SOUTHERN OCEAN ADVENTURE – Victor Harbor

Breathtaking 90-minute tour departing from the iconic Granite Island Causeway, Victor Harbor. Board our specially designed ocean craft ‘Kondoli’ – 12.5m NAIAD Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat & cruise between the mainland and the northern side of Granite Island, affording spectacular views of both the Victor Harbor shoreline and boulder stacked Granite Island.

Seal Rock/Island is our first stop, where Long Nosed Fur Seals and Australian Sea Lions bask between rocky outcrops in the sun or can be found pondering around fishing and swimming about.

We continue our Southern Ocean journey; on past the huge granite boulders of Wright Island and the Bluff, keeping a careful eye through Shark Alley - where your knowledgeable Skipper & Guide interpret local whaling history & cultural dreaming landmarks of the area.

Pushing on past the western side of the Bluff, you begin to get a scope for the rugged coastal landscape inspiring to observe from the water. West Island Conservation Park, complete with a lonely stone research hut and another colony of seals and sea lions can be found basking on the rocks and swimming in the shallows. Seabirds abound in this remote area and often pods of Common and Bottlenose Dolphins can be spotted playing or feeding.

The Big Duck heads further west past the darkly, spectacular, towering sea cliffs of Kings Beach and Waitpinga before turning around and heading back to the Granite Island Causeway. Cruising throughout the Encounter Marine Park, the scenery, marine wildlife, and exhilarating ride aboard ‘The Big Duck’ RHIB is a journey to remember!

Throughout the cooler wintery months (July – September) we are blessed with the yearly migration of Southern Right & Humpback Whales. Humpbacks are regularly seen in the beginning and conclusion of the season; where Southern Rights court, mate, birth and nurse their calves in the bay! Making our winter season an additional delight, despite the cooler conditions. We alter our itinerary through the Whale season to search in known locations and take in whale watching as these majestic mammals bask in our relatively warm waters of Encounter Bay. 

SEAL ISLAND TOUR – Victor Harbor

The perfect introduction to the weathered natural granite sculptures of the south coast. Our 45-minute Seal Island cruise departs from the Granite Island Causeway, adjacent the iconic, historic horse-drawn tramway. Board our ‘Big Duck’ Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) – ‘Kondoli’ and cruise out alongside Granite Island, around the sheltered protection of the breakwater and out to the open Southern Ocean.

Feel the exhilarating power of 3x 250hp outboards as they surge us across the sea heading towards Seal Rock/Island, where Long Nosed Fur Seals and Australian Sea Lions can be seen basking in the sun and often swim to the stationary boat to have a good look at the passengers! Seabirds including petrels, shearwaters and cormorants can also be seen on or around Seal Island. Common and bottlenose dolphins often in the vicinity come to say hello and sometimes race the boat, swimming around the stern offering great photo opportunities for guests.

Departing from Wirrina Cove Marina (October - April). Cruise south down along the spectacular Fleurieu Peninsula coastline viewing stunning headlands, cliffs, bays & pristine turquoise waters of St Vincent Gulf. The perspective from the water is incredible as we pass by Second Valley, Rapid Bay & Cap Sevinge. Amazing geological formations make up the rugged coastline with towering cliff-faces, rolling hills, with caves and hidden coves. We make our way past Rapid Bay and its jetties & quarry to visit the Fur Seal Colony, with a few lazy Seal Lions around Rapid Head. Try and spot soaring White Bellied Sea Eagles circling above the towering cliffs and catch a look at the huge wind turbines of Starfish Hill Wind Farm before making our way back up along the coast to the departure point at Wirrina Cove.

Stunning scenic tour through some our South Australian's most Instagramed coastal locations!  

Tours along this beautiful western Fleurieu coastline tend to be more protected and calmer than our Southern Ocean & Seal Island Tours from Victor Harbor…. So ‘Sea Wirrina’ is suitable for the whole family.