Glass Bottom Boat Cruise in Shoalwater Island Marine Park

Highlights

• 1 hour glass bottom boat cruise
• Encounter dolphins and sea lions
• Penguin feeding on Penguin Island
• Admission to the Penguin Island Discovery Centre

Description

Penguin Island – which is Western Australia’s largest penguin colony, located only 45 minutes from Perth at the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park – is an absolute must do for marine animal lovers everywhere! On your Dolphin, Penguin and Sea Lion Cruise with Perth Wildlife Encounters, you will have the chance to explore this amazing area, as well as see the cute little penguins, inquisitive wild dolphins, playful sea lions and more, on this magnificent cruise.

Your 60-minute glass bottom boat cruise with Perth Wildlife Encounters departs from Penguin Island and will see you enjoying the comfortable facilities and being immersed in the spectacular vista of the Marine Park. With informative commentary throughout, you can help look out for the unmistakable splashing of the dolphins, which lets you know they are nearby. You will delight in meeting some of the 200 dolphins that the crew have befriended over the years, and even get to learn the names of some of these delightful creatures, such as Boomerang and Logo. Many of the dolphins are likely to be with calf, allowing you to see the amazing maternal bond between mother and baby dolphin. Enjoy watching these marvels of nature as they play, leap and zip past, or maybe even catch them in the act of gathering octopus for their dinner – using stingrays! Depending on the day, you may witness a playful, noisy pod, who want to perform for you, or you may catch the dolphins during a quiet time, where you can witness these stunning mammals as they sleep in the water.

After meeting the pod, you will cruise over to the wildlife conservation zone for an encounter with some impressive sea lions at Seal Island. Be amazed at the grace of these chubby mammals as they go about their day, and laugh at their antics – sea lions are very charming and character-filled creatures, so you are sure to be spellbound! Within the wildlife conservation zone, you will also have the chance to see some pelicans, cormorants, ospreys, terns, stingrays and other sea life.

Then, it’s over to the Discovery Centre for an amazing penguin feeding session. These gorgeous little birds are also full of character and will charm the socks off even the most hard-hearted person. You can then explore the Discovery Centre and learn about some of the amazing conservation efforts in the area.

Your tour also includes some free time, allowing you to go for a swim or relax on the beach at Penguin Island before heading back on the Perth Wildlife Encounters ferry at your leisure. You will also have the chance to explore ‘Aladdin’s Cave’, which allows you to view the fossilized remnants of ancient Eucalypt forests.

Trip Includes

• Return ferry transfers to Penguin Island from Rockingham
• 60 minute glass bottom boat cruise
• View the highlights of Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
• Penguin feeding at the Discovery Centre
• Free time to swim, snorkel or just relax on the white sandy beaches of Penguin Island
• Entry into Penguin Island Discovery Centre & Marine Park levy

Duration

• Allow half a day

Departures

• Glass bottom boat cruise departs Penguin Island daily at 9:45am, 11:15am and 1:45pm
• Please allow time for a 5 minute ferry transfer from Rockingham to Penguin Island before the tour, departing hourly from 9:00am - 1:00pm
• Ferry departs Mersey Point Jetty, 153 Arcadia Drive, Shoalwater, Rockingham (Rockingham is 50km south of central Perth)
• Transfers from Perth are not included (you must self drive to Rockingham)
• Operates mid-September to early-June only

Other Information

• Suitable for all ages
• Child rates apply (3-12yrs)
• Infants under 3 years travel free, please advise upon booking
• Penguin feeding at the Discovery Centre is at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm daily
• This is a wildlife encounter so we cannot guarantee you will see dolphins & sea lions every cruise however we do have a 99% success rate with the dolphins. The sea lions swim north every 17.5 months to breed so at this time there may be cruises where we don't see any or only a few 
• If you wish to swim with dolphins please check out the Dolphin Swim listing on our site
• There are no shops on Penguin Island so you need to bring your own food & drinks
• This day is suitable for disabled passengers however you will need to be able to step over the inflatable collar to board the boat
• Weather proof ponchos are issued if it is raining or cold
• Does not operate June - mid September due to penguin nesting season
• Return ferry's from Penguin Island depart 1.10pm, 2.10pm, 3.10pm and 4pm. Penguin Island is a 5 minute ferry ride from the Mersey Point Jetty in Shoalwater
• The cruise is 60 minutes. You will then need to allow 1-4 hours depending on how much time you would like to spend on Penguin Island
• Bring with you a swimsuit, towel, change of clothes, hat, sunscreen, camera & jacket