Coles Bay to Wineglass Bay Sightseeing Cruise

Wineglass Bay is famous for its pale sand and sweeping curve, but the best view may come from the water. This 4.5-hour cruise leaves Coles Bay to follow Freycinet Peninsula’s rugged shore, where granite cliffs, tucked-away beaches and open sea give you a different view of Tasmania’s east coast.

I like two things in particular: you can see this celebrated stretch of coast without taking the roughly three-hour hike, and the crew keep watch for wildlife, including dolphins, sea eagles and seasonal whales. If you choose a lunch package, you can eat aboard while the coast rolls past.

The main drawback is the sea. Conditions can make parts of the trip rough, and motion sickness can turn a long scenic cruise into a very long one. The route may also change if weather makes the planned approach unsafe.

Key points to know

• A water-level view of Wineglass Bay: See the bay and Freycinet’s granite coastline from a boat, without the strenuous walk to the lookout.
• A full half-day on the water: The cruise lasts about four and a half hours, so allow time for the ride as well as the scenery.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Dolphins, seals, sea eagles and migrating whales have been spotted, but sightings depend on nature and the season.
• Lunch is an optional extra: The Ploughman’s-style spread includes meats, cheeses, salad, bread, fruit and a brownie. It is a light meal, not a feast.
• Choose your cabin with care: Vista Lounge is not age-restricted. Sky Lounge is for adults only.
• Check the sea forecast and your meeting time: The boat is enclosed, but you are advised to dress warmly, and the published schedule and meeting time differ.

👉 See our pick of the 2 Best Tours In Coles Bay

Leaving Coles Bay for Freycinet’s granite coast

1 / 6

2 / 6

3 / 6

4 / 6

5 / 6

6 / 6

1 / 6

The cruise departs from Coles Bay, a small coastal settlement beside Freycinet Peninsula. Once aboard, you travel along a shore shaped by pale beaches, clear water and weathered granite cliffs. The scenery is the main event, so this is a good fit if you enjoy looking closely at coast and sea rather than hopping between busy stops.

The cruise is listed as 4.5 hours, with a general activity schedule of 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. The meeting details also give a 9:30 am time at Wineglass Bay Cruises, Jetty Road, Coles Bay. Those times do not match, so check the meeting time on your voucher before setting out and arrive promptly.

There is no included transfer to Coles Bay. Local public transport is limited, so a taxi or private car is the suggested way to reach the jetty. If you are driving from elsewhere in Tasmania, build in a buffer rather than aiming to arrive at the last minute: late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

Seeing Wineglass Bay from the water

Wineglass Bay is often counted among the world’s top beaches, and the boat gives you a view that is quite different from the famous lookout above it. From sea level, the appeal lies not only in the curve of white sand but also in the surrounding cliffs and the sweep of the peninsula. You get the broader coastal setting rather than the single elevated viewpoint.

This is a useful alternative if you do not fancy the roughly three-hour hike associated with visiting the bay on foot. It is not, however, a substitute for walking on the beach or taking in the bay from a lookout. The cruise is a sightseeing trip, and the supplied details do not promise a shore landing.

The route can change with the weather and sea conditions. On one trip, the planned approach to Wineglass Bay was altered, and the group instead had lunch near Bryan’s Beach. That kind of adjustment can be sensible for safety, but it may disappoint you if reaching the bay itself is the one thing you have paid for. Ask yourself in advance whether the coast-wide experience would still feel worthwhile if the boat had to change course.

Wildlife watching along the peninsula

Keep your eyes on the water as well as the cliffs. Dolphins and sea eagles are among the wildlife you may spot, while migrating whales are a seasonal possibility. Past sightings have also included seals, albatross, humpback whales and even killer whales, but no particular animal can be guaranteed on your departure.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal, and also a reason to treat wildlife as a bonus rather than the whole purpose of the trip. If a whale appears, it can make the day; if not, you still have the coast and the views. Bring a camera, as advised, but remember to take in the scenery without looking through a screen the whole time.

The crew share information about wildlife and the area, and passengers have praised their attentiveness and professionalism. The captain’s commentary has also been noted as a useful part of the trip. The exact crew and sightings will vary, of course, but you can expect an English-speaking guide.

Four and a half hours at sea: the comfort question

A long coastal cruise gives you time to see a good stretch of the peninsula, but it also means a long time aboard. If you are prone to motion sickness, take that seriously. Several people have found the ride rough, particularly when the sea picks up, and some have felt unwell enough to spend time seeking fresh air at the back of the boat.

One passenger reported that ginger tablets were offered before rougher sections. Do not assume that will happen on every sailing, or rely on it as your only plan. If you know you are sensitive to motion, consider your usual precautions and think carefully about whether a 4.5-hour boat trip suits you.

The boat is enclosed, but warm clothing is recommended. That is practical advice even if the day begins mild: you will be on the water for hours, and the wind can make conditions feel cooler. Stroller and wheelchair access are listed, and no age or height restrictions apply to the Vista Lounge. Accessibility details for other areas are not specified.

