Full-day Tours
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$300
per adult
SeaLink Northern Territory
SeaLink Northern Territory
SeaLink Northern Territory
4.5
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Sealink NT operates tours and ferry services to remote Northern Territory locations, making them easily accessible everyone. Explore the indigenous community of the Tiwi Islands on a cultural day tour, spend a relaxing day cruising the coast to Crab Claw Island for a seafood buffet lunch or come along for a 45 minute harbour sightseeing tour on Darwin Harbour.
Tours and Tickets by SeaLink Northern Territory
Full-day Tours
45 minutes
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$34
per adult
Travelers talk about
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
293 reviews
Excellent
192
Very good
63
Average
10
Poor
9
Terrible
19
GudGollyMsMolly
Sydney, Australia70 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We recently completed the Tiwi Islands Day Tour. It was fantastic. The locals were all very friendly, the design centre was amazing with its huge array of local arts - if you can't find something as a souvenir or exquisite artwork for your home then you're not looking very hard :-). The museum gave a good insight to the local history & our guide Freddie was fabulous with his intimate knowledge of the islands & their history. Highly recommended.
Written September 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Hedickinson
Thank you so much for the 5 stars!
Thank you for choosing us to travel to Tiwi Islands and we are glad that you were able to enjoy the amazing artwork produced by the Tiwi people. We look forward to seeing you on another SeaLink vessel again soon.
Kind regards,
SeaLink NT Team
Written September 4, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anita G
17 contributions
Sep 2020
Great staff, happy and friendly. From the time we arrived at the Cullen Bay ferry terminal, over to Mandorah and to our return trip, we felt perfectly safe in crews hands sailing across the harbour. It is also great sailing across the waters seeing other boats and on the return the lights of Darwin.
Thanks everyone, fantastic trip.
Thanks everyone, fantastic trip.
Written September 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sophia P
Palmerston, Australia51 contributions
Aug 2020
We had a fantastic time. Crew were amazing and very accommodating with our pram. When we got to Mandorah, it was easy to pop the pram on the bus and lunch at the Cox Country Club was delicious. Great pub food. Bonus points on having the playground as the kids can play while you eat and have a little sneaky drink.
Best part was the cruise was only 10 mins to Mandorah so it's perfect for the kids. We went on the 11am ferry, got to the club and ordered lunch as soon as the pub opened and then was able to catch the 1:20pm ferry back to Cullen Bay. Great little outing and would definitely go again with the kids. Might even take the grandparents when they can come up to visit.
Best part was the cruise was only 10 mins to Mandorah so it's perfect for the kids. We went on the 11am ferry, got to the club and ordered lunch as soon as the pub opened and then was able to catch the 1:20pm ferry back to Cullen Bay. Great little outing and would definitely go again with the kids. Might even take the grandparents when they can come up to visit.
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are delighted you had a great day at the Cox Club and the day went smoothly for you. Thank you for the feedback and hope to see you onboard again! Jen O.
Written August 19, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nick J
4 contributions
Jun 2021 • Solo
For a return ticket price or $120 this experience didn’t feel like it was worth the time or the money.
Sealink require you to purchase a ticket online and then line up when you arrive at Cullen bay for a boarding pass. This is the same before the return trip from Tiwi islands but it was very unorganised and seemed a little unnecessary.
The island itself isn’t worth a visit for a day. While there are some interesting locations such as the museum and church, these can easily be done in 1.5 hours or less.
I know Sealink have additional tours available but from talking to other passengers, this did not seem to add a whole lot to the experience.
I’m a little confused as to why a boat trip is offered without a tour included, especially when the main township is incredibly quiet and does not have a whole lot to offer.
Sealink require you to purchase a ticket online and then line up when you arrive at Cullen bay for a boarding pass. This is the same before the return trip from Tiwi islands but it was very unorganised and seemed a little unnecessary.
The island itself isn’t worth a visit for a day. While there are some interesting locations such as the museum and church, these can easily be done in 1.5 hours or less.
I know Sealink have additional tours available but from talking to other passengers, this did not seem to add a whole lot to the experience.
