dolphin cruise rockingham

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Swim with Wild Dolphins

4.5 based on all time ratings

Here is an adventure that won’t leave your mind for a long time. Come aboard to swim with dolphins in the wild. Yes, you read that right.  Embark on a journey to the secluded beaches and bays of Rockingham and frolic with any of over 200 dolphins that inhabit the area. Cruise comfortably on the luxury custom built vessel.  When silver grey dorsal fins start to appear on the water’s surface, brace yourself for the best swim of your life. Put on your snorkel and mask and zip your wetsuit up. The friendly crew will make sure that you are seated comfortably on the deck, all ready to go.  As soon as the vessel is in the right position and the skipper gives you the green signal, take the leap. Embrace this once-in- a-lifetime opportunity to swim with the friendly acrobats of the sea. These wild dolphins are not trained to do any tricks for you. Instead, have a fun time with them - swimming, splashing, whistling, and laughing.  Remember that this is a wild encounter. Please be respectful and approach the dolphins with caution. The dedicated and enthusiastic crew has nurtured a beautiful friendship with the dolphins, leading to an outstanding success rate of more than 99%. All are welcome to join in and enjoy the adventure. You do not have to be a strong swimmer or prior snorkelling practice. Our professional crew members will introduce you to snorkelling. They will make sure that the nervous or less experienced are at ease throughout the experience.

Cruise Inclusions

• Terms Of Services

Departure Details

Departure Location Val Street

Boards 07:45

Departs 08:00

Returns 14:00

• 3hr to 6hr adventure cruise
• Swim with playful dolphins
• Light lunch served onboard
• Tea, coffee, hot chocolate & water
• Wetsuits, mask & snorkelling gear

Please refer to our full passengers terms and conditions on the following link; https://www.australiancruisegroup.com.au/national-terms-of-services

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Cruising with a group of 10 or more? Get in touch with our team to get the best price.

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This boat is available for private charter – See how we can tailor the experience for your next event.

32 The Promenade, King Street Wharf, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

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Swim with dolphins in Perth for a truly wild encounter

As a Perth local, I’m constantly amazed at the incredible pristine beauty of our West Australian coastline and the huge array of marine life. A swim with dolphins however, is truly at the top of my bucket list.

While I often see wild dolphins in the ocean, I leapt at the chance to go on the Swim with Wild Dolphins Cruise with Perth Wild Encounters .

Rockingham and the stunning Shoalwater Marine Park is located an easy 45 minutes drive south of Perth. The region is a paradise for nature lovers and in my view, this is one of the most underrated areas of Perth.

Over 200 local dolphins have made these pristine waters their home and have forged a unique bond with their human visitors.

Table of Contents

Who is Wild Encounters?

Getting up close and personal with the beautiful dolphins in Western Australia

Perth Wild Encounters have been operating wild dolphin swims since 1989.  The dolphin swim is a result of a labour of love and created mutual trust with the local dolphin population around Rockingham waters.

You can read more about how this special relationship was established in this in this lovely about us story

The unique encounters with wild dolphins experienced here is a rare opportunity to interact with these beautiful marine animals in their natural habitat and observe their normal behaviours.

What sets the dolphin swim with Perth Wild Encounters apart from other similar experiences around the world, is that the local dolphin population here has not been hand-fed.

These special encounters are only possible because of the trust developed between the animals and the team behind Wild Encounters.

Wild Encounters remains a family business. Along with the Dolphin Swim Cruise, the company also operates cruises and ferries to Penguin Island and Wildlife Tours of the Shoalwater Marine Park .

Our crew on the day was fantastic and it’s obvious that they love doing what they do.

What to expect on the Perth Dolphin Swim Cruise

Perth Wildlife Encounters

The Rockingham dolphin swim tours operates from the jetty off Van Street. The dolphin swim tour includes hotel pickup or you can easily reach the departure point via private car.

Once on the boat, you’re kitted out with snorkel, waist-belt and wetsuit. Squeezing into the wetsuit is the toughest job of the day. After that, you’re on easy street.

The wetsuits are good quality and there’s plenty to choose from to make sure that you get your proper size. You can also bring your own but I recommend a full-suit to keep warm.

After introductions from the crew and safety demonstrations, it’s time to cast off and look for the star attraction of the day – the dolphins!

While we were cruising, the crew assigned us into four coloured coded groups. Each group is assigned a crew member who leads the group with an aqua scooter in the water.

How long it takes to find the dolphins varies from day to day.

This can take anywhere between 20 and 60 minutes. As the animals are completely wild they go about their natural business of fishing, travelling and resting.

What the dolphins will be doing changes with every tour and means that every single interaction with these Rockingham dolphins is completely unique and special.

We were lucky and found a group of beautiful dolphins in 20-minutes. Most incredibly, some of the dolphins were peacefully sleeping and completely relaxed about our presence next to them.

