From Coles Bay: Wineglass Bay Cruise with Lunch

Wineglass Bay looks famous from the land, but the sea gives you a different view. This 270-minute cruise aboard Schouten Passage II brings you past Freycinet’s sheer granite cliffs, sea caves, coves, beaches, and wildlife, with Wineglass Bay as the main prize when weather allows.

I especially like the excellent crew, who combine safety, humor, and useful commentary, and the chance to see parts of the coast you simply cannot reach on foot. The Ploughman’s lunch is another strong point, with Tasmanian produce, cheese, meat, and bread served while the scenery does the heavy lifting.

The catch is the sea and weather. Conditions can change quickly, and rough water may make some passengers uncomfortable. On poor-weather days, the skipper may take an alternative route instead of reaching Wineglass Bay, though that can bring extra wildlife sightings.

Key points to know before you book

• The coast looks different from the water: See granite colors, cliffs, caves, and beaches that are hard to appreciate from land.
• Wildlife is a real part of the trip: Dolphins, seals, whales, albatross, eagles, penguins, and other seabirds may appear.
• Lunch is practical and tasty: A boxed Ploughman’s meal is included, while drinks cost extra at the onboard bars.
• Skipper Noah adds personality: Commentary covers local geology, wildlife, landmarks, and history without filling every quiet moment.
• Weather controls the route: Wineglass Bay is the goal, but safety comes first and the itinerary can change.
• It is a long day trip from Hobart: Allow roughly 2.5 to 3 hours each way just to reach Coles Bay.

Why seeing Wineglass Bay from the sea matters

Wineglass Bay is often pictured as a perfect curve of pale sand beneath the Hazards mountains. From a lookout, you get the classic view. From a boat, you understand the scale of the place.

As you leave Coles Bay, the cruise follows the coast of Freycinet National Park. The granite cliffs rise sharply from the water, and their colors shift with the light. The boat also passes sea caves, sheltered coves, beaches, and rock formations that are easy to miss from a road or walking track.

I like this viewpoint because it turns the coast into a moving lesson in geology. You are not only looking at a pretty bay. You are watching the shape of the peninsula unfold, with the water showing how exposed and dramatic the coastline really is.

The cruise is also useful if you want the Wineglass Bay setting without committing to a long hike. You do not walk onto the beach during this outing, but you get a broad view of the bay and the surrounding mountains from the water. Lunch in or near the bay can make the setting feel like the main event rather than a quick photo stop.

The route from Coles Bay to Freycinet’s granite coast

You check in at Wineglass Bay Cruises, at the corner of Jetty Road and the Esplanade in Coles Bay. The trip lasts about four and a half hours, so you have time to move between the indoor lounge and the outside viewing areas.

The vessel has seating on both levels, toilets, heating, air-conditioning, and fully stocked bars. The Vista Lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows, which is useful when the weather turns cool or wet. You can keep watching the cliffs without standing outside for the entire trip.

The outside decks are the place to be when the sea is calm and the light is good. They give you a wider view and better chances for photographs. Bring a warm layer even in summer. Several people have found the boat cold once it reaches open water, and Tasmania’s weather can shift from sunshine to rain with little warning.

The crew gives commentary as the boat moves along. Expect information about the coast, wildlife, local landmarks, and Freycinet’s past. The best commentary is not constant narration. It points out what matters, then lets you enjoy the view. Skipper Noah has been praised for mixing facts with humor, and crew members regularly move around the boat to answer questions and help passengers.

Sea caves, hidden coves, and the Hazards

One of the best parts of the cruise comes before Wineglass Bay itself. The boat passes under or alongside dramatic cliff sections, sea caves, and small coves that are not visible from the main roads.

The exact route depends on conditions and the skipper’s judgment. That flexibility is useful. Instead of forcing a set path in rough seas, the crew can choose a safer route around Oyster Bay or along another section of the peninsula. On one altered sailing, passengers saw many dolphins and an island covered with fur seals. That is a good reminder that a changed route is not automatically a lesser day.

The scenery can also be moody. Rain may bring waterfalls down the cliffs, while mist can soften the granite and make the coast feel more remote. On a clear day, the cliffs show their warm colors and sharp edges. I would not judge the trip only by the forecast. Gray weather may reduce distant views, but it can make the rocks, waterfalls, and sea more dramatic.

The boat can encounter swell in open water. Some passengers enjoy the motion and the speed, while others feel queasy. If you are prone to seasickness, sit in a steadier area, keep your eyes on the horizon, and ask the crew for help. The crew has been especially attentive to people who are uncomfortable, with safety reminders when moving around the boat.

Wildlife watching around Freycinet

Wildlife is one of the strongest reasons to choose the cruise. You might see common dolphins close to the boat, seals resting on rocks or playing in the water, and seabirds riding the wind above the waves.

Sightings have included humpback whales, albatross, gannets, sea eagles, penguins, and other birdlife. Whales are seasonal and never guaranteed, but the crew keeps watch and points out activity when it appears. Dolphins can be especially memorable when a pod circles the boat or swims alongside it.

The crew’s role matters here. Finding wildlife requires patience and sharp eyes, and several crew members work the forward deck to spot movement. The commentary also helps you understand what you are seeing rather than reducing the moment to a quick photograph.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is not a dedicated wildlife research trip, and nature does not follow a timetable. You may see several species in a single outing, or you may spend more time appreciating cliffs, caves, and beaches. The scenery remains worthwhile even when animals stay out of sight.

