New EcoBoat Adventures at Victoria's Phillip Island

As of 8th December, Phillip Island Nature Parks will launch two new EcoBoat Adventure tours allowing visitors to venture beyond the island’s shores and explore the rugged coastline and wild ocean.

For the first time this environment can be explored up close on a fully supported EcoBoat Adventure.

Phillip Island Nature Parks has teamed up with John Dickie, the island’s long-time local boat tour operator, to offer the new service. Operating daily, the EcoBoat Adventures will take thrill seekers on a high speed tour to the local Australian fur seal colony and the base of Summerland Peninsula’s cliffs, including the explosive blowhole at the Nobbies.

As locals attest, the waters surrounding Phillip Island teem with wildlife. From June to September, migrating whales such as southern rights and humpbacks are spotted, along with smaller orcas or ‘killer whales’.

In addition, ‘rafts’ of little penguins can be seen out fishing while overhead soaring birds of prey such as peregrine falcons can be seen.

Within 20 minutes of departing from the Cowes jetty, the EcoBoat Adventures will arrive offshore to one of the country’s largest Australian fur seal colonies.  A ranger-guide from Phillip Island Nature Parks is aboard to give tour guests a special insight into the history and ecology of the colony.

Underwater cameras aboard the boat also reward guests with a unique glimpse into the playful antics occurring beneath the waves as seals surround the boat.

Guests who visit in January will also be able to see fur seal pups taking their first swim lessons while ashore 300kg male bulls may well be charginge at a rival.

The return journey takes guests towards the Nobbies and the coastline of Summerland Peninsula giving a unique view of the Aboriginal and European history of the area and an exciting view of the Nobbies blowhole carved into the cliffs by thousands of years of explosive wave action.

Further on, as the tour heads back towards Cowes, the EcoBoat Adventures pass by Cat Bay, a National Surfing Reserve famous for its longboard break.

The boat will return to Cowes jetty in time for guests to explore the sights of town before heading out to see the little penguins waddle ashore at dusk for the world-famous Penguin Parade.

With over 20 years of experience, Phillip Island Nature Parks’ operator and ranger guides are experts at finding seals, whales, dolphins, penguins and other seabirds. Seating up to 47 people and operating year round, the world-class RIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) is also equipped with Wi-Fi and with four high-powered but quiet outboard engines, the EcoBoat Adventures are the fastest tours available to Seal Rocks.  

23rd March 2014 - MAJOR TOURISM EXPANSION ANNOUNCED FOR VICTORIA’S PHILLIP ISLAND