tamboi queen cruises nelson bay

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All Nelson Bay Cruises

At Moonshadow – TQC, we offer a great range of Nelson Bay cruises with the largest vessels in Port Stephens. We ensure both a comfortable and memorable cruising experience! Enjoy our range of Dolphin Cruises, search for Whale during May to November, explore the hidden gem of Port Stephens on our Broughton Island Cruise, immerse yourself in history with our range of Historical Cruises hosted by local historian, John ‘Stinker’ Clarke, and more by booking online. Looking for a gift that will make a lasting impression? Our gift vouchers are now available online!

• Most Popular
• Ticket All Ages
• Hour Glass 1.5 Hours

Dolphin Discovery Cruise

Come and see why Port Stephens is regarded as the Dolphin capital of Australia!

Join our 1.5hr Dolphin Watching cruise with a  high success rate in dolphin sightings, boom net rides, and entertaining commentary. Enjoy picturesque views of the harbour, including the awe-inspiring Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands, a truly memorable and scenic journey.

• Hour Glass 2 Hours

Splash and Slide Dolphin Cruise

2 Hours | Search for the resident Dolphins before stopping to splash and slide into our beautiful waterways

Dolphin watching tour with our fun boat. Slide into open water with time for a slide & swim as you enjoy the beautiful scenic views of Port Stephens.

• Hour Glass 3 - 3.5 Hours

Port Stephens Island Snorkelling Adventure

Our pristine Marine Park is home to lots of fun and fabulous creatures – and we always meet a few of them on our way to the Outer islands!

• Ticket Ages 5+
• Hour Glass 6.5 Hours

Broughton Island Cruise

Next Cruise – Sunday 31st March

Explore the hidden gem of Port Stephens!

Explore, relax and snorkel with a full-day adventure cruising offshore to the beautiful Broughton Island National Park!. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch onboard or on the island. A must-do adventure.

Dolphin Watch & Eco Adventure

Journey Port Stephens harbour and outer islands while searching for our resident bottlenose Dolphins!

Join our 1.5hr Dolphin Watch & Eco Adventure with a high success rate in dolphin sightings, and entertaining commentary onboard the MV Osprey. Enjoy picturesque views of the harbour, and explore the outer islands of Port Stephens.

• Hour Glass 60 minutes

Dolphin Watch Express

Fast & Fun…the best way to experience our beautiful Bay and see our favourite Bottlenose Dolphins!

• Hour Glass 2.5-3 Hours

Whale Watching Cruises

Whale Watching Season | May – November

Get up close and personal with whales on one of our unforgettable whale watching cruises! You will never forget the sight of seeing of these magnificent creatures in the ‘Humpback Highway’, off Nelson Bay, Port Stephens

• Hour Glass 5 - 6.5 Hours

Historical Cruises

Discover the history of the Western Harbour of Port Stephens, explore the picturesque Broughton Island or climb the Fingal Lighthouse with a cruise by local legend, John ‘Stinker’ Clarke!

Give them an experience they’ll remember!

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Tambol Queen dolphin crusie - Moonshadow - TQC Cruises

• South Pacific    
• Australia    
• New South Wales    
• Greater Newcastle    
• Port Stephens    
• Nelson Bay    
• Nelson Bay - Attractions    
• Moonshadow - TQC Cruises

We had a beautiful day! We saw a mother dolphin and her calf. My daughters thoroughly enjoyed the... read more

Recently took the relaxing 1.5 hour Dolphin Explorer trip out of Port Stephens. Gorgeous scenery... read more

Tambol Queen dolphin crusie

Lovely people beautiful out in the bay and then we found those beautiful animals. Affordable short cruise well worth it if you are in the area.

Thank you for taking the time to write a positive review of your recent cruise with Tamboi Queen Cruises. We are please to hear you had an enjoyable time of your cruise. We look forward to welcoming you aboard one of our vessels again in the future. kind regards Jane

Our whole family had a fabulous time whale watching recently. There was plenty of space to move around the boat a have exceptional views of the whales, dolphins & seals. There are multiple viewing decks & no need to compete with other passengers for a good view. My 4 year old, 10 year old & I had a great time... We would definitely do it again!

