Private Charter - 90-minute Dolphins and Ships Graveyard Tour
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Enjoy this is a must do activity when visiting Adelaide with your own private group cruise! See the iconic Ships Graveyard, the unique Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, the wonderful International Bird Sanctuary and so much more.
A Guided Tour
Your Skipper on the day will also be your cruise guide. Sit back, relax and enjoy the views as your guide talks you through the local history, famous ships and iconic locations you are cruising through
A Rich Maritime History
The Port Adelaide River is steeped in a rich maritime history that you will discover as you cruise along its length, seeing famous ships and locations. Your cruise guide will point out interesting landmarks and vessels, and we provide a PowerPoint display with additional information for the duration of the cruise.
The Ships Graveyard
Don’t miss out! For the first time you are able to enter Port Adelaide’s completely unique Ships Graveyard on a guided cruise. Be amazed as you cruise past giant wrecks, half-submerged in the hidden backwaters of the Port River and learn their history.
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
Enjoy cruising through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary searching for local dolphins, one of the only wild dolphin populations living within a city. Keep an eye out for some of the famous local residents and, during the warmer months, newborn calves! Please note – we do not guarentee a dolphin sighting as these are wild animals and come and go as they please
International Bird Sanctuary
Travel towards the bird sanctuary where there’s an opportunity to see migratory shorebirds, including threatened species such as Curlew sandpiper as well as well-known Aussie favourites like the Australian Pelican and Pied Cormorant.
IMPORTANT NOTES
CANCELLATION POLICY
A FULL refund is provided to guests if the tour is cancelled due to minimum numbers not being reached, poor weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances and an alternative time is not established to undertake the tour. As we are providing tours within a river system, the water is very calm.
- NO refund is provided to guests for non-attendance at scheduled tour time
- NO refund is provided to guests who cancel within 48 hours of scheduled tour time.
- Guests can reschedule tour if required, however need to ensure that more than 48 hours’ notice is provided to Port River Cruises via telephone confirmation
- All bookings cancelled within 7 days of scheduled departure, will incur a 50% charge of tour cost, alternatively a credit can be held for you to use within a 18 month timeframe, unless otherwise stated on the booking form.
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Having lived in Adelaide for 30 years it was my first visit real to the Port River. I found it very interesting to learn some of the local history. Captain Jim did a great job engaging all age groups.
We were lucky to see some dolphins and the captain was all the time pointing them to us. Also the explanation about the old ships and the port was amazing. A rich history for a place that definitely worth a visit.
It was expertly crewed by very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Very interesting commentary.
We were fortunate to see several dolphins, some of whom played around our boat. It was reassuring to to know the port is a sanctuary for dolphins and they are breeding here and free to return to the ocean anytime.
A bird sanctuary borders the port - some travel from Siberia and the Ships Graveyard stories really bring the maritime history of this part of Australia to life.
Captain Jim and guide Alex were both excellent. Alex provided lots of information that was of interest to young & old. He had many great stories about how the area has changed, passing under Birkenhead bridges that open to allow ships to sail under them and how and why there is a cemetery of shipwrecks in the river.
We saw lots of dolphins. Jim made sure that people on both sides could get lots of photos. He let the dolphins come to check out the boat and just frolic in the water and catch fish.
The journey to the shipwrecks meant passing through the history of the port with lots of significant sites still being used.
The wrecks were fascinating and that led to the bird sanctuary area which was populated with grey herons, egrets, cormorants etc. An excellent cruise. Highly recommended.
As the weather forecast was for a lovely day and we had time we booked. This process was very easy and the information provided by the company was spot on.
The cruise was fabulous and we saw and learnt things about the Port River that we didn’t already know. Our two young hosts /skipper were professional and friendly.
Definitely a worthwhile tour for visitors to the area. They may have been a little disappointed as we didn’t see any dolphins during the cruise but we can vouch for the fact that we often see dolphins during our walks along the docks.
All in all an enjoyable experience.
We loved it all and we learnt a lot even though we have lived in Adelaide for decades!
The boys Alex & Jacob were so friendly and great with everyone they made the trip interesting. Thanks you for a great day
A very enjoyable 90minute cruise, would recommend.
Captain Jim was amazing. We learnt about history, dolphins and birds. We spotted around 15 dolphins , so close ones as well. Our toddler was given the opportunity to sit on captains chair and wear his cap. Also was given a goody bag to play and a lolli as a appreciation gift. For him adelaide is all about dolphins. He could not wait to share the photos and stories with his kinder friends.
Another must do if visiting Adelaide and surrounds!
We did the Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise.
Perfect for all ages, the Captain even lets the children have a go at steering the boat!
Knowledgeable Captain, with lots of interesting facts.
We were lucky to see “Rocket” the resident Dolphin, she played near the boat for ages.
And the Ships Graveyard is fantastic.
We are Adelaide local, and never tried this before. I would encourage locals to experience this adventure and you will be surprised with how much fun you will gain!
The weather was beautiful and we could sit on top of this cruise boat and enjoy the view.
Even got lucky to see a few dolphins right up to the boat in wild environment (sanctuary only means protected but natural environment). Great experience!
We saw three dolphins which was heartwarming.
I’m not sure whether the cruise would be suitable for young children.
We were told a lunch cruise is being planned and we look forward to that in the future.
Train ride to the Port from Adeliade CBD and then a short walk to the Port
The boat drivers were great, very informative and did all they could to ensure that we were comfortable and saw all that was available to be viewed.
We first meet little (not so little) Rocket an orphaned dolphin who has called the Port home and happy there
Then boarded the boat, there were upstairs/outside seats and the drivers ensure that was equally rotated between guests.
Saw the port, told stories, saw shipwrecks, birdlife and some more dolphins feeding.
A great trip and recommend
We highly recommend this cruise. We even got to see 3 groups of beautiful Dolphins. One group was a mother Dolphin and her calf. Another couple of Dolphins playfully swam right up near the side of our cruise boat. Thank you Port River Cruises, we shall be back again 😀
We had captain Chris and he was a wealth of knowledge, super friendly and definitely had a good sense of humour!
We really enjoyed our tour out to ship wrecks, we were lucky to see Rocket before boarding and after so we got a super close view of a dolphin! Will definitely book again if we are ever in the area.
10/10 amazing service and definitely a great tour on offer for the area. The kids absolutely loved it and would definitely have loved to go again!
Only downside...it is expensive for what it is and no food or drinks are available.
We've been on previous cruises on the Port River on a much bigger boat, where you could buy lunch, drinks, etc and that cruise was much cheaper in price.












