What the Ploughman’s lunch adds

The lunch package offers a substantial-looking spread of cold items rather than a hot meal. The sample menu includes sliced smoked chicken, beef pastrami, ham, Ashgrove smoked cheddar, King Island Dairy double brie, rice crackers, tomato relish, pickled onion, garden salad, a bakery roll and butter. A chocolate brownie, dried fruit and seasonal fresh berries round it out.

It is a pleasant way to make the cruise feel like a meal on the water, especially when the views are good and you can eat on deck. But it is described as a light lunch, and anyone with a bigger appetite may want to plan accordingly. The menu changes with the season and ingredient availability.

There is also a cruise-only Vista Lounge option in the available package details, so you may be able to bring or arrange your own food instead. One passenger specifically suggested packing lunch to save money. Lunch for infants aged zero to two is not included.

Choosing between Vista Lounge and Sky Lounge

The Vista Lounge is the more flexible choice if you are travelling with children or want the option of a cruise-only fare. The information provided states that there is no age or height restriction for this lounge. One parent travelled with an infant and found the staff helpful, though another family felt the long, scenery-focused trip was not a good fit for a young child who needed more to do.

Sky Lounge is an adults-only option. A passenger who booked it found the upgrade worthwhile, with food and drinks served in the lounge, including wine and sparkling wine. That is a more premium way to spend the cruise, but it will not suit families with children, and the extra cost makes most sense if onboard comfort and service matter to you.

Package names and inclusions can vary. The listed options include Vista Lounge with lunch from US$147.69 and Sky Lounge for adults from US$221.55, while the overall experience is advertised from $162.45. These prices are not directly consistent, likely because of differing fare or currency displays. Check the total price and exactly what your selected package includes before booking.

Is the cruise good value?

The cruise costs more than a simple viewpoint visit, but it gives you several hours on the coast with an English-speaking guide, the chance to see wildlife and a perspective that you cannot get from the road. For someone who wants a relaxed way to see the peninsula from the sea, that can be good value. It is especially appealing if you are not keen on the hike to a high viewpoint.

Value depends on your expectations. If your priority is a guaranteed stop on Wineglass Bay’s sand, this is not the right promise to rely on. Weather can alter the route, and the activity can become a long stretch of looking at cliffs and sea rather than a close visit to the bay. One passenger felt that a weather-related route change should have led to a choice about continuing. The operator can cancel or vary a trip, and if extreme weather causes a cancellation, you can reschedule or request a full refund.

The overall customer rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 13 ratings, and Pennicott Wilderness Journeys has a 95 percent good-review rate across 318 reviews. Those figures suggest a strong service record, but they cannot smooth the sea or guarantee the weather. Staff are frequently praised for being friendly, professional and attentive, including when passengers feel unwell.

Who will enjoy this coastal cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy natural scenery, are comfortable spending several hours on a boat and want a low-effort way to see the Freycinet coast. It can also suit couples, older children who are content to watch the sea, and anyone who would rather cruise than hike.

I would think twice if you get seasick easily, need frequent activity or are travelling with a very young child who may become restless. The boat has no stated age restriction in the Vista Lounge, but that does not mean the journey is designed around children. A parent’s account describes a two-year-old aboard, while also noting that the long, scenery-led trip offered little for a small child to do.

Bring warm clothing and a camera, and make the decision based on the cruise itself, not only on the hope of seeing one famous beach or a whale. If you will enjoy the cliffs, open water and wildlife even when the route changes, it is a compelling half-day on Tasmania’s east coast.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if the coast is the point: granite cliffs, white beaches, wildlife watching and a comfortable alternative to the hike. Choose the lunch package if a simple onboard meal sounds useful, or compare the cruise-only and Sky Lounge options if you have different priorities.

Skip it, or weigh the risk carefully, if you are highly prone to seasickness or would be disappointed by a weather-driven change of route. This is a scenic boat trip, not a guaranteed beach landing. That distinction is the key to deciding whether the price feels fair.

FAQ

How long is the Wineglass Bay cruise?

The coastal cruise lasts about 4 hours and 30 minutes. The listed general schedule is 10:00 am to 2:30 pm.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The meeting point is in Coles Bay, at Wineglass Bay Cruises on Jetty Road, Tasmania 7215. The meeting details give 9:30 am, so check your voucher because this differs from the general activity schedule.

Does the cruise include lunch?

Lunch is included only with a lunch package. The sample menu is a cold Ploughman’s-style spread, and the menu may change with the season and ingredient availability. Lunch is not included for infants aged zero to two.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

The Vista Lounge has no age or height restrictions. The trip is focused on coastal scenery and lasts about four and a half hours, so consider whether a young child will be comfortable with that length of time.

Is the cruise wheelchair- and stroller-accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as stroller- and wheelchair-accessible. The provided information does not give further details about access to specific areas of the boat.

What happens if bad weather changes or cancels the trip?

The route or trip may be changed because of weather or sea conditions. If extreme weather leads to cancellation, you can reschedule or request a full refund.