Monkey Mia
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All About
Monkey Mia
Highlights
Monkey Mia is a must-visit bucket list attraction if you wish to see wild dolphins, located in Shark Bay near Denham on Western Australia's Coral Coast.
Monkey Mia is one of Western Australia's most famous dolphin watching destinations. Located 25 kilometres from Denham in the Shark Bay World Heritage area, fly from Perth in 2-hours or drive there in a day. Monkey Mia offers a unique chance to see wild dolphins in their natural habitat. Times for the dolphin experiences depend on if and when the dolphins visit the beach. They are only offered fish during their first three visits between 7:45am and 12noon, they often visit the beach outside these times to frolic, feed and are regularly seen leaping into the air.
Specially trained rangers select a handful of visitors to feed the dolphins each morning. Their mischievous character is the subject of behavioural research and international scientists are regularly on hand at Monkey Mia to offer insights. There are plenty of other activities on offer including four wheel drive trips, Aboriginal cultural tours, fishing charters, cruising and camel rides which can be booked through the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort right on the beach or in Denham.
While at Monkey Mia, step away from the water to explore the area’s natural and cultural history along the Wulyibidi Yaninyina trail, a 1.5 km loop walk over dunes and along the beach. The walk is best done when the birds are most active just after sunrise or late in the afternoon.
Swimming with and touching the dolphins is prohibited by law. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au
Activities
Camping
Sight-seeing
Bird-watching
Watch dolphin feeding- Educational experience
Facilities
- Interactive visitor centre
- Cafe / restaurant
- Picnic area
- Gift shop
- Car and coach parking
- Toilets
Important Information
Guidelines
- Always do some research before heading out for your journey. Visit the local visitor information centre for the most up to date information.
- Stay safe and get the most out of your visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.
- Wear suitable footwear and ensure to wear appropriate clothing to protect yourself from the elements when outside exploring.
- Plan ahead and ensure to take enough food and water for your journey.
- 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.
- Ensure to let a responsible adult know of your plans and report back into them once you have finished exploring for the day.
- National park fees may apply for national parks in Western Australia. Check the parks website for bookings and/ or further details.
- Entry fees may change at anytime at the discretion of WA Parks and Wildlife Services, check their website for the most up to date information.
Photo credits: Tourism Western Australia
Location
Getting to Monkey Mia
Address: Monkey Mia, Western Australia 6537
Common Questions
Monkey Mia FAQ
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What time is the dolphin feeding at Monkey Mia?
The wild dolphin experience at Monkey Mia takes place every morning between 7:45 AM and 12:00 PM. It is highly recommended to arrive by 7:45 AM, as the first visit of the day is the most reliable. Rangers can conduct up to three interactions during the morning depending entirely on if, and when, the dolphins choose to swim into the shallows.
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How much does it cost to see the dolphins at Monkey Mia?
To access the dolphin experience, you must purchase a Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) day permit. Prices are $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for concession holders, $5.00 for children (ages 6–15), and $35.00 for a family pass. Please note standard WA National Park passes are not valid here.
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Can you touch or swim with the dolphins at Monkey Mia?
No, you cannot touch or swim with the dolphins at Monkey Mia. Because they are wild animals protected by strict conservation laws, physical contact is prohibited for their health and safety. Visitors must stand in knee-deep water on the shoreline and follow instructions from the on-site park rangers.
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Are you guaranteed to see dolphins at Monkey Mia?
While the Monkey Mia dolphins are completely wild and free to come and go as they please, they visit the shore contextually almost every single day of the year. While a sighting is not 100% guaranteed, it is incredibly rare for them to miss a morning visit.
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Can anyone feed the dolphins at Monkey Mia?
Only a small, select group of mature female dolphins are fed a regulated amount of fish to ensure they don't become dependent and still forage naturally in Shark Bay. Every morning, park rangers randomly select a few individuals from the crowd on the beach to hand-feed the dolphins, meaning anyone has a chance to be picked.
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Where is Monkey Mia located and how do you get there?
Monkey Mia is located within the Shark Bay World Heritage Area on the Coral Coast of Western Australia. It sits approximately 25km northeast of the town of Denham and is a scenic 8.5-hour drive (approx. 850km) north of Perth, or a short flight via Regional Express (Rex) into nearby Monkey Mia Airport.
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FROM $5.00
Adult day permit - $15.00 |
Concession day permit - $10.00 |
Child (6-15 years) - $5.00 |
5-Day Forecast
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Wednesday, 05 Aug
21.1°C / 16.8°C . Mostly sunny
Humidity: 81% Precip: 0 mm UV: 4 -
Thursday, 06 Aug
20.9°C / 16.7°C . Cloudy
Humidity: 74% Precip: 0 mm UV: 3 -
Friday, 07 Aug
19.3°C / 17°C . Cloudy
Humidity: 72% Precip: 1.49 mm UV: 2
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Saturday, 08 Aug
19.6°C / 13.8°C . Partly sunny
Humidity: 66% Precip: 0 mm UV: 5 -
Sunday, 09 Aug
17.9°C / 13.6°C . Sunny
Humidity: 57% Precip: 0 mm UV: 5
