Queenscliff Harbour Seal & Dolphin Snorkelling Tour: An In-Depth Look

So, you’re thinking of taking the plunge with the Queenscliff Harbour Seal & Dolphin Snorkelling Tour? That is, getting out into the water, and having a swim around with some of the ocean’s coolest critters? Maybe you’ve scrolled through the photos, gazed at the grinning faces plastered on the website, and you are thinking, “Yeah, that looks pretty darn awesome!” very similarly to something you’d say if you found your dream home and job on the same day. But then comes the doubt. Is it really worth it? Is the water perhaps too chilly? What happens if a seal steals your GoPro? I get it. That’s what I am thinking every time that I book any experience I think is fun.

That’s why I created this, a place where all of your seal and dolphin based queries get answered, hopefully making it much easier for you to reach a confident decision, maybe even before the end of your tea break. I am talking you through what the tour is actually like, from pre-departure jitters to the post-swim euphoria. Very similarly to receiving the Christmas gift you wanted as a child.

What To Expect From The Snorkelling Tour

First up, Queenscliff is just a gem. The place almost feels like you’ve walked straight into a postcard with its cute shops, that historic fort, and that calming seaside vibe. Before you even get to the animals, very similarly to a tourist trap at the beach, Queenscliff itself makes it worth the trip. Tour operators frequently run their excursions multiple times each day; basically, at any hour of the day. Anyway, your specific day might be quite different.

When you reach the harbour, there is usually a bit of excited milling about. You see, everyone is eager to meet the stars of the show. Once it’s time to leave, you will hop aboard a tour boat. Then, it is not too long until it is time to head out. A small tip: Find a good spot on the boat, that way you’ll be ready for some prime wildlife viewing. The crew will often give you a safety chat and maybe share a bit about what to expect. Then it is seal and dolphin watch time!

Actually, the boat heads to the best spots where seals and dolphins love to hang out, in hopes that you spot those playful creatures in their natural environment. That is something you might hear on a TV show or podcast about the ocean. I will tell you more about that soon enough!

Getting Up Close With Seals

The seals around Queenscliff Harbour are just too funny to ignore, seemingly turning up every hour. Anyway, seeing them lazing about on rocks, sunning themselves like they haven’t a care in the universe, is almost hilarious. After a safety talk, with maybe a few giggles as you squeeze into a wetsuit that probably isn’t a great fit for you, you can jump into the water. Keep in mind, the water can be quite cold, obviously depending on the time of year, that’s where wetsuits come in very handy. But that initial shock fades super fast the moment that a whiskered face comes zooming right at you!

That is, playful seals often approach snorkelers, curiously circling them. These animals act as though they are the puppies of the sea. You are lucky if you can get a really nice close look at them doing their acrobatic dives and playing in the water. You can almost feel like you’re intruding on their playtime. The seals can swim so very fast around you! Be sure to take as many photos and videos as you possibly can, if possible that is. The memories you make on this tour will likely last a lifetime.

Dolphin Encounters

While the seals may get nice and close, actually swimming with the dolphins might be more hit-or-miss. Very rarely will you have one swim right up to you, seemingly like an eager seal would. So, often, you will spot dolphins from the boat, watching them arch and play in the waves. Occasionally, you will have a pod swim near the boat, and if you’re in the water at the correct time, well, that would be the jackpot!

Do you ever wonder how tours get you so close? Well, there are government rules for approaching dolphins, very similarly to national rules regarding not walking around naked outside. It’s also a great idea that the tour operators are responsible, as it is for the wellbeing of the dolphins, that they need to act so they don’t disturb these marine animals. Viewing dolphins from a safe and respectful range lets you appreciate their environment without causing disruptions to the habitats where they live, yet gives you an enjoyable experience!

Essential Tour Details

I wanted to point out some things so you are as prepared as possible for the day, just like any good tour guide! Very similarly to knowing where the nearest restrooms are before a road trip, knowing how the tours run will keep the whole experience super fun.