Swimming with dolphins

The beautiful crew on Wild Encounters take plenty of photos of the dolphin swim throughout the day. You can download all the photos after your tour and enjoy the swim with the dolphins. Images: Perth Wildlife Encounters.

Once we sighted the group of dolphins, our skipper stopped the boat and we scuttled around into our groups and got ready to enter the water for our first swim with the dolphins.

The waters around Rockingham are mostly calm and sheltered and there’s no sense of being out on the big ocean. Even less-experienced swimmers felt confident to enter the water and the crew were supportive of anyone that needed extra help.

Sharks were definitely in the back of my mind as I got into the water. However, the team leaders from the crew are equipped with a shark shield. This is a long dangly cable attached to their ankle which acts as a shark deterrent and gives peace of mind.

In reality, though, the whole experience felt very safe. We were always close to an island or bay and on our second swimming spot, the water was less than 2 metres deep and crystal clear.

Once in the water, very little swimming is required. The aim is to create as little disturbance to the water surface as possible and it’s more a case of floating with dolphins rather than swimming.

This means that you don’t have to have snorkelling experience or be an experienced swimmer. It’s a very gentle exercise and accessible to almost anyone, including kids over the age of 6.

Our groups took turns going into the water. While the other team was snorkelling we had ample opportunity to get close up views of the dolphins from the boat. This was almost as good as being in the water.

The dolphins put on quite the show and circled the boat and seemed happy to take some time out of their busy day to interact with us. We also had the privilege to see a mother dolphin with her adorable calf.

Put this on your bucket list. Swimming with dolphins in Western Australia. Image: Perth Wildlife Encounters

We went into the water about six times and swam for a few minutes each time. It was incredible to see the dolphins swim underneath and around us while they were fishing and feeding.

After swimming with the dolphins in two different spots for more than an hour, the group of dolphins swam off into deeper water.

Our skipper made the call to let the dolphins get on with their day. We enjoyed another hour on the boat, eating our lunch and snorkelling in the very clear and shallow waters.

It was a lovely opportunity to get to know everyone on the boat a bit better and enjoy another coffee or cup of tea. We also go to try the aqua scooters which was a definite highlight for the kids in the tour group.

What to bring

The tour includes good quality wetsuits, masks and snorkels. The Swim with Dolphin tour also includes a healthy lunch and tea and coffee throughout the day.

The crew also take loads of photos throughout the day. You can download these a few days after your tour.

Wear your swimsuit before you go with some easy layers over the top. This makes it easy to change in and out of the wetsuit once you’re on the boat.

Bring a towel and plenty of sun protection, as well as a jacket or hoodie on cooler days.

Tour Details

The Swim with Dolphin Tour in Rockingham, Perth runs from September to June. Tours are weather dependent.

Chances of sighting dolphins are very high. On the rare occasion that there is no dolphin sighting, you can rebook for another day.

Recommended age for the Rockingham dolphin swim is 6 years and above.

An alternative option is the Dolphin, Penguin and Sealion Cruise. The cruise lets you see the best of Shoalwater’s marine life without having to get wet and is suitable for smaller children. See details here .

Book a tour

You can easily book a tour with Viator here.

Tours can be cancelled or rescheduled 24-hours before departure.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure for further information.

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WA Explorer

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14 comments.

I don’t blame you I would be worried about sharks too. I’m curious as to what this dangly cable is that works as a shark deterrent? Usually, if there are dolphins around there aren’t sharks so if they suddenly disappear is when I would get worried! I love that this is entirely a wild encounter as they aren’t hand-fed. I also like that lunch is included in the excursion!

Hi Heather, the dangly cable is a shark shield that is meant to deter sharks by emitting electrical impulses from the 2 m long cable. It’s quite common practice for professional and recreational divers to use them. It gives peace of mind and studies show that they are effective as a shark deterrent. It gives peace of mind but the water was so shallow and we were always close to the shore that sharks didn’t really cross my mind anymore once I was in the water.

Being in the water with dolphins sounds like a lot of fun. I wish I had done this when I went to Perth. My kids would have loved it. How amazing to see a mother and calf. I love that the tour provides wetsuits and equipment, as well as lunch.

The kids love this experience and seeing the mother with her calf was a definite highlight. She was very proud to show us her baby.

From your article I can sense that the tour is ethical.. because when I stated reading I did not know something of this kind existed and it could be ethical. I loved reading through your experience and swimming with dolphins does sound like fun!

Hi Ketki, I’ve done lots of tours with this tour company and regularly visit the area and know from first-hand experience that they really live up to their promise of providing an ecologically friendly experience. The founder of the company spent many years interacting with the local dolphin population. Sharing it with the public is for the wider community to have the opportunity to have this interaction with the dolphins and hopefully creates a better awareness of the importance of preserving our marine habitat.

This is going on my bucket list! I have always wanted to swim with dolphins but didn’t want to take part in a caged encounter. How cool this is a possibility!

It really is a wonderful experience. Hope you get to visit sometime soon.

