Water Activities in Port Stephens: The Best Things to Do on (and in) the Water
Port Stephens is all about the water.
With its calm harbour, open ocean beaches and thriving marine life, it’s one of the best places in New South Wales to get out on — or into — the ocean. Whether you’re chasing dolphins, paddling across crystal-clear bays or diving beneath the surface, there’s no shortage of ways to experience the coastline here.
As a Port Stephens local, the water is where I spend most of my time — and this guide brings together the best water-based activities to help you make the most of your visit.
👉 If you’re planning your trip, start with the Port Stephens Ultimate Travel Guide for everything you need to know.
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Wildlife & Cruise Experiences
Whale Watching (May–October)
One of the most unforgettable experiences in Port Stephens is seeing humpback whales during their annual migration.
Thousands of whales pass close to the coastline between May and October, and cruises departing from Nelson Bay offer incredible close-up encounters.
👉 Plan your trip with our guide to whale watching in Port Stephens
Dolphin Cruises
Port Stephens is home to around 150 resident bottlenose dolphins, and sightings are incredibly common throughout the year.
Dolphin cruises are one of the most popular activities in the region, especially for first-time visitors.
👉 Discover the dolphin watch cruises and what to expect with our guide Where to See Dolphins in Port Stephens: The Ultimate Local Guide
Sunset Cruises
For something more relaxed, sunset cruises offer a beautiful way to experience the harbour as the light changes over the water.
👉 Moonshadow Cruises depart from D’Albora Marina for a 2-hour sunset cruise. Enjoy the tranquility of Port Stephens harbour as the sun drops below the horizon and the sky changes from vivid blue to burnt orange then pinks and purples as twilight sets in. Sip on a cocktail or local wine whilst the breeze brushes lightly across your face.
And just in case you are wondering, yes- you can have a wedding reception on Moonshadow. We had the most fantastic reception with a buffet dinner. We had the whole top level to ourselves and feedback from our guests was one of the best wedding receptions they have been to. The Moonshadow staff were absolutely fabulous.
Another option is sunset cruise on the Wangi Queen Showboat which departs from Lemon Tree Passage Marina and explores the western harbour.
👉 My guide Port Stephens Best Kept Secret: Tilligerry Peninsula provides a comprehensive guide to help you explore the area on your visit.
Swim with Dolphins
For a more immersive experience, Dolphin Swim Australia offer the chance to swim with dolphins in the open water.
This experience is guided and operated with strict wildlife protections in place. But be ready for an early morning start.
Ferry to Tea Gardens
Hop on board the ferry between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens. The journey takes you to the northern side of Port Stephens and up the Myall River to Tea Gardens. It is a scenic and relaxing way to experience the harbour.
It’s a great option if you want a short on-water experience without committing to a full cruise. Dolphins are commonly seen but not guaranteed.
👉 Read my guide to Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest and discover what there is to do when you arrive.
Active Water Adventures
Kayaking & Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
The calm waters of the bay are perfect for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
Shoal Bay, Little Beach and Salamander Bay are all great spots to launch. We have our own kayaks and one of our favourite paddles is from Shoal Bay to Tanilba Bay. You’ll need your own kayaks and 2 cars. It takes about 4 hours and best timed with a following north-east breeze which generates little waves through the middle of the harbour you can surf on. Make sure you time your paddle past Middle Island with an incoming tide. Alternatively, for a shorter paddle, you can pull out at Soldiers Point.
Port Stephens has an active social kayaking group. They paddle on Thursdays. So, if you are keen on a group paddle with locals, contact them through facebook.
👉 Not sure where to go? See our guide to the best beaches in Port Stephens
Kayaks and Stand-Up Paddleboards can be hired at Port Stephens Kayak in Shoal Bay.
👉 Read my guide Discover Shoal Bay for more things to do after your kayaking.
Jet skiing in Port Stephens
Jet skiing is another activity we know well. We have our own jet skis and have explored much of Port Stephens by them.
