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Moonshadow – TQC Cruises
Things To Do Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, New South Wales
Cruises, Sailing and Water Tours
Moonshadow TQC is a family-owned cruise operator based in Port Stephens, only 2.5 hours north of Sydney, and 30 minutes from Newcastle Airport. With over 40 years of experience and boasting the largest vessels in Port Stephens, Moonshadow – TQC Cruises gets you close to the action quickly and safely.
Join their Dolphin Cruises that depart daily in search of the resident Bottlenose dolphins, with a 99 per cent success rate in sightings. Enjoy boom-net rides whilst taking in spectacular views of Port Stephens (depart daily except Christmas Day).
Get up close and personal with friendly giants on their Whale-watching cruises, when over 40,000 humpback whales pass their shores during the annual whale migration from May to November.
Explore the hidden gem of Port Stephens, which is Broughton Island on their full day cruise adventure out to Broughton Island National Park.
Explore the magnificent Islands of Port Stephens. Explore the picturesque Broughton Island cruise or join their range of Historical Cruises, hosted in collaboration with local historian and legend, John ‘Stinker’ Clarke.
Make your next special event a private charter aboard Moonshadow – TQC Cruises with six vessels all equipped for all occasions and catering for casual and formal events.
Services
From $75 to $120
If you are looking for a full day of cruising, snorkelling, swimming, exploring and eating, you can’t go past the Broughton Island National Park Cruise.
Take in the spectacular island and coastal scenery as the boat makes its way to Broughton Island. Enjoy a packed picnic lunch to enjoy on board or take ashore and explore. After lunch explore on a guided walk to wildlife breeding areas, secluded coves and beaches or enjoy your time relaxing on the beach or in the water.
Bring your snorkelling equipment and enjoy the crystal clear waters, enjoy swimming or just relaxing on the beach.
On the return journey (time permitting) enjoy boom-net rides and bonus dolphin watch.
(Seasonal and weather permitting off-shore sea conditions)
Please note: This is an offshore excursion and is not suitable for children under the age of 5 years.
Disabled Access
Family FriendlyFrom $35 to $40
This cruise has a very high success rate in dolphin sightings, boomnet rides, entertaining and informative commentary and scenic harbour cruise including spectacular Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands.
This cruise offers an exceptional opportunity for guests to witness the playful and intelligent nature of dolphins. Additionally, guests can enjoy the thrill boom netting ride. Throughout the cruise, knowledgeable and entertaining commentary is provided, enhancing the overall experience for guests.
The cruise also offers a picturesque view of the harbour, including the awe-inspiring Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands, a truly memorable and scenic journey.
Departs daily at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm (except Christmas Day), with an additional 3.:0 pm cruise during Christmas and Easter School Holidays.
Disabled Access
Family FriendlyFrom $70 to $75
Port Stephens enjoys an excellent whale season and Hinchinbrook Explorer is the largest whale watch vessel in the bay, purpose-built for ocean cruising. With two viewing decks you can rest assured you’re getting the best view of these friendly giants.
You will never forget seeing the awesome bulk of a humpback whale, up to 18 metres long and weighing 40 tonnes! Being the most surface active of all the whales, it is highly likely that you will see spectacular displays – spyhops, pectoral slaps, body rolls and the breathtaking breach.
Enjoy entertaining and informative commentary and a bonus dolphin and outer island cruise – two cruises for the price of one.
Disabled Access
Family FriendlyFrom $40 to $45
Moonshadow TQC’s two-hour Splash and Slide Dolphin Watch Cruise ventures onto the Port Stephens harbour onboard the MV Spirit, with a 99 per cent success rate in dolphin sightings, entertaining and informative commentary and scenic harbour cruise including spectacular Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands.
Ride, slide, and splash in the beautiful calm waters of Port Stephens after searching for the resident Bottlenose Dolphins.
MV Spirit is a 60-foot fast Stable Catamaran, with two walk-around all-weather viewing decks, and a licensed bar with snack food available for purchase. There is a large boomnet, water slide and on board salt water spa.
Disabled Access
Family FriendlyFrom $35 to $40
Explore the natural beauty of the Port Stephens Marine Park, onboard the MV Osprey, a 24 metre fast super cat eco-vessel, designed with sustainability in mind.
Your journey starts by searching for the resident Bottlenose Dolphins that call the beautiful Port Stephens’ waterways home. This cruise offers incredible viewing opportunities onboard to see the dolphins in their natural habitat. While cruising offshore, keep your eyes out as you may find penguins, seals, turtles and sea birds.
Venture across to Jimmy’s beach, and take in the spectacular views looking out towards Yacaaba and Tomaree headlands before heading offshore and exploring Murphy’s Gap and Cabbage Tree Island if the weather allows.
Cruising back along the stunning shores of Shoal Bay, catch a glimpse of the boats launching at Little Beach, before returning back to Nelson Bay, showing you Nelson Head to Fly Point, one of the region’s most popular snorkelling and diving spots.
Knowledgeable and entertaining commentary is provided throughout the cruise, including the WWII history of Port Stephens, enhancing the overall experience for guests.
Disabled Access
Family FriendlyFrom $89 to $149
Enjoy a full day of cruising with exclusive commentary from local legend, and historian, John ‘Stinker’ Clarke! Moonshadow TQC offers three great historical cruises, that will take you to the gorgeous Broughton Island, explore the western harbour of Port Stephens or climb the Point Stephens Lighthouse on the Fingal Island Historical Tour.
Port Stephens has a rich maritime history and there is no better way to engage and learn about it then from local icon, John ‘Stinker’ Clarke.
Disabled Access
Family Friendly
