Having grown up with a holiday house in Ventnor, we went for a trip down memory lane and spent a weekend in Cowes. While we were there, we decided to take one of the cruises.

BEST experience! The crew were exceptionally nice, the food yummy, and the captain went out of his way to make sure we didn't miss our on seeing anything!

I can't talk highly enough of this.... try it for yourself!

Approximate cost: $75

We went on the Twilight Cruise which travels across Westernport Bay to Sommers and past French Island.

We were lucky that we got to go on a 30 degree day in summer. The conditions were excellent aboard the Kasey-Lee.

The staff were nice and there were plenty of eats. The sights were continuous. The skipper found some dolphins for us and there was planty of other wildlife.

The sunset over Westernport was magnificent.

Approximate cost: $40

This was the most amazing experience and one that I nearly missed! Arriving at the time arranged for the tour my friend and I were given the bad news that the terrible weather on the previous day meant it was far too rough on the water to go and do the seal cruise. The tour company had tried to contact us but we'd been out viewing koalas and exploring Phillip Island and missed the phone call. They kindly offered us another cruise which would be within the sheltered area of the water but wouldn't include the seals which is what I really wanted to see.

Then they said another option if we wanted to take a cruise rather than get our money back was to return the next day. Thankfully we were staying another night although had planned to head back around the time the cruise was leaving but decided to postpone leaving until after seeing the seals. I'm so glad we did!

The trip out there was incredible fun and at times very rough out on the water. We sat up on the top of the boat (ship?) and after a few attempts at standing up while we were travelling realised it was a lot easier to stay seated (either that or fall flat!). It was fun to go past the Nobbies where we'd been the night before and get to see the views there from a complete different angle. Then at one point we were told that the captain could see dolphins but unfortunately I missed those.

Arriving at the seals is very hard to describe. To look out at the rocks and then realise that what at first looks like rocks is hundreds and hundreds of seals. Then to see them in the water around you; or climbing into the little rock pools. To notice the smell and the sounds of several thousand seals; until then the few at Melbourne Zoo were the most I'd seen at one time. I was in awe of what we saw and then we were told that at other times in the year there were something like another 4,000plus seals to what we were seeing then; again incredible. The boat got so close to the rocks where the seals were and it's a great photographic experience as well as wonderful time. A must for anyone who enjoys seals and doesn't mind rough water!

My girlfriend shouted me this cruise for my Birthday early in January. It was a great cruise and the commentary from the captain "John" was really interesting. The girls bringing out the nibbles were polite and good fun and there were plenty of cold beverages to quench the thirst. My favourite part of the trip was going around the submarine Okinawa and hearing about it's history and hat the navy had tried to do to sell it. All in all it as a great trip and I would highly recommend it.

Approximate cost: $75 per couple

My husband and I had discovered this twilight cruise via Red Balloon website and so we had made a booking for ourselves when we going on our weekend away getaway to Cowes/Phillip Island region last summer.

Some time later after the initial booking, I was telephoned by the tour operator that they could not offer us the cruise as we had previously booked because they had a charter booked for that evening. But the company were happy to offer us a seal cruise upgrade free of charge.

And so, we accepted that offer and went on the seal cruise on a Saturday afternoon. We had a great time on the boat and enjoyed the experience of the scenery and seeing the many seals (although they are very smelly! hahahaha!)

Tour staff were very polite and friendly. Staff were readily there to help you get on and off the boat.

I was very impressed with the kindness by the company to offer us a free upgrade, as they were not able to conduct the twilight cruise as previously booked.

Great customer service! Highly recommend!

Overall we had a great time and i highly recommend this company to anyone

Two hour cruise around Westernport Bay to see the Seals at Seal Rock. Afternoon tea provide, commentary. The crew spent an extra hour on the way back as we spotted two whales so they took us Whale watching as well.

Approximate cost: $55.00