Coles Bay: Wineglass Bay Adults-Only Cruise with Lunch

Wineglass Bay is best seen from the water. This five-hour cruise gives you front-row views of Freycinet’s granite cliffs, with freshly shucked oysters and local drinks included along the way. I like the calm, adults-only Sky Lounge and the crew’s warm, humorous commentary. The main caution is simple: the sea can turn choppy, and one passenger found the VIP meal less appealing than the food downstairs.

The cruise costs $222 per person, so it is not a casual boat ride. Still, I think the price makes sense if you value a comfortable top-deck seat, a proper lunch, wine and beer, and a good chance of seeing seals, dolphins, seabirds, or whales. Take motion sickness medicine before sailing, not after the boat starts rolling.

Key points to know before you book

• Wineglass Bay from the water: You see the famous bay, Coles Bay, coves, and the Freycinet Peninsula from a viewpoint road visitors cannot reach.
• Sky Lounge access: The adults-only upper deck offers 360-degree views, extra privacy, comfort, and direct access to the bridge.
• Food and drinks included: Morning tea, oysters, a ploughman’s-style lunch, local wine, and beer are part of the package.
• Wildlife is a major bonus: Seals, dolphins, sea eagles, petrels, penguins, whales, and other seabirds have all been spotted, though sightings depend on nature.
• Strong crew service: Captains and crew, including Noah, Sophie, Sarah, and Max, have earned praise for friendly service and lively commentary.
• Bring motion sickness protection: Some sections can get rough, especially near Wineglass Bay, even when the morning begins calm.

Setting out from Coles Bay at 9:30 AM

Your day begins with check-in at 9:30 AM at the cruise provider’s office on the corner of Jetty Road and the Esplanade in Coles Bay. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point.

The boat is the Schouten Passage II, which carries you from the gentle waters of Coles Bay toward the Freycinet Peninsula. The trip lasts 270 minutes, or four and a half hours, giving you enough time for scenery, commentary, food, wildlife watching, and a little time to sit back with a drink.

That length matters. This is not a quick look at Wineglass Bay followed by a return to shore. You are committing much of your day to the water, but the cruise has enough variety to keep the outing from feeling like one long stretch of open sea.

Once aboard, you can settle into the Sky Lounge or use the downstairs areas. The upper level is reserved for adults aged 18 and over, making it a good fit for couples, groups of friends, and anyone wanting a quieter outing without children around.

Coles Bay and the granite coast

The first part of the cruise introduces you to the coast around Coles Bay. From the water, the Freycinet Peninsula feels larger and more dramatic than it does from a roadside lookout. You see the sheer granite cliffs from below, where their height and pale rock faces become much easier to appreciate.

I like this early stretch because it gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the boat. The captain’s commentary points out landmarks, wildlife, and local stories rather than leaving you to guess what you are seeing.

Captain Noah has received particular praise for his enthusiasm and sense of humor. His excitement when the waves grew larger near Wineglass Bay added character to the journey, and other crew members, including Sophie, Sarah, and Max, have been noted for attentive service.

The commentary is useful without being the whole show. You can listen closely, take photographs, or simply watch the cliffs slide past. The best approach is to move around when permitted, since the view changes quickly as the vessel turns along the coast.

Approaching Wineglass Bay by boat

Wineglass Bay is the central attraction, but the water-level view gives it a different feel from the well-known lookout. Instead of seeing the curve of the bay from high above, you approach its shoreline and surrounding cliffs from the sea.

This perspective lets you appreciate the scale of the Freycinet coast. The granite formations rise sharply from the water, and the curve of the bay becomes part of a much larger coastal scene.

Weather plays a big role here. On a calm day, the boat can move comfortably along the coast and give you clear views for photographs. When the sea is rough, the ride becomes more active. That can add excitement, but it can also be hard on anyone prone to seasickness.

I would take the supplied advice seriously and bring motion sickness prevention. One passenger specifically recommended taking Kwells before sailing because the water became choppy. Do not wait until you feel ill. Once you are uncomfortable, enjoying the scenery, food, and commentary becomes much harder.

The cruise does not promise a particular wildlife sighting or a certain sea state. It is subject to availability and weather conditions, and cancellations may result in a full refund or another date when conditions make sailing impossible.

Wildlife watching along the Freycinet Peninsula

Wildlife is one of the best reasons to choose the boat rather than seeing Wineglass Bay only from land. The route can bring you near seals, dolphins, penguins, sea eagles, petrels, and other seabirds.

Whale sightings have also made several trips especially memorable, with reports of whales and even orca whales. A pod of dolphins is another possibility. These encounters are never guaranteed, so you should book the cruise for the coastline first and treat wildlife as a valuable bonus.

The crew helps by watching the water and pointing out animals when they appear. The captain may also adjust the route or pace to give you a better chance of seeing wildlife, though the final word belongs to weather and the animals themselves.

Bring your passport or another form of identification, as requested, and consider carrying binoculars if you have them. The information provided does not promise that binoculars are supplied, so do not count on borrowing a pair.

You will also want a phone or camera with plenty of battery. The combination of cliffs, open water, birds, seals, and changing light provides many photograph opportunities, even when large animals stay out of sight.

Morning tea, oysters, and a ploughman’s lunch

Food is not a minor add-on here. Morning tea comes during the cruise, followed by a ploughman’s-style lunch with freshly shucked oysters and included local wines and beers.

That makes the experience feel more like a long lunch at sea than a standard sightseeing boat trip. You can watch the coast while eating, then return to the deck with a drink instead of having to find a restaurant after landing.

