Lobster Catch, Lunch And Drinks

The Luxe Island Seafood Cruise is run by Rottnest Cruises and lasts about 4 hours, rated 4.9 across 56 reviews and from A$395 per person, AUD. The outing centres on a seated seafood lunch with drinks served on board, and free cancellation applies. It sits at the top end of the boat trips, aimed at travellers who want a slow, food-led day on the water rather than a packed schedule of stops.

Overview

This cruise turns the western rock lobster into a full story, from pulling pots on open water to eating the catch at a long white tablecloth lunch. You board at the Thomson Bay Fuel Jetty on Rottnest Island, right beside the main ferry jetty, and set out with an experienced crew who invite you to help haul the pots or simply watch. Whatever comes up in the pots feeds into the meal that follows.

Lunch is the centrepiece. An onboard chef serves a seven-course feast designed by executive chef Tony Howell, built around fresh local lobster and Western Australian seafood such as Shark Bay tiger prawns, blue swimmer crab cakes and seared West Australian scallops. Drinks flow for the whole cruise: a welcome cocktail on boarding, still and sparkling Howard Park wines from Margaret River, a range of local and international beers, soft drinks and bottled water. Bringing your own alcohol is not allowed.

Between the fishing and the eating there is time on the water. You can swim in one of the island's tranquil bays, lounge on the upper sun deck, or sprawl across the large float mats designed for the cruise. The trip runs about four hours, starts at 11:30, and carries up to 30 travellers. Note that it is seasonal and does not run in winter, and ferry transfers to the island are not included.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Thomson BayArrive at the Rottnest Cruises Thomson Bay Fuel Jetty, adjacent to the main ferry jetty in central Thomson Bay, 15 minutes before departure. The cruise departs at 11:30.
2. Lobster pottingHead out with the experienced crew in search of western rock lobster. Join in pulling the pots or watch from the deck.
3. Swim and float matsChill out on the upper sun deck or on the specially designed float mats, with a swim in one of Rottnest Island's tranquil bays.
4. Seven-course lunchSit down to a white tablecloth long table lunch designed by executive chef Tony Howell, featuring the lobster catch plus local seafood such as Shark Bay tiger prawns, blue swimmer crab cakes and seared West Australian scallops.
5. Drinks throughoutA welcome cocktail on boarding, plus inclusive Howard Park still and sparkling wines, local and international beers, soft drinks and bottled water for the duration of the cruise.
6. Return to jettyThe cruise ends back at the Thomson Bay Fuel Jetty meeting point after about four hours on the water.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape how much you enjoy this day, from seasickness to what you wear on the boat.

• Seasickness planning. One reviewer got seasick towards the end of the cruise even after taking medication, and said the crew looked after them well. If you are prone to seasickness, that account is worth reading before you book.
• Food and drink. Everything on the menu is included: the seven-course lunch, the welcome cocktail, wines, beers, soft drinks and water. Do not bring your own alcohol, as it is not permitted on board. Reviewers repeatedly describe the drinks as free flowing and the food as excellent.
• Group size. The boat carries a maximum of 30 travellers plus crew. One reviewer noted there was still plenty of room to move even with a full load. Lunch is served at a white tablecloth long table.
• Weather dependence. The experience requires good weather, and one reviewer had a windy day when the crayfish pots could not be collected. If the operator cancels for poor weather you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
• Getting there. Ferry transfers to and from Rottnest Island are not included, so you need to arrange your own way over and allow time to reach the Thomson Bay Fuel Jetty 15 minutes before the 11:30 departure. The jetty sits next to the main ferry jetty in central Thomson Bay.
• Swim gear. There is a swim stop in one of the island's bays and float mats to lounge on, so swimwear is worth having with you. The upper sun deck is the other spot for downtime between courses.

Common issues. The tour does not run in winter, as it is a seasonal product, and it can be cancelled if poor weather or a minimum number of travellers is not met, in which case you get a different date or a full refund. Ferry transfers and hotel pickup are not included, so budget for your own way to the island. The boat is not wheelchair accessible. One reviewer reported a windy day when the lobster pots could not be collected, which is worth knowing if the catch itself is your main reason for booking. Anyone prone to seasickness should come prepared, as one traveller was ill towards the end despite medication.

Planning Your Day