Escape the crowds on a fast RIB boat ride and explore the waterways and coast that welcomed the first settlers in 1803 to establish the city of Melbourne. Encounter seabirds, seals, whales and dolphins and see the only black lighthouse in the Southern Hemisphere.

*Minimum of four passengers for tour to proceed unless on a Private Tour
*Tour is not suitable for toddlers and babies, only children aged 5 years and above allowed on board.

WaterMaarq's The Rip Marine National Park Sightseeing Cruise from Sorrento is an award-winning 1.5 hour cruise exploring the gorgeous Mornington Peninsula bays and coastline. Explore local waters for seals, whales & dolphins sightings on a boutique tour for 12 guests. 

• Ideal for Bird, Seal, Whale & Dolphin Watching and Wildlife Photography
• Adventurous Nature Escape and Rich History Cruise

• Fun, Swift and Stable RIB Boat Ride

• Visit Internationally Significant Bird Habitat

• Ethical Sustainability Focused Guided Cruise

Cruise the glorious coast of the Mornington Peninsula and southern Port Phillip Bay. At any time of year you’re likely to see gannets diving, fur seals playing, nesting cormorants, or a pod of dolphins riding the waves and frolicking about.

See entertaining unique local wildlife on our boutique 1.5-hour seal, whale and dolphin watching cruise for up to 12 guests.

On board our swift eco boat Apollo, we'll cruise by the glorious coast of the Mornington Peninsula. Guests explore over 20-million years old sandy cliffs, immaculate holiday homes and pristine beaches. The coastline is part of the Point Nepean National Park and Port Phillip Bay. It is home to a variety of wildlife including seals, dolphins, occasional migrating whales and abundant seabirds well known to exceed 70 different species.

Touring southern Port Phillip Bay, you'll see several unique features that are unequalled. Cruising by the Ticonderoga Bay Dolphin Sanctuary tales of history will unfold. The cliffs leading to Point Nepean and the original defence forts precinct built to guard the entrance to Port Phillip Bay, known as The Rip. The Rip is where the waters of the bay meet the seas of Bass Strait. Here you'll cross the very first point our earliest settlers would have seen after their months long ship's journey. 

During the summer months, the migratory shearwater birds congregate en masse at the waters at the heads, thousands upon thousands of birds rafting together on the surface. 

Australian Fur Seals, once hunted excessively for their pelts, are now fully protected and enjoy resting on Chinaman's Hat, a man-made haul out platform in the bay. Here the seals get out of the water and rest after days of fishing. Seeing them up close you will be mesmerised by their presence, agility and adore their features.

From around June through to August (winter), along the southern coast of Victoria, our waters are home to the migration passages of whales. Sightings of Humpback, Southern Right and Killer whales (Orca) are increasing year on year. Visits into Port Phillip Bay are becoming more frequent and it's possible to gain some amazing sightings.

Any other day seals, seabirds including gannets, pelicans, shy albatross or white-faced storm petrels may greet you out on or above the water. 

Passing by protected marine parks and one of only 64 Ramsar wetlands in Australia, you'll enjoy 360 degree views from our open vessel. Through sharing and developing understanding, we hope to aid protection and conservation of our significant nature and wildlife.

Every trip will teach you something new. The 1.5-hour Wildlife Sightseeing Boat Tour gives you a personalised view into the beauty and richness of Port Phillip Bay. Everyone enjoys the stable ride and freedom felt on board our small and robust tour vessel. Open air seating provides all-round view and a feeling of connectedness with the marine environment.

Your friendly crew will guide you as you explore the incredible diversity and magic of our beautiful coastal region.

Tour Highlights:

• Swift eco style rigid inflatable boat
• Opportunity to see wild dolphins, seals and sea birds including gannets and cormorants
• Small group tour for a more personalised experience
• Up close remarkable wildlife viewing
• Completely natural wildlife experience, no feeding or trained animals
  
• Face-to-face expert commentary and interaction with qualified guides
  

• Tours depart from Sorrento Pier
• Directions to Sorrento Pier
• All Guests must be minimum 5 years of age
• All Guests must be minimum 100cm tall
• Please be at the pier at least 15 minutes before tour departure time to ensure you have enough time to check in and make yourself comfortable
• Tours depart at the scheduled time and will not wait for late guests
• Please dress comfortably and warmly
• Guests with back, neck, shoulder or heart conditions, those who are pregnant or who have injuries/conditions that may cause a risk to their health are advised to not do these tours, or do so at their own risk
• Eligibility of guests to participate in the tour is at the discretion of the Captain who has the right to refuse passage
• Sea conditions can be unpredictable at times, this may cause physical injury, psychological stress or motion sickness
• Tours are rarely cancelled, the experience provider will reschedule your tour only in the case of severe weather which would make the tour unsafe
• Subject to minimum numbers and may be rescheduled if minimum numbers are not met
• Guests will have the opportunity to spot dolphins, however sightings can not be guaranteed as they are wild animals
• The supplier reserves the right to substitute the vessel and / or change the day’s itinerary without notice
  
• Guests must provide at least 24 hours notice for cancellations or all fees will be forfeited

Departure from Sorrento Pier To Weedy Seadragon Lair, Pope’s Eye Marine Park and Chinaman’s Hat Seal Haulout includes: 

●  2-HOUR BOAT TOUR, QUICK WITHOUT RUSHING (Allow up to 3 hours including arrival, briefings and changing afterwards)
●  ALL SNORKELLING GEAR INCLUDED FOR YOUR COMFORT (Mask, Snorkel, Fins, and Warm 5mm Wetsuit)
●  MAXIMUM 10 SWIMMERS PER TOUR (for a more personalised experience)

PEAK SEASON (December 16 to January 31)       
OFF-PEAK SEASON (OCTOBER – APRIL) 

*Minimum of four passengers for tour to proceed unless on a Private Tour

Before you know it, you’ll be zooming across the bay on the Apollo — spend less time in transit and have more fun-time playing in the water.

