Schools & Educational Group Charter – Dolphin And Ships Graveyard 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
- Fully guided 90-minute maritime education cruise for school groups
- Explore the historic Port Adelaide Ships Graveyard
- Cruise through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
- Discover semi-sunken historic vessels hidden among the mangroves
- Search for wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins
- Pass Port Adelaide's ancient mangrove forest
- Look for local and migratory birdlife along the Port River
- Learn about Port Adelaide's rich maritime history and river environment
Maritime Education On The Port River
Take your students onto the Port River for an educational cruise combining Port Adelaide's maritime history, wildlife and unique river environment.
The experience provides students with an opportunity to see the places, vessels, habitats and wildlife they are learning about from the water.
A Guided Maritime Education Cruise
Your skipper also acts as your guide, sharing stories and information about Port Adelaide's maritime history, local wildlife and the environments you travel through.
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
Cruise through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary while searching for wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins.
The sanctuary was established to help protect the Port River dolphins and the habitat they rely on. Dolphins are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.
The Ships Graveyard
Discover one of Port Adelaide's most fascinating maritime heritage areas. Historic sailing, steam, motor and service vessels were deliberately sunk, scuttled or beached in the quiet backwaters of the Port River.
Ancient Mangrove Habitat
Travel alongside mangrove forests surrounding parts of Garden Island and the Ships Graveyard while learning about the important role this environment plays within the Port River.
International Bird Sanctuary
The Port River environment supports resident and migratory birdlife, giving students another opportunity to connect classroom learning with the natural environment.
Duration
Approximately 90 minutes.
Departure Point
1 McLaren Wharf, Port Adelaide SA 5015.
Booking Type
This is a private educational group booking. Select your preferred date and group option through the live booking widget.
Current Pricing
Current school and educational group pricing is displayed directly in the live Rezdy booking widget.
Dolphin Sightings
Dolphins in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Vessel Comfort
Port River Cruises vessels are covered and include comfortable seating and onboard toilet facilities.
Mobility Assistance
If anyone in your school group has mobility or accessibility requirements, contact Port River Cruises on 08 7082 9608 before booking so suitable arrangements can be discussed.
Important Notes
- Dolphin sightings cannot be guaranteed because the animals within the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary are wild.
- There is a toilet located onboard.
- Schools should contact Port River Cruises before booking if a student or accompanying guest requires mobility assistance.
- Food is not permitted to be eaten onboard unless prior approval has been provided.
- Students should remain under the supervision of their designated teachers and responsible adults throughout the excursion.
- Follow all skipper and crew safety instructions while onboard.
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.
Bring Maritime Education To Life
Learning Beyond The Classroom
Give students the opportunity to experience Port Adelaide's maritime history and river environment first-hand.
Maritime History
Learn about Port Adelaide's historic vessels, river trade and the ships that eventually became part of the Ships Graveyard.
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
Search for wild dolphins while learning about the sanctuary and the river habitat these animals depend on.
Ships Graveyard
Cruise past historic wrecks in the quieter backwaters of the Port River and discover the stories behind them.
Mangrove Ecosystem
Explore the mangrove-lined waterways surrounding Garden Island and understand their importance within the Port River environment.
Birdlife & Wetlands
Look for local and migratory birdlife while travelling through the river's important wetland and bird habitat.
Your Route On The Port River
Follow the map from McLaren Wharf along the Port River past the City of Adelaide Clipper Ship and STV ‘One and All’, through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and Garden Island Ships Graveyard, before turning around and returning to McLaren Parade, Port Adelaide.
Indicative route only. The route shown is an estimate of the usual cruise path and is provided as a guide. 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
Board beside the Port Adelaide Lighthouse at 1 McLaren Parade, Port Adelaide.
City of Adelaide Clipper Ship
Cruise past the historic City of Adelaide Clipper Ship as you travel north along the Port River.
One & All
Cruise past the STV ‘One and All’ – a magnificent ship, owned by the SA Government for and on behalf of the people of SA
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
Look for wild dolphins while cruising through the Port River and Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary.
Ship’s Graveyard & Garden Island
Cruise through the Garden Island waterways and the historic Ships Graveyard area, including Dorothy H. Stirling and Santiago.
Turnaround
Turn around, returning to McLaren Parade, Port Adelaide whilst listening to informative commentary along the way about the maritime history, birdlife & dolphins
Plan Your School Education Cruise
Bring Port Adelaide's maritime history, wildlife, Ships Graveyard and river ecosystems to life for your students.
Book This Educational Cruise