Big Duck Boat Tours

Wildlife on the water

Big Duck Boat Tours runs small-group marine wildlife tours from the Granite Island Causeway at Victor Harbor. The custom-built tour boat carries up to 30 passengers and is designed for close-up, low-impact viewing of the wildlife of Encounter Bay and the Southern Ocean.

What you'll see

• Australian fur seals - the colony on the eastern side of Granite Island is a highlight of most tours, with seals hauled out on the rocks year-round
• Common and bottlenose dolphins - regularly seen in Encounter Bay
• Southern right whales - present in the bay from June through September, with peak sightings in July and August
• Seabirds - cormorants, albatross and gulls

Tours

Two tours typically operate: a 1-hour Seal and Dolphin Cruise and a 2-hour Adventure Tour that ventures further around The Bluff and out towards Wright Island. Whale watch tours run in season. Bookings are essential - the boat is small and tours sell out quickly in winter.

Practical info

• Departs from the Granite Island Causeway, Victor Harbor
• Warm, waterproof clothing recommended - the open ocean is cold even in summer
• Eco-certified by Ecotourism Australia