Location

Dolphin reef, Eilat, Israel

Dolphin Reef Eilat, on the shores of the Red Sea, is a unique attraction. At the reef, visitors are given the special opportunity to meet and observe a group of bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat.

A group of bottlenose dolphins, including babies born at the site, maintain their daily routine of hunting, playing, courting and socializing.

You can enjoy getting close to the dolphins from floating piers and observation points or during one of the guided swims or dives. We took the opportunity to dive with the dolphins and we had 40 minutes swimming around in their underwater lagoon. A number of dolphins approached us and we opted for a souvenir video of the whole experience. It is recommended that you book in advance if you wish to snorkel or dive with the dolphins as this is a very popular activity.

Click on the following link to go to the Dolphin Reef, Eilat web site http://www.dolphinreef.co.il

Monkey Mia in Western Australia

Monkey Mia is not only a research site but is also home to a beach resort, wildlife cruises and a visitor interpretation center containing informative and interactive displays and an amphitheatre for talks and shows.

 Most mornings between 8am and noon, two adult females (Kiya and her older sister Piccolo), accompanied by their offspring visit the beach to receive fish from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and attractions (DBCA) rangers. Visitors to Monkey Mia are able to enter the shallows and assist in the feeding under the supervision of the rangers. I was lucky enough to be chosen to feed the dolphins in the 'dolphin interaction area'.

You can read more about Monkey Mia on our Monkey Mia page

For information on the Shark Bay Dolphin Project visit http://www.monkeymiadolphins.org/
For information on Shark Bay World Heritage visithttps://www.sharkbay.org/place/monkey-mia/
For information on the resort for accommodation visit https://parksandresorts.rac.com.au/monkey-mia

Dolphin Discovery Centre, Bunbury, Western Australia

The local Bunbury dolphins are easy to observe whether from the beach from the interaction zone or you can take one of the tours. I went on a dolphin eco cruise  and it was a great opportunity to see the dolphins in their natural environment.

The Interaction Zone on the beach  has been designated as a special dolphin protection area for this very purpose. Under strict license conditions set out by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), the Centre has been able to offer a unique interactive experience on the beach right in front of the Centre since 1989. Dolphin Volunteers have been trained to ensure the interaction guidelines are followed and they will always be present on the beach to answer your questions and manage the interaction should dolphins visit the Zone. Naturally, being a wild animal there is no set time, however, the most common visit times are in the mornings of the warmer months between 8 am – 12 noon!

You can also adopt a dolphin from the Dolphin Discovery Centre !

The Dolphin Discovery Centre’s Adopt a Dolphin Program supports the conservation of dolphins and the broader marine environment. By adopting one of the Koombana Bay dolphins you are assisting them to monitor and protect these wonderful marine mammals, increase their public education programs, provide safe interaction with humans and support their research and study programs. They have a range of adoption packages to suit all budgets.

You can read more about the Dolphin Discovery Centre on our Bunbury page 

For more information including how to adopt a dolphin to assist the  Dolphin Discovery Centre to monitor and protect these wonderful marine mammals follow this link https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/

The Dolphin Discovery Centre, in WA's South West, has gone into voluntary administration. The centre has faced challenging times since the COVID-19 pandemic, including staff shortages.
The attraction will remain open, but there will be some changes to its hospitality operations. For more read the story here