See where World War II bombs fell on Darwin on this harbour cruise. On 19 February 1942, Japanese planes targeted Allied ships in Darwin’s waters, causing mass destruction. Board an open-sided boat to cruise by these and other landmarks as you hear stories of the fateful day and Darwin’s wartime history. See remnants of the raids and underwater shipwreck sites, and sail by historical wharfs, pearling luggers, and other maritime locations. Live commentary included.

World War II Darwin Harbour bombing sites cruise
Ride a boat to sites bombed by the Japanese in February 1942
See the remains of raids and wartime installations
Sit over the wreck sites of the USS Peary and SS Neptuna
Cruise by historical wharfs, luggers, Darwin’s naval base, and more
Hear stories of the attacks and wartime Darwin
Shaded, open-sided boat with live onboard commentary

What's Included

Cruise
Local guide
Live onboard commentary

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

45 Stokes Hill Rd
45 Stokes Hill Rd, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Departure from Dock 2

Start time

11:00 am

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Sea Darwin

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Infants must sit on laps
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Not recommended for travellers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travellers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travellers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 22 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Featured review

Fiona_B

Most memorable experience was the history of the bombing that took place 1942. How forunate we are living in this lucky country.

Reviews

5.0

44 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 44 reviews

Recommend to all, it gives you a better understanding of what happened to Darwin during the war.

Mark_B, May 2023

Nice staff very friendly, very informative and a great boat ride. We learnt what has been kept a secret for all these years as to the defence of Darwin. We were very suprised as what we heard. If you know little about the bombing of Darwin and want to know more then I recommend this cruise. Before and or after the cruise you can have coffee and a meal at the restaurants overlooking the Darwin harbour. Most relaxing and picturesque.

Worth the day's trip.

Anonymous, Jan 2023

Interesting historical presentation of the bombing in Darwin during the war.The your guide was very knowledgeable.

Bombing in 1942

Fiona_B, Nov 2022

Most memorable experience was the history of the bombing that took place 1942. How forunate we are living in this lucky country.

Amazing, heartbreaking to hear the suffering of so many in Darwin over this time

Carolyn_K, June 2022

Guide was amazing, very informative throughout 👏. Well worth doing, I would suggest this cruise is a must do, history of WW2 in Darwin needs to be told! My Dad was in the Airforce based in Darwin over this time, the stories he told were a match to the information on this cruise! Well done 👏

Response from Host, June 2022

It's great to hear feedback from locals, and that our interpretations align with other first hand stories. Thanks very much for your review!

A Very informative cruise...

Monica_K, May 2022

A Very informative cruise and we thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The boat was very comfortable. I would highly recommend this cruise

Response from Host, June 2022

Thanks for leaving a review, that's great to hear!

Very informative cruise

Jennifer_O, May 2022

The laconic guide, the new knowledge I gained and the beautiful harbour were the best parts of this cruise.

Response from Host, May 2022

We're pleased to hear you learned something new. Thanks for leaving a comment!

Darwin

Lex_G, May 2022

Great morning highly recommended it to anyone Staff very knowledgeable Happy to do it again Very easy to book

Response from Host, May 2022

Thanks for your review, we're glad the booking process was easy and you had a great time!

The series were...

Roma_A, May 2022

The series were interesting the tour guide was bored and not interested in interacting with his audience

Response from Host, May 2022

Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. Our Bombing of Darwin cruise is a solemn topic, and our guides take care to deliver the information appropriately. Your feedback is appreciated however and will be passed on to our crew.

Relaxing

Michael_R, Apr 2022

Great trip staff fantastic The history of what happened was very interesting. Thanks again for great day.

Listening to the tales...

Lorraine_L, Nov 2021

Listening to the tales about the war and seeing the navy depot and parliament house. Bit disappointed there wasnt alot to see though.

Informative cruise....

Lola_K, Oct 2021

Informative cruise. Friendly crew. Great to view points of interest from the water. Good amount of time on the cruise.

Good informative tour

Shelley_H, Oct 2021

A really informative tour. Talk was comprehensive- learnt a great deal about the bombing. Zooming around the harbour at high speed was fun and cooling!!!.

Fantastic

Carolyn_S, Sept 2021

Really informative and interesting tour. We really enjoyed it. Great commentary. Really quite moving to think about that day in history

Amazing experience

Bianca_F, Sept 2021

The knowledge and passion of the bombing of Darwin from the tour operators makes this trip memorable and highly recommended.

Shouldn’t miss it

Bob_M, Sept 2021

This tour is something you shouldn’t miss…… Great commentary on the bombing of Darwin & great blokes at it.

Response from Host, Sept 2021

Hi Bob, thanks for you review and your compliments to the crew.

WW2 harbour trip

Val_E, July 2021

Great trip around the harbour to see important WW2 sites. Very knowledgeable guides. All in all a most enjoyable trip.

Response from Host, July 2021

Hi Val, thankyou for your compliments about our guides. We're pleased that you enjoyed your cruise, and appreciated the history on the harbour.

Darwin, a place of many lives!

Monica_G, July 2021

Listening to the Speaker share the story about the bombing and seeing significant places that were affected.

Response from Host, July 2021

Thank you Monica for your interesting review. This cruise does share the stories of the Bombing of Darwin. We’re pleased that you joined us to hear the stories and see the sights.

Darwin bombing cruise

Stephanie_D, June 2021

Great informative trip - service was excellent Highly recommend Cruise on the harbour and learn the history

Response from Host, July 2021

Thanks Stephanie for your review and recommendation.

Enjoyable and informative.

Deborah_T, June 2021

Very informative. Also great fun out on the boat which was expertly handled on choppy water. I would recommend it for all ages.

Response from Host, June 2021

Hi Deborah, thankyou for taking the time to post a review. We're pleased that you enjoyed the Bombing of Darwin Cruise. We do like it when the harbour provides us with smooth, sheltered water (which is most of the time), but when the wind does get up our crew are Master Mariners who can ensure passenger comfort.

Very enjoyable and knowledgeable

Emma_F, Apr 2021

The tour was very well presented and host were very knowledgeable and clear to understand. The whole family really enjoyed the bombing of Darwin cruise. And would definitely go on another next time we come to Darwin From Mt Isa QLD and Wagga Wagga NSW

Response from Host, Apr 2021

Hi Emma, Thankyou for taking the time to post a review. We’re pleased that you enjoyed the cruise and we would love to welcome you and the family aboard again.