Cat Balou Cruises: Boat tours and whale-watching in Eden, NSW

For boat tours and whale-watching cruises in Eden, NSW, Cat Balou Cruises runs trips around Twofold Bay from the wharf at Snug Cove.

Cat Balou Cruises is one of the main tour operators in Eden, the most southerly town in New South Wales. The company operates tours around Twofold Bay from the wharf at Snug Cove.

During the spring months, the emphasis is on whale-watching cruises. Eden is one of the best places to see humpback whales in Australia.

Eden whale-watching cruises

Cat Balou Cruises runs the whale-watching tours of Twofold Bay between August and November. The prime whale-watching season, however, is September to November. During this period, Cat Balou Cruises guarantees whale sightings.

These Eden whale-watching cruises last around three hours and, in all likelihood, you’ll see more than just humpback whales.

Make the very best of your time: 8 Sapphire Coast experiences to book

Dolphins, seals and seabirds cruise from Merimbula.
Pambula River kayaking tour.
Sapphire Coast private highlights tour.
Oyster-shucking experience plus kayaking in Pambula.
Eden and Beowa National Park photography tours.
Potoroo Palace wildlife park tickets.
Guided nature walking tour in Mimosa Rocks National Park.
Reef fishing charter from Merimbula.

Wildlife of Twofold Bay, NSW

Southern right whales, minke whales, blue whales and Bryde’s whales have all been spotted in Twofold Bay. The same applies to orcas.

Bottlenose dolphins, Australian fur seals, little penguins, turtles and flying fish are sometimes seen on these Eden cruises, too. As for birdlife, keep your eyes peeled for sea eagles, gannets, shearwaters and albatross.

Cat Balou Cruises in Twofold Bay

Obviously, outside of the whale-watching season, the Cat Balou Cruises are a little bit different. For the rest of the year, the main product is the two hour Twofold Bay highlights cruise.

This cruise still keeps an eye out for wildlife, but there’s more of a focus on the natural beauty and history of the area.

From Snug Cove, the tour passes Quarantine Bay and former whaling hub Kiah Inlet. It also takes in oddities such as the grandiose Edrom Lodge and the sandstone folly known as Boyd’s Tower. It was built as a lighthouse, but never used as one.

Also spotted along the way are several Eden beaches, the Allied Natural Wood Exports woodchip mill and the wharf for the Navy munitions facility.

Eden cruise bookings

Bookings for either cruise should be made in advance via the Cat Balou website.

Cat Balou Cruises in Eden, NSW. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

Other things to do in Eden include swimming at the Aslings Beach Rock Pool, visiting the Eden Killer Whale Museum and walking the Pinnacles Loop or Green Cape section of Beowa National Park.

Where to stay in Eden

Aussie accommodation specialist Wotif offers stays in Eden for from $90 a night. Visit the top deals page to find your ideal accommodation.

However, the following Eden accommodation options are good picks.

For families: Discovery Parks Eden holiday park.
For a motel with style: Twofold Bay Motor Inn.
On a budget: Eden Gateway Holiday Park.
For superb sea views: Heritage House Motel and Units.

Eden makes a good base in its own right, but can easily be visited on a day out from other Sapphire Coast towns such as Pambula and Merimbula.

This article came as a result of a Melbourne to Sydney coastal road trip in March/ April 2022. This trip was supported by Tourism Australia.