When I was in Perth I definitely considered going further south to Rockingham for a day but with Rottnest Island and Fremantle I just didn’t have the time! Glad to know it’s an area for nature lovers and I’ll try to make it down next time I’m there. It’s reassuring that you don’t have to be an ardent swimmer in order to enjoy this tour. Like Heather, I’m also very intrigued by the shark shield and how it works, but I’m glad that you never felt like you were in harm’s way during your experience!

Thanks for the comment Kevin. You had some great experiences in Perth. Rottnest and Fremantle are definitely some of the highlights on a visit to Perth. Hopefully you can visit another time and I definitely recommend visiting Shoalwater Marine Park and Rockingham.

Book me in!! I would so love to do this tour… thinking now that it’s been far too long since we have been to Perth! I have swum accidentally with dolphins here in New South Wales, but very briefly, to spend more time would be wonderful.

You should definitely come west for ‘research’ purposes. So many fantastic swimming options here, including this one with the dolphins.

[…] Swim with dolphins in Perth for a truly wild encounter […]

Looks amazing, so there is an activity like this in Pert swimming with dolphins. The dolphins are not scared and they are very calm to humans.

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Swim with Wild Dolphins Day Tour

• Tour led by guides who have built rapport with the dolphins over the years
• Provided wet suit and snorkel gear for a comfortable time in the water
• Full briefing on how to behave respectfully and safely around the dolphins 
• Refreshments and light lunch 
• See itinerary
• Options- Spectate (non- swimmer), Swimmer and/or Bus. Click check availability for options
• Use of Snorkelling equipment
• Gourmet platters with Seafood
• Coffee and/or Tea
• Professional guide
• Complementary photos from your cruise uploaded to Flickr for you to share!
• Hotel Pickup and Drop-off
• Not suitable for children under 6 years old
• Val Street, Val St, Rockingham WA 6168, Australia Free all day parking on Harrison st & Florence st.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• A basic level of swimming is required. You don't need to be an expert swimmer and no previous snorkeling experience is necessary
• Please bring swimsuit, towel, a change of clothes, sunscreen, hat and a warm jacket
• Minimum age is 7 years
• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
• Most travellers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 36 travellers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Similar experiences

• You'll start at Val Street Val St, Rockingham WA 6168, Australia Free all day parking on Harrison st & Florence st. See address & details
• 1 Rockingham Beach Stop: 6 hours Your day begins with a coach transfer from Perth or meet the boat at Val st Jetty, Rockingham (located in front of the Rockingham Cruising Yacht Club). On arrival you'll board the Perth Wildlife Encounters custom-made dolphin swim vessel complete with a large rear platform, making access to the water very easy. After your crew has located a pod, you’ll gear up with wetsuits, masks and snorkels (all equipment is included) and then dive into the fun, as you are quickly surrounded by excited whistles and splashes as the dolphins arrive to play. While many resorts provide opportunities to swim with dolphins, the crew’s rapport with these precocious marine mammals has created one of the best swim-with-dolphins excursions in Australia. Better still, Rockingham is a brief, 40-minute drive from Perth, making it an easy day trip. Following your swim, you’ll be treated to lunch with gourmet Seafood platters. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

