Tasman Peninsula Kayak and Whale Watching Escape

We start the trip with a morning pick up (around 8am) from your Hobart hotel for the two hour drive to Fortescue Bay, located in the heart of the Tasman National Park. Prior to launching, your guides will help with gear fitting and runthrough a full kayak safety briefing. We then launch the kayaks and head towards Cape Huoy, one of the highlights of the Three Capes Track. If the weather allows, we can make our way to the base of the Candle Stick, a mecca for rock climbers from around the world and conveniently located beside a seal haul-out. We will pause here while Australian fur seals play in the water around us. Depending on conditions, we can paddle underneath the candlestick to the open sea beyond, where we’ll keep a look out for whale activity. Returning to the shelter of the bay, we’ll explore hidden coves and enjoy a picnic lunchbefore a vehicle transfer to our lodge accommodation, The Bolthole Pirates Bay. After settling in and exploring the surrounds, the guides will prepare a gourmet dinner with a focus on local produce. Our resident biologist will present the first of a series of informative lectures with an emphasis on whales of the southern ocean. Paddling distance today is approximately 12-15km.

Meals:  L,D

This morning, provided the weather allows, we launch the kayaks from the shelter of Pirates Bay and experience true ocean paddling as we paddle south past the Tasman Arch and Blowhole. Towering sea cliffs, deep sea caves and abundant marine life are highlights of today’s paddle. This excursion is perhaps our best opportunity to view whales from our kayaks as the coastline is a favourite resting spot for migrating humpbacks. Lunch is enjoyed at Bivouac Bay where we can stretch our legs on a hike with great views over the sea cliffs. We meet our vehicle and transfer back to the The Bolthole with time to relax on the large deck looking out to Pirates Bay, Clyde Island and Cape Hauy before dinner and our evening whale tales. Paddling distance today is approximately 15km.

Meals:  B,L,D

Our third day on the Tasman Peninsula begins with a hearty breakfast before heading to Port Arthur. Launching from a nearby cove, we have a unique opportunity to experience the Port Arthur site by kayak before paddling south to sheltered Safety Cove for lunch. After a rest and a swim for the bold, we will round out the afternoon with a return hike towards Mt Brown and Crescent Bay. The hike provides exceptional views southwards over the Tasman Sea and provides fabulous opportunities to witness the annual humpback migration. Your resident marine biologist will accompany the group and provide an in-depth knowledge of whale behaviour. Transfer back to the lodge. Paddling distance today is around 8km.

Meals:  B,L,D

On our last day on the Peninsula, we leave the kayaks behind for our morning boat trip and an afternoon hike. After a short transfer to Eaglehawk Neck, we join the crew at Wild Ocean Tasmania (WOT) for a 3-4 hour whale spotting trip. Our aim is to travel to the Hippolyte rocks, located 5kms from shore, just a little out of reach of our kayaks, to experience the myriad of wildlife. Our charter boat is a rigid hull inflatable (RIB) with a toilet and comfortable seating. RIB’s are perfect for those worried about motion sickness as they are incredibly stable, due to their low centre of gravity and air-filled pontoons. They are fully open, so you get to breathe fresh air at all times and the view is not obstructed. We hope to spot not only whales on our trip, but also dolphins, seals and albatross. After returning to land, we’ll have lunch and then stretch our legs with a spectacular cliff-top hike. The trip ends with a transfer back to Hobart and a drop off at your hotel at around 5.30pm.

Meals:  B,L