Ile Des Phoques and Maria Island Cruise and Walk Day Tour with Lunch

Wild islands, wild animals, one long day.

This 8-hour Maria Island cruise combines sea caves, fur seals, dolphins, wombats, convict buildings, and a guided walk in one packed outing. I especially like the rare chance to reach Ile Des Phoques, the Island of Seals, and the way marine scientists explain the waters around it. I also like that lunch, drinks, Hobart shuttle transfers when selected, and the Darlington walk are bundled into the price. The main consideration is the sea: rough weather can prevent the Ile Des Phoques crossing, and four hours on the water may test anyone prone to seasickness.

At $211.59 per person, this is not a cheap day trip, but it covers a great deal: a four-hour scenic cruise, food, drinks, landing fees, guides, and time on Maria Island. The small maximum of 28 people helps keep the boat from feeling crowded. If your idea of a good day includes wildlife and open water rather than a relaxed beach stop, this is a strong choice.

Key details before you book

• Ile Des Phoques is the rare prize: This tour is currently the only one operating to Tasmania’s Island of Seals, subject to weather and sea conditions.
• Wildlife comes naturally: You might see Australian fur seals, dolphins, whales, albatross, kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, pademelons, and even a Tasmanian devil.
• Lunch is served onboard: Expect a buffet-style meal with snacks, tea, coffee, and one complimentary serving of local wine or Tasmanian premium lager.
• Darlington adds real substance: A guided walk through preserved convict buildings gives the day more than scenery and animal sightings.
• The boat is prepared for changeable weather: Waterproof jackets and pants, seasickness tablets, and wristbands are available if needed.
• Choose the bus option carefully: The shuttle departs from Brooke Street Pier in Hobart. Hotel pickup is not included.

Why this day works so well

Maria Island is a rare place where wildlife and human history share the same small corner of Tasmania. You can watch wombats near the walking paths, then enter a former convict settlement with buildings that explain the island’s past. Offshore, the cliffs and sea caves bring a completely different mood.

The tour’s biggest strength is variety. You are not spending eight hours doing one thing. The morning is mainly about the ocean and Ile Des Phoques. Lunch breaks up the cruise. The afternoon puts your feet on Maria Island, where a guided walk through Darlington provides a useful change of pace.

I also like the scientific angle. The guides are marine scientists, not just boat operators with a memorized script. That matters around Ile Des Phoques, where the seals, seabirds, cliffs, and currents are all part of one connected ecosystem. Guides such as Milly, Zoe, Tamsin, Olivia, and Rachel have been praised for being warm and informative, while captains including Steve and Michael have earned particular praise for careful boat handling.

Still, this is an active day. You need to be comfortable with a substantial amount of time at sea, changing weather, and a guided walk after lunch. The crew provides protection from rain and wind, but the conditions remain part of the experience.

Leaving Hobart for the open water

The day begins at Brooke Street Pier, 12 Franklin Wharf, in Hobart. If you need the Hobart shuttle, select the Tour + Bus option when booking. The supplied information also makes clear that hotel pickup is not included, so do not assume your accommodation is on the transfer route.

Once onboard, the day becomes a moving view of Tasmania’s east coast. The cruise offers wide views toward Maria Island and the Freycinet Peninsula. Depending on the season and conditions, you might spot albatross, dolphins, seals, or whales during the trip.

The boat is described as safe and comfortable, with protection from the elements and an onboard toilet that also works as a changing room. That last detail is useful if you want to swim, though the main value is simple comfort during a long cruise. Waterproof jackets and pants are available onboard, so a passing shower does not have to ruin the day.

The group limit of 28 people is another practical plus. You have more room to move around the boat and better access to the views than you would on a large sightseeing vessel. A smaller group also gives you a better chance to hear the live commentary and ask questions.

Ile Des Phoques: seals, caves, and sea cliffs

Ile Des Phoques is the most unusual part of this trip. The island is reached by boat, and the viewing is from the water. That means you should not expect to walk ashore. Instead, the captain brings you close to the cliffs, seal colonies, and caves when conditions allow.

