Wildlife & Water Activities: Port Stephens Dolphin Watching Adventure
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
11 hours
Fitness Level
Good overall fitness required for sandboarding and walking activities
Overview
Set off from Sydney to experience a day filled with dolphin sightings, sandboarding, and scenic beaches at Port Stephens. This unforgettable trip combines wildlife, adventure, and coastal beauty—perfect for active travelers.
Port Stephens Dolphin Watching Colourful Day Trip
11 hours • Wild dolphins, huge sand dunes, 4WD adventure the beach, and more!
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Adventure Photos
About This Adventure
Embark on an unforgettable 11-hour adventure to Port Stephens, just two hours from Sydney. Experience thrilling sandboarding on massive dunes, explore golden beaches, and enjoy a dolphin cruise where you can see playful bottlenose dolphins up close. This nature-filled escape promises excitement and breathtaking views year-round!
If you book our Port Stephens day tour, we promise to show you paradise
Duration
11 hours
About
Port Stephens is just over two hours from Sydney and worth a visit all year round. It boosts 26 stunning golden beaches, National Parks, diverse marine life and is a great little Sydney escape. See playful dolphins on our dolphin cruise, explore stunning beaches, take a 4WD trip on the beach and slide down huge dunes. If you love nature and adventure, this is the trip for you!
Trip Inclusions
- Experienced Driver Guide
- Return air conditioned vehicle transfers from Sydney to Port Stephens
- 4WD / Sandboard the impressive Stockton Sand Dunes
- Dolphin Watching Cruise (1.5 hours)
- Free time for swimming (conditions permitting)
Trip Itinerary
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One of our awesome guides will pick you up early morning and soon you'll find yourself going over the Sydney Harbour Bridge towards the mid north coast of New South Wales.
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A refreshment stop on the way before we go sandboarding at Stockton Beach! We will jump in a big 4WD and cruise over the huge Anna Bay dunes to find the biggest drops possible to go down! Embrace the challenge, take a deep breath and whizz down huge the sand dunes on a boards especially designed to fly down sand!
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When we arrive at Port Stephens, take a break for lunch (own expense) at Nelson Bay, the main town of Port Stephens. There are a few cute little souvenir shops around so feel free to have a browse and take in the local atmosphere.
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Then we board a boat to go dolphin watching! The region is home to over 150 playful bottlenose dolphins who are known to play around the boat. spot these grey beauties from the spacious viewing deck or jump in the boom net attached to the boat to get up close and personal. During June and October you can upgrade to our whale watching cruise. The annual whale migration takes place around this time with plenty of whales playfully showing off some acrobatics as they make their way along the coast.
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Our Port Stephens dolphin day tour departs from Sydney, all year around! Looking forward to having you on our tour so we can show you to this stunning part of Oz!
Own Expenses
- Lunch (bring a packed lunch or grab lunch at one of the Nelson Bay cafes)
Adventure Tips
Bring sun protection
Apply sunscreen and wear a hat to stay protected during outdoor activities.
Wear suitable footwear
Sturdy shoes and sandals are recommended for sandboarding and beach walking.
Stay hydrated
Carry plenty of water to stay refreshed during the trip’s active segments.
Bring a camera
Capture wildlife moments and scenic views along the beaches and dunes.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Sea turtles
- Ospreys
History
Port Stephens has a rich Indigenous cultural history, with the Worimi people having inhabited the region for thousands of years.
Conservation
The area emphasizes sustainable tourism, with boat tours operating under environmentally responsible guidelines to protect marine life.
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Adventure Hotspots in Sydney
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sunscreen
Protects your skin from UV rays during outdoor excursions.
summer specific
Hats or caps
Keeps sun out of your eyes and provides additional sun protection.
all seasons specific
Beach towel or mat
Useful for relaxing on the beach or taking breaks during activities.
summer specific
Waterproof camera or phone case
Helps capture scenic landscapes and wildlife without damage.
all seasons specific