Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary

Home . Adelaide, SA

All About

Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary

Highlights

The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary provides a home to one of Adelaide's best-loved creatures, the Bottlenose Dolphin. These wild dolphins come here to eat, play, socialise and live and can be seen most days from both water and land look outs. The sanctuary is one of the gems of metropolitan Adelaide. Including the Port River, Barker Inlet, Outer Harbour and North Haven marinas, reaching as far north as Port Gawler.

Located only 20 minutes from the city, the area features a 10,000-year-old mangrove forest and over 40 resident bottlenose dolphins, while another 300 dolphins visit the area regularly. The area is also popular for its natural wonders, making it one of the easily accessible Dolphin Sanctuaries in the world. Other wildlife that can easily be spotted are sting rays, long nosed fur seals and endangered Australian sea lions.

The area is also a popular bird watching site and shares most of its northern coastal habitat with Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary. Why not come along and try your hand at fishing, dolphin watching, bird watching and paddle boarding.

Activities

Sight-seeing
Watching wildlife

Facilities

Picnic area with barbecues
Viewing platforms
Carpark
Toilets

Important Information

Guidelines

Always do some research before heading out for your journey. Visit the parks website for up to date information on the current opening and closing times.
Wear suitable footwear and ensure to wear appropriate clothing to protect yourself from the elements..
Always stay on the marked tracks where possible. Never climb fences, they are there for your own safety.
Please consider the environment, take your rubbish with you or place in the bins provided. We want to ensure these beautiful places are still here for our future generations to enjoy.

Photo credits: National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia

Location

Getting to Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary

Address: Lot 204 Garden Island Rd, Port Adelaide SA 5015

Website: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-park/Browse_by_region/Adelaide/adelaide-dolphin-sanctuary

Common Questions

Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary FAQ

Where is Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and how do I get there?
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary sits in Port River estuary, Adelaide, SA. Most travellers arrive by launching a kayak from Garden Island boat ramp, 20 min from Adelaide CBD. Kayak trails thread past shipwrecks and through seagrass meadows only 20 minutes from the CBD.
Why is Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary worth adding to my bucket list?
The sanctuary protects 10 000-year-old mangroves and a pod of around 40 resident bottlenose dolphins. Kayak trails thread past shipwrecks and through seagrass meadows only 20 minutes from the CBD.
Are there any fees to visit Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary?
It’s free to enter; kayak hire incurs a cost. If you’re planning extras like tours or camping, double-check current prices online before you go.
What safety tips should I know before visiting Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary?
Dolphins are wild: keep 50 m distance and never feed them. Always follow any local signage and check the Aussie Bucket List page for seasonal advice.