The company also takes a respectful approach to wildlife. The boat does not treat animals as a show, and the crew’s enthusiasm is balanced by care around the creatures you encounter. That makes the sightings feel more natural.

Wineglass Bay and lunch on the water

When conditions allow, the cruise reaches Wineglass Bay, where the pale beach curves below the granite peaks. Seeing the bay from the water gives you a strong sense of its shape and isolation.

This is the moment many people have in mind when booking, so it is worth understanding the weather qualification. The cruise is subject to availability and sea conditions. If the skipper cannot safely reach Wineglass Bay, the alternative route may include other bays, cliffs, seals, dolphins, or waterfalls. You should book this as a Freycinet coastal cruise with Wineglass Bay as the intended highlight, not as a guaranteed beach landing.

Lunch is a boxed Ploughman’s-style meal. It is simple food, but it suits the setting: meat, cheese, bread, and accompanying items that are easy to eat on a moving boat. The meal includes Tasmanian products, and the overall portion is generally considered right for a cruise lunch. One passenger found the meat portion light, so do not expect a large restaurant meal.

You can buy drinks from the onboard bars. Coffee is also available, and it has earned praise from passengers who appreciated a warm drink during a cool sailing. Drinks are not included in the $141 price, so budget a little extra if you want wine, coffee, or another beverage.

Lunch is provided in the Vista Lounge or another designated seating area, depending on the sailing arrangements. You can eat while looking through the large windows, then head back outside for photographs. The combination works well because you are not forced to choose between a meal and the view.

Infants do not receive lunch as part of the fare. If you have dietary requirements, tell the operator when booking or before departure. Dietary needs have been catered for on past sailings, but it is wise to arrange this ahead of time.

The boat, seating, and comfort

Schouten Passage II is designed for sightseeing rather than a bare-bones transfer. You have indoor seating, exterior decks, toilets, climate control, and bars on both levels.

The Vista Lounge is the most practical option when the weather is cold, windy, or wet. Its large windows keep you connected to the scenery, and baby-changing facilities make the trip easier for families. Families with young children have found the cruise manageable, and both babies and preschool-aged children have enjoyed the outing.

The Sky Lounge is reserved for adults aged 18 and over. If you want a quieter adults-only area, check the available seating arrangements when you book. Otherwise, the standard lounges and viewing decks provide plenty of ways to enjoy the trip.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, and the crew has received particularly strong praise for helping passengers who use wheelchairs. Staff have assisted people moving around the vessel and have paid close attention to individual needs. Accessibility can still depend on weather, boarding conditions, and the practical details of the day, so contact the operator if you need specific assistance.

Wear comfortable, flat shoes. The deck may move, and the crew encourages passengers to keep three points of contact when walking around. Warm clothing is more important than dressing for the temperature at Coles Bay. The sea can feel much colder.

Price, time, and the Hobart question

At $141 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride, but I think the price is reasonable if you value scenery, wildlife, lunch, and a guided outing in one package.

Your fare includes the cruise and the Bento box Ploughman’s lunch. You still pay for drinks, and transport from Hobart is not included. The price also covers a professional crew, onboard commentary, indoor facilities, viewing decks, and a four-and-a-half-hour route along one of Tasmania’s most famous coastlines.

The biggest practical issue is getting to Coles Bay. The meeting point is about 2.5 to 3 hours by car from Hobart. You should not try to make this a casual same-day add-on from the capital unless you are prepared for a very long driving day. The cruise makes more sense as part of a Freycinet or east-coast Tasmania stay.

There are no concession prices for students or seniors. The cruise is also unavailable on Christmas Day. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps when your Tasmania plans depend on weather.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want to see Freycinet without spending the day on a walking trail. It suits couples, families, older visitors, photographers, and anyone who wants a broad coastal view with a comfortable base indoors.

It is also a good option for people who care about wildlife but do not want a specialist expedition. You may see dolphins, seals, whales, and birds, while the cliffs and bays remain the main attraction.

Families benefit from the toilets, baby-changing facilities, indoor seating, and helpful staff. Wheelchair users should also consider it, since the vessel is wheelchair accessible and the crew has shown strong attention to mobility needs.

I would hesitate if you dislike boat motion, need guaranteed access to Wineglass Bay, or have only one short day in Tasmania. The sea can be choppy, and the route can change. You also need to account for the long drive from Hobart.

Should you book the Wineglass Bay Cruise?

Yes, if you are staying near Coles Bay or Freycinet and want to see the coast from a fresh angle. The crew, wildlife spotting, scenery, and lunch make the $141 fare fair value, particularly when conditions allow a full route toward Wineglass Bay.

Book with the right expectation: this is a coastal cruise, not a guaranteed calm-water trip or a beach visit. Pack warm clothes, allow time for changing weather, and accept that a different route may produce the day’s best wildlife sightings. If you can do that, this is one of the most efficient ways to appreciate Freycinet’s cliffs, coves, and famous bay.

FAQ

Where does the Wineglass Bay Cruise depart?

Check in at Wineglass Bay Cruises, at the corner of Jetty Road and the Esplanade in Coles Bay.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts 270 minutes, or about four and a half hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The cruise includes a Bento box Ploughman’s-style lunch. Lunch is not included for infants, and drinks are available to buy onboard.

Is transport from Hobart included?

No. Transfers from Hobart are not included. The meeting point is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours from Hobart by car.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The cruise is wheelchair accessible. Seating, toilets, heating, air-conditioning, and viewing areas are available on both levels.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise is subject to weather conditions and availability. If conditions prevent the planned route to Wineglass Bay, the skipper may take an alternative route along the coast.