If you have always wanted to swim with dolphins, Perth is a great place to do it. Western Australia is ranked as one of the best destinations for memorable close dolphin encounters. There are a few swim with dolphins experiences both in Perth and just a short drive or flight from Perth.
The best way to enjoy an up close encounter while swimming with dolphins is to do it on a tour with a guide who will take you to the dolphins. Most tours have a dolphin encounter guarantee that allows you to join another tour free in the event you don’t see any dolphins.
Rockingham
The best place to enjoy a swim with dolphins experience within the Perth Region is with Rockingham Wild Encounters in Rockingham. Tours run from mid September to early June each year and leaves from the Rockingham Wild Encounters jetty early in the morning. From here the tour head out into the sheltered bays and islands of Rockingham in search of over 200 wild local dolphins.
Wet suits and snorkelling gear are provided as well as snorkelling instructions and any help required getting equipment on ready to enter the water. Once dolphins are spotted, together with your guide you’ll enter the water and view dolphins from the surface as they initiate interaction by looping and swimming within inches of you.
Lunch and hot & cold drinks are served on board and you can also choose a stay dry option and observe the dolphins only from the boat (at a reduced price) when you book. If you don’t see dolphins you can cruise again on a different day free.
Bunbury
Not in Perth, but only a short drive away at the Discovery Centre Bunbury, just over 2 hours drive south of Perth. The tour leaves from the Discovery Centre from November to April. All westsuits and snorkelling equipment are provided as well as snacks and drinks on board.
Dolphin interactions occur in the open waters of Koombana Bay and they also offer a dolphin sighting guarantee with a second tour free if you do not see dolphins.
Be sure to allocate enough time to add on a tour of the Dolphin Discovery Centre as part of your dolphin experience (entry to the Dolphin Discovery Centre is not included in the Swim with Dolphins Tour, and must be purchased seperately).
Monkey Mia
Also not in Perth but accessible from Perth with a same day return on a Monkey Mia Dolphins & Shark Bay Air Tour. While this isn’t a swim with dolphins experience you will get to wade in the water alongside Dolphins in Monkey Mia, enjoy a open air restaurant lunch on the beach, then jump on your low flying trip home along the Shark Bay coastline where you will see Sharks, Dolphins, Dugongs and Rays swimming in the ocean. This is a great way to enjoy a dolphin experience all year round.
Want more adventure? Find more Perth Adventure ideas here!
Lauren Angove is an adventurous Perth (Western Australia) Mum of two boys who loves to blog about her experiences to inspire other mid-lifers to choose their most adventurous lives now. Keep up to date with her latest adventure inspiration and advice at Always Adventure Ready on facebook.