• ChoiJ130 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best Experience ever had in WA We visited Rockingham from Perth with pickup service. Our driver was Kaitlin. She was also our water scooter driver as well. This tour is super easy. You don't need to swim. You just grab a belt of someone in front of you and dangling under the water. Dolphins seemed really curious about us. I thought at first this may bother them relaxing. But soon, that suspicious mind gone away seeing dolphins having fun with us. I had eye contact with dolphins. I had a chance to cuddle them (of course, I didn't). This means you can see that close. Anyway, I couldn't deny that this tour is affordable, but I can definitely say that it is worth your money every single penny. On the way back to Perth, Kaitlin explained a lot of wild sea animals. Even the sea lion I couldn't meet in Jurien Bay. She speaks very listenerble English for Foreigner whose language level isn't fluent like me. Very thoughtful. Very educational experience. Learned new-old term. Bob's your uncle! 😆haha. Thank you. 😊 가격이 비싸지만 충분히 값어치가 있는 투어였습니다. 다음엔 가족들을 데리고 같이 가고싶어요. 초등생 이상이면 할만할것같네요. 돌고래를 눈앞에서 만날 수 있어요. Read more Written 7 March 2024
• Anna H 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent Experience We loved this experience! The guides were knowledgeable, helpful and overall great people. The “laziest” and most fun scooter swim, and the dolphins played with us too. Highly recommend Read more Written 17 December 2023
• LucyTony123 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing Trip was amazing crew were lovely and nice to chat with experience was amazing dolphins came so close would recommend for anyone! Read more Written 25 April 2023
• L8302WUbenr 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles An amazing experience with wild dolphins. What an amazing experience! Friendly, fun and educational. Staff were excellent and supportive. You can tell that the crew love what they do and have a special bond with the dolphins. I recommend this trip highly and can’t wait to come back with my daughters so they can experience this. Read more Written 7 April 2023
• Q1905YRlisab 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing Experience Amazing experience! The crew were great, knowledgable and really cared about the passengers experience. Thankyou so much! Read more Written 2 April 2023
• Voyager672465 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles EXTRAORDINARY Absolutely incredible experience from start to finish. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and safety Conscious! This experience will stick with me for a very long time. I would highly recommend this adventure to anyone. Read more Written 5 March 2023
• ke304 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 3-island tour - a great tour What a great tour. Very well organised. Good quality equipment and rashies. We had a lovely guide (Sarah) who was very knowledgeable, as well as entertaining. Her enthusiasm was infectious!! The rest of our crew were also very friendly and professional. A very good operation (and we have done a gazillion yours!!). I’d definitely recommend it!! Read more Written 12 February 2023
• T8510ZIalexandral 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The best adventure ever!! I had a blast all day ,the adventure was worth it The Crüe where fantastic very professional and very good service If you come to WA you have to do this and use this guys money we’ll spend I will come again Thank you Wile encounter Rockingham! Read more Written 3 February 2023
• Cathryn B 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Swim with dolphins The whole experience was fantastic. Professional crew, I cannot recommend highly enough. Would travel to Australia again just to relive the experience once again!! Thank you. Read more Written 2 January 2023
• jennyb908 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles One of the Best Experiences Ever Wow- all I can say is - that was one of the best! Great day, great crew, great food and over 30 dolphins swimming around me (and no sharks😂)!! Jess, Jackson and the crew- you rock- thanks for an awesome day!! Read more Written 13 December 2022
• Cin_rose19 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Close encounters with dolphins We were lucky to have vouchers to attend this tour but I’d happily pay full price to go again. The guides work so hard to make sure everyone has a good time and sees the dolphins up close and personal. I can’t believe the experience we had and will treasure this experience forever. Read more Written 22 April 2022
• 76judithd 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Dolphin and Sealife hour cruise We really enjoyed our Dolphin and sea life cruise with Rockingham Wild Encounters yesterday. The staff - Ian and Gabby- were very friendly and knowledgeable. They were really excellent at taking us around the bay to see and explain the wildlife but they were also very sensitive to the animals. Our family were really impressed and now we would like to do the swimming with dolphins experience. Read more Written 31 January 2021
• Tarn1971 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome tour Our family had a fantastic tour with this company. Gabby was an excellent tour guide and shared a lot of her knowledge. We were lucky to see dolphins and sea lions. Great tour. Take your family, you won’t regret it. Heaps to learn and see. Read more Written 6 January 2021
• juliemD1642DV 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A stellar day. I was lucky enough to do the Wild Dolphin Swim (thanks, Mr. McGowan for making that possible with tourism vouchers) a few days ago. Best day ever! In addition to the very professional, friendly and knowledgeable crew who made the day so special, the weather and the water clarity were also awesome. The skipper found a large group of dolphins who were in the mood to play. Lovely lunch, safety was a priority, and the boat was schmicko. Everyone was beaming at the end of the trip, including the non swimmers (not me) who were very well looked after. HIGHLY, UNRESERVEDLY RECOMMENDED. Read more Written 14 December 2020
• Jake1591 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Very professional yet casual and friendly The experience is very professional yet casual and friendly. They know what they are talking about and love their job and it shows with a great experience provided. Can’t recommend them enough, loved the day. Thank you to everyone in the crew at Rockingham wildlife encounters Read more Written 12 December 2020

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Swim with Wild Dolphins Day Tour provided by Perth Wildlife Encounters

Itinerary Wild Dolphin Watching

Tourism Western Australia acknowledges Aboriginal peoples as the traditional custodians of Western Australia and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal West Australians and honour their continuing connection to Country, culture and community. We recognise and appreciate the invaluable contributions made by First Nations peoples across many generations in shaping Western Australia as a premier destination.

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Swim With Wild Dolphins in Rockingham in Perth

Swim with wild dolphins in rockingham.

Sign up to enjoy 10% off your first 2 bookings

Swim with Wild Dolphins (meet the boat in Rockingham)

From USD 206.18

USD 191.75 -7%

Your adventure begins with cruising Rockingham’s sheltered bays and islands in search of any of over 200 local dolphins that your crew have come to know as friends. Before long, sleek, silvery grey dorsal fins start breaking the surface of the water within meters of the back of the boat and it's time to zip your wetsuit up, put your mask and snorkel on and get ready to take the plunge! Our friendly guides will get you seated comfortably, ready to go, on the swim deck. They'll be joining you in the water to ensure you make the most of your wild dolphin encounter. Once the boat is in the right position, the skipper gives the command that everyone's been waiting for- Go!

Suddenly, you are surrounded by flashing grey torpedoes and the water is filled with whistles, splashes and laughter — both human and dolphin. They don’t do tricks and we don’t feed them, we simply spend some time enjoying each other’s company … it’s a wild encounter!

