FAQ

No, all cruises depart from dock C, d’Albora Marina, Nelson Bay. Guests will be checked-in at the vessel, at the time of boarding.
Boarding on all cruises is open 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.

ALL CRUISES DEPART ON TIME. Boats run on a strict schedule and allowances cannot be made for passengers arriving late. Arriving late and missing the vessel can result in the full loss of your fare. No refunds or transfers will be offered if you miss your departure time.
Boarding on all cruises is open 15 minutes prior to the vessel departure time. Make sure you give yourself time to allow for parking and to make your way to the vessel. Allow extra time during weekends and peak holiday periods. Should you know in advance you are unable to make the cruise by departure time, please contact our office (+61 460 734 476) for assistance.

MARINA MAP

• D’Albora Marina (Nelson Bay) and Victoria Parade (Nelson Bay)
• Up to 4 hours of paid parking between the hours 8.30 am – 4.30 pm
• Limited up to 8 hours of paid parking in Victoria Pde
• Car parking is free and unlimited in some streets i.e. Laman Street, Church Street, and Magnus Street all within walking distance to the marina.
• Parking machines
• Parking machines are located at Nelson Bay and use smart parking technology. You can pay by card, coin or the Park’n Pay app — remember, your number plate is your ticket to park.
• Paid parking operates throughout the Nelson Bay Town Centre and foreshore.
• Please check kerbside signs for parking restrictions.
• Outside the times indicated, parking is free and unrestricted. However, other parking conditions may still apply to ensure road safety. Please check the information on the kerbside signs before parking your vehicle.
• Downloading the Park’nPay app makes finding and paying for parking easier. You can download it from your smartphone’s app store.
• With the app, you don’t need to walk to a meter and pay — instead, you can do it from your smartphone. You will receive a notification on your phone when your ‘ticket’ is about to expire to avoid fines.
• Once you’ve registered you can keep track of your parking history and receipts. It’s a convenient and ticketless way to park.
• You can also look up where to find a park using the app, all from the passenger seat!

To make an enquiry you can email us (info@aquamarineadventures.com.au) or phone our office on 02 4980 4333. You can also book direct on our website.

It is highly suggested to pre-book your tour as we cannot guarantee that on the day that you wish to travel there will be availability on the cruise of your choice. Booking online is a great way to secure your cruise

Cruises/Tours need to be paid for at the time of booking, we accept VISA and MasterCard. Please be advised surcharges may apply. No surcharge applies for cash or EFTPOS.

A children’s fare is available for persons aged 4-14 years of age.

Concessional fares apply to holders of Australian Seniors Cards. This does not include overseas seniors. Full time students (16-25 years) must provide relevant ID.

We sure do! An Aquamarine Adventures gift voucher is the perfect gift for all occasions, ideal for family, friends and corporate clients.

Gift vouchers are available for purchase at a monetary value allowing the recipient to choose the cruise. The voucher is valid for 3 years from date of purchase and is open-dated until that date of expiry.

Even with our excellent sighting percentage our crew do on occasion (although rare) not find dolphins or whales. If this is the case on the day you travel with valid tickets on a cruise that does not sight whales (on a whale watch cruise) or dolphins (on a dolphin watch cruise) you will be issued free of charge return voucher. This voucher is issued on a stand-by basis. This offer is only valid for tickets purchased direct with AquaMarine Adventures or one of its agents.

Please be aware: Due to our vessel’s limited capacity, stand-by vouchers are issued with the condition it is transferred to either our 1.5hr Dolphin Watches, or 2.5hr Whale Watch cruise onboard our larger vessels. Contact the Aquamarine Adventures office to check vessels departing on your preferred day and time.

Please note: stand-by vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of original cruise and cannot be pre-booked.

• You are welcome to contact our office and if we have sufficient notice and availability we will transfer your cruise date to a mutually agreeable time and date. A $10 admin fee may be charged.
• NB: Conditions may apply

DOLPHIN WATCH EXPRESS – Infants are welcome onboard as this cruise stays inshore

WHALE WATCH EXPRESS – This is an offshore cruise and is not be suitable for children under 4 years of age.

PORT STEPHENS ISLAND SNORKELLING ADVENTURE – This is an offshore cruise and is not be suitable for children under 10 years of age.

FINGAL ISLAND ECO-WALK & LIGHTHOUSE TOUR – This is an offshore cruise and is not be suitable for children under 4 years of age.

Standard Cruises:

• 100% cancellation charge within 24 hours of departure time
• A travel voucher or refund with more than 24 hours notice

Pre-booked catered cruises:

• 50% cancellation charge within 48 hours of departure time
• A travel voucher or refund with more than 48 hours notice

• Any amendments to bookings will incur a $10 administration fee.

• Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable unless authorised by Aquamarine Adventures

PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME A CRUISE IS CANCELLED IF IT IS RAINING. If you have any concerns please ring our office on (02) 4980 4333
We can give you more information as well as weather updates.
We monitor the weather closely and decisions are made based on safety as well as guest comfort. Cruises cancelled due to poor weather/sea conditions are done so for the safety and comfort of our guests.

Should a cruise not operate for any reason, guests will be given the opportunity to reschedule or offered a full refund.
We always try to give guests as much notice as possible if we need to cancel a cruise.

Due to safety reasons, all children are required to be accompanied by an adult when entering the water. Please ensure everyone joining one of our cruises that includes swimming or snorkelling, are all competent swimmers. This MUST be made clear at time of booking.

Yes, our vessels are in commercial survey and subject to regular inspections. We are fully equipped with life rafts, emergency beacons (EPIRB), life jackets, throw rings, fire extinguishers and first aid kits. All crew are First Aid/CPR trained. Our crew will give a full safety briefing at the beginning of the trip for all passengers.

Due to the limited size and narrow boarding access to the vessel – it is not.

Envision does not have any snack or beverage facilities.
Guests are welcome to bring food (fruit, sandwiches, snack bars recommended) and beverages onboard.

For winter cruises (whale watch), we recommend warm layers including a jacket. You can always take a layer off if you are too warm, but it is ALWAYS colder out on the ocean than on land. Please dress appropriately for offshore conditions. Long pants and enclosed shoes are highly recommended. It is also a good idea to bring a water proof layer; not only does it keep you dry, it also protects you from the wind.
For summer cruises, a light jacket is recommended. Guests wishing to enter the water should bring swimwear and a towel.
Hats or sun protection are recommended on all cruises, even on overcast days. All guests must wear flat shoes (thongs/flip flops OK).

In addition to the recommended clothing and sun protection, you may want bring a camera, binoculars, water and snacks.
For guests onboard any summer cruises, swimmers and a towel are recommended for those wanting to get in the water.
On any cruise, a light jacket is recommended.

‘Sea sickness’ can be different for individuals, making it difficult for us to advise on the matter. If you suffer from other types of motion sickness, such as on a plane or in a car, you might get seasick.
PREVENTION is better than CURE. If you have concerns about seasickness we recommend you seek advice from a local pharmacy about preventatives prior to the cruise.

There is no time of day that is better for viewing dolphins or whales. Encounters vary day to day and there is no way to predict sightings or behaviours. Pick the cruise time that best suits you and let nature surprise you!

As per the NSW Smoke Free Environment Act 2000 and the Smoke Free Environment Regulation 2016, smoking is not permitted on any of our vessels at any time.
From 1 July 2018, under the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 and the Passenger Transport (General) Regulation 2017, people cannot use e-cigarettes in smoke-free areas.

Due to the limited area on the vessel and safety to all passengers, prams are not permitted onboard.