I’m a little confused as to why a boat trip is offered without a tour included, especially when the main township is incredibly quiet and does not have a whole lot to offer.
Written June 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nobby C
11 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
The Tiwi Islands have always been on my bucket list, so I booked the Tiwi Islands Day Tour through SeaLink.
On the day of our scheduled departure, the tour was canceled because their boat was out of action. That same day, we were contacted by SeaLink sales staff and given the option of getting a refund or rebooking the tour for another day. We chose the latter and were told that a reconfirmation email would be sent, but we never received it. With no response from SeaLink, we had to contact the sales staff again, and an email was eventually sent.
We understand that ships break down, and that was not the issue. However, upon our arrival for the rescheduled tour, it was still uncertain whether the boat would be departing. The situation was chaotic, with no clear instructions, signage, or communication about the check-in process. Everyone was walking around from one area to another, unsure of what to do.
We eventually got checked in and boarded the boat for the pleasant journey to the Tiwi Islands, which had a nice onboard cafe.
Upon our arrival, there was more confusion. There were no signs for our tour, and the SeaLink staff kept directing us from one line to another. It seemed that our names had been added to the tour at the last minute. We were placed with an AAT Kings tour group and, at times, did not feel very welcome.
The tour itself, led by the locals, was very informative and eye-opening. It's a shame it was so short. The small lunch and smoking ceremony added to the experience of this special place.
The Kiwi Design art centre was nice but very pricey compared to the rest of the Northern Territory and Western Australia. For those interested in purchasing Aboriginal art and concerned about the provenance of their purchases, it's worth noting that the art center could not provide photos of the artists with their work.
Overall, the Tiwi Islands and its people are wonderful, and we hope to return for a longer visit in the future.
On the day of our scheduled departure, the tour was canceled because their boat was out of action. That same day, we were contacted by SeaLink sales staff and given the option of getting a refund or rebooking the tour for another day. We chose the latter and were told that a reconfirmation email would be sent, but we never received it. With no response from SeaLink, we had to contact the sales staff again, and an email was eventually sent.
We understand that ships break down, and that was not the issue. However, upon our arrival for the rescheduled tour, it was still uncertain whether the boat would be departing. The situation was chaotic, with no clear instructions, signage, or communication about the check-in process. Everyone was walking around from one area to another, unsure of what to do.
We eventually got checked in and boarded the boat for the pleasant journey to the Tiwi Islands, which had a nice onboard cafe.
Upon our arrival, there was more confusion. There were no signs for our tour, and the SeaLink staff kept directing us from one line to another. It seemed that our names had been added to the tour at the last minute. We were placed with an AAT Kings tour group and, at times, did not feel very welcome.
The tour itself, led by the locals, was very informative and eye-opening. It's a shame it was so short. The small lunch and smoking ceremony added to the experience of this special place.
The Kiwi Design art centre was nice but very pricey compared to the rest of the Northern Territory and Western Australia. For those interested in purchasing Aboriginal art and concerned about the provenance of their purchases, it's worth noting that the art center could not provide photos of the artists with their work.
Overall, the Tiwi Islands and its people are wonderful, and we hope to return for a longer visit in the future.
Written May 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear nobbyc115,
Thankyou for your detailed review, I appreciate that you have taken the time.
Firstly, please accept our apology that your tour was cancelled on 16th May due to a maintenance issue. Unfortunately, the work took longer than expected leading to a further delay the following morning. This was a difficult situation for you and our team and I'm sorry that there was some confusion. We will review our process to provide clearer information in the event that this situation occurs again.
It's great to hear that you enjoyed your time on the Tiwi Islands. We have no hesitation in recommending the Tiwi Design Art Centre, one of the oldest art centres in Australia and a great source of authentic Tiwi art. We would highly recommend a longer visit next time you are in the region.
Regards from the SeaLink NT Team
Written May 19, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jane T
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Couples
Absolutely disgraceful service. Booked the cruise to Crab Claw Island for the seafood buffet lunch months in advance, with my mum who was visiting from interstate. Sealink didn’t tell us the cruise had been cancelled due to low ticket sales.
