Monkey Mia on the west coast of Western Australia is home to friendly wild dolphins that swim in the shallow waters and interact with humans. Thousands visit every year to get up close and personal. But why do the dolphins swim with people at Monkey Mia? In this post we’ll find out why, what makes Monkey Mia so special and how you can experience it for yourself.
The Monkey Mia Dolphin Experience
Monkey Mia’s dolphins have been visiting for over 50 years. This isn’t a commercial dolphin show but a natural encounter where wild dolphins swim up to the shore voluntarily. The shallow, calm waters of the bay create the perfect environment for dolphin-human interaction and one of the few places in the world where this can happen naturally. You can stand knee deep in the water and watch these marine animals swim past, sometimes close enough to touch (but don’t).
The relationship between dolphins and humans at Monkey Mia is built on decades of trust, responsible wildlife management and ethical tourism. Trained park rangers supervise the interactions to ensure the well-being of both humans and dolphins. The Shark Bay Marine Park where Monkey Mia is located is home to a diverse range of marine life including manta rays and other marine animals. This is a critical habitat for Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins which are common at Monkey Mia. Visitors staying at the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort can have daily dolphin encounters right on their doorstep and get a glimpse into dolphin behaviour and wild dolphin behaviour.
Why Do Dolphins Swim With Humans?
The reasons dolphins swim with humans are embedded in their natural instincts and behaviors. Unlike many wild animals, dolphins are social creatures with complex emotions and intelligence. So they are more open to interacting with other species including humans. The Shark Bay Dolphin Project, one of the largest non-invasive dolphin research sites in the world, is studying these wild bottlenose dolphins to learn more about their social lives and daily lives.
Curiosity and Playfulness
One of the main reasons dolphins swim with humans is their natural curiosity and playfulness. Dolphins are curious and love to explore just like humans do. They are drawn to new objects, movements and sounds which is why they will approach swimmers. Their playful behaviour such as leaping, spinning and playing with each other often extends to humans especially if people are splashing or moving in ways that catch their attention. Adventure seekers who visit Shark Bay and join dolphin swim Monkey Mia Tours often see these playful interactions.
Learned Behaviour
Dolphins can learn from each other and pass on behaviours to future generations. At Monkey Mia, the dolphins have been interacting with humans since the 1960s when fishermen started sharing their catch with them. The practice of swimming with humans has become a learned behaviour for some of the dolphin pods in the area. Young dolphins watch their mothers and siblings do this and follow suit, which is why new generations of dolphins still swim with humans at Monkey Mia. The daily dolphin experience at Monkey Mia shows how family history and social connections among dolphins influence their willingness to interact with humans.
Food Incentive
While curiosity and playfulness is the main driver of interaction, food is another factor. Historically fishermen would throw scraps to the dolphins to get them to come back. Today this is more controlled and ethical. Park rangers now regulate how and when dolphins are fed to ensure they maintain their natural foraging skills. Dolphins association with food still draws them to the shoreline where humans are. Please note that feeding sessions at Monkey Mia are limited and follow strict conservation guidelines. The feeding program is managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure wild dolphin behaviour remains intact and dolphins continue to forage naturally.
Trust and Familiarity
Dolphins are intelligent and can recognise individuals they have met before. At Monkey Mia they have developed trust with the local rangers and visitors due to the consistent and non-threatening human interaction. Familiarity allows them to approach and swim close to people especially during supervised feeding sessions. Dolphins ability to remember individuals and specific experiences is why they are more comfortable swimming with humans in places like Monkey Mia. The Monkey Mia Dolphin is one of the many individual dolphins known to rangers and tourists.
The Role of Dolphin Intelligence in Human Interaction
Dolphins are one of the smartest animals in the world, with problem solving, self awareness and the ability to recognise themselves in a mirror. Their intelligence allows them to interact with humans in a way we rarely see with other wild animals. Dolphins use echolocation to “see” the world around them, so they can detect and assess humans before physical contact is made. Their ability to process and remember information helps them to see humans as non threatening and encourages them to interact. Dolphin behaviour during dolphin encounters shows just how smart these amazing animals are as they navigate human activity with ease.
