Snubfin Dolphin Cruise, Canapes

Sunset Cruise With Canapes And Transfers

★ 4.2 (11 reviews)

from A$170 per adult, operator price

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site.

Duration: About 3.5 hours
Meeting point: Roebuck Bay amphibious boarding or bus pickup
Meals: Complimentary canapes
Run by: Broome Whale Watching

Overview

This evening trip from Broome puts you on a spacious three-deck catamaran with Broome Whale Watching, a marine tour company that has been running in the town for more than 18 years. The whole thing runs about 3.5 hours, and the focus is split between wildlife and the sunset: a marine biologist leads the dolphin search, and the final hour is given over to the sky changing colour over the water. Canapes are served on board, and there is a licensed bar, with a full-service BYO option if you prefer to bring your own drinks.

The route sits in Roebuck Bay. After a safety briefing you spend roughly an hour and a half on wildlife viewing, looking for the rare Australian snubfin dolphin among other marine life. Boom net swimming is on the itinerary as an optional half-hour stop, available in the warmer months from late March to early October. Between April and June the cruise also passes the pindan cliffs and white sand of Riddle Beach. Sightings are never guaranteed, and the listing says plainly that wildlife varies day to day.

Boat bar counter with glasses at dusk and guests seated on deck

Door-to-door transfers from Broome are included, which saves arranging your own way to the departure point. If you would rather make your own way there, the operator asks that you meet half an hour before departure. One practical point: the vessel is reached by walking across the beach, as there is no jetty, so expect sand underfoot when boarding. The boat has all-abilities access across its three decks, and reviewers repeatedly praise the staff and the food.

DurationAbout 3.5 hours

Reviews11 reviews

What's Included

Included

3.5-hour sunset cruise
Commentary
Canapés
Door-to-door transfers
Dolphin spotting
Boom net swimming

Not Included

Beverages purchased from the licensed bar
Guaranteed sightings of wildlife
Swimming outside designated months (late March to early October)

Run byBroome Whale Watching

Itinerary

Hotel pickup in BroomeDoor-to-door transfers are included. If meeting at the departure point instead, arrive half an hour before departure.
Safety briefing on Roebuck BayThe listing allocates 3 hours to this stage of the cruise on the bay, which begins with the crew's safety briefing.
Boom net swimmingA 30-minute optional swim in the boom net. Available from late March to early October, and requires competent swimming and reasonable fitness.
Wildlife viewingRoughly 1.5 hours searching for snubfin dolphins and other marine life with expert marine biologists. Sightings vary from day to day and are not guaranteed.
Sunset on the bayThe final hour is for the sunset, with canapes and drinks from the bar as the light fades. Between April and June the cruise takes in the colours of Riddle Beach.
Return to BroomeThe catamaran returns and transfers take you back, ending a trip of about 3.5 hours in total.

Town ShuttleIncluded

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you decide whether this cruise fits your trip, and most come straight from the listing or repeat comments from travellers who have taken it.

What to bring. The listing asks for a hat, swimwear, a camera and sunscreen. Beach boarding is the only way onto the vessel, since there is no jetty, so expect to walk across sand when embarking.
Fitness for swimming. Boom net swimming is optional, and the listing requires competent swimming and a reasonable level of fitness from anyone who accesses the net. If you would rather stay dry, the deck and the sunset hour are the main event for plenty of guests.
Food and drink. Canapes are included, a gourmet spread of fresh Middle Eastern appetisers, and several reviewers singled the food out as a highlight. Drinks from the licensed bar cost extra, or you can bring your own and the crew will chill and serve them. Red wine and bottles of spirits are not allowed on board.
Wildlife is not certain. Snubfin dolphins are the star attraction but sightings are never guaranteed and vary daily, as the listing states openly. One reviewer joked that the ocean wildlife refused to cooperate despite the skipper's efforts, so treat dolphins as a strong possibility rather than a promise.

Empty table with glasses and platters on a catamaran deck at sunset.

Staff and atmosphere. Reviewers repeatedly describe the crew as friendly, well organised and attentive, from the skipper to the servers. The general tone of the reviews is relaxed, with guests calling it a soothing way to end the day in Broome.
Pace and length. At about 3.5 hours the cruise is a solid evening commitment, and one reviewer felt the laps on the water became repetitive and wished it were shorter. Other reviewers described the time as very enjoyable and well worth it, so the length suits most guests but may feel long for some.

Reviews11 reviews

AvailabilityCheck availability →

Common issues. The honest downsides are mostly about what nature does not promise. Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed, and one reviewer came away without usable wildlife photos despite the skipper's best efforts. One reviewer also found the cruise too long, with repetitive laps on the water. Red wine and bottles of spirits cannot be brought on board, bar drinks are an extra cost, swimming is limited to the late March to early October window, and boarding happens from the beach rather than a jetty, which matters if sand underfoot is a problem for you.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The price covers the 3.5-hour sunset cruise, commentary, canapes, dolphin spotting, boom net swimming and door-to-door transfers from Broome. Alcoholic and other drinks from the licensed bar are extra. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed as part of the experience.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, door-to-door transfers within Broome are included in the tour. If you prefer to make your own way to the departure point, the operator asks that you arrive half an hour before departure.

Can I Swim On The Cruise?

Boom net swimming is built into the itinerary as an optional 30-minute stop. It runs from late March to early October, and the listing requires competent swimming and a reasonable level of fitness to access the net. Outside those months swimming is not available.

Can I Bring My Own Alcohol?

Yes, the cruise is full-service BYO. The crew will chill your drinks and serve them on board. Avoid red wine and bottles of spirits, which are not permitted, and the boat is non-smoking throughout.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Are Dolphins Guaranteed On This Tour?

No. The listing states clearly that sightings of wildlife vary from day to day and guaranteed sightings are excluded. Marine biologists are on board to search for the rare Australian snubfin dolphin and other marine life, but the sunset and the canapes are the reliable parts of the evening.