✅ What’s Included
• 3-hour Phillip Island southern coast cruise
• Captain’s commentary and wildlife interpretation
• Afternoon tea – cake and biscuits
• Complimentary tea and coffee
• Licensed bar on board (drinks at own cost)

🚫 What’s Not Included
• Travel to San Remo Jetty
• Alcoholic or additional beverages
• Travel insurance (recommended)
• Motion sickness tablets (available from local chemist)

Seasonal Weather Expectations

This cruise operates June to early August (winter season): Cool days (10–18°C), crisp air, possible wind and rain on open water. Expect dramatic winter skies and active whale migration. Dress in layers; vessel motion may occur.

Documents & Essentials
• Booking confirmation and photo ID

Clothing (layered for coastal conditions)
• Warm layers, windproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes
• Hat, sunglasses and scarf

Toiletries & First Aid
• Motion sickness tablets (strongly recommended)
• Sunscreen and lip balm

Electronics
• Charged phone or camera for wildlife photos

Accessories & Nice-to-Haves
• Binoculars for closer wildlife views
• Small daypack or bag for personal items

Phillip Island lies just 1.5–2 hours drive from Melbourne and is one of Victoria’s premier wildlife destinations.

Bass Strait is a key migration route for humpback and southern right whales each winter.

San Remo Jetty is the departure point, located at 170 Marine Parade, San Remo.

Australian fur seals are regularly seen on the cruise along with seabirds such as shy albatross and Australasian gannets.

Common and bottlenose dolphins frequently play alongside the boat, riding the bow wave.

The southern coastline features dramatic cliffs and caves around Cape Woolamai.

Wildlife viewing is weather-dependent but the captain and crew provide real-time updates.

The area is also home to the famous Penguin Parade, making it easy to combine visits.

Local knowledge from the crew helps you understand whale behaviours like breaching and tail slapping.

Conservation focus ensures responsible viewing of these protected marine species.

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 65 kg CO₂e
(higher-end conservative estimate – covers all on-tour impacts plus average local travel to/from San Remo Jetty)

Our 200% offset commitment per booking: 130 kg CO₂e
Funded through genuine landscape restoration in climate-vulnerable developing regions (reforestation, mangroves, soil regeneration, etc.). This creates real net-positive impact beyond neutrality.

Tour summary

• 3-hour scenic cruise (departs San Remo Jetty daily at 1:00pm; returns ~4:00pm)
• Passenger vessel (group-friendly; subject to minimum numbers and weather)
• Departs and returns to San Remo Jetty (170 Marine Parade, San Remo VIC 3925)
• No accommodation included
• Meals: Afternoon tea (cake & biscuits) + complimentary tea & coffee; licensed bar (drinks at own expense)
• Highlights: Search for migrating humpback & southern right whales (85% expected sightings) and dolphins (80% expected); seals & seabirds (Shy Albatross, Australasian gannets); cruise past Cape Woolamai cliffs & caves; watch behaviours like breaching, tail slapping, spy-hopping; captain’s commentary on marine life & local history

Overview

This report estimates the carbon footprint for one individual participant on this tour using higher-end data from trusted sources. We intentionally choose upper-range figures to fully cover every impact – including hard-to-measure parts like supply chains and indirect effects.

We then double it (200%) and fund genuine landscape restoration projects in developing and climate-affected regions worldwide. This goes beyond standard offsetting to deliver real, lasting benefits for ecosystems and communities.

All figures in kg CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent – the standard measure that includes all greenhouse gases).

Tour Details

• Duration: 3 hours
• Key locations: San Remo Jetty start/end, open waters of Bass Strait along Phillip Island’s southern coastline & Cape Woolamai
• Travel style: Relaxed dolphin & whale watching cruise with close wildlife encounters and commentary
• Assumptions: Average participant, standard behaviours, higher-impact choices where uncertain. Local travel to San Remo Jetty is factored into the higher-end footprint for completeness. Seasonal: June–early August (2026 season starts 4 June).

Calculation Approach

• Sources: UK DEFRA 2025 conversion factors, Australian National Greenhouse Accounts 2024, UNWTO tourism data, IPCC guidelines, and peer-reviewed studies.
• Higher-end scale: Upper-range emission factors everywhere, plus well-to-tank fuel effects, +20% uncertainty buffer, and conservative assumptions for short marine cruise operations and complimentary onboard refreshments.
• Per person, full tour experience.
• Excludes only purely personal extras (e.g. bar purchases).

Detailed Emissions Breakdown (per participant)

Transportation – 40 kg CO₂e

• Average local travel to/from San Remo Jetty (higher-end mix of car, taxi or short transfers): 25 kg
• All on-tour passenger vessel cruise (3 hours return, shared): 15 kg – higher-end marine diesel factor

Accommodation – 0 kg CO₂e

• Cruise only – no overnight stay

Meals & Food – 15 kg CO₂e

• Afternoon tea (cake & biscuits) + complimentary tea & coffee: 15 kg – higher-impact estimate including production and waste

Activities & Excursions – 10 kg CO₂e

• Scenic cruise, whale/dolphin/seal viewing, seabird spotting and captain’s commentary

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 65 kg CO₂e

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset:2 × 65 kg = 130 kg CO₂e per individual booking
• How: Direct funding of landscape restoration projects – reforestation, mangrove protection, regenerative agriculture, wetland and soil carbon restoration
• Where: Developing countries and regions most affected by climate change (e.g. Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America) for maximum global benefit and community co-benefits
• Why 200% and higher-end estimates: To guarantee coverage despite any measurement discrepancies and to create genuine extra positive impact

Important Notes

• Numbers are deliberately conservative (higher) so we over-deliver on restoration – real footprint may be lower
• The tour already has strong sustainability practices (responsible marine wildlife viewing from a distance, educational commentary on habitat protection); our independent higher-end analysis adds extra certainty
• Carbon accounting has natural uncertainties – doubling it is the responsible way
• This directly supports long-term carbon-sequestering landscapes and local communities

Where does the cruise depart from?
The cruise departs from San Remo Jetty at 170 Marine Parade, San Remo VIC 3925.

What time does the cruise depart?
The cruise departs at 1 pm (boarding 15 minutes prior) and returns around 4 pm.

Will the cruise be rough?
This varies with weather, but the vessel travels into open waters of Bass Strait so motion can occur. Motion sickness tablets are recommended.

Should I take sea sickness tablets?
Yes – we strongly recommend taking them as the cruise travels through potentially choppy areas.

Do I need to book ahead?
Yes, bookings are essential as this cruise regularly sells out.

Are there any restrictions for younger children?
Infants travel free. For safety, the front deck is restricted to passengers over 1 metre tall and all children must be supervised.

What food is served onboard?
Afternoon tea of cake and biscuits is included, plus complimentary tea and coffee. A licensed bar is available for additional drinks.

Is whale sighting guaranteed?
No guarantee, but we estimate an 85% chance of whale sightings and 80% chance of dolphins during the season.