The dolphins at Monkey Mia often pop up as a hotspot destination in Western Australia, especially for those heading up the coast from Perth to Broome. It’s famous for its friendly dolphins that swim right up to the beach, and yup, it sounds pretty dreamy.
After all, where else can you see dolphins being fed in the wild other than Monkey Mia?
However, as someone who’s visited, there are a few things you might not be aware of when it comes to checking out the Monkey Mia dolphins. I’m here to give you the real lowdown. Let’s unpack what a visit to Monkey Mia is really like, beyond the glossy Instagram posts.
Why Are There Dolphins at Monkey Mia?
Monkey Mia’s claim to fame isn’t just the pristine beaches or the stunning bay – it’s actually the wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins that visit multiple times per day and are only too happy to hang around human visitors.
The dolphins of Monkey Mia are part of a larger pod native to Shark Bay that first began interacting with humans way back in the 1960s when local fishermen would return from the sea and share their catch in the shallows.
This tradition evolved into a daily feeding ritual, which, lucky for us, continues to this day. That means that at least a couple of dolphins usually show up at the same time each day, ready for a feed! And, no worries – the Monkey Mia dolphin feeding takes place under strict supervision to make sure that the dolphins maintain their wild behaviours and diet.
The Monkey Mia Dolphin Feeding Experience
At Monkey Mia, the dolphin feeding ritual is more than just a tourist spectacle – it’s also a carefully managed conservation effort. Each morning, park rangers feed up to four dolphins a small portion of fish ( less than 10% of their daily diet) to encourage natural hunting behaviours without making them dependent on human-provided food.
If you’re planning to witness this, aim to hit the beach by 7:30 AM. That’s the best time to see dolphins at Monkey Mia as the feeding times, conducted by rangers, can happen up to three times between 7:45 AM and noon, depending on the dolphins’ cooperation.
While the Monkey Mia dolphins feeding cost is free, entry to Monkey Mia as a whole comes with a fee, currently $15 per person for a day pass, which supports the management of this unique interaction, ensuring the safety and sustainability for both dolphins and visitors.
A key rule here: touching the dolphins is a big no-no. It’s both dangerous and illegal to touch them, whether you’re selected to feed them or just observe. While it might be tempting to swim close to these friendly animals, swimming, fishing, and boating are strictly forbidden in the dolphin interaction area to keep the environment safe and undisturbed.
How to Get to Monkey Mia
Located on the coast of Shark Bay in Western Australia, getting to Monkey Mia is a bit of an adventure itself, the perfect excuse to pack your car and head out on a road trip. The most straightforward route is from Perth, about 850 kilometres away, which translates into roughly a 10-hour drive.
Many people stop here as part of a longer road trip from Perth up to Broome or Exmouth, but it’s also a great trip in and of itself.
This long stretch is beautifully arid, dotted with quaint towns and spectacular ocean views, making the drive part of the fun. There are also a bunch of fascinating stops along the way, including Kalbarri and its mind-blowing skywalk.
If long drives aren’t your thing, you can catch a flight to Shark Bay Airport from Perth, which takes just 2 hours, and drive a short 30 minutes from there.
So… Is It Worth It?
Is a trip to Monkey Mia worth the hype? Erm… it depends on what you’re looking for.
If you’re expecting a peaceful and intimate encounter with lots of wild dolphins, you’ll probably find yourself a bit disappointed. The reality is that Monkey Mia can feel a bit like a tourist trap, especially during the peak winter season when the massive crowds can make you feel like you’re at a zoo rather than in nature.
I can’t deny that it’s a unique experience – where else do you get dolphins visiting daily almost like clockwork? But the controlled feeding program, while I don’t doubt is educational and important for conservation, doesn’t exactly offer the wild, magical interaction you’re probably imagining.
Plus, there are only up to four dolphins that turn up each day, so sometimes they may not even show up, or, more regularly, you’ll only see a couple. A hundred people looking at just two dolphins feels a bit… Disappointing.
The thing is, this is a popular stop to make on the drive up to Exmouth or Broome, but it’s actually quite a long diversion – around 90 minutes each way off the main road up. So, what I’m saying is, whether or not Monkey Mia is worth visiting depends on how much spare time you have and how badly you want to see the dolphins.
Visiting the Dolphins at Monkey Mia
Wrapping up, visiting the dolphins in Monkey Mia can be a mixed bag. While it’s undeniably cool to see dolphins up close, and the setting is pretty striking, it’s hard to shake off the feeling that it’s a bit of a tourist trap. For some, the structured feeding times and the rules might feel a bit restrictive, but they’re there to protect these amazing creatures, which is a good thing.
If you’re heading that way, it’s worth stopping by to see for yourself, but keep your expectations in check. Remember, it’s just one stop on the beautiful WA coast, so maybe keep the adventure going and see what else is out there!
