Board Pennicott Wilderness Journeys' purpose-built vessel for a three-hour odyssey past the tallest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere, cathedral dolerite columns, and rock arches teeming with fur seals, dolphins, and albatross. Utterly bucket-list.
What to expect
Departing from Port Arthur's jetty, the boat hugs the Tasman Peninsula coastline before rounding the dramatic sea stacks at Cape Pillar and making for Tasman Island with its lonely lighthouse. Colonies of Australian fur seals lounge on ledges just metres away; common dolphins routinely bow-ride the vessel. Sheer dolerite cliffs rising 300 metres from the Southern Ocean dwarf the boat and produce an almost surreal sense of scale. The return leg traces deserted beaches and hidden sea caves only accessible from the water.
Good to know
Cruises run daily; duration approx. 3 hours — check departure time against your all-aboard. Departs directly from the Port Arthur Historic Site jetty. Dress in warm layers even in summer; Southern Ocean conditions can be brisk. Book directly with Pennicott well ahead — this is the region's single most in-demand experience.