We are dedicated to ensuring the best experience for both visitors and dolphins. We ask you to remember that we are working with wild animals. Please approach each encounter with caution and respect and never assume that we have control over the dolphins’ appearance or behaviors. The dolphins’ approval of our friendship is reflected in our better than 99% success rate.

You don’t have to be an expert swimmer to join in and no previous snorkeling experience is necessary. Our professional and friendly crew conducts introductory snorkeling lessons and have an excellent track record of helping nervous or less experienced swimmers through the experience. Just bring a sense of adventure and be ready for an unforgettable, exhilarating encounter!

Inclusions:

• 3-6 hour cruise on our luxury, custom built boat (toilets and showers onboard)
• Full length wetsuits, mask and snorkel & snorkeling lessons
• Our wild dolphin guarantee! If we do not swim with dolphins on your cruise, you can come again for free. Click here for full details & conditions
• Expert guides riding underwater scooters to get you up close and personal with the dolphins
• Gourmet platters including local fresh Seafood
• Self serve tea, coffee, hot chocolate & fresh water
• Complimentary photos of your cruise uploaded to Flickr for you to share!

Price: $299.00 per person

Departure Times & Tour Information:

• Meet our boat in Rockingham at 7:50am
• Cruise duration is approximately 3-6 hours depending on dolphin sightings and behaviors
• Subject to weather conditions and minimum passenger numbers
• Not suitable for children under 6 years old

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

To join this tour you must sign our waiver of liability prior to your tour departing. A link to Smartwaiver will be sent in your confirmation email. Please ensure all passengers sign this form (under 18 years must be completed as a minor and signed by a guardian).

For frequently asked questions please click here or call us on +618 9591 1333.

Enjoy 3x KrisFlyer miles today

Earn an upsized rate of 3 miles per S$1 spend at Pelago .

Additional information

Departure information - ** ** meet our boat at Val St Jetty (in front of the Cruising Yacht Club) at 7:50am for an 8:00am start, located on the corner of Val St and the Esplanade. For a location map, visit: info#block-yui_3_17_2_17_1492573762263_8570">http://www.dolphins.com.au/visitor-info#block- yui_3_17_2_17_1492573762263_8570

Running late? - If you are running late please call our boat on 0448 958 679. We always do our best to accommodate for late comers but cannot inconvenience other passengers by holding up the cruise. Please be aware that no refund will be offered if you miss the cruise.

What to bring - A warm weather proof jacket is a good idea as the sea breeze can be cool even in the summer months. Comfortable shoes, thongs or sandals are appropriate footwear. Cameras for your personal use are welcome. You’re also welcome to bring extra snacks and drinks. There are storage crates underneath your seats on the boat for keeping all your bags and clothes dry.

Photos of your day – We will take photos and underwater footage of your day. They will be uploaded onto the below link the day after your tour. They are yours to save and share.

Flikr Link- https://www.flickr.com/photos/swimwithdolphins/albums

Tour information – Please note that all tours are subject to weather conditions and minimum passenger numbers. It is important that you leave us with your best contact number (preferably a mobile that you will be carrying on the day of your tour). If we need to cancel due to weather or minimum passenger numbers, we will contact you to see if you can reschedule for another date. There is no charge to you if we cancel for these reasons.

Waiver of Liability - All passengers are required to sign a Waiver of Liability before participating in this cruise. Please click the Smartwaiver link, located under each participants' details to complete before your tour departure.

For a list of terms and conditions please click here , for frequently asked questions please click here.

Cancelation & Amendments - Cancelations or booking amendments must be emailed to [email protected] 48hrs or more prior to your scheduled departure time. Perth Wildlife Encounters reserves the right to charge the following fees:

• Cancellations within 48 hours of cruise departure time or failure to attend will not be eligible for a refund. Certain individual circumstances mean you may be eligible for a rebook (a minimum of medical certificate for proof of illness required for rebooking), however this is at the discretion of our Operations Manager.

• Amendments to reschedule your booking within 48 hours will not accepted unless eligible for a rebook as per above.

USD 192.45 -7%

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What are you looking for?

Swim with Dolphins at Rockingham

AUD $ 299.00

Have you ever dreamed of swimming with wild dolphins? With over 25 years of experience, friendship and trust built up with the local dolphins, we offer visitors a unique opportunity to interact with these fascinating creatures!

Tour Enquiry

Description.

Your adventure begins with cruising Rockingham’s sheltered bays and islands in search of any of over 200 local dolphins that your crew have come to know as friends. Before long, sleek, silvery grey dorsal fins start breaking the surface of the water within metres of the back of the boat and it’s time to zip your wetsuit up, put your mask and snorkel on and get ready to take the plunge! Our friendly guides will get you seated comfortably, ready to go, on the swim deck. They’ll be joining you in the water to ensure you make the most of your wild dolphin encounter. Once the boat is in the right position, the skipper gives the command that everyone’s been waiting for- Go!

