Marine Animals and Plants

Tasmania has more than 5,400 kilometres of coastline to explore by boat. In the winter and spring months, from June to September, you may be lucky to spot pods of right and humpback whales travelling to and from Antarctic waters. Fur seal breeding colonies can be seen off Bruny Island, the Hippolyte Rocks, the Tasman Penisula, Tenth Island - and even lurking about Constitution Dock on the Hobart waterfront.

Little penguins nest along the River Derwent, at Bicheno, on the Bruny Island Neck and along the Bass Strait coast.

From September to March each year the short-tailed shearwater returns from northern Europe to nest and breed along the coast. Check out the Summer Rangers program to find out the best spots.

• Whales and Dolphins
• Australian Fur Seal
• Giant Kelp Forests
• Seahorses, Seadragons and Pipefish
• Handfish
• Cuttlefish

Find out about diving in Tasmania.