5 Best Tours & Experiences In Anna Bay (With Prices)

Anna Bay is a fantastic destination for those who love outdoor adventures and engaging marine experiences. Its diverse landscape, from towering sand dunes to tropical lagoons, makes it an ideal spot for unique tours that cater to different interests. Whether you’re craving the thrill of sandboarding, want to interact with marine life, or are looking for a family-friendly wildlife day, Anna Bay offers options that won’t disappoint. We particularly like the Port Stephens: Unlimited Sandboarding with 4WD Dune Transfer for its high-energy fun and scenic rides, and the Anna Bay: Irukandji Entry + Coastal Currents Snorkel for a chance to get close to rays and sharks in calm lagoons.

For travelers eager to explore the natural beauty of the region, our list provides a good mix of adventures, relaxing activities, and wildlife encounters. Each experience is tailored to different tastes and age groups, ensuring everyone finds something memorable. Below, you’ll find detailed descriptions of each tour, helping you decide which one suits your trip best.

1. Port Stephens: Unlimited Sandboarding with 4WD Dune Transfer

This tour combines adventure and scenic views in one package. Starting at Anna Bay’s lower car park, you’ll hop into a 4WD vehicle for a short scenic drive to the spectacular sand dunes of Port Stephens. Once there, you’ll experience unlimited sit-down and stand-up sandboarding on various hills designed for beginners through experts. With a choice of three board types—Sit Down, Basic Stand, and Pro Stand—you can pick your challenge level.

What makes this experience stand out is the combination of high-energy activity and relaxed downtime. You’ll enjoy spectacular views from the dune transfer vehicle and relax in the exclusive picnic area afterward. The tour is suitable for all ages and abilities, making it perfect for families or groups with mixed interests. The safety briefing is thorough, and the equipment is provided, so you just need to bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.

Rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 150 reviews, many visitors mention how much they enjoyed the variety of hills and the friendly guides. This tour offers great value for money considering the all-day fun and scenic transport included. If you’re looking for an active, memorable day with guaranteed laughs and adrenaline, this is a top pick.

Bottom line: If you want a full-day dose of fun on the dunes with scenic drives and different boards, this tour is hard to beat.

2. Anna Bay: Irukandji Entry + Coastal Currents Snorkel

For those interested in marine life, the Anna Bay: Irukandji Entry + Coastal Currents Snorkel offers a hands-on encounter with rays and sharks in Fingill Lagoon. This 2.5-hour experience is designed for snorkelers aged 12 and up, providing a safe environment to interact with majestic rays, Port Jackson sharks, and black cod.

What makes this tour special is the opportunity to feed, pet, and learn about marine animals from friendly guides. The deep lagoon allows for snorkeling among large stingrays and sharks, creating unforgettable close encounters. The lagoon’s calm waters are ideal for beginners, and the operators prioritize education and respect for marine life.

Guests consistently mention the surprise element—an upcoming addition in Fingill Lagoon promises even more marine surprises soon. This experience is perfect for families with older children or anyone curious about Australia’s underwater world. The tour is praised for its informative guides and interactive nature.

While it’s a shorter experience, it offers great value for those wanting a meaningful marine encounter without a full-day commitment. Plus, you get the chance to see rays and sharks up close in a safe setting.

Bottom line: If marine life and interactive snorkeling appeal to you, this tour provides a memorable, family-friendly way to connect with Australia’s underwater fauna.

3. Port Stephens: Worimi National Park Sandboarding Adventure

This tour takes you into the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes within Worimi National Park for an unlimited sandboarding adventure. Starting at Anna Bay’s lower car park, you’ll transfer in air-conditioned 4WD vehicles to the largest coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. On arrival, you’ll learn how to sandboard safely down enormous dunes, with plenty of hills suited for all skill levels.

What makes this experience stand out is the imposing size of the dunes and the natural beauty of the park. The tour provides complimentary water and ensures a safe, reliable service with experienced guides. The highlight is the thrill of riding down massive dunes and the chance to try different styles of sandboarding.

Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 17 reviews, many visitors appreciate the smooth logistics and the breathtaking scenery. This tour is ideal for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to challenge themselves on some of the largest dunes in the hemisphere. Be aware that stand-up sandboarding is not allowed for safety reasons, but the focus on sitting or pro standing boards keeps it accessible.