The most praised moments involve the sea caves. Captains Steve and Michael have been singled out for maneuvering the boat close to or inside large caves, revealing colorful rock walls and unusual patterns shaped by the sea. This is a place where the captain’s skill makes a real difference. The view from a distance would be good, but getting near the cave entrances gives you a much stronger sense of the cliffs.

Australian fur seals are the star attraction. You might see them resting on rocks or moving through the water. Several accounts describe seeing large numbers of seals, with enough time to watch them rather than simply pass by. Dolphins may swim beside the boat, and whales and albatross are possible at the right time of year.

But keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife is wild, and the exact sightings cannot be promised. The same applies to the caves. Strong wind and high swells can make the crossing unsafe or prevent the boat from entering the caves. If poor weather blocks the trip to Ile Des Phoques, the cruise changes to a circumnavigation of Maria Island.

That weather policy is important. Some people have had to miss the Island of Seals and still enjoyed the cliffs, seals, and Maria Island portion. Others have reached the caves in high swells because the captain found a safe way through. The day can be excellent either way, but you should book it for the full experience, not for one guaranteed animal or one specific cave.

Lunch beside a white sandy beach

After Ile Des Phoques, the boat continues to Maria Island. Lunch is served onboard beside a white sandy beach, creating a calm pause after the morning’s sea time.

The meal is buffet-style, with food and drinks included. The available choices include local Tasmanian wines such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc, along with Tasmanian premium lager. One alcoholic serving is complimentary. Tea, coffee, snacks, and nonalcoholic drinks are also included.

Food comments are consistently strong, with particular praise for generous portions, fresh ingredients, roast beef salad, and salmon. The exact menu can change, so you should not arrive expecting one fixed dish. The important point is that this is more substantial than a basic packed lunch.

Eating onboard also saves time. You do not need to leave the island in search of food, and the boat can anchor in a scenic spot. This is one of the details that helps the $211.59 price make more sense. You are paying for transport, guiding, food, drinks, and access to a remote coastal experience in one day.

If you do not drink alcohol, the wine and lager are not the reason to book. The meal, tea, coffee, snacks, and setting still make the lunch useful for everyone. Families should also appreciate that the tour is designed to suit children.

Maria Island on foot: wombats and open space

After lunch, the boat docks at Maria Island. You have about two hours on the island, giving you time to see wildlife and enjoy the setting without rushing through a five-minute photo stop.

Maria Island is especially good for animal watching. You might encounter wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, and pademelons during the walk. Several sightings have included wombats at close range, sometimes with young animals nearby. Kangaroos are also possible, and a Tasmanian devil has been spotted on some outings.

The animals are a major reason this tour works for families. Children get a genuine wildlife experience without needing a long expedition. You can also enjoy it at an adult pace, since the island offers a welcome break from the boat and plenty to look at along the way.

Do remember that the animals are not performing for the group. Sightings depend on timing, weather, and luck. You might see a great selection of wildlife, or fewer animals than hoped. The tour includes wildlife viewing, not a guarantee of a particular species.

The two-hour stay is long enough to stretch your legs and take in Maria Island, but it is not a full-day island visit. If your main goal is hiking, this cruise does not provide the time for a long walk across the island. The focus is a compact mix of wildlife, history, and scenery.

Darlington and Tasmania’s convict past

Darlington is the historical heart of the afternoon. After the wildlife viewing, both tour groups dock there for a guided walk through preserved convict buildings.

This part gives context to the island. Instead of seeing Maria Island only as a wildlife stop, you learn how it was used as a convict settlement and how the buildings fit into Tasmania’s colonial past. The preserved structures make the story concrete. You are walking among the places being discussed, not just hearing dates over a speaker.

The guided visit lasts about two hours according to the schedule, though the full day includes movement between stops and time for the island experience. The Darlington walk also gives your body a break from sitting on the boat. After hours at sea, even a moderate walk can feel welcome.

I would especially recommend paying attention here if you enjoy history but do not want to spend a full day in a museum. The buildings, coastal setting, and guide’s commentary work together. If you are interested only in wildlife, this portion may feel slower, but it is what gives the tour a fuller picture of Maria Island.

