The perfect time to sail with Spirit of Tasmania

Reduce holiday stress and potentially save money by getting your timing right with Spirit of Tasmania. We’ve gathered some helpful insights, including about booking ahead, high versus low season, sailing by day or night, and the big one: making sure you don’t miss the trip!

If you need to be in Tasmania or the mainland at a specific time, we recommend to book as early as possible, especially during popular times like summer and school holidays. This is particularly important if you are planning to bring a caravan, campervan or motorhome, as spaces designated for larger vehicles and towing are limited. Additionally, if you prefer to book a cabin, especially the deluxe or accessible options. Spirit of Tasmania bookings are generally open up to 11 months in advance.

Travelling outside of the summer and school-holiday peak seasons may mean savings. During off-peak periods Spirit of Tasmania fares may be lower, and it’s also when most of our special offers are available. Generally speaking however, the further out from the date you make the booking, the better the price tends to be.

Low-season travel isn’t just about possibly saving money. You can also avoid high-season crowds at your destination, and enjoy experiences they miss – like seeing Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain draped in snow on your best ever winter road trip.

Spirit of Tasmania mostly departs at night from both Devonport and Geelong. Day sailings are also available on certain dates from September to April, especially during summer.

There are benefits with both options. By day you can really relax into your holiday. Enjoy panoramic sea views out on deck, and inside over a meal or drink. Kick back in the cinemas, reading room or with live music, and perfect your travel plans at the Tourism Hub. There are also roving entertainers and play areas for kids.

At night, admire the city lights as you sail away, then the uninterrupted starry skies of Bass Strait. Treat yourself to some wining, dining and entertainment, and get a good night’s sleep before waking up at your destination. Of course if you like efficiency, sleeping on night sailings is the way to go.

Allow plenty of time to get to our terminals in Devonport and Geelong’s Spirit of Tasmania Quay. If things don’t go to plan you will have time to adjust, but chances are you can start your holiday stress-free, relaxing on board with a celebratory drink well before setting sail.

Check-in opens 2.5 hours before the departure time on your ticket. Allow extra time if you have specific needs, are placing pets in onboard kennels, or need to check in scuba tanks or non-medical oxygen cylinders with security.

Even before booking you will know the scheduled times for arrival (usually 9-11 hours hours after departure) and disembarkation. Bear in mind disembarkation usually commences 30 mins after arrival.

Ultimately the best time to sail with Spirit is when it suits you, so consider our Flexi fare in case life gets in the way. Get a full refund if you need to cancel even up to an hour before departure, and make changes to your sailing dates.

There’s also some flexibility with Spirit and Red Hot Deal fares. Find out more about our fares here.

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.