Suddenly, you are surrounded by flashing grey torpedoes and the water is filled with whistles, splashes and laughter — both human and dolphin. They don’t do tricks and we don’t feed them, we simply spend some time enjoying each other’s company … it’s a wild encounter!

We are dedicated to ensuring the best experience for both visitors and dolphins. We ask you to remember that we are working with wild animals. Please approach each encounter with caution and respect and never assume that we have control over the dolphins’ appearance or behaviors. The dolphins’ approval of our friendship is reflected in our better than 99% success rate.

You don’t have to be an expert swimmer to join in and no previous snorkeling experience is necessary. Our professional and friendly crew conducts introductory snorkeling lessons and have an excellent track record of helping nervous or less experienced swimmers through the experience. Just bring a sense of adventure and be ready for an unforgettable, exhilarating encounter!

Inclusions:

• 3-6 hour cruise on our luxury, custom built boat (toilets and showers onboard)
• Full length wetsuits, mask and snorkel & snorkeling lessons
• Our wild dolphin guarantee! If we do not swim with dolphins on your cruise, you can come again for free.  Click here for full details & conditions
• Expert guides riding underwater scooters to get you up close and personal with the dolphins
• Light lunch and refreshments served onboard (self serve tea, coffee, hot chocolate & fresh water)
• Complimentary photos of your cruise uploaded to Flikr for you to share!

Price: $205.00 per person

Departure Times:

• Meet our boat in Rockingham at 8:00am sharp
• Cruise duration is approximately 3-6 hours depending on dolphin sightings and behaviors
• Subject to weather conditions and minimum passenger numbers

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

To join this tour you must sign our  waiver of liability  prior to your tour departing. A link to Smartwaiver will be sent in your confirmation email. Please ensure all passengers sign this form (under 18 years must be completed as a minor and signed by a guardian).

For frequently asked questions please click here  or call us on +618 9591 1333.

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• swim with dolphins

Dolphin, Penguin and Sea Lion Cruise

Cruise out to sheltered shallows, encounter wild dolphins, sea lions and ospreys and visit the celebrated Penguin Island.

• 60-minute cruise around the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
• Includes a 60 minute cruise and return ferry transfers for Penguin Island
• See the world's rarest species of Sea lion at Seal Island
• Conclude your cruise on Penguin Island in time for the penguin feeding
• Includes experience gift pack with personalised voucher and message card

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Shoalwater Islands Marine Park on a 60-minute glass-bottom boat tour.

Discover the stunning coastlines of Penguin, Seal, and Bird Islands and spot an array of wildlife, including dolphins, rare sea lions, pelicans, and birds of prey.

Our knowledgeable crew will get you up close and personal with the action for an unforgettable adventure.

Conclude your tour on Penguin Island and witness the penguin feeding before exploring the island at your own pace and returning via ferry. Embark on this ultimate marine wildlife adventure!

Fri, 19 Apr, 2024 Sat, 20 Apr, 2024 Sun, 21 Apr, 2024 Mon, 22 Apr, 2024 Tue, 23 Apr, 2024 Wed, 24 Apr, 2024 Thu, 25 Apr, 2024 Fri, 26 Apr, 2024 Sat, 27 Apr, 2024 Sun, 28 Apr, 2024 Mon, 29 Apr, 2024 Tue, 30 Apr, 2024 Wed, 01 May, 2024 Thu, 02 May, 2024 Fri, 03 May, 2024 Sat, 04 May, 2024 Sun, 05 May, 2024 Mon, 06 May, 2024 Tue, 07 May, 2024 Wed, 08 May, 2024 Thu, 09 May, 2024 Fri, 10 May, 2024 Sat, 11 May, 2024 Sun, 12 May, 2024 Mon, 13 May, 2024 Tue, 14 May, 2024 Wed, 15 May, 2024 Thu, 16 May, 2024 Fri, 17 May, 2024 Sat, 18 May, 2024 Sun, 19 May, 2024

Dates are provided as a guideline and are subject to daily change.

Cruise duration is approximately 60 minutes. Allow 3-6 hours for the entire day.

Available throughout the year. Penguin Island is closed on the hottest days of Summer due to the Little Penguins Moulting.

Valid for one person.

This is an eco-tourism operator who respects wild dolphins and their habitat.

We recommend this experience is suited for ages threeyears and above.

The original gift from our son was inappropriate for our age and health. The changing of our gift was easy and this was great. We have lived in WA most of our lives and never been to Penguin Is. it was great.

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Please note locations indicated on the map are approximate only and should not be used when planning directions

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Jersey Shore day cruises: Your guide to scenic adventures and delicious meals

If you are looking to set sail and escape for a day, the Jersey Shore and nearby locales have got you covered with different cruises that can be done in a day. Here are some of the most popular one-day cruises at the Shore.