• Tour Duration: The tour commonly goes for approximately 3.5 hours. Still, depending on the sea conditions, that is just an estimate. Very similarly to if a meeting should take an hour or 90 minutes, these things change very easily. You have to figure out transport time to and from the sites, which I will talk more about later.
• What’s Included: Basically, the cost often covers your wetsuit, that snorkeling gear, plus guidance from that experienced crew. Many of them will share their understanding about marine life and what they do, yet they could be keeping secret details to themselves, that is how the cookie crumbles.
• What to Bring: It’s probably best if you pack a towel, of course, some swimwear, a waterproof camera if you would like to get your very own awesome shots, and of course don’t forget the sunscreen. As well as that, a dry change of clothes for after is always a smart plan, otherwise you risk shivering to your core on the way home!

Is the Queenscliff Snorkelling Tour Really Worth It?

So, is it a ‘yes’ from me about the Queenscliff Harbour Seal & Dolphin Snorkelling Tour? That depends. Very similarly to asking if chocolate goes well with everything (because, let’s face it, it pretty much does!), there are of course some points you should probably be aware of first. However, if you’re up for a bit of adventure, and are totally keen on some wildlife, and are okay with chilly water, and you probably also appreciate awesome memories, then I cannot see why you wouldn’t go and love every minute! As you’ve obviously figured out, it really can be an experience of a lifetime. This experience, unlike a lifetime with just watching TV, allows you to engage with the natural habitat that is all around the sea, making for a trip of both fun and amazement!

For those on a solo trip, this excursion gives not only an experience within the waters near Queenscliff Harbour, it means you meet and engage with people just like yourself! That is to say that you will enjoy an inclusive outing that allows both excitement, adventure and enjoyment. Don’t take my word for it, see the sights yourself.

Tips For an Amazing Experience

Do you want this trip to be great? Obviously, I did. Well, I am dropping a couple tips on you to make the tour as memorable as possible!

• Book in Advance: Especially during peak season, reserving your spot early can stop the disappointment of a completely booked tour. Also, I find if you look at the trip one day it might cost this much, and then the very next day the exact same tour may cost less! This has been a thing lately, too, it is just pot luck.
• Check the Weather: The experience could be changed hugely with bad weather and visibility that day. Tours are commonly weather-dependent and may get rescheduled for the benefit of the participants. Yet that is for your benefit, if the trip happens the experience can be significantly different from how you first pictured it!
• Listen to the Crew: Tour guides and boat crew are the kings of safety and regulations when you are participating. If the tour operators mention that the water is looking dodgy or if you feel yourself going outside your comfort levels, it is completely OK to return to the boat! No-one on board is judging you. If anyone does, it might be for you benefit that you remove them from your socials or your close contacts on your phone after you return from the trip.

Getting to Queenscliff Harbour

So you may want to arrive at the snorkelling location as soon as possible, of course the method of transportation can change, and be as varied as if you took a bus or caught a private taxi, especially considering transport expenses may make you think very deeply! This portion here, anyway, I give you the transport solutions so you are as calm as possible with planning the seal and snorkelling adventure day at Queenscliff Harbour.

• By Car: Coming via car gives the most versatility. As a matter of fact, you are able to control when you arrive. It provides more opportunity to find interesting spots for exploration close to Queenscliff, on the drive to the final location, very similar to when someone says ‘I am hungry’ and then stops 5 times at different locations before they eat their sandwich!
• Public Transportation: Train solutions link Melbourne to Geelong, where Queenscliff will need you to catch a bus or taxi from. Obviously this method can be very economical and enables people to unwind and read (or even doze off!). However make certain of timing, as public transportation timing may vary wildly, this makes the adventure schedule need lots of adjustment to reach without delay for excursions to see the sea life and snorkelling near seals and dolphins!
• Ferry Services: Sea Road ferries are there and work nicely amongst Sorrento and Queenscliff. This transport to the snorkelling location enables a scenic, beautiful, sea passage option. The ferry might enable vehicle transfer or to arrive on foot, giving choices for everyone with where their journeys commence from. This might mean that they spend less time on public transport if they lived closer to Sorrento. Check plans and rates beforehand. Especially to enable your snorkelling and sea animal watch adventure close to Queenscliff.

Frequently Asked Questions