We are very pleased to hear that your family had an enjoyable time on your recent whale watch and we thank you for taking the time to write a positive review of Tamboi Queen Cruises. We look forward to welcoming your family aboard one of our vessels again in the future kind regards Jane

My partner and I went on the 3 hour whale watching cruise in June and really enjoyed our tour. We booked online and got a discount and we were lucky enough to see three whales who stayed close to the boast (although I believe you get a chance to go again if you don't spot any whales) and also a few dolphins from afar on the way back. The staff were friendly and professional and everything ran smoothly. We decided to return the following day to do the dolphin watching tour, which we also greatly enjoyed as the dolphins spent lots of time near the boat. If you do want to do more than one tour with the company, speak to them as you should get a discount. I would recommend Tamboi Queen Cruises and happily go with them again if I was in Port Stephens.

Thank you for choosing to cruise with Tamboi Queen Cruise, we love seeing our passengers return for another cruise with our company. We are very please to hear that you had such a great time with the whales and the dolphins, and thank you for taking the time to write a positive review of your experience on both cruises. We look forward to welcoming you aboard one of our vessels again in the future. kind regards Jane

We went on the whale and dolphin cruise and we were delighted to see dolphins, whales, seals and even a penguin! The boat is spacious with an upper and lower level. Lots of under cover as well as outdoor areas to get a good view. The staff were friendly. Toilets and facilities are clean. My family enjoyed the cruise very much. Thank you

Dear Vanillabeanz. We very much appreciate your positive review and we are very pleased you and your family enjoyed the experience. I hope we see you on board again in the future. Regards, Dianne Annable

We had an awesome time dolphin watching. The crew were very nice and gave a lot of information about the surrounding area. My family and I had a great day beautiful weather. Cant wait to do it all again soon.

Thank you for taking the time to write a positive review of your recent dolphin watch cruise, we are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the cruise. We look forward to welcoming you aboard one of our vessels again in the future Kind regards Jane

We had an great day and will deffinatly use again. Staff were very polite and helpful with the kids and adults who got sea sick. Thanx for a great day.

Thank you for taking the time to write a positive review of your recent cruise with Tamboi Queen Cruises, it is greatly appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you aboard one of our vessels again in the future. kind regards Jane

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Excellent Cruises - Moonshadow - TQC Cruises

• South Pacific    
• Australia    
• New South Wales    
• Greater Newcastle    
• Port Stephens    
• Nelson Bay    
• Nelson Bay - Things to Do    
• Moonshadow - TQC Cruises

We had a beautiful day! We saw a mother dolphin and her calf. My daughters thoroughly enjoyed the... read more

Recently took the relaxing 1.5 hour Dolphin Explorer trip out of Port Stephens. Gorgeous scenery... read more

Excellent Cruises

I have been on two cruises with Tamboi Queen Cruises - the most recent cruise was on board the MV Spirit of Port Stephens. Our Captain was awesome - he knew where to take us to make the most of the available opportunities to sight these amazing animals! Will be back again soon....

Thoroughly enjoyed our dinner cruise. When we embarked and were trying to take our group photo, a staff member appeared and offered to take our photo for us. Another staff member came to welcome us and advise us on details like the bar. The table was set nicely. Nice food and plenty of it. The staff came to check we were enjoying ourselves and advised when dolphins were playing in front of the boat. The only thing was the cost of drinks as we had been told a price guide by the person who took the booking by phone but on board they were much more expensive than that (e.g. told cocktails were about $10 but they were $15.50) House white was a drinkable Sauv Blanc but at $6.50 a glass for a house wine I thought that was pushing it. Had a great time though.

Thanks so much for your positive review of your dinner cruise with us. It’s nice to hear you enjoyed your experience despite being disappointed with the beverage prices. We look forward to welcoming you on board in the future. Thanks again, Dianne Annable Managing Director

i went on the cruise on tuesday the 7 th of may. We were happy to see the dolphins but the trip was spoiled by a crew member by the name of renee. We were advised by the front reception staff to get into the cruise boat. But when we went into the boat we were rudely told off by renee to get out of the boat and come back later as it was only leaving half an hour later. Later on commencement of the cruise Renee told off an 8 year boy for taking 6 biscuits which was an complimentary take away

Dear Mary P I was disappointed to read your review relating to our crew. Our cruise directors are chosen for their professional and friendly approach and we are sorry this was not your experience. Please be assured that all your issues were investigated and managed. Thank you, Dianne Annable Managing Director

We went on the dolphin watch cruise and thoroughly enjoyed it. The boat trip was about 90 minutes long and the experienced helpful staff guided the boat out to the area where the dolphins would be and let everyone know where they were. We saw an abundance of dolphins in their pods. The crew were extremely knowledgeable and answered any questions asked. A very enjoyable way to spend an afternoon in beautiful Nelson Bay. Highly recommended.

