Meet Port Venture: Our New Vessel Has Arrived in Sydney
Can you go whale watching in Sydney in a wheelchair? On our new vessel the answer is a plain yes. Port Venture, our 18.5-metre custom catamaran, arrived in Sydney this August, and it makes wheelchair accessible whale watching in Sydney something you simply book, not something that takes three phone calls to arrange.
Here is what the new boat means for your day on the water.
Port Venture is our flagship, a custom catamaran purpose built for whale watching. She takes over from Adventure, the boat that gave us years of great days on the water, and she arrives with plenty of whale season still to run.
The headline is space. Five viewing levels. Wide decks with plenty of room to move around. A stable ride in Sydney conditions. Wherever a whale surfaces, you can find your own vantage point instead of watching over someone’s shoulder. There is boom netting on board too, along with fully inclusive amenities.
Port Venture is fully wheelchair accessible. Boarding is a smooth roll-on, roll-off ramp, so there is no lifting and no awkward step from the wharf. Once you are aboard, the decks are wide with plenty of space to move around, and there are accessible amenities on board.
The same things that make the boat easy with a wheelchair make it easy with a pram. Bring the baby, bring the grandparents, bring the dog if you like. The cruise suits all ages, and Port Venture is pet friendly.
Whether you are travelling with a wheelchair, a pram, or simply appreciate a little extra comfort, the boat is set up so you can enjoy the cruise with ease. If someone in your group has particular access needs, mention them when you book and our crew will look after you on the day.
Five viewing levels means everyone gets a clear line of sight, whether you are standing at the rail or staying seated. Our crew calls the action as it happens, so you always know where to look, and the stability of a catamaran hull makes a real difference once you are out through the heads.
Humpbacks are the headline act, and the coastline often adds bottlenose dolphins, seals and seabirds along the way. Every trip is different. That is the point of going.
Humpbacks pass Sydney between May and November, heading north through winter and back south with their calves in spring. That leaves plenty of this season to come, and Port Venture is here for all of it.
Whales are wild animals and no operator can promise them. What we can promise is this: if whales are not spotted on your cruise, you can rebook free within 5 days of your original trip.
Departures are from King Street Wharf 6 at Darling Harbour. If you would rather stay inside the heads, our Sydney Harbour sightseeing cruise leaves from the same wharf and shows off the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the shoreline in between.
Our FAQ page covers what to bring and how to prepare, and the crew are always happy to answer questions before you board.
Wheelchair accessible whale watching in Sydney is now as simple as it should be. Book your whale watching cruise online, pick a date, and come aboard. You can read more about the vessel on our About page.