Keppel Bay's protected waters have carried evening vessels since the 1970s, when commercial tourism first capitalized on the Capricorn Coast's signature feature: a westward horizon unbroken by landmass, allowing the sun to drop cleanly into the Coral Sea. The bay's seventeen continental islands scatter the view, their silhouettes sharpening as the light shifts from gold to violet. Dinner cruise Yeppoon departures operate year-round from Rosslyn Bay Marina, a deepwater facility built in 2001 to replace the old timber jetty at Yeppoon's foreshore. Modern catamarans replaced monohull charters in the 2010s, their twin-hull stability allowing plated service and open-deck movement even in the bay's characteristic afternoon breeze. The cruises occupy a distinct niche within Keppel Bay's broader tourism economy. While day ferries shuttle beachgoers to Great Keppel Island and snorkel charters target the fringing reefs, evening sailings prioritize the spectacle of light over destination. Most vessels remain within the bay's central basin, tracing a loop that holds the western horizon in view while passing Halfway Island, Humpy Island, and the southern tip of Great Keppel. The route rarely exceeds twelve nautical miles. Meal formats vary by operator—some serve antipasto boards and champagne, others offer multi-course plating—but all share a departure window timed to the day's civil twilight, ensuring the vessel clears the marina before the sun nears the water. Keppel Bay's geography amplifies the phenomenon. The bay opens westward into the Coral Sea, its coastline curving south from Yeppoon to form a natural amphitheater. The absence of offshore landmass to the west means the sun meets the horizon without obstruction, a rarity along Queensland's indented coastline. The resulting light spreads horizontally across the water, illuminating the wake and casting the islands in relief. The effect lasts roughly thirty minutes, from first colour change to full dusk, and occurs regardless of season, though winter departures align more closely with the dinner hour. Operators schedule return by nightfall, the marina's lit channel markers guiding the final approach.