Seal and Dolphin Swim Tour - Queenscliff

Highlights

Swim with Dolphins and Seals: Melbourne’s Ultimate Marine Adventure

Duration: 3.5 Hours (approx.)

Location: Queenscliff, VIC

Looking for the most magical wildlife encounter in Victoria? A Seal and Dolphin Swim in Port Phillip Bay is a world-class experience that deserves the top spot on your Melbourne bucket list. Departing from Queenscliff, this 3.5-hour eco-adventure takes you into the pristine waters of the Great Southern Reef to meet Australia’s most playful marine residents face-to-face.

The Experience: Splash into a Liquid Playground

Whether you choose to stay dry on the vessel or plunge into the turquoise water, the perspective is nothing short of magnificent.

• The Maureen M: This custom-built vessel features a rooftop viewing platform for a bird's-eye view of the action. For those wanting to relax, the boat is equipped with mermaid lines and a unique extending hammock net, allowing you to glide right above the dolphins as they dart beneath the hull.
• Popes Eye Snorkel: Start your journey at the iconic Popes Eye. This marine park is a vibrant underwater garden filled with colorful fish, making it the perfect shallow spot to brush up on your snorkeling skills.
• Australian Fur Seals at Chinaman’s Hat: Visit the local "haul-out" site, home to 30–40 energetic young Australian Fur Seals. These "puppies of the sea" are incredibly curious and often jump into the water to twirl and play alongside snorkelers.
• Wild Dolphin Encounters: The highlight of any trip is searching for the local Burrunan dolphins. Led by expert instructors, the swims are conducted with the utmost respect for the animals, ensuring a sustainable and ethical encounter that benefits both the snorkelers and the dolphins.

Travel with Purpose: The SOEL Partnership

When you book this tour, you aren't just ticking off a bucket list item—you’re contributing to the health of our oceans. Your tour price includes a $5 environmental levy that directly funds the Southern Ocean Environmental Link (SOEL).

Your contribution supports vital local projects, including:

• Plastic Recycling Education: Funding machinery and school programs to reduce plastic waste in our coastal communities.
• Dolphin & Seal Research: Utilizing AI-based camera systems to study dolphin populations and seal movement trends across Port Phillip Bay.
• Marine Pest Eradication: Innovative studies to protect the bay from invasive species like the Northern Pacific Seastar.
• Accessible Tourism: Investing in an accessibility hoist at Queenscliff Harbour, creating the first dedicated access point for marine tourism in the region to ensure everyone can enjoy the magic of the bay.

Essential Visitor Info

Location: Queenscliff Harbour, Bellarine Peninsula (approx. 90 minutes from Melbourne CBD).

Duration: 3.5 Hours.

What’s Included:

• Professional instructors
• Snorkeling gear
• Wetsuits
• Rooftop viewing access

What to Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• A hat,
• And your sense of adventure!