Bay with a wider coastal outing. It is also useful if your main interest is the peninsula as a whole rather than spending several hours on one walking route.

The captain may position the vessel for photographs and views, then allow time to sit with lunch and take in the bay. Even on a cloudy day, the place can feel dramatic. In sunshine, the water and beach are at their most familiar. If conditions prevent the boat from reaching the bay, the operator may follow a route around Oyster Bay or another sheltered section of coast instead.

What comes in the Ploughman’s lunch

The included meal is a bento-style Ploughman’s lunch. Expect a picnic-style box with meat, cheese, and other simple foods, often featuring Tasmanian products. It is designed to be eaten in the Vista Lounge while the scenery passes outside.

I like this format for a boat trip. You do not lose time waiting for a meal to be served, and you can eat when the sea is calm or when the boat pauses near a scenic point. The food has generally been described as fresh, tasty, and well prepared.

Portion size may depend on how hungry you are. One passenger found the meat portion a little light, while others considered the lunch generous and excellent value. If you have a large appetite, it is sensible to think of this as a substantial snack or light meal rather than a restaurant lunch.

Drinks are not included. You can buy them from the onboard bar, and prices have been described as reasonable. Dietary requirements have been catered for on some departures, but you should confirm your needs before booking rather than assume the standard box will suit you.

How comfortable is the 270-minute cruise?

Four and a half hours is long enough to make comfort important. Fortunately, you are not expected to remain outside. The indoor lounge has large windows, and both levels offer seating, toilets, heating, and air-conditioning.

You can move between the lounge and viewing decks as the weather changes. That flexibility is useful in Tasmania, where a sunny morning can turn cold and wet once the boat reaches open water.

Families have practical support, including baby-changing facilities. The cruise is wheelchair accessible, and the crew has received strong praise for helping passengers who use wheelchairs or need assistance moving around the vessel. Access can still feel different outdoors in wind or swell, so discuss any specific mobility concerns with the operator before departure.

The adults-only Sky Lounge gives passengers aged 18 and over a quieter seating option. It is not the only comfortable place onboard, and families are not shut out of the main experience.

The $141 price and who gets good value

At $141 per person, this is not a cheap short boat ride. It is a 270-minute cruise with a meal, onboard commentary, wildlife watching, indoor facilities, and access to a coastline that is difficult to appreciate fully from land.

I see the value most clearly if you are already staying near Freycinet and want one major outing rather than several smaller activities. The price covers the boat trip and Ploughman’s lunch, but not drinks or transport from Hobart.

For someone traveling from Hobart, the real cost is higher because you must allow five to six hours of driving time there and back, depending on conditions and stops. I would not try to fit this casually into a Hobart day trip. Stay nearby, or include it in an east coast itinerary.

The cruise suits couples, families, older visitors, and anyone who wants the scenery without a demanding walk. It is also a strong choice for visitors with limited mobility, thanks to the accessible vessel and attentive crew. The main group I would caution is anyone who dislikes boats, gets severe seasickness, or needs a guaranteed view of Wineglass Bay in perfect weather.

Planning your day around the cruise

Wear comfortable, flat shoes and bring warm layers even if Coles Bay feels mild at departure. A waterproof outer layer is sensible because the weather can change quickly, and the outdoor decks may feel much colder than the shore.

Allow time before check-in and do not assume a late arrival will be easy to fix. Check departure availability when booking, since start times vary and cruises operate subject to availability and weather.

The activity is conducted in English. It is worth listening to the commentary, especially if you are interested in the area’s animals, geology, and local landmarks. The narration is designed to add context without taking over the scenery.

The cruise can be canceled up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Neither option is available on Christmas Day, and concession prices are not offered to students or seniors.

Should you book the Wineglass Bay cruise?

I would book this if you want a broad, comfortable look at Freycinet and do not want your visit to depend on a hike. The combination of granite cliffs, wildlife, changing weather, a good picnic lunch, and a close view of Wineglass Bay makes this one of the more complete half-day outings in the area.

Go in with realistic expectations. You cannot control the sea, the route, or the animals, and the bay may be replaced by another coastal route in poor weather. If you can accept that uncertainty, the crew, scenery, and chance of seeing dolphins, seals, or whales make the $141 fare reasonable.

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 does the cruise last?

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

How far is Coles Bay from Hobart?

The meeting point is approximately a two and a half to three-hour drive from Hobart.

Is transport from Hobart included?

No. Transfers from Hobart are not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A bento-style Ploughman’s lunch is included for standard passengers. Lunch is not included for infants.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available to buy from the onboard bar.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include dolphins, penguins, seals, whales, albatross, sea eagles, gannets, and other birdlife. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Can the boat reach Wineglass Bay in all weather?

No. The cruise is subject to weather conditions. Poor weather or rough seas may require an alternate route.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the cruise is wheelchair accessible. The crew can also assist passengers who need help moving around the boat.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable flat shoes and warm clothing. Tasmania’s coastal weather can change quickly.

Is there an adults-only area?

Yes. The Sky Lounge is for passengers aged 18 and over. Other seating areas are available on the vessel.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.