Imagine you had 300 degree vision like a dolphin. You too would see forwards, backwards and to the sides. In other words, you get a panoramic view of a dolphin’s world above and below the sea. In fact, when you see a dolphin bow riding, they’re turning on their back and sides so as to get a good look at who is on the boat.

And when you join a WaterMaarq boat tour, you immerse yourself into the dolphin’s playground.

You slip into the warm wetsuit, put on the mask and snorkel, dive into the waters and frolic just like a dolphin leaping in the waves with the sheer joy of it. Ducking and diving and swimming amongst all of the dolphin’s friends. There’s the seadragon sitting on the reef minding his own business. There’s the stingray gliding by like a UFO, competing for space with their frenemy, the cool and coy bottlenose dolphin. Look up to the skies and you’ll see the dolphin’s food spotters, the Australasian gannets diving like asteroids into the bait-ball in the sea. One splash and the dolphins know that it’s feeding time ahead. Meanwhile, a squid or two might look on and overcome their shyness to zoom in for their surprise reveal. The dolphin’s oyster is your world for a couple of hours. The invisible becomes visible for you to see — the flowing locks of reef, the mossy vegetation, the rippling sand floor and the emerald water itself.

Along the way, the dolphins are their own stars, lighting up the tour when they feel like coming out of their shells. At times, they’re like colourful fireworks. Other times, they’re on their own totally excellent adventure.

Unlike their playmates, dolphins are on island time — there’s no Rolex, no deadline, no schedule, just the free spirit of timeless nature. Even when they’re not present, they are always there in spirit when you are immersed in their home, the sea. And you get to see their world through their eyes and move freely as they do. Rolling to the side. Duck diving under. Looking about to see who’s showing up next. Being stress-free, playful and peaceful is the dolphin’s gift to us.

Meanwhile, a comet trail of bubbles zooms past your very eyes. Not to be outdone by the dolphins, a couple of cheeky seals arc tightly in front of you to show off their acrobatic fin skills — darting left and right, even rocketing up and out of the water to land with a galant splash. As its buddy rests, he waves his fin above the surface as if to send you back to the pier with one last happy goodbye.

It’s only natural that you want to wave back when you see that everybody else on the boat is waving and wearing a dolphin smile.

How contagious the natural joy of swimming freely like a dolphin is for all who join our small pod of ten swimmers (maximum 12 guests) on our boat, The Apollo. In short, the whole dolphin boat tour experience is a deepening of connection with loved ones and friends. What a difference it makes to see life through the tenderness of dolphin eyes.

Tour Highlights:

• Swift eco style rigid inflatable boat
• Remarkable wildlife snorkelling across three sites, for up to 1.25hrs
• Opportunity to encounter bottlenose dolphins, and swim with weedy seadragons, Australian fur seals and smooth stingrays
• Personalised approach for greater confidence, improve your snorkelling skills
• All equipment provided including warm wetsuits and snorkelling gear
  
• Range of prescription masks available
• Completely natural wildlife experience, no feeding or trained animals
• Face-to-face expert commentary and in-water supervision with qualified guides

• Tours depart from Sorrento Pier
• Directions to Sorrento Pier
• All Guests must be minimum 8 years of age
• All Guests must be minimum 100cm tall
• Please be at the pier at least 25 minutes before tour departure time to ensure you have enough time to check in, dress in the provided wetsuit and receive your snorkelling equipment
• Tours depart at the scheduled time and will not wait for late guests
• Please dress comfortably and warmly
  
• Please bring swimmers, a towel, a hat, sunglasses, camera and your own re-usable water bottle
  
• Guests must have basic swimming skills as a minimum. Snorkel tours do not cater for people with no swimming ability. The Captain retains the right to refuse passage
  
• Guests with back, neck, shoulder or heart conditions, those who are pregnant or who have injuries/conditions that may cause a risk to their health are advised to not do these tours, or do so at their own risk
• Sea conditions can be unpredictable at times, this may cause physical injury, psychological stress or motion sickness
• Tours are rarely cancelled, the experience provider will reschedule your tour only in the case of severe weather which would make the tour unsafe
• Subject to minimum numbers and may be rescheduled if minimum numbers are not met
• Guests will have the opportunity to encounter dolphins, however sightings can not be guaranteed as they are wild animals
• Tours are conducted under strict permit conditions governed by the provisions of the Wildlife Act 1975 and the Wildlife (Marine Mammal) Regulations 2019 and as an approved permit holder we and all guests must observe and conduct our activities under the conditions of the permit. Details of these conditions are provided prior to the tour and on board the vessel
• The supplier reserves the right to substitute the vessel and / or change the day’s itinerary without notice
  
• Guests must provide at least 24 hours notice for cancellations or all fees will be forfeited