Highlights
- Enjoy a breathtaking experience in the Southern Ocean
- See frolicking fur seals, sea lions, dolphins and whales (in season)
- View Seal Island, Wright Island, The Bluff, West Island and the Waitpinga Cliffs
Description
Breathtaking 90-minute tour departing from the iconic Granite Island Causeway, Victor Harbor. Board our specially designed ocean craft ‘Pungari’ – 12.5m NAIAD Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat & cruise between the mainland and the northern side of Granite Island, affording spectacular views of both the Victor Harbor shoreline and boulder stacked Granite Island.
Seal Rock/Island is our first stop, where Long Nosed Fur Seals and Australian Sea Lions bask between rocky outcrops in the sun or can be found pondering around fishing and swimming about.
We continue our Southern Ocean journey; on past the huge granite boulders of Wright Island and the Bluff, keeping a careful eye through Shark Alley - where your knowledgeable Skipper & Guide interpret local whaling history & cultural dreaming landmarks of the area.
Pushing on past the western side of the Bluff, you begin to get a scope for the rugged coastal landscape inspiring to observe from the water. West Island Conservation Park, complete with a lonely stone research hut and another colony of seals and sea lions can be found basking on the rocks and swimming in the shallows. Seabirds abound in this remote area and often pods of Common and Bottlenose Dolphins can be spotted playing or feeding.
The Big Duck heads further west past the darkly, spectacular, towering sea cliffs of Kings Beach and Waitpinga before turning around and heading back to the Granite Island Causeway. Cruising throughout the Encounter Marine Park, the scenery, marine wildlife, and exhilarating ride aboard ‘The Big Duck’ RHIB is a journey to remember!
Throughout the cooler wintery months (July – September) we are blessed with the yearly migration of Southern Right & Humpback Whales. Humpbacks are regularly seen in the beginning and conclusion of the season; where Southern Rights court, mate, birth and nurse their calves in the bay! Making our winter season an additional delight, despite the cooler conditions. We alter our itinerary through the Whale season to search in known locations and take in whale watching as these majestic mammals bask in our relatively warm waters of Encounter Bay.
Includes
1.5-hour ocean adventure
Live commentary
Spray jacket and life jacket
Onboard bathroom
Excludes
Food and drinks
Important Information
- The cruise operates year round and whale season is generally from June to September
- Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed
- The maximum approach distance for whales is 300 meters
- Whale sightings cannot be guaranteed on the tours, the number of whales is highly variable from year to year
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible
- The minimum age for this activity is 2 years old
- This tour is not recommended for pregnant women as sea conditions can sometimes be quite rough
- Cruise routes are dependent on weather conditions and locations of wildlife and are subject to change
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
