Frequently Asked Questions

When do the dolphins come ashore?

The dolphins visit the beach throughout the day. Feeding is restricted to mornings, between 8:00 and 12:00 midday, to encourage the dolphins to spend more time offshore doing their normal activities in the afternoon. There may be three feedings each morning, but there are no set feeding times because the dolphins are encouraged to behave as naturally as possible. If there were set times, the dolphins might become conditioned and develop unnatural behaviour patterns.

Do they always come ashore?

Monkey Mia is one of the world’s most reliable meeting places for dolphins. It is also the only place in Australia where dolphins come daily, not seasonally. There is a 99% chance that they will visit.

Will I get to feed a dolphin?

A small number of people are selected at random to enter the shallows and feed the dolphins, under ranger supervision. If you attend the second or third feed of the day, when the group sizes are generally smaller, you will have a better chance of being selected.

Can I touch the dolphins?

For health and safety reasons you are not allowed to touch the dolphins. If you plan to enter the Dolphin Interaction Zone, or hope to feed a dolphin, we also ask you to not wear sunscreen on your lower legs or hands. Sunscreen makes the dolphins’ eyes sting—and it probably doesn’t taste good on raw fish, either!

Can I swim with the dolphins?

Since you can only approach the dolphins within the Dolphin Interaction Zone, the dolphin experience does not allow for you to swim with the animals. However, they may approach you in the swimming areas outside of this zone . If this happens you should remain still and avoid touching them.

The dolphins often hunt in the waters around the Dolphin Interaction Zone, reaching speeds of up to 40 kph as they herd fish into the shallows. In such situations it is wise to move out of the way, or risk being knocked over by a 120 kg dolphin!