Schools & Educational Group Charters - Dolphin & Maritime Education Cruise
Port River Cruises provides Maritime Education Excursions for schools groups that will captivate your students minds and provide them with a lot of fun at the same time!
Highlights
- Guided maritime education experience for school groups
- Explore the working Port Adelaide harbour from the water
- Cruise through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
- Learn about Port Adelaide's rich maritime history
- See working-port infrastructure and commercial vessels
- Discover modern naval shipbuilding activity along the Port River
- Observe local wildlife and river birdlife along the way
- Connect classroom learning with a real working maritime environment
Maritime Education On The Port River
Take learning onto the Port River with a guided maritime education cruise through one of South Australia's most historically important working-port environments.
Students can see the river, vessels and infrastructure discussed during the cruise while learning about the history, development and current workings of Port Adelaide.
A Working Port
Cruise through Port Adelaide's working harbour and see the infrastructure, commercial activity and vessels that continue to make the river an important maritime centre.
Port Adelaide Maritime History
The Port River has played an important role in the development of Port Adelaide and South Australia.
Your guided cruise provides students with an opportunity to connect that history with the locations and maritime activity visible from the water today.
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
The cruise also travels through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, home to wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins.
Dolphins are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the sanctuary provides an important opportunity to discuss the relationship between industry, wildlife and the river environment.
Modern Shipbuilding
Students can view parts of Port Adelaide's modern maritime and shipbuilding environment, including major industrial and naval infrastructure along the Port River.
Learning Beyond The Classroom
By bringing students directly into the Port River environment, the cruise creates a memorable way to connect classroom learning with maritime history, industry, technology, wildlife and place.
Duration
Approximately 90 Minutes.
Booking Type
This is a private School and Educational Group booking. Select your preferred group option and date through the live booking calendar.
Departure Point
1 McLaren Wharf, Port Adelaide SA 5015.
Current Pricing
Current School and Educational Group pricing is displayed directly in the live Rezdy booking widget.
Dolphin Sightings
Dolphins within the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Vessel Comfort
Port River Cruises vessels are covered and provide seating and onboard toilet facilities.
Accessibility
If any student, teacher or accompanying guest has mobility or accessibility requirements, contact Port River Cruises on 08 7082 9608 before booking so suitable boarding and vessel arrangements can be discussed.
Important Notes
- School and educational group bookings are subject to availability.
- Dolphins are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
- There is a toilet located onboard.
- Teachers and responsible adults should supervise students throughout the excursion.
- Follow all skipper and crew safety instructions while onboard.
- Contact Port River Cruises before booking if anyone in the group requires mobility or accessibility support.
- Food is not permitted to be eaten onboard unless prior approval has been provided.
Cancellation Policy
- A FULL refund is provided to guests if the tour is cancelled due to poor weather conditions and an alternative time is not established to undertake the tour.
- NO refund is provided to guests for non-attendance at scheduled tour time.
- Guests can reschedule tour if required, however need to ensure that more than 48 hours’ notice is provided to Port River Cruises via telephone confirmation on +61 8 7082 9608.
- All bookings cancelled within 48-hours of tour departure will receive no refund.
- All bookings cancelled between 7 days-48 hours before scheduled departure will incur a 50% charge of tour costs.
- Guests that provide more than 7 days’ notice of tour cancellation via telephone confirmation will receive a FULL refund.
Explore A Working Port From The Water
Learning Beyond The Classroom
Give students a first-hand view of Port Adelaide's maritime environment from the river itself.
Maritime History
Explore how the Port River and Port Adelaide developed through shipping, trade and maritime activity.
Working Harbour
See commercial vessels, wharves and port infrastructure operating along one of South Australia's key maritime corridors.
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
Travel through the sanctuary while learning about the wild dolphins and Port River habitat.
Modern Shipbuilding
View important industrial and naval shipbuilding areas that form part of Port Adelaide's modern maritime story.
River Environment
Explore the relationship between maritime industry, the river environment and wildlife living within the Port River.
Your Route On The Port River
This two-hour maritime education cruise travels from McLaren Wharf through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, past Torrens Island and the Adelaide Submarine Corporation to Pelican Point near Outer Harbour before returning along the Port River.
Indicative route only. The route shown is an estimate of the usual cruise path. The exact course, turnaround point and areas visited may vary depending on river traffic, shipping movements, weather, tides, wildlife activity and operational requirements. Your skipper will choose the safest and most suitable route for conditions on the day.
Depart — McLaren Wharf
Start your two-hour cruise from 1 McLaren Parade in Port Adelaide. Listen to informative commentary along the way about the maritime history, birdlife & dolphins.
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
Travel north through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and watch for wild dolphins in their natural habitat.
Cruise Past Torrens Island
This important natural area supports mangroves, samphire and coastal dunes, which provide important habitat for a range of native fauna species, and bird species of conservation significance.
Adelaide Submarine Corporation
Cruise past the shipbuilding and submarine construction facilities along the western side of the river.
Pelican Point
Reach Pelican Point near Outer Harbour at the northern end of the route before turning for the return journey. Informative commentary to continue on the return journey.
Plan Your School Maritime Cruise
Connect students with Port Adelaide's maritime history, working harbour, modern shipbuilding and Port River environment.
Book This Education Cruise