How the sea conditions affect the experience

The biggest risk is not poor service. It is weather.

The trip requires good conditions and minimum numbers. Maria Island Cruises can cancel a departure and offer another date or a full refund. If the weather changes during the day, the crew may alter the route for safety.

You should prepare for wind, rain, and swells even if the forecast looks pleasant. Seasickness tablets and wristbands are available, and waterproof clothing can be borrowed onboard. Those provisions are helpful, but they do not make a rough sea completely comfortable.

One account describes initial concern about spending four hours at sea, followed by a successful day despite some showers. Another describes strong winds that prevented the Ile Des Phoques visit, while the group still saw seals and enjoyed Maria Island. This is good advice for you: treat the route as weather-dependent, and judge the tour by its flexibility and safety rather than by a rigid promise of every stop.

If you know you become sick on boats, prepare before departure. Sit where the crew recommends, use the available medication or wristbands, and keep your expectations realistic. The vessel has an onboard toilet and changing area, but the cruise remains a cruise.

Is $211.59 a fair price?

At $211.59, the tour sits in the higher range for a day outing, but the inclusions are substantial.

The price covers:

• A four-hour scenic cruise
• About two hours on Maria Island
• The guided Darlington walk
• Lunch and snacks
• Tea and coffee
• A complimentary serving of local wine or Tasmanian lager
• Wildlife viewing
• Landing and facility fees
• Professional guides and live commentary
• Hobart shuttle transfers when the bus option is selected

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange several separate activities. Boat transport to Ile Des Phoques, a Maria Island visit, a meal, and a history walk would be difficult to organize independently in one day.

The value is weaker if you dislike long boat rides or mainly want a quick visit to Maria Island. You also need to account for the weather risk. A canceled departure receives a refund or alternate date, but a changed route may still mean missing the Island of Seals.

For a special occasion, a family day, or a single major outing from Hobart, I think the price is reasonable. The small group and specialist crew add more value than a basic transfer service.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you:

• Want wildlife without committing to a long wilderness trek
• Enjoy boats, cliffs, caves, and changing coastal views
• Like having a guide explain both nature and history
• Are visiting Tasmania with children
• Want one full day that combines sea and land
• Can accept that wildlife sightings and routes depend on conditions

You may want another activity if you dislike open water, need a relaxed pace, or want several hours of independent hiking on Maria Island. The four-hour cruise is central, not incidental.

The tour is also a good fit for photographers, though conditions and boat movement can make photography difficult. Bring weather protection and be ready to put the camera down when wildlife appears close to the vessel. The best moments may last only a few seconds.

Final verdict: book it if the sea is part of the appeal

I would book this tour if I wanted to see a side of Maria Island that a standard land visit cannot provide. Ile Des Phoques, the caves, fur seals, and the possibility of dolphins make the morning special. Wombats and other animals add warmth to the afternoon, while Darlington keeps the day grounded in Tasmania’s convict past.

Book it with flexible expectations. The most important tip is to select the Tour + Bus option if you need the Hobart shuttle, and to prepare for wind, rain, and possible route changes. If you can handle those conditions, this is a well-rounded and unusually personal way to experience Maria Island.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Brooke Street Pier, 12 Franklin Wharf, Hobart, Tasmania.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

No. Hotel pickup is not included. A Hobart shuttle bus departs from Brooke Street Pier, and you must choose the Tour + Bus option if you require that transfer.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $211.59 per person.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard the cruise boat near a white sandy beach on Maria Island.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Tea, coffee, snacks, nonalcoholic drinks, and alcoholic drinks are included. One serving of local wine or Tasmanian premium lager is complimentary.

Can I see seals and dolphins?

You might see Australian fur seals and dolphins. Whales and albatross are also possible, depending on the time of year and conditions. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Does the tour always reach Ile Des Phoques?

No. Poor weather or strong wind can prevent the cruise from reaching Ile Des Phoques. In that case, the route changes to a cruise around Maria Island.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes. The experience is described as suitable for children and families.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, you can receive a full refund. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or insufficient numbers, you are offered another date or a full refund.