The food has been widely praised for quality, variety, and generous service. Oysters are a particularly strong feature if you enjoy local seafood. The included Tasmanian wine and beer also add real value to the $222 price, especially for anyone who would otherwise pay separately for lunch and drinks.

There is one important qualification. One couple disliked the meal and felt the lower-level food looked more interesting than the VIP offering. That seems to be an individual preference rather than a broad problem, but it is worth remembering if you are paying mainly for a gourmet meal.

The description promises a ploughman’s-style lunch, not a restaurant tasting menu. You should expect a substantial casual spread rather than an elaborate fine-dining service. If you have strict dietary needs, the supplied details do not specify special menus, so ask the provider before booking.

Why the Sky Lounge changes the experience

The Sky Lounge is the part that makes this cruise different from a basic sightseeing outing. It is an adults-only area on the upper deck with direct access to the bridge, comfortable seating, and broad views in several directions.

The 360-degree outlook is especially useful on a boat. You are not limited to the view directly ahead, and you can follow the cliffs, wildlife, and changing coastline as the vessel turns.

The Sky Lounge also gives the outing a quieter, more private mood. You can share a bottle of local wine, enjoy lunch, and watch the scenery without the feel of a crowded family attraction.

You are still welcome to use the downstairs areas, so the upper deck does not trap you in one spot. This is useful if you want a different angle for photographs or if the wind becomes stronger.

The adults-only rule applies to the Sky Lounge and the cruise is not suitable for children under 18. That makes the experience a poor match for families, but a strong match for adults celebrating a special occasion or simply wanting a peaceful day out.

Crew service and the human side of the cruise

Scenery gets people aboard, but the crew shapes the day. Here, the service has been a repeated strength. Staff have been described as friendly, attentive, helpful, and genuinely happy to share the coast.

Captain Noah appears to be a memorable presence. His commentary combines information with humor, and his enthusiasm can make even a rougher stretch of water feel more enjoyable. Sophie, Sarah, and Max have also been praised for welcoming service and for staying engaged with people throughout the trip.

That attention matters during a five-hour outing. A crew that explains what you are seeing, keeps food and drinks moving, and helps with seasickness can make the difference between a fine cruise and a great one.

There is also evidence of thoughtful assistance for passengers who walk slowly or use mobility aids. Crew members helped two passengers throughout their day and did not rush them. That is encouraging, although the supplied details do not provide a formal accessibility specification, so you should contact the provider directly if you need particular boarding or seating arrangements.

Is $222 per person good value?

At $222 per person, this is a premium activity. You are paying far more than you would for a simple harbor ride, but the package includes several elements that would normally add up quickly: four and a half hours on the water, Sky Lounge access, morning tea, oysters, lunch, local wine, and beer.

I think the value is strongest for people who would already spend on a special meal and a high-quality sightseeing trip. The adults-only setting adds another layer if you want privacy and comfort rather than the cheapest available way to reach the bay.

The value is weaker if you do not drink alcohol, dislike seafood, or mainly want a short look at Wineglass Bay. In that case, much of the package may not matter to you.

You should also remember that the price does not include transport to or from Coles Bay. Build that into your day and budget. The cruise begins with a 9:30 AM check-in, so plan carefully rather than arriving at the last minute.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are useful when your Tasmania plans depend on weather or changing road arrangements.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to adults who want to combine Freycinet scenery with good food and a social but polished boat experience. It suits couples, adult friends, food lovers, photographers, and anyone who would rather see the coast from sea level than hike to a lookout.

It is also a good choice if wildlife is high on your list. Dolphins, seals, seabirds, penguins, sea eagles, and whales have all appeared on different outings, although you need to accept that nature sets the schedule.

You may want to choose another activity if you get severe motion sickness, do not enjoy several hours on a boat, or want a quiet shore-based day. The vessel may encounter choppy water, especially around the open coastline.

For the best chance at a pleasant outing, take motion sickness prevention before departure, arrive for the 9:30 AM check-in, and keep some flexibility in your plans in case weather affects sailing.

Final call: book it for the full sea-going experience

You should book the Wineglass Bay Adults-Only Cruise if you want more than a photograph from a lookout. The combination of granite cliffs, wildlife, oysters, local drinks, and the Sky Lounge makes this a full half-day experience rather than a quick sightseeing stop.

I especially like the strong crew service and the chance to see Freycinet from coves and angles that are only available from the water. At $222, it is a splurge, but a defensible one for a special day.

Skip it if you want the lowest-cost way to see Wineglass Bay or if rough water would ruin your day. For most adults who can handle the sea, this is a polished and memorable way to experience Tasmania’s east coast.

FAQ

How long is the Wineglass Bay adults-only cruise?

The cruise lasts 270 minutes, or four and a half hours.

Where do I check in for the cruise?

Check in at 9:30 AM at the activity provider’s office on the corner of Jetty Road and the Esplanade in Coles Bay.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own arrangements to reach the meeting point.

What food is included?

The cruise includes morning tea, freshly shucked oysters, and a ploughman’s-style lunch.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Alcoholic drinks, including local wines and beers, are included.

Who can use the Sky Lounge?

The Sky Lounge is an adults-only area for people aged 18 and over. The cruise is not suitable for children under 18.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include seabirds, penguins, dolphins, seals, sea eagles, petrels, whales, and orca whales. Sightings depend on weather and wildlife activity and are not guaranteed.

What happens if the weather affects the cruise?

The cruise is subject to availability and weather conditions. If it cannot operate, a full refund or an alternative date may be offered with as much notice as possible. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.