PERTH WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS

Welcome to Perth Wildlife Encounters

If you’ve ever dreamed of swimming with wild dolphins or getting close to WA’s amazing marine life, be sure to include Perth Wildlife Encounters in your next travel itinerary. Situated at Rockingham just 45 minutes’ drive south of Perth, this eco-accredited and multi-award-winning tour company offers a ferry service and range of wildlife cruises within the protected waters of the stunning Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. From September to June, visitors are offered a rare opportunity to swim with wild dolphins in their natural habitat, or to cruise the clear waters of Shoalwater Bay to spot rare Australian sea lions, birds of prey and an abundance of marine life that call this sanctuary home. Or take a quick ferry ride to meet the world’s smallest penguins. If you’re looking for unforgettable up-close encounters with nature, you’ve come to the right place!

Swim With Wild Dolphins

There is nothing quite like the exhilaration of swimming with wild dolphins in their natural habitat, and the clear waters of Shoalwater Bay provide the perfect protected haven to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The team at Perth Wildlife Encounters have spent years cultivating a friendship with the local bottle-nosed dolphin population. It’s a relationship built on trust and mutual curiosity rather than food. This ethos helps ensure visitors enjoy a truly wild encounter, where natural behaviours are exhibited, and close encounters are almost guaranteed.

Boarding the purpose-built boat at Rockingham Jetty, you will feel the buzz of excitement building as you are briefed by your skipper in preparation for the adventure to come. As you cruise the picturesque bay in search of dolphins, you’ll receive some snorkelling instruction to help you make the most of your adventure. Soon the playful splashes of dolphins can be heard as they frolic in the boat’s wake, inviting you to come join them in their ocean playground. Zip up your wetsuit, don your snorkelling gear and get amongst the action to experience a truly magical encounter with these sociable and intelligent creatures. Their smooth, grey, torpedo-like bodies glide effortlessly through the water, and the air is filled with the sound of splashing and laughter from humans and dolphins alike.

An Unforgettable Experience

You don’t need to be an experienced swimmer to enjoy this wild dolphin encounter. The tour is divided into small groups accompanied in the water by an experienced guide to ensure participants get the most out of the experience. The crew member uses an aqua scooter or handheld device with a propeller to help tow you along. Simply hold the crew member’s belt to be guided into the thick of the action. All you need to do from there is float peacefully and marvel at the sensory experiences unfolding beneath and around you. Listen for the whistles and trills of these playful animals as they cruise through the waters around you, and feel the shifting currants as their sleek bodies glide so close you could almost touch them. However, for the wellbeing of the animals, swimmers must refrain from doing so.

Swim With Wild Dolphin cruises run from 3 to 6 hours in duration and are conducted from September to June.

Penguin Island Ferry and Other Cruises

Perth Wildlife Encounters also conducts a regular ferry service to the beautiful nature reserve of Penguin Island, just five minutes boat ride across the bay from Shoalwater. Here you’ll discover the world’s smallest penguins and can experience a ranger-led penguin feeding show at the island’s Discovery Centre. If time allows, why not explore the nature trails and sandy white beaches that fringe the island’s shore, or swim and snorkel the surrounding calm waters. Getting there is a breeze with hourly ferry departures and a choice of feeding session times available.

In addition to these most popular tour options, Perth Wildlife Encounters offers guests a range of other cruising and adventure packages which showcase the spectacular rugged beauty and abundant wildlife of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. Choices include wildlife spotting and snorkelling adventures, sea kayaking tours and luxury cruising options.

For an authentically wild and unforgettable close-up with nature, be sure to book your award-winning tour with Perth Wildlife Encounters.