We enjoyed the lovely 3 course dinner, & entertainment on this cruise..lovely way to spend an evening, over 2 1/2 hrs , making our way around the bay, whilst wining & dining on an assortment of lovely food, including local prawns & oysters..very enjoyable...

We did an hour and a half dolphin watching cruise. We were on the water for a while and I didnt think we were going to see any dolphins but in the end we saw quite alot. There were even some swiming right in front of the boat.

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Nelson Bay to Lemon Tree Passage... - Moonshadow - TQC Cruises

• South Pacific    
• Australia    
• New South Wales    
• Greater Newcastle    
• Port Stephens    
• Nelson Bay    
• Nelson Bay - Things to Do    
• Moonshadow - TQC Cruises

We had a beautiful day! We saw a mother dolphin and her calf. My daughters thoroughly enjoyed the... read more

Recently took the relaxing 1.5 hour Dolphin Explorer trip out of Port Stephens. Gorgeous scenery... read more

Nelson Bay to Lemon Tree Passage cruise, FerryLink

We enjoyed the FerryLink cruise on the MV Tanboi Queen from Nelson Bay to Lemon Tree Passage and return with time to visit the Lemon Tree Passage foreshore walks and waterfront dining. The captain, Daniel and deckhand, provided informative commentary on all aspects of the scenery of Port Stephens Harbour as we travelled the expansive waterway. Booking was easy and informative the previous day. It was a relaxing, friendly way to spend the day enjoying the harbour scenery for a low cost.

Very pleased to hear that you enjoyed your day out on our new Ferry Link tour to Lemon Tree Passage aboard the MV Tamboi Queen. Thank you for giving us a positive review. We hope to be able to welcome you aboard one of our vessels again in the future. Kind regards Jane

Wonderful day out, lovely staff, quality boat, lots of space. We chose to have lunch onboard. Food was decent but not great, although there was lots of it.

Hi, Thank you so much for taking the time and writing a positive review of your recent cruise with us in Nelson Bay. I hope we have the opportunity in the future to welcome you on board again for another of our cruise options in Newcastle Harbour or Port Stephens. Thanks again for the review it is appreciated. Regards, Dianne Annable

We took the cruise for dolphin watching in December 2013. It was a cold cloudy day which made it hard to fully enjoy the experience but after some time they said there are some dolphines around. Overall it was nice but I was expecting maybe more as it felt it was all rushed. We were told now look left, now look right and people running around trying to catch a glimpse of the dolphins. Staff were friendly. There was complementart tea served which was quite nice on such cold day.

Hi, Thank you for taking the time to write a review on your recent Dolphin Watch experience with us in Nelson Bay. The Dolphin Watch is a different experience on every cruise as the dolphins are wild and we do nothing to modify their behaviour. The experience depends on what they are doing naturally at that particular time of day. Sometimes they might be in a playful mood, feeding/hunting, mating, travelling. They can be in very large pods or maybe just be a couple of individuals. Everyday a different experience! I’m sorry the cruise did not reach your expectations but I hope we do get another chance and see you on board again in the future. Regards, Dianne Annable

My family and i just experienced our first Dolphin cruise on the Moonshadow. Cruise was due to depart at 10:30am, but didnt actually depart until almost 11am. The ship wasnt very full which was nice. The staff were friendly and my kids and i enjoyed sitting out on the front deck . We saw quite a few dolphins which was amazing and got some great pics. The only downside of the cruise was it was suppose to be 2hours and we it was barely an hour and a half max. It would have been nice to have enjoyed the full two hours .

Hi, Thank you so much for the positive review of your recent Dolphin Watch with us in Nelson Bay. I accept your comment regarding our late departure and sincerely offer an apology along with an assurance that the vast majority of our cruises run to schedule. In response to your disappointment regarding the cruise duration, you are mistaken in believing the cruise duration is 2 hours as we advertise and operate the Dolphin Watch for 1 ½ hours. Thank you once again for taking the time to write. It’s really rewarding to know we were able to provide a positive experience for you and your party. Regards, Dianne Annable

Had an amazing time we saw wales and dolphins and seals what an amazing place we have it all at our fingertips thAnkyou to the crew on the boat they couldn't of been more ta

Happy to hear that you had a wonderful whale, dolphin & seal encounter with Tamboi Queen Cruises. We will pass on your thanks to the crew. Hope to see you again in Port Stephens. Kind regards Jane

Enjoyed the 1.5 hr cruise. Very relaxing and as promised we saw dolphins! The crew were very friendly and professional.

Thank you for writing a positive review for Tamboi Queen Cruises. We hope to be able to welcome you aboard one of our vessels again in the future. Kind regards Jane