Boat Tours
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
AU$42
per adult
Imagine Cruises
Imagine Cruises
5
Scuba & SnorkellingBoat ToursEco ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife Tours
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Full view
About
'Imagine Cruises' is an advanced Eco-Accredited company that is dedicated to the protection of Dolphins and Whales. 'Imagine' is a 54ft Sailing Catamaran, purpose-designed as a model for Eco-tourism and capable of both offshore and inshore cruising. She offers a covered foredeck, as well as a comfortable downstairs cabin and bar. Whenever possible, we will hoist the sails and share with you our passion for sailing! 'Envision' is a 40ft power cat, designed to move through the water quickly but safely and smoothly. She provides a 360° viewing platform which is perfect for the keen photographer!She is also capable of delivering guests directly onto the beach. 'Envision' is ideal for a relaxed, personalised and crowd-free experience. We offer four seasonal tours that all carry Advanced Ecotourism certification: Dolphin Watch + Sailing, Whale and Dolphin Watching, Dolphin Watch + Snorkeling and Seafood BBQ Dinner Cruise.
Nelson Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Features animals
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On the Water
3–4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
AU$85
per adult
Travellers talk about
(56 reviews)
(26 reviews)
(16 reviews)
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5.0
566 reviews
Excellent
469
Very good
76
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
8
Caroline
Bishops Stortford, UK15 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Family
Great welcome from the team on board who were all very friendly and knowledgeable. It was amazing to see a pod of dolphins just on the edges of the bay. Thanks for a great morning
Written 23 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sonja
Invercargill, New Zealand1 contribution
Oct. 2023 • Family
This was an absolutely amazing tour, the staff were genuine, down to earth, friendly and the boat was well equipped. It had a genuine family friendly feel to it. It was not over crowded but open, clean, tidy and the staff welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable. We were able to see whales with their babies who even came really close to the boat allowing us once in a life time opportunities to see these beautiful mammals in there natural environment doing what they love.
Written 9 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler11285582500
1 contribution
Oct. 2023 • Friends
Great day out we saw maybe 6-8 Mummas & their Calves - some just swimming, some just resting & 2 came over for a look & gave us a few good tail slaps.
Staff were so helpful, especially as one friend brought her Granddaughter with a pram
Staff were so helpful, especially as one friend brought her Granddaughter with a pram
Written 8 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raghuram M
1 contribution
Aug. 2023 • Family
Th experience was really amazing. Staff onboard were really good and made sure we had a great experience.
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yesskakaka
38 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
Can't recommend these guys enough! Great day full of unforgettable experiences with a genuinely lovely and knowledgeable crew.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaq B
Sydney, Australia2 contributions
We gave up counting the number of whale mum, bub and escorts, and their breeches. Once in a lifetime experience. And not to forget the fur seals and dolphins.
Written 28 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NicoleF
Filey, UK38 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
WOW! What a morning we had! As we left the bay there was a dolphin playing around then within 20 mins of setting sail we had found a few whales! We watched these for a little while then headed to see seals on an island, as we started to head back to the harbour there was some activity on the horizon so the boat turned round & we went in search of these whales. Well we wasn’t disappointed! Whales we breaching, tail slapping etc etc. Really great morning, lovely informative crew & clean tidy boat! Well worth a visit!
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rena
1 contribution
Aug. 2023 • Family
The crew were very friendly and constantly made rounds to check on anybody that was feeling a little seasick. Unfotunately we weren't able to see any whales up close as we were slightly off-season, though we did see some dolphins that came up to play, swimming around the boat. We also saw lots of seals basking on the rocks and diving into the sea. We were offered a second chance to come back on another day free of charge as part of their guarantee, but did not have time to go back on our trip.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil D
1 contribution
Aug. 2023 • Family
The boat was amazing, there was a bit of swell once out the bay but my daughter had a great time at the front watching the waves. We saw dolphins, seals and a couple of whales reasonably up close, and deployed the sail on the way back. Great team with good sense of humour and loved the sea shanties played. Whale ale was a nice celebratory touch. Overall a great boat trip adventure.
Written 23 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KARYN W
10 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
My husband and I had a great 3-hour cruise, especially as the weather was perfect! The boat’s captain was very informative and the crew kept checking that we were okay and added extra information. We got to see a male dolphin by himself and a pod of them a little later. We were lucky and observed a mother whale and her calf and another mother and calf with her companion. There was also viewing of some seals on rocks and several of them dived into the sea. The boat provided jackets and blankets as once you got out into open water, it did get a bit cool.
Written 21 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
missy b
sydney433 contributions
Hi
I dont know the name of the island (sorry) BUT i know you can walk too it at low tide over a sand bar - Imagine Tours i think used to do a day cruise or a half day cruise to that island .
Have you resumed doing that island ? and if you have what time of the year does it go -
thanks
Ziyi G
Sydney, Australia
Hi I have made a booking, the amount was debited from my card, but I have not received any form of confirmation yet. Would you please explain how this works?
Thanks
Maki
Greater Sydney, Australia21 contributions
Did you send an inquiry to them?
They replied me back soon when I sent an rnqiey.
06lainey27
Peterborough, UK3 contributions
Do Imagine cruises charge a daily cabin charge, I believe it’s per person, per day. Due to sail with them in January, our first cruise, and have been told to ask about these ‘extra’ charges.
Any help would be appreciated, thank you.
Carol W
Sydney, Australia156 contributions
Good Morning.
The only cruise I have done with Imagine is a day Whale watching cruise. So I am sorry I unable to answer your question.
Marita H
Scone, Australia
Hello
I’m interested in doing a whale watching tour. Suggestions?
Thanks :-)
wylliamyong
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia8 contributions
Hi, we are planning a trip second week of September. Interested in the sailing, dolphins and whales. What are the chances of all three around that time? Do we need to book in advance (is it a peak period) or can we just book a day ahead? Thanks!
Christine W
Sydney, Australia52 contributions
Most probably Dolphins as the Bay has resident pods all year round. Sept is still the Whale watching season & they used to offer a second cruise at 50% if their not sighted. Bookings are advisable if you've got limited time as some Sydney coach tours offer the cruises as well. There are life jackets available on board but not compulsory to where. Cruises may experience some swells so something like Travelcalm might be advisable if seasickness is a problem. This company is very customer friendly and will offer any assistance needed.
Jill1968
Sydney35 contributions
Hi
I get seasick. How far out of the bay do you go and how rough is it on an average day?
Thanks
Christine W
Sydney, Australia52 contributions
That's right, you don't go outside the Bay so its usually pretty calm. Very relaxing cruise.
krmh
Helsinki, Finland40 contributions
Hi! We are coming to Port Stephens at the end of December. Do you recommend booking the Marine Discovery tour in advance or can we book it when we arrive? Thank you!
Hi! You can book any cruise right up until the last minute...but by the end of December it will be getting busy as it will be the beginning of the school holiday period. Booking ahead of time is probably a good idea if you want to be sure to secure your spot.
Hope to see you onboard!
Kiasululu
Singapore, Singapore35 contributions
We are planning a trip in late November. Is it too late for whale watching? And swimming with dolphins?
Karen D
Corlette, Australia121 contributions
I believe Oct is usually the end of the season. But I would ring to confirm with the boat operators, as they get reports off other boats up and down coast of whales migrating, through being tracked and reported sightings etc. Swimming with dophins shouldn't be a problem as always sight them especially on a fine day.
