Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 14,163

Date uploaded in Sydney, Australia – 1 February 2025

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx  

Australia has ten thousand beaches and wherever you turn in the Eastern Coast you will see a board leading to a beach. But Nelson Bay has some unique features of watching Dolphins and bathing in the mid sea from inside the ship.

When you buy the ticket for a ferry ride, you spend nearly two hours in the ferry. While you are travelling in the ferry the live commentary will tell you to look at the direction the dolphins appear.  We saw four dolphins during our trip on 31^st January 2025. All the passengers were waiting in the three decks to take pictures of the dolphins. But I was not lucky to see the jumping dolphins; I saw only the swimming dolphins.

After going to some distance, the commentator announces that all the passengers who wish to take a dip in the sea, come to the deck. The ship has got a big net attached to the ship. When its lowered it is filled with sea water. One by one jumps into the net where the sea water is over knee deep. They can bathe and swim and remain there for half hour or so. Children are accompanied by elders. The passengers come with swimsuits, extra towels etc for this enjoyable mid sea bathing. It is the Pacific Ocean and the bay is called Nelson Bay.

We hired a house just ten minutes away and stayed there for two days. Every day we went to the nearby Shoal Bay and spent hours on the shore. Children swam, picked up sea -shells and built sandcastles. All the beaches have several restaurants to cater to different tastes. A ticket for a ferry ride will cost you 40 Australian Dollars.

London Swaminathan in Nelson Bay, Australia 

Where is Nelson Bay?

By car, Nelson Bay is conveniently located just two hours and 45 minutes north of Sydney, making it an accessible getaway for travellers. Alternatively, visitors can fly into Newcastle Airport, which is approximately a 30-minute drive from Nelson Bay. Upon arrival, various transportation options are available, including car rentals, limousines, and door-to-door shuttle buses that facilitate easy travel to Port Stephens and its surrounding areas. Bus services also connect Nelson Bay with nearby towns such as Shoal Bay.

The nearest city is Newcastle.

Whale Watching

Dolphin watching is possible all year around. But for watching the whales one must go in specific months.

More than 100 dolphins live in the pristine blue waters of the Port Stephens – Great Lakes Marine Park. Dolphin watching cruises depart all year from the busy marina in Nelson Bay with Imagine Cruises and Moonshadow-TQC Cruises. For a truly unique experience, during the warmer months, you can swim among wild dolphins with Dolphin Swim Australia.

Whale watching boat tours operate between May and November, when thousands of humpback and southern right whales migrate along the NSW North Coast. Just east of Nelson Bay, go snorkeling at Fly Point – Halifax Aquatic Reserve, and discover an underwater world teeming with sponge gardens, soft corals, sea turtles and a colorful array of fish.

—subham—

Tags- My Trip , Nelson Bay , Watch Dolphins, whale watching, ferry trip, mid s