We’ve even travelled up the Myall River all the way to the Myall Lakes, which gives you an idea of how much more there is to explore beyond the main bay.
For visitors without their own PWC, jet ski hire provides a way to experience Port Stephens from the water without needing to own one.
Port Stephens Jet ski hire for licensed riders
If you have a jet ski license, you can hire a 300HP jet ski from Port Stephens Jet Ski Hire to explore the waterway at your own pace.
Prices start from
- Half day (4hours) – $620
- Full day (8 hours) – $870
- Each hire requires a $1000 security deposit
👉 Call 0422 996 884. Bookings are essential.
Just remember, there is no fuel up the Myall Lakes so plan your trip carefully!
Nelson Bay Jet ski hire – no license required
Nelson Bay Jet Ski Hire allows you to try jet skiing without a license. You’ll be met at D’Albora Marina and taken to a designated riding area in the middle of the bay. You can ride single or tandem on a Yamaha VX1100 jet ski capable of 85km/hr. Prices start from $140/30 mins.
👉 Call on 0426 424 242 on day of the ride to book.
Jet ski rules and restrictions
In addition to NSW jet ski restrictions, the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park has specific restrictions affecting motorised water sports and personal watercraft.
Fly Point Aquatic Reserve – no powered watercraft of any sort at any time.
Additional summer restrictions
Across the summer holidays (24 December 2026 – 26 January 2027), all powered vessels including jet skis are required to stay 30m from Shoal Bay, Dutchman’s Beach and Nelson Bay Beach. Source: Transport for NSW
Hire a boat and explore Port Stephens yourself
You don’t have to join a tour to get out on the water.
Hiring a small boat or tinny gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, go fishing or simply spend a day on the water with family or friends.
This is quite different from booking a fishing charter. With a boat hire, you decide where you go and what you do, within the hire company’s conditions and boating regulations.
👉 Hire a tinny or run-about from Nelson Bay Boat Hire located at D’Albora Marina. No license required.
If you’re bringing your own boat to Port Stephens, our Port Stephens boat ramp guide has the practical information you’ll need for launching.
Sailing in Port Stephens
I’ve sailed all my life, so sailing around Port Stephens is something I know from personal experience rather than simply something I’ve researched.
Port Stephens is a fantastic place to experience under sail, whether you’re bringing your own boat or joining an organised sailing experience.
Sail Port Stephens
One of the highlights of the local sailing calendar is Sail Port Stephens, the annual sailing regatta that brings yachts and crews to the region.
Even if you’re not competing, it’s worth checking the dates if you’re planning a visit. Watching the boats racing around the bay gives you a very different appreciation of just how important sailing is to Port Stephens.
SailTime Port Stephens
If you don’t own a yacht but would like to experience sailing, SailTime Port Stephens at Soldiers Point is another option worth investigating.
Bring your own catamaran
If you’re a catamaran sailor travelling with your own off-the-beach cat, there’s another option that most visitors probably won’t know about.
The Tanilba Bay Sailing Club, operating from the Tilligerry Habitat, welcomes visiting catamaran sailors to its Saturday afternoon off-the-beach racing. Contact the club through their facebook page.
Surfing
For those chasing waves, beaches like Fingal Bay and Birubi offer good surf conditions depending on swell and wind.
One Mile Beach is one of the area’s best beaches for learning to surf.
The beach is exposed to the ocean, so it can have plenty of waves, but that’s exactly what makes it useful for surf lessons. Local surf schools run beginner lessons and provide the equipment, so you don’t need to arrive with a board strapped to the roof.
👉 Check availability for your surfing lesson with Port Stephens Surf School.
Fishing
Fishing is a huge part of life in Port Stephens.
You can:
- fish from the beach or jetty
- cast a line from the breakwall
- try your luck rock fishing
- hire a boat to fish the estuary or
- head offshore on a charter
Boat access is easy across the region.