If you love thrilling outdoor activities combined with scenic views, this is your best bet. The large dunes and reliable service make it a solid choice for a full-day adventure.

Bottom line: For a thrilling ride on some of the biggest dunes, this tour offers a safe, fun, and visually stunning experience.

4. Anna Bay: Irukandji Entry with Zebra Shark Snorkel

Another outstanding marine experience is the Anna Bay: Irukandji Entry with Zebra Shark Snorkel, perfect for families and snorkelers of all ages (from 6+). This 2.5-hour tour offers the chance to swim alongside zebra sharks, shovel nose rays, and leopard rays in the tropical lagoon.

What makes this tour unique is its family-friendly approach and the opportunity to interact with marine animals in a safe setting. The guides provide educational commentary on marine life, making it both fun and informative. Visitors often comment on how gentle and curious the zebra sharks are, creating a magical experience for children and adults alike.

The lagoon is calm, making it ideal for beginners and young snorkelers, and the tour emphasizes feeding and learning about the environment. It’s a relaxing alternative to high-adrenaline activities, with plenty of memorable moments watching sharks and rays glide beneath you.

Rated 4.6 out of 5 with nine reviews, many mention how close they got to the sharks and how the experience was perfect for families. The tour offers a great blend of education and interaction and is priced competitively for such a close-up marine encounter.

Bottom line: If you want a gentle, family-friendly snorkeling experience with sharks and rays, this tour provides a safe, engaging introduction to Australia’s marine life.

5. Newcastle: Animal Lovers Tour – Kangaroos, Dolphins & more!

For a full-day wildlife experience, the Newcastle: Animal Lovers Tour is a top choice. Starting early, you’ll head to Port Stephens for an 1.5-hour dolphin cruise to see bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. Afterwards, enjoy a BBQ lunch before visiting Oakvale Wildlife Park for a private koala encounter where you can pat koalas and take photos.

This tour shines for its variety of wildlife experiences. You’ll feed kangaroos, learn about local animals, and explore the scenic coastal town. The tour is highly rated (5/5 from 1 review), and the dolphin cruise is a highlight, providing plenty of chances to spot these playful mammals.

The tour includes transport from Newcastle and is suitable for families and animal lovers who want a comprehensive day out. The timing makes it perfect for those with a full day to spare and looking for a mix of marine and land animals.

While it’s a long day (about 8 hours), many find the diverse encounters and relaxed pace worth it. However, it’s not recommended for children under 7 or those with animal allergies.

Bottom line: If wildlife and marine life are your priority, this full-day, family-friendly tour delivers plenty of memorable moments.

How to Choose the Right Tour

When selecting the best experience in Anna Bay, consider your interests and travel style. If you love adrenaline and scenic drives, the Port Stephens sandboarding promises a fun-filled day. For families or those curious about marine life, the zebra shark snorkel provides safe and engaging underwater encounters.

Those seeking a more immersive adventure should look at the Worimi National Park sandboarding, especially if they want to challenge themselves on massive dunes. For a relaxing, educational marine experience, the Irukandji + Coastal Currents Snorkel is ideal for a shorter, family-friendly outing. Finally, if your aim is a full wildlife day, the Animal Lovers Tour covers a lot of ground with dolphins, koalas, and kangaroos.

Practical tips include checking the tour duration, price, and whether the activity suits your fitness level or age group. Booking early is advisable, especially in peak seasons, to secure your spot on these popular tours.

Final Thoughts

Anna Bay offers a wide variety of tours that cater to different interests—from thrilling sandboarding in some of the world’s largest dunes to gentle marine encounters with rays and sharks. For adrenaline lovers, the Port Stephens sandboarding is hard to beat, while families may prefer the interactive zebra shark snorkel.

If your time is limited, the shorter marine tours offer a quick but memorable taste of Australia’s aquatic life, but for those with a full day, the wildlife and adventure options promise a comprehensive experience. Regardless of your choice, booking in advance will ensure you don’t miss out on these popular experiences. Ready to explore? Anna Bay’s tours are waiting to make your trip unforgettable.