~20 of us waiting at the ferry terminal for over an hour before we asked some other ferry crew and were told us our cruise wasn’t happening.
All the interstate visitors had their day ruined. By the time we found out (~11.30am), it was too late to book any other day trip.
We tried calling but got sent to voicemail because it was the weekend. We finally visited the office where staff, including the general manager, were working but apparently not able to answer the phones.
How hard is it to email your customers and let them know the cruise is cancelled, refund their money and let them plan something else for their day?
~20 of us waiting at the ferry terminal for over an hour before we asked some other ferry crew and were told us our cruise wasn’t happening.
All the interstate visitors had their day ruined. By the time we found out (~11.30am), it was too late to book any other day trip.
We tried calling but got sent to voicemail because it was the weekend. We finally visited the office where staff, including the general manager, were working but apparently not able to answer the phones.
How hard is it to email your customers and let them know the cruise is cancelled, refund their money and let them plan something else for their day?
Written August 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Triptrouble
Hervey Bay, Australia183 contributions
Nov 2020
I have always wanted to visit the Tiwi Islands and this was my chance! 2 1/2 hr boat trip to make a screen print and that was about it. Bit of damper on arrival and soggy sandwich for lunch. Then in the absolute heat of the day they walked us to an old church and then a closed Museum!. (Which they knew was closed but didn't tell us until we had walked there.) I have been many places and done many tours but this was the absolute worst. All this and we paid $349 each. I wanted to see the island not this rubbish. Don't go! Worst trip we have ever done especially at this cost.
We were with our hotel travel person when she booked this for us. There was no mention of the museum being closed when she booked it. When we received a confirmation email after the booking was done and paid for, we noted it on the notes. It does however say this willl be substituted by other activities which of course did not happen.
When we complained to our agent and she contacted the company it took them days to respond and then they offered us $50 each off the ticket. We took this as we believed they would just dig their heels in if we pushed for more, but we truly believe that we should have been offered a 50% discount. When you take into account that the return ferry trip is $120 then we paid $229 each for morning tea, a sandwich lunch, a screen printed T shirt (and the shirts are not top quality they are from BigW) and a visist to a church. And all they offer us is $50 each off. Most expensive damper sandwich and screen print that you will ever do.
DO NOT DO THIS TRIP. It is a total rip off and you will not have a good day.
We were with our hotel travel person when she booked this for us. There was no mention of the museum being closed when she booked it. When we received a confirmation email after the booking was done and paid for, we noted it on the notes. It does however say this willl be substituted by other activities which of course did not happen.
When we complained to our agent and she contacted the company it took them days to respond and then they offered us $50 each off the ticket. We took this as we believed they would just dig their heels in if we pushed for more, but we truly believe that we should have been offered a 50% discount. When you take into account that the return ferry trip is $120 then we paid $229 each for morning tea, a sandwich lunch, a screen printed T shirt (and the shirts are not top quality they are from BigW) and a visist to a church. And all they offer us is $50 each off. Most expensive damper sandwich and screen print that you will ever do.
DO NOT DO THIS TRIP. It is a total rip off and you will not have a good day.
Written November 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liesel
51 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
I have never felted compelled to write a negative review ever, but this was such an aweful experience that I would have preferred to have had a more realistic expectation before embarking on this experience.
This was an incredible disappointment! I'm not sure where the name "Island of smiles" came from, but they could not have been referencing Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst island. The locals did not appear to care much for visitors. The map provided by the ferry service was absolutely useless, and yet it would not be hard for them to do it properly.
While we have visited many indigenous villages around the world, this was the most disappointing ever. The "attractions" we're all closed... and it's not November yet.... the church, the museum. The only accessible toilet that we found in the village was at Tiwi by design, which unfortunately was also a spot just for overpriced local art. It's clear that much of their stock hasn't moved in years.
