Our Story
Four generations of farming. More than 40 years on the bay.
Portarlington Mussel Tours is a family-owned business shaped by generations of farming, decades of experience on Port Phillip Bay and a genuine love of sharing exceptional local seafood.
What began as a working life on the water has grown into an experience that brings people closer to the bay, the farmers and the seafood grown here.
Your hosts, the Wiffen family
For four generations, the Wiffen family has worked the land and waters around Portarlington. When the family dairy farm was no longer viable, Lance turned to Port Phillip Bay, first fishing for scallops and later farming Australian blue mussels.
That journey became Sea Bounty, the family’s mussel farming and seafood business. Today, Lance, Lizzie and son Shane continue to farm the waters of Port Phillip Bay, bringing decades of experience to everything they do.
After years of informally taking guests onto the water, the family restored Valerie, a former shark-fishing trawler, and launched Portarlington Mussel Tours in 2023 — giving visitors the chance to experience the working mussel farm, meet the people behind Sea Bounty and discover the story behind Portarlington’s mussel industry.
Meet
The Crew
Our tours are hosted by people who genuinely know and love the local seafood industry. From farming and harvesting to preparing and serving the produce, every member of the crew brings their own knowledge, personality and experience aboard.
Lance Wiffen
Award-winning mussel farmer and captain
Lance has spent more than 40 years working on Port Phillip Bay and more than 30 years farming mussels through the family business, Sea Bounty. A fourth-generation farmer, his move from dairy farming to the bay eventually led to a life growing some of Australia’s best mussels. Lance is happiest on the water, sharing the story of mussel farming, the bay and the industry he knows so well — usually with a good story or two along the way.
Shane Wiffen
Mussel Farmer and Skipper
Following in his father Lance’s footsteps, Shane works across the family’s Sea Bounty mussel and oyster farming operations and is part of the next generation taking the business forward. He brings hands-on knowledge of farming, harvesting and life on the bay to every tour, giving guests a genuine insight into how the seafood they’re tasting is grown. Shane has also played an important role in the family’s work with native Angasi oysters and the development of this very special local product.
Lizzie Wiffen
Family business & creative eye
Lizzie has been part of Portarlington Mussel Tours from the beginning, helping shape the experience alongside Lance and Shane and bringing a strong eye for detail to everything from the business side of things to how Valerie looks and feels.
She has played an important role in bringing many of the pieces together and in creating the warm, considered experience guests enjoy on board. Proud as punch of what the family has created, Lizzie brings a strong sense of family and a genuine love for making the experience feel special.
The Crew
Local knowledge, great food and warm hospitality
Behind every tour is a small team who know how to make a day on the bay feel relaxed, personal and memorable. Our crew brings together experience in seafood, hospitality, cooking and local tourism, and very much feels like part of the wider Sea Bounty family.
Whether they’re serving local wine, preparing mussels, sharing stories or lending a hand on deck, they’re an important part of what makes Portarlington Mussel Tours such a personal experience.
Your Vessel
Comfort, craftsmanship and unforgettable views.
Lovingly restored from rare Huon pine, our heritage vessel Valerie, provides an intimate and comfortable setting to experience Port Phillip Bay in style.
READY TO
Taste The Bay
Angasi Oyster Tour
An intimate culinary experience celebrating one of Australia’s great native oysters. Taste rare Angasi oysters freshly shucked, dressed and cooked, paired with Bellarine wines, and discover the story behind what you’re tasting.
Private Charters
Create an unforgettable private seafood experience with premium local produce, ocean-aged wine and personalised hosting aboard your own chartered vessel.
Deluxe Seafood Tour
An elevated seafood experience featuring oysters, scallops, abalone, ocean-aged wine and premium Bellarine produce aboard our beautifully restored vessel.
Classic Mussel Tour
An intimate cruise through the mussel farm featuring freshly harvested mussels, local wine and drinks, cooking demonstrations and unforgettable scenery.
The Word
On The Water
Give an Experience
They'll Never Forget
A Portarlington Mussel Tours Gift Voucher is more than a present. It's an unforgettable day on the water enjoying freshly harvested seafood, local produce and authentic Bellarine hospitality.
Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, thank-yous or anyone who appreciates great food, wine and memorable experiences.