Top 12 Tours in Port Stephens

1.Dolphin Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 926 reviews · 1h 30m · from $28Our pick

Cruise Port Stephens Harbour for 90 minutes aboard a large Moonshadow TQC vessel. Your captain points out bottlenose dolphins, Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands, Shoal Bay, and local marine life. You can sit on deck, buy food or drinks at the licensed bar, or get wet in the boom net. Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed.

“We absolutely loved it. Unfortunately due to recent storms the water was very dirty. We still saw lots of dolphins. The captain was awesome. The crew were great. Highly recommended to any and all. Great value for money.”

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2.Unlimited Sandboarding & 4WD Sand Dune Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 540 reviews · 1h 30m · from $30

Meet at Birubi Beach for a short, bouncy ride in an air-conditioned 4WD to Stockton’s huge moving dunes. Learn the basics, then climb and slide as often as you like for up to 90 minutes. Guides including Shaq and Isaac have helped riders of all ages, but bring water, sunscreen, and energy for the soft-sand climbs.

“Great activity for our large family. We had a mix of ages from 9-70 and everyone had a great time. Check in was easy and fast, activity was as described and transportation and sand boards were in good condition.”

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3.Dolphin Watch Cruise with Swimming and Slides

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 294 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

Cruise Port Stephens from Nelson Bay on a two-hour Moonshadow TQC catamaran trip. Watch for resident dolphins, hear English commentary, then use the boom net, water slides, play mat, and spa. Bring swimwear and a towel. The licensed bar sells drinks and snacks, but food is not included.

“We had a very good time, all the crew members were very friendly and helpful, we highly recommend ♥️❤️ all of you to try with Nelson Bay: dolphins slides and spa cruise 🛳 ❣️👌🐬”

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4.Unlimited Sandboarding

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 285 reviews · from $30

Meet at Birubi Point in Anna Bay, take a 4WD shuttle onto Stockton Beach, and learn to sandboard on the Worimi Conservation Lands. Your pass lets you ride as much as you like, with buses returning regularly. Bring water, sun protection, a camera, and clothes suited to walking up warm, steep dunes.

“Great fun, very professional team, will definitely go back again haed work climbing the dunes but well worth it”

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5.Anna Bay: Irukandji Entry Pass with Shallows Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 211 reviews · 2 hours · from $29

At Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters in Anna Bay, you’ll enter two shallow lagoons barefoot, feed sharks and rays from a stick, and gently pet them as keepers explain their behavior and conservation. The $29, two-hour Entry Pass keeps you mostly dry, though a wetsuit upgrade lets you wade farther into the water. Children under 12 need an adult beside them.

“A fantastic experience, really enjoyed feeding the sharks and rays and giving them lots of pats. I love the sharks the most and the lady was lovely and had a wonderful bond with all the sharks”

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6.Unlimited Sandboarding with 4WD Dune Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 155 reviews · 1 day · from $28

Meet Sand Dune Safaris at Anna Bay for a 10-minute 4WD ride into the Worimi Conservation Lands. Instructors including Max, Warren, and Hayden help you try sit-down, basic stand-up, or pro boards. Stay as long as you like, usually one to two hours, with shade, water, goggles, and regular return shuttles.

“Warren, Hayden and the crew are great guys. The whole set up is a perfect combination to have a laugh or just chill and watch. Thanks for a great morning”

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7.Worimi Sand Dune Quad Bike Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 134 reviews · 1 hour · from $84

Meet your English-speaking guide in Williamtown for a safety briefing and hands-on quad-bike lesson. Then ride in single file across coastal grasslands and Stockton Beach’s 12 to 30-metre dunes. Your group is matched to its ability, with time for photos and an optional sandboarding add-on.

“6 adults - great machines, amazing scenery, friendly, safety conscious guides”

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8.Birubi Beach 4WD Tour with Sandboarding

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 111 reviews · 1h 15m · from $38

You’ll ride a red, air-conditioned 4WD along Birubi Beach, learn how to find pipis with guides such as Stephen, Paul, or Peter, then spend 45 to 50 minutes sandboarding down 40-meter dunes near Anna Bay. Water, board hire, park fees, and commentary are included.

“A great activity to do with the kids and the educational talk on the pippi's and indigenous area of the coast was a bonus. We would highly recommend taking this experience!”

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9.Nelson Bay: Dolphin Watch Cruise and Sail

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 74 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

Join Imagine Cruises at d’Albora Marina for a 90-minute dolphin watch aboard a spacious catamaran. You’ll have 360-degree views, a dry bow net, and a wet boom net for swimmers. The crew searches for Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins, then may raise the sails for the return to Nelson Bay.

“It was beautiful to see the dolphins swimming free.”

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10.1hr Dolphin Watch Express

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 48 reviews · 1 hour · from $35Top rated

Join Aquamarine Adventures aboard the red Envision at Nelson Bay for a one-hour dolphin watch. You’ll cruise Shoal Bay, pass the headlands, and head toward Jimmy’s Beach with guides such as Matt or Sophie sharing local and dolphin facts. The small boat gives you room to move and a clear view from every angle.

“Highly recommended! A massive thanks to our guide Sophie who also took some amazing photos of us!”

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11.Nelson Bay: Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 47 reviews · 3 hours · from $63

Sail from d’Albora Nelson Bay aboard Imagine Cruises’ 54-foot catamaran for three hours of whale and dolphin watching. You’ll search for migrating humpbacks, watch for breaches, pectoral slaps, dolphins, seals and seabirds, and hear clear English commentary. Tea, coffee, blankets, wet-weather jackets and seasickness tablets are available.

“The cruise ticked all the boxes, we had a wonderful time! Compliments to the skipper and his crew, we loved it! Thank you”

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12.Port Stephens Island Snorkel Adventure Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 37 reviews · 3 hours · from $88

Spend three hours aboard Aquamarine Adventures’ red Envision, a fast 40ft power cat, cruising from Nelson Bay to Cabbage Tree, Broughton, or Fingal Island. Your captain chooses the site based on sea conditions. Swim or snorkel with supplied gear, and look for wobbegongs, turtles, rays, corals, sponges, and fish with help from guides such as Sophie, Matt, and Silke.

“Awesome day out snorkelling with Matt and Sophie. Saw some amazing little sharks and fish. Would definitely do again. Highly recommend.”

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