The Bima Wear store had no signage on it, and is hidden behind another unnamed building. Stepping inside the less than 8 square metre space, there were no staff to be seen, and a hand full of clothing items hanging on two rails. I saw a sleeveless vest for $40 and a sleeveless t-shirting dress for $140. We left within 10 seconds of entering and had very little else to go and "explore" while waiting the 4 hours for the return ferry trip. There is only one man made shaded structure on the island for Visitors to seek shelter in.
There are no facilities to refill water bottles or purchase a cold drink from. The saddest of all was the disgusting state of the area. I have never seen a place in Australia (or a tourist hot spot in any other country) as filthy and littered as this one.
My mother and I found a picnic bench under a tree to go and wait out our time. Within half an hour, we had picked up enough litter strewn at the waters edge (which you can't swim in!!) to half fill an empty municipal wheely bin....which had strategically been placed within meters of the picnic bench.
It would appear that the locals make fires here, and leave the empty meat trays, coke bottles and empty syringes on the ground where they've sat. One consolation was that amongst all of the street dogs that roam the village, none of them appeared ill or malnourished. On the ferry trip home, we met some locals from Melville island who advised us next time, to rather visit the two communities there as they promised that their communities are far more welcoming to visitors who wish to learn more about their culture and way of life. There won't be a next time. This unfortunately is a disastrous tourist trap with no facilities once you are stranded there, and it should not be on the list of "must do's" when visiting Darwin.
This was an incredible disappointment! I'm not sure where the name "Island of smiles" came from, but they could not have been referencing Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst island. The locals did not appear to care much for visitors. The map provided by the ferry service was absolutely useless, and yet it would not be hard for them to do it properly.
While we have visited many indigenous villages around the world, this was the most disappointing ever. The "attractions" we're all closed... and it's not November yet.... the church, the museum. The only accessible toilet that we found in the village was at Tiwi by design, which unfortunately was also a spot just for overpriced local art. It's clear that much of their stock hasn't moved in years.
The Bima Wear store had no signage on it, and is hidden behind another unnamed building. Stepping inside the less than 8 square metre space, there were no staff to be seen, and a hand full of clothing items hanging on two rails. I saw a sleeveless vest for $40 and a sleeveless t-shirting dress for $140. We left within 10 seconds of entering and had very little else to go and "explore" while waiting the 4 hours for the return ferry trip. There is only one man made shaded structure on the island for Visitors to seek shelter in.
There are no facilities to refill water bottles or purchase a cold drink from. The saddest of all was the disgusting state of the area. I have never seen a place in Australia (or a tourist hot spot in any other country) as filthy and littered as this one.
My mother and I found a picnic bench under a tree to go and wait out our time. Within half an hour, we had picked up enough litter strewn at the waters edge (which you can't swim in!!) to half fill an empty municipal wheely bin....which had strategically been placed within meters of the picnic bench.
It would appear that the locals make fires here, and leave the empty meat trays, coke bottles and empty syringes on the ground where they've sat. One consolation was that amongst all of the street dogs that roam the village, none of them appeared ill or malnourished. On the ferry trip home, we met some locals from Melville island who advised us next time, to rather visit the two communities there as they promised that their communities are far more welcoming to visitors who wish to learn more about their culture and way of life. There won't be a next time. This unfortunately is a disastrous tourist trap with no facilities once you are stranded there, and it should not be on the list of "must do's" when visiting Darwin.
Written October 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MadamJosephine
Melbourne, Australia1,332 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
As the ferry takes over 2 hours to reach Bathurst Island, you will waste around 5 hours on the return trip if you take the ferry service. You may also have choppy seas, on the day we visited the ferry passengers came off the boat looking green. If you fly you get at least another 3 hours on the Island, which is needed, especially to appreciate the very small but interesting Museum. Well worth a visit to this island to hear about Island life, the effect of Catholicism on the people, see the Tiwi craft work and learn about Tiwi culture.
Written July 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spr0gd0g
Melbourne, Australia40 contributions
Sep 2019
It you want a Disney life experience don't bother but if you want to see what Island life is and was and the cultural aspects still in a effect today then take the trip. You will understand the art and dance sequences, but they don't dress up; the dancers perform as they would today. We had a great time and thank the islanders who made it possible.
Written September 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience