A live diver and a dinner menu that keeps coming—this cruise is all about the seafood. You leave from Hobart’s waterfront on Cuttlefish, a custom-built catamaran, and you get a long, guided tasting where the boat, the crew, and the pace are built for relaxing.

I love two things most: the variety (7 Tasmanian seafood types showing up across the meal) and the way the food is paced like a true degustation, with plenty of different dishes over time.

One consideration: this experience is adult-leaning and not set up for kids, so if you’re traveling with little ones, you might want to check first whether the timing and style fit your family.

Key things I’d circle before you book

• A small group (up to 6) on a spacious, stable catamaran
• Seven seafood species with a true 18-selection tasting run
• A commercial diver harvesting wild seafood while you watch from the boat
• Tasmanian wine, beer, cider, and non-alcoholic drinks included
• Bruny Island guided tour added into the 4.5-hour loop
• Food built around the fishermen/women experience, not a generic catering setup

Getting your bearings: Hobart waterfront to the Cuttlefish catamaran

This cruise starts right on Hobart’s waterfront. You’ll find the meeting point on the left side of Elizabeth St Pier, standing near Fish Frenzy and looking down into the water for the two-storey white catamaran.

That detail matters because the boat itself is the whole vibe here. This is not a tiny skiff or a crowded ferry. The vessel, Cuttlefish, is custom built for local waterways and designed with comfort in mind: an open-plan main cabin with heating/cooling, open-plan seating, and an upper deck where you can chat with the skipper in the wheelhouse area.

You also get three outdoor decks and two bathrooms, which sounds like a small thing until you’re out there for a full 270 minutes. You’ll settle in without feeling like you’re competing for space.

And since this is a tasting cruise (not just a scenic loop), you’ll probably want to arrive ready to eat—bring any personal medication you need, and plan on spending most of the time onboard.

What you actually eat: 7 Tasmanian seafood species across 18 selections

The heart of the experience is a degustation-style format, which means you’re not just getting one seafood platter and a shared plate of sides. You’re getting multiple dishes spread through the cruise, and the numbers are clear: over 18 selections during the 4.5-hour experience.

The seafood lineup is classic Tasmanian:

• Abalone
• Rock lobster
• Oysters
• Mussels
• Sea urchin
• Periwinkles
• Tasmanian-grown Atlantic salmon

They also describe the cruise as including six species of live seafood, which tells you they’re serious about freshness rather than just serving a mix of prepared seafood. Even better, the onboard team presents the meal as a guided tasting, so it feels like a story of the sea rather than a rush of plates.

What I like for practical reasons: the cruise is long enough that you’re not forced into a 60-minute sprint. You can eat at a comfortable rhythm, and you won’t feel stressed watching everyone else finish first.

Portions are also set up for real appetites. The helpful news is that you should plan to save room for dessert, because the sweet course is part of the flow, not an afterthought.

The live seafood harvest: watching a commercial diver at work

One of the most distinctive parts of this cruise is the live element. A commercial diver collects wild seafood from the ocean while you watch. You’ll see the seafood go from water to plate-in-progress, and that changes how you think about the meal.

Instead of guessing where the seafood came from, you’re seeing the harvesting process firsthand through the cruise’s built-in viewing experience. It also connects the tasting to the people who do this work day after day.

The operator is owned and operated by commercial fishermen/women, which matters. You’re not just buying food; you’re spending time with a working crew who prepare seafood they’ve harvested their whole careers. That shows up in the tone of the experience—informal, practical, and hands-on.

Quick note for your planning: you won’t be doing any of the water activities yourself. Fishing, swimming, and diving are not allowed, so the diver component is purely observational. If you’re on the fence because you wanted hands-on time, this isn’t that kind of tour—but if you love seeing craft and process, it’s exactly the right format.

Bruny Island time: a guided taste of Tasmania beyond the boat

This cruise doesn’t stay only on the open water. You also get a guided tour of Northern Bruny Island as part of the full experience.

Because the details of how long that stops runs and what exact sights are covered aren’t spelled out here, I’d treat it as an included guided add-on rather than a “must-see checklist” tour. The bigger point is that you’re getting a two-part experience:

1) the seafood at sea, and

2) a guided glimpse of Tasmania via Northern Bruny Island

That balance is good for value. You’re paying for a long meal plus an experience on land, which helps justify the price. It also keeps the day from feeling like a one-note “eat and cruise” situation.

The onboard flow: comfort, drinks, and the pace of a real degustation

The cruise length—270 minutes—isn’t random. That’s enough time for the staff to bring out multiple seafood courses without rushing you. It also makes it easier to enjoy the boat itself.

On Cuttlefish, you can spread out:

• open-plan main cabin (with heating/cooling)
• open seating inside for easy conversation
• upper deck near the wheelhouse area to keep the view changing
• three outdoor decks for fresh air when weather allows
• two bathrooms to reduce the “tour group traffic jam” factor

Now add the drinks. The cruise includes premium Tasmanian wines, plus beer, cider, and non-alcoholic beverages. For many seafood cruises, beverages are either not included or they’re limited. Here, the drink list is built into the experience, so you can focus on the meal and not on a bar menu calculation halfway through.

And yes—there’s also the food finishing sequence:

• a fruit and cheese platter
• freshly baked cake made onboard
• plus a dessert course that people specifically mention as the wow moment, so plan your eating accordingly

The staff are also described as constantly attentive—checking in, helping keep glasses topped up, and staying friendly without hovering. That’s a good sign for anyone who prefers service that feels like a conversation, not a performance.

Price and value: is $371 per person worth it

At $371 per person, this isn’t a “quick cheap snack” cruise. But value here isn’t only about how many seafood types you get. It’s about what’s included and how long you’re out there.

Here’s the math in plain terms:

• 4.5 hours on a custom catamaran with multiple decks and indoor comfort
• 7 seafood species plus a degustation format with 18+ selections
• Tasmanian wine/beer/cider and non-alcoholic drinks included
• fruit and cheese platter + fresh cake
• a guided tour of Northern Bruny Island
• and a major “live” element: a commercial diver collecting wild seafood

If you’ve paid for seafood-only experiences before, you know how quickly the total climbs once you add drinks and dessert. Here, the inclusions are bundled tightly, which makes the price feel more like a full evening out than a single-course meal.

The small group limit (up to 6 participants) is another quiet value point. Less crowding generally means better service and less time waiting between courses.

Who should feel good about the price: couples, friends, and adults who want a premium seafood experience without assembling it piece by piece.

Who might think twice: bargain hunters or anyone expecting a kid-friendly family outing. Also, if you don’t eat much seafood, you’ll likely feel the cost more than the benefit.

Seasickness and comfort: why this catamaran setup helps

If you’re prone to seasickness, the vessel choice matters. This cruise runs on a spacious catamaran, and people specifically note it feels more stable than other boats they’ve been on, with a much less shaky ride.

That doesn’t mean you’ll feel nothing—water conditions still vary—but it does mean you’re starting with a boat design built for stability. Plus, you can move between indoor and outdoor decks to find the comfort zone that suits you.

Practical move: if you’re sensitive to motion, spend more time on the calmer parts of the boat and keep looking at the horizon when you can. Also bring any medication you might need, since that’s the only thing you’re explicitly asked to bring.

Who this cruise is for (and who should skip it)

This experience fits best if you’re:

• an adult who wants a premium seafood tasting with lots of variety
• the type who enjoys guided, paced service rather than random buffet eating
• curious about commercial harvesting and want to watch the diver process
• someone who appreciates comfort: heating/cooling, multiple decks, and a stable ride

It may not fit you if:

• you need wheelchair-friendly access (it’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users)
• you want an activity where you swim or dive (you can’t)
• you’re traveling with very young children; the style is adult-leaning, and one review specifically flags that it’s not for children

Also, it’s small-group. That’s great for quality, but it can feel less flexible than a big sightseeing boat if you need lots of breaks or you’re easily overwhelmed by a focused food experience.

Should you book this Hobart seafood cruise?

I’d book it if you’re craving a long, high-quality seafood meal in a comfortable setting, and you like the idea of a watch-and-learn harvest moment mixed into your dinner.

You should especially like this if you want:

• 7 Tasmanian seafood species
• 18+ selections
• included drinks
• a guided Bruny Island stop
• and a boat that feels stable rather than rickety

I’d skip or rethink it if you’re traveling with kids, have mobility needs that make the boat unsuitable, or you’re only mildly interested in seafood. In that case, the cost might feel steep for the amount of eating you’d actually enjoy.

If you do love seafood and you want something more memorable than a standard harbor cruise, this is one of the more complete options you’ll find in Hobart—built around real fishermen/women work, a live diver moment, and a tasting menu that keeps going for hours.

FAQ

How long is the seafood cruise?

The experience lasts 270 minutes (about 4.5 hours).

What seafood is included?

You’ll have multiple seafood types including abalone, rock lobster, oysters, mussels, sea urchin, periwinkles, and Tasmanian-grown Atlantic salmon.

Are drinks included, and do they include non-alcoholic options?

Yes. The cruise includes premium Tasmanian wines, beer, cider, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup/drop-off is not included.

Can I swim or dive during the cruise?

No. Swimming and diving are not allowed, and fishing isn’t allowed either.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments?

No. It’s listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments and wheelchair users.