Cape May Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise

• Where: 1218 Wilson Drive, Cape May
• Duration: 2 hours
• Price: $55 for adults, $30 for child 12 and under, $20 for wine tasting

Step aboard The Spirit of Cape May for a dinner cruise that promises breathtaking sunset views of the Delaware Bay and Cape May Lighthouse. There's a chance you also spot some dolphins swimming along the ship as the captain or naturalists on board provide you with some educational facts. Guests are guaranteed memorable mammal sightings.

Cornucopia Cruise Lunch Buffet

• Where: 401 Riverview Drive, Perth Amboy
• Price: $67.95 for adults, $50.96 for kids 3-12

The Cornucopia’s Princess sets sail from Perth Amboy-Raritan Bay for a lunch or dinner cruise, offering stunning views of the Raritan Bay and New Jersey's inland waterways. Enjoy a meal and craft cocktails during this 2 ½ to 3-hour experience

Cape May Whale and Dolphin Cruise

• Where: 1213 Wilson Drive, Cape May
• Departure Time: 1 p.m.
• Duration: 3 hours
• Price: $55 for adults, $40 for children 7-12

Experience the thrill of whale and dolphin watching aboard the Cetacean Spectacular, a three-hour cruise offered by The Cape May Whale Watcher. Led by Captain Jeff Stewart, this cruise ventures into the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean for some marine life sightings. Throughout the journey, the captain will share some local history with passengers.

Gambler Fishing Cruise

• Where: 59 Inlet Drive, Point Pleasant Beach
• Duration: varies
• Price: from $90 to $395 per person

Based in Point Beach, The Gambler is a family-owned business operating since 1949. It offers popular fishing trips with a variety of lengths in the spring, winter, and summer.

Fluke trips are 12 hours from July to Labor Day and 6 hours from Labor Day through mid-September. The golden and blueline tilefish are 24 hours and depart at 11 p.m. Trips includes bait; fish tackles are available for purchase or rent. Staff on board offers assistance and instruction on filleting fish at the end of the trip.

Jersey Shore Pirate Adventure for kids

• Where: 281 Princeton Ave., Brick
• Departure: multiple throughout the day
• Duration: 75 minutes

Embark on a 75-minute pirate adventure departing from the marina near Windward Beach in Brick. Designed for pirates aged 3 to 10, this cruise is enjoyable for the entire family.

The young will get the opportunity to dress up like pirates, get their faces painted and get some pirate tattoos. On the ship, they'll take part in an interactive treasure hunt, following the Sea Gypsy's rules, reading maps, finding a secret message in a bottle, and working together to defeat a rival pirate using water cannons.

Atlantic City booze cruise

• Where: 800 North New Hampshire Ave., Atlantic City
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Swim with Wild Dolphins Day Tour

• Tour led by guides who have built rapport with the dolphins over the years
• Provided wet suit and snorkel gear for a comfortable time in the water
• Full briefing on how to behave respectfully and safely around the dolphins 
• Refreshments and light lunch 
• See itinerary
• Options- Spectate (non- swimmer), Swimmer and/or Bus. Click check availability for options
• Use of Snorkelling equipment
• Gourmet platters with Seafood
• Coffee and/or Tea
• Professional guide
• Complementary photos from your cruise uploaded to Flickr for you to share!
• Hotel Pickup and Drop-off
• Not suitable for children under 6 years old
• Val Street, Val St, Rockingham WA 6168, Australia Free all day parking on Harrison st & Florence st.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• A basic level of swimming is required. You don't need to be an expert swimmer and no previous snorkeling experience is necessary
• Please bring swimsuit, towel, a change of clothes, sunscreen, hat and a warm jacket
• Minimum age is 7 years
• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
• Most travellers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 36 travellers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Similar experiences

• You'll start at Val Street Val St, Rockingham WA 6168, Australia Free all day parking on Harrison st & Florence st. See address & details
• 1 Rockingham Beach Stop: 6 hours Your day begins with a coach transfer from Perth or meet the boat at Val st Jetty, Rockingham (located in front of the Rockingham Cruising Yacht Club). On arrival you'll board the Perth Wildlife Encounters custom-made dolphin swim vessel complete with a large rear platform, making access to the water very easy. After your crew has located a pod, you’ll gear up with wetsuits, masks and snorkels (all equipment is included) and then dive into the fun, as you are quickly surrounded by excited whistles and splashes as the dolphins arrive to play. While many resorts provide opportunities to swim with dolphins, the crew’s rapport with these precocious marine mammals has created one of the best swim-with-dolphins excursions in Australia. Better still, Rockingham is a brief, 40-minute drive from Perth, making it an easy day trip. Following your swim, you’ll be treated to lunch with gourmet Seafood platters. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