Why Monkey Mia is a special dolphin destination
What makes Monkey Mia different from other dolphin destinations is the natural, unscripted interaction. No shows, no artificial interaction – just wild dolphins coming in on their own accord. The clear, shallow waters and protected marine environment make it the perfect place for this to happen. The Department of Parks and Wildlife manages the experience to ensure both humans and dolphins are safe. The natural setting and ethical wildlife approach makes Monkey Mia a one of a kind dolphin experience. You’ll often see visitors lying on the beach under the trees while dolphins play nearby.
How to have dolphins swim with you at Monkey Mia
There are several ways you can have dolphins swim with you at Monkey Mia. Here’s a step by step guide to help you make the most of your visit.
1. Visit during feeding times
Dolphin feeding sessions are daily, usually in the morning and this is the best time to see dolphins up close. Trained rangers give small amounts of fish to a few dolphins to keep them wild. Visitors stand in the water to watch the dolphins come in to shore. Get there early to get a good spot.
2. Join a Wildlife Tour
Boat tours and wildlife cruises allow you to see dolphins in the open ocean. While these dolphins are less likely to swim with you, they love to ride the waves created by the boat. These tours give you the chance to see dolphins in their natural habitat, leaping and swimming alongside the boat. Some tours like Dolphin Watch Cruises give you a closer look at dolphin populations in their natural habitat.
3. Book a Guided Experience
Some Perth Tours allow you to get in the water and swim with dolphins, but direct interaction is often limited for dolphin welfare. Guides will teach you how to behave around dolphins so you don’t disturb them. Guided tours give you an up close look at dolphin behaviour in the wild.
Important Rules for Swimming With Dolphins at Monkey Mia
Respect the dolphins’ natural behaviour is key to their well being. Here are the main rules:
- Don’t touch the dolphins. Touching can spread disease and disrupt the dolphins’ natural layer of protection.
- No sudden movements or loud noises. Dolphins are sensitive to movement and sound so stay calm to not scare them.
- Follow ranger instructions. Rangers manage feeding times and ensure safety for both dolphins and humans.
- Don’t feed the dolphins. This is controlled by rangers so dolphins can keep their natural hunting skills.
- Respect their decision to come to you. Dolphins are wild animals and their choice to interact should be voluntary.
Monkey Mia Dolphin Fun Facts
- They’re wild, not captive. Unlike dolphins in marine parks, the dolphins at Monkey Mia live in the wild.
- They have names. Some dolphins are so well known they have been named by local rangers.
- Behaviours are passed on. Dolphin mothers teach their calves specific behaviours, including how to approach humans.
- They’re fast swimmers. Dolphins can swim up to 37 km/h, one of the fastest marine mammals.
- They’re social animals. Dolphins form close bonds with other dolphins and can form pods of up to 20 individuals.
Conclusion
The dolphins of Monkey Mia are living proof of the special relationship that can exist between humans and wild animals. Their natural curiosity, intelligence and playful nature is why they swim with humans and decades of good management and conservation has ensured this experience is safe and sustainable. If you want a once in a lifetime wildlife experience, Monkey Mia offers the chance to see dolphins in their natural habitat, create memories that will last forever. For an unforgettable experience, book Tour From Perth with Autopia Tours where our expert guides will provide commentary and help you connect with Australia’s wildlife.
FAQ
When is the best time to visit Monkey Mia to see dolphins?
Morning feeding sessions are best, usually between 7:45 am and 12:00 pm.
Can I swim with the dolphins at Monkey Mia?
No, swimming with dolphins is not allowed. But you can wade in the water during feeding times.
Are the dolphins at Monkey Mia wild?
Yes, they are wild and can come and go as they please.
How many dolphins?
About 20 dolphins visit the area but only a few participate in daily feedings.
Can I touch them?
No, no touching to protect their health and safety.