👉 See our guide to Port Stephens boat ramps for launch points and access
Fishing charters available are:-
Port Stephens Estuary Fishing Charters with Paul Lennon. Paul will put you on the fish. Oh, and he knows where the huge flathead hangout. He is so good that you have to book months in advance.
If you are looking to get outside the harbour and explore the islands and maybe try some game fishing, options include
Underwater Experiences
Snorkelling
Port Stephens has some excellent snorkelling spots, particularly in calmer areas.
Fly Point Aquatic Reserve is generally regarding as one of the best shore dives in NSW, known for its clear water and diverse marine life.
Fly Point Aquatic Reserve is best snorkelled at high tide. Mornings tend to be better with clearer water and less waves before the wind picks up in the afternoon. If you have your own gear, just wander down the stairs and straight into the water.
Haven’t tried snorkelling before? Join a one hour guided snorkelling tour with Squids Dive Co including snorkelling gear and wetsuit. 👉 Book now to secure your spot.
If you are feeling adventurous, a 3.5-hour cruise out to the islands on the 54ft catamaran Imagine with dolphin spotting and snorkelling could be what you are looking for.
👉 Check availability for an island snorkelling adventure.
Scuba Diving
The region offers a range of dive sites, including reefs, islands and deeper offshore locations.
Divers can expect to see fish, rays, and occasionally larger marine life.
Never been Scuba diving before? Try an introductory dive with no certification required.
👉 Check operator requirements and availability.
If you have your dive certification, there are two dive operators based in Port Stephens. Ask them about their scheduled dive trips. Broughton Island and visiting Grey Nurse Sharks are popular.
Freediving
With clear water and varied underwater terrain, Port Stephens is also popular for freediving.
Conditions vary, so calm days are best for visibility and safety.
Never been free diving or spear fishing? Me neither. But if you want to give it a go, or even if you are getting pretty good at it, call the guys and girls at Salty Pilgrims Freediving.
Family-Friendly Water Fun
Aqua Park (Summer)
During summer, the inflatable SPLASH Aqua Park in Nelson Bay is a hit with families and teenagers. I admit, it’s not the biggest one we have been to so book ahead to secure your spot.
It’s a fun, energetic way to cool off on a hot day.
Tomaree Aquatic Centre
For a more controlled environment, the Tomaree Aquatic Centre offers pools, splash zone and a water slide — perfect for families. There is lots of shaded grassy areas around the pools for a rest between swims.
If you are staying on the Tilligerry Peninsula, Tilligerry Aquatic Centre has 25m heated pool and small splash zone located in Mallabula.
Relaxed Coastal Experiences
Swimming
Port Stephens has a mix of calm bay beaches and ocean beaches and netted swimming areas.
Sheltered beaches like Shoal Bay and Little Beach are ideal for swimming, especially for families.
👉 See our guide to the best beaches in Port Stephens to find the right spot for you.
Exploring Rock Pools
At low tide, rock pools along the coastline reveal small marine life and hidden pockets of water.
Head to Fingal Beach around Barry Park or Iris Moore Rockpools.
They’re a great option for families and anyone wanting a slower-paced coastal experience.
Local Tips for Water Activities
- Mornings usually offer the calmest water conditions
- Northerly winds can affect bay conditions in the afternoon
- Always swim between the flags on patrolled beaches
- Check tides and swell before heading into the ocean
- Book cruises early during peak holiday periods
Plan Your Port Stephens Adventure
From close encounters with dolphins and whales to kayaking, snorkelling and surfing, Port Stephens offers some of the best water-based experiences in NSW.
Whether you’re after adventure or relaxation, the coastline here makes it easy to spend your days on or in the water.
👉 Keep planning your trip:
- Port Stephens Ultimate Travel Guide
- Best Beaches in Port Stephens
- Whale Watching in Port Stephens
- Where to See Dolphins in Port Stephens: The Ultimate Local Guide
- Port Stephens Boat Ramps Guide
Take your time, get out on the water — and experience the side of Port Stephens that locals love most.