• ChoiJ130 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best Experience ever had in WA We visited Rockingham from Perth with pickup service. Our driver was Kaitlin. She was also our water scooter driver as well. This tour is super easy. You don't need to swim. You just grab a belt of someone in front of you and dangling under the water. Dolphins seemed really curious about us. I thought at first this may bother them relaxing. But soon, that suspicious mind gone away seeing dolphins having fun with us. I had eye contact with dolphins. I had a chance to cuddle them (of course, I didn't). This means you can see that close. Anyway, I couldn't deny that this tour is affordable, but I can definitely say that it is worth your money every single penny. On the way back to Perth, Kaitlin explained a lot of wild sea animals. Even the sea lion I couldn't meet in Jurien Bay. She speaks very listenerble English for Foreigner whose language level isn't fluent like me. Very thoughtful. Very educational experience. Learned new-old term. Bob's your uncle! 😆haha. Thank you. 😊 가격이 비싸지만 충분히 값어치가 있는 투어였습니다. 다음엔 가족들을 데리고 같이 가고싶어요. 초등생 이상이면 할만할것같네요. 돌고래를 눈앞에서 만날 수 있어요. Read more Written 7 March 2024
• Anna H 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent Experience We loved this experience! The guides were knowledgeable, helpful and overall great people. The “laziest” and most fun scooter swim, and the dolphins played with us too. Highly recommend Read more Written 17 December 2023
• LucyTony123 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing Trip was amazing crew were lovely and nice to chat with experience was amazing dolphins came so close would recommend for anyone! Read more Written 25 April 2023
• L8302WUbenr 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles An amazing experience with wild dolphins. What an amazing experience! Friendly, fun and educational. Staff were excellent and supportive. You can tell that the crew love what they do and have a special bond with the dolphins. I recommend this trip highly and can’t wait to come back with my daughters so they can experience this. Read more Written 7 April 2023
• Q1905YRlisab 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing Experience Amazing experience! The crew were great, knowledgable and really cared about the passengers experience. Thankyou so much! Read more Written 2 April 2023
• Voyager672465 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles EXTRAORDINARY Absolutely incredible experience from start to finish. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and safety Conscious! This experience will stick with me for a very long time. I would highly recommend this adventure to anyone. Read more Written 5 March 2023
• ke304 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 3-island tour - a great tour What a great tour. Very well organised. Good quality equipment and rashies. We had a lovely guide (Sarah) who was very knowledgeable, as well as entertaining. Her enthusiasm was infectious!! The rest of our crew were also very friendly and professional. A very good operation (and we have done a gazillion yours!!). I’d definitely recommend it!! Read more Written 12 February 2023
• T8510ZIalexandral 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The best adventure ever!! I had a blast all day ,the adventure was worth it The Crüe where fantastic very professional and very good service If you come to WA you have to do this and use this guys money we’ll spend I will come again Thank you Wile encounter Rockingham! Read more Written 3 February 2023
• Cathryn B 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Swim with dolphins The whole experience was fantastic. Professional crew, I cannot recommend highly enough. Would travel to Australia again just to relive the experience once again!! Thank you. Read more Written 2 January 2023
• jennyb908 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles One of the Best Experiences Ever Wow- all I can say is - that was one of the best! Great day, great crew, great food and over 30 dolphins swimming around me (and no sharks😂)!! Jess, Jackson and the crew- you rock- thanks for an awesome day!! Read more Written 13 December 2022
• Cin_rose19 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Close encounters with dolphins We were lucky to have vouchers to attend this tour but I’d happily pay full price to go again. The guides work so hard to make sure everyone has a good time and sees the dolphins up close and personal. I can’t believe the experience we had and will treasure this experience forever. Read more Written 22 April 2022
• 76judithd 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Dolphin and Sealife hour cruise We really enjoyed our Dolphin and sea life cruise with Rockingham Wild Encounters yesterday. The staff - Ian and Gabby- were very friendly and knowledgeable. They were really excellent at taking us around the bay to see and explain the wildlife but they were also very sensitive to the animals. Our family were really impressed and now we would like to do the swimming with dolphins experience. Read more Written 31 January 2021
• Tarn1971 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome tour Our family had a fantastic tour with this company. Gabby was an excellent tour guide and shared a lot of her knowledge. We were lucky to see dolphins and sea lions. Great tour. Take your family, you won’t regret it. Heaps to learn and see. Read more Written 6 January 2021
• juliemD1642DV 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A stellar day. I was lucky enough to do the Wild Dolphin Swim (thanks, Mr. McGowan for making that possible with tourism vouchers) a few days ago. Best day ever! In addition to the very professional, friendly and knowledgeable crew who made the day so special, the weather and the water clarity were also awesome. The skipper found a large group of dolphins who were in the mood to play. Lovely lunch, safety was a priority, and the boat was schmicko. Everyone was beaming at the end of the trip, including the non swimmers (not me) who were very well looked after. HIGHLY, UNRESERVEDLY RECOMMENDED. Read more Written 14 December 2020
• Jake1591 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Very professional yet casual and friendly The experience is very professional yet casual and friendly. They know what they are talking about and love their job and it shows with a great experience provided. Can’t recommend them enough, loved the day. Thank you to everyone in the crew at Rockingham wildlife encounters Read more Written 12 December 2020

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Swim with Wild Dolphins Day Tour provided by Perth Wildlife Encounters