east coast cruises

Had a great day on board a comfortable craft with Michael and his attentive crew. Michael's knowledge of the land formations and bird life was incredible. Lunch was most enjoyable and plenty for all and loved their choice of wine. It was certainly a highlight of our 15 day tour of Tasmania.

Our trip to Maria Island with East Coast cruises was one of the highlights of out trip to Tasmania. Even though weather conditions were less than favourable it did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of our guides Mike and Jason. Their passion and knowledge of the area was inspiring and gave us a great insight into the history and geology of Maria Island.Sue and Paul

Great circumnavigation of Maria Island. Stunning scenery. Steve and Jason were great hosts very knowledgeable and created a relaxing atmosphere. Lunch was fresh local Tasmanian produce in a sheltered bay. Overall one of the best cruies we have been on.

Wow, what a great day. Great hosts in Steve and Jason, great weather and great viewing. Recommended trip.

Wow, what a fantastic day we had. 4hr cruise around Seal Island, Maria Island - Lunch at Riedle Bay (snorkel option) which a few brave once took up. Stunning coastline, waterfalls and views of mountain ranges - Fossil Cliffs & Painted Cliffs and a short stay on Maria Island.Dolphins to the left, sea lions to the right, sea eagles and albatross above. Fantastic sea caves with magical geological formations and spectacular colours. Our guides were knowledgeable and very welcoming. They genuine and interested and always with a smile. Lunch was nice, as was the wine, champagne or tea/coffee.For this was a magnificent experience of a lifetime. Thank you so very much ...

This is a value for money trip run by professionals who are attentive to your needs. You felt like you had been old friends for years. Prior to the trip, the booking person, Jesse, was incredibly helpful and no question was too small. A request for a gluten free lunch was not a problem and when we registered at Triabunna dock, that detail was on the booking sheet. While the trip initially looks expensive, you need to remember that it is a full day experience, delicious lunch and complimentary beverage provided ( Boags Premier lager is not as good as the Boags draught but sometimes you have to make sacrifices), all national park fees to the island are covered as well coffee and tea on demand. Plus loads of interesting facts on the islands history and many amazing geographical features.Oh yes, the island! There are various options and now we have been on the island we know what is possible but this was a perfect way to appreciate Maria Island as we circumnavigated the island prior to lunch in Reidle Bay and a 2 hour chance to explore the island.As previously indicated the crew were marvellous. The skipper, Steve, was a great source of information delivered with laconic humour. His amazing assistant Keegan , could not have been more helpful. For those who moan about the youth of the day, Keegan will be an inspiration. His knowledge and pride for his Tasmania and general joy for everything outdoor will astound you.Our suggestion is that you free camp at one of 2 locations next to Triabunna pub and finish off with fish and chips from the van parked next to the pub. You may have to have a beer in the garden while you wait for your food. Life can be tough in this part of the world.

Friendly crew and comfortable basic boat. We could sit outside in the wind or inside on comfy seats. I chose the outside and was rewarded with sightings of lots of porpoises - more than I have ever seen at any one time before.Some of the tourists chose to swim with the seals - I wish I had done so after they got back on board - it looked fabulous. Saw more seals than I have ever seen before. Good lunch - cold compilation - plenty of food and glasses of plonk if that was what you wanted. I did. Then a visit to Maria Island and the convict settlement with plenty of time to walk around and explore the immediate area. A good value trip. A lot of travelling on the boat so children might find that somewhat of a challenge, but well worth it for us.

Thanks for a terrific day out on the water with Steve and Sam doing the Isle of Phoques and Maria Isle walk. The weather was not the best but your cruise was. It was full of interesting wild life and geological spectacles, none of which can be seen any other way, it is absolutely a MUST DO. A well run experience with excellent customer service. We'll be back one day to circumnavigate on a sunny day! Maria Island is not to be missed either with lots of wild life to see.

Sea eagles, albatross, dolphins, incredible geologic formations, colourful algae, breathtaking scenery, fairy penguins, geese, wombats, Tasmanian devils, cormorants, stunning caves, knowledgeable staff, incredible food, informative tour of Maria Island on and off shore, genuine smiles and then.....Ile des Phoques, or Island of Seals in English.I spent an hour in the water with too many fur seals to count. I "duck dove" as encouraged to keep the seals attention. I was so excited when one whizzed past my face the first time I gasped in awe...and inhaled my share of saltwater in the process! LOL I've seen reviews in here that try to find the right words but just aren't enough. Words like, "magic'" "awe inspiring," "must do," "amazing" and so forth. Thank you, thank you, thank you for making this lady's experience one that will be truly remembered for a lifetime! <3

I have had the wonderful opportunity to be on board this well run cruise. Wonderful colours and pictures roll through my mind. Treated to cave colours, dolphins surfing beside us. Whales tails splashing, sapphire blue waters. Seals waving rows of flippers flapping. Albatross sweeping the waves with wide spanning wings. Magic is created on the Spirit of Maria.

The MUST DO experience in Tasmania.We were entertained by dolphins ,fish schools,eagles,albatross and cape barren geese along with the colorful history of Maria Island the staff were experienced,friendly and very knowledgable.

Took our Canadian friends around Maria Island. Had a fantastic day, crew were excellent and really knew their stuff and so friendly and welcoming. Informative without overloading and presented the boat for the best photo,s available. A highlight of our Tassie adventure. Would recommend East Coast Cruises to all. Great cruise, great meal onboard was first class and great adventure. David P.

these guys know how to operate - we did circumnavigation and had great time. Service and value was excellent. Would say they do it as good as it gets. One of our trips highlights

We just went on the east coast cruise at Triabunna tasmania and had the best day ever. We circumnavigated Maia Island. We have been on a lot of boat cruises and this one was by far the best in our opinion. I would recommend it to anyone. They cater for all dietary needs and the food and crew were magnificent. What are you waiting for. Just do it. Judy J

What a disastrous start to Black Friday, but saved by the wonderful guys at East Coast Cruises and Sam the Ranger on Maria Island. After being left behind by our pre-booked, pre-paid 9:30am Maria Island transfer, despite arriving 16 mins prior to notified check in time, the guys on East Coast Cruises could not have been greater ambassadors for humanity, kindness and tourism services in Tasmania. They went beyond the call of duty to save the day and ensure our Maria Island experience was one to remember for all the right reasons, and not the bad one as it started. Triabunna might be in the back blocks of Tasmania, but it is a world stage launch to a magic place and an experience on Maria Island that isn't matched anywhere in Tasmania, and I suspect the world. Being left behind by the ferry would have meant no trip to Maria Island, but we were welcomed onto the Spirit of Maria with an understanding smile, and a 'we shall work out the details later, you just go and enjoy your day of cycling around Maria Island... see you at 4 pm and fix us up when we get back to port'. Thank you Keagan, Steve and Sam, you were awesome, amazing, kind, considerate, personable and understanding; pity others don't understand the basics of customer service, and that it is unacceptable to manipulate people for your own commercial ends, trusting that the visiting and unsuspecting tourist won't have time to raise a formal complaint... Well, the Black Friday start for us, was East Coast Cruises gain...and as a local, I will be recommending East Coast Cruises to everyone - locals and visitors alike. And I'll also be back to do their great circumnavigational island tour.