Frequently Asked Questions

• If you need to cancel your booking:

  • 14 days or more before your tour: Full refund.
  • Between 13 and 4 days before your tour: 50% refund.
  • Between 3 and 0 days before your tour: 100% cancellation fee. No refund or change of date is available.

  Rescheduling

  If you request to reschedule within 13 days of your tour date, the cancellation fees outlined above will apply.

  If you request to reschedule with 14 days or more notice, a $50 change fee per booking will apply.

  If we cancel due to weather

  If we need to cancel a Classic Mussel Tour or Deluxe Seafood Tour due to unsuitable weather conditions, you will have the option to reschedule to another available date or receive a full refund.

  The Native Angasi Oyster Tour has a separate weather arrangement, including a reduced-price harbour experience if conditions are unsuitable for travelling to the farms.

  Read our full Terms & Conditions for more information.

Rain alone usually won’t stop your tour. Valerie has comfortable indoor areas, including the saloon and wheelhouse, where you can stay warm and dry while still enjoying the experience.

If conditions on Port Phillip Bay become unsuitable for safe travel, we may need to alter or cancel the tour.

For Classic Mussel and Deluxe Seafood Tours, if we need to cancel due to unsuitable weather conditions, you’ll have the option to reschedule to another available date or receive a full refund.

For the Native Angasi Oyster Tour, if conditions prevent us from travelling out to the mussel farms, the experience will instead take place within Portarlington Harbour at the reduced harbour price.

Children aged 12 years and over are welcome on our public tours when accompanied by an adult.

As our public tours are limited to a maximum of 12 guests, we do not offer a separate child price.

Younger children may be accommodated on a private charter. Please contact us to discuss your requirements before booking.

Absolutely. Valerie is available for private charters year-round and on any day of the week, for up to 12 guests.

Choose from one of our signature tour experiences, or speak with us about combining selected elements from different experiences to suit your occasion.

Private charters are a popular choice for birthdays, anniversaries, corporate groups, end-of-year gatherings and private get-togethers.

Please contact us to discuss your private charter

We recommend bringing a hat and sunglasses and wearing flat, non-slip shoes where possible.

Dress for the weather on the day. Valerie has comfortable indoor areas with heating and cooling, and rugs are available if it’s cooler.

And don’t forget your camera — there’s plenty to capture along the way.

No. Your tour includes food and drinks, so you can simply settle in and enjoy the experience.
Depending on the tour you choose, this may include freshly harvested seafood, local Bellarine produce, wines, beers, non-alcoholic drinks, coffee and dessert.
Cooking demonstrations and tastings are also part of the experience.

We understand that food allergies and intolerances can make dining out difficult. Please be aware that our ability to alter the menu is limited, as seafood is central to the experience and all food is prepared in a compact working galley.

Unfortunately, we are unable to cater for:

• Vegan or vegetarian diets
• FODMAP diets
• Coeliac requirements
• Severe food allergies

Some menu variations may be possible for gluten intolerance. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Our menu may include seafood, dairy, nuts and other allergens. Because food is prepared in a small shared space, cross-contamination is possible and cannot be avoided.

If you do not eat seafood, this experience may not be suitable for you, as seafood is a core part of the tour.

If you have a specific allergy or dietary requirement, please contact us before booking so we can discuss whether the tour is appropriate for you.

For private charters, we may be able to make some limited adjustments within the capabilities of our galley and menu, but we cannot guarantee that all dietary requirements can be accommodated.

We generally stay reasonably close to land and our skipper will always choose the safest and most comfortable route for the conditions.

If you’re feeling a little uneasy, Valerie has several comfortable indoor and outdoor areas where you can sit, relax and enjoy the journey.

If you are prone to motion sickness, we recommend speaking with your pharmacist before the tour about suitable options. We’re unable to provide medication on board.

Water and ginger tea are also available if you’d like something simple to settle your stomach.

The safety and comfort of our guests is very important to us, and we’ll do our best to accommodate individual access requirements where possible.

As Valerie is a traditional timber vessel, access can present some limitations and the boat is not wheelchair accessible.

Please contact us before booking so we can talk through your individual needs and help determine whether the tour will be suitable.