If you are looking to get out on the water this weekend, then why not hire a boat or go on a boat tour of Port Stephens? Either way, you get to experience the spectacular blue waterway from a different perspective, as dolphins swim in the waters around you and turtles pop up for air besides your boat. Port Stephens is part of a marine sanctuary so the wildlife in the water is abundant, colourful and easily visible when snorkelling.
If you want to escape the crowds, then a day on the water is the perfect way to unwind....
Hire a boat and explore Port Stephens! Image: Nelson Bay Boat Hire website
have a range of self-drive boats to choose from with life jackets, safety gear, free fuel and a thorough briefing before you leave - with fishing tips if you need them! The boats are located at the last jetty on the breakwall, near Dolphin Watch Cafe. Prices start from $120 for 2 hours for a tinny. See
here for details.
Boab Boat Hire is located at Soldiers Point and offers a wide range of boats at a daily rate, with prices start from $195 per day for a
Kakadu Tinny. You can also hire them for up to 5 days, so you can go out every day. See
here for details.
* Obtain a 3 day fishing licence for $7 per person here, if you plan on dropping a line. Also see the Port Stephens Marine Park map to ensure you only fish in the correct areas.
Explore Port Stephens with a full day boat hire at Boab Boat Hire. Image: Boab Boat Hire website
Blue Water Sailing offers private tours for small groups, departing from The Anchorage Marina at Corlette. Whether you would like a romantic trip for two, a family outing or a corporate day out, Blue Water Sailing has you covered. See
here for details.
Calypso Fishing Adventures offer marlin fishing off Port Stephens seasonally throughout the year. See
here for their website and also check their
Facebook for season dates.
Imagine Cruises have dolphin and whale watching cruises, as well as specialty cruises throughout the year. The
Imagine boat is a 54ft sailing catamaran and can cater for up to 60 guests. See
here for details.
Cruise the waters with Imagine Cruises. Image: Imagine Cruises Facebook
have morning Deep Sea Fishing Charters, at a cost of $200 per person. See
here for details.
Moonshadow - TQC Cruises have dolphin tours, whale watching tours, dinner cruises, family trips and special event cruises. If you would like to explore off the boat, they also offer trips over to Broughton Island, for ages 5 and over. See
here for details.
The Port Stephens Ferry offer a service between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens, on the other side of Port Stephens. There are several trips over a day, at a cost of $28 return for an adult. The trip is 1 hour each way. See
here for details.
These are just
some of the ways that you can get out on the water at Port Stephens this weekend. You can also hire a
SUP or kayak, jump on the
SPLASH Waterpark obstacle course or take your own boat to a
local boat ramp. On a blue-sky day with calm waters, you won't find a better way spend the day...
Catch the ferry to explore Tea Gardens. Image: Port Stephens Ferry Facebook
