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Maptlantis

Dolphin · Australia

Where to see dolphins in Australia

Operators 40Season May–NovRegions 23Published prices 36Encounter formats 5
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About this list

A common trap when looking for places to see dolphins in Australia is a trip sold as if the sighting were certain. Maptlantis lists only operators that name the dolphin as a target species, 40 of them. Places that only mention a chance sighting are left out. Regions on record: Jervis Bay Territory, Byron Bay & North Coast, New South Wales, NSW, Central Coast, NSW, Mid North Coast, NSW, Port Stephens and SA, Adelaide. Encounters are split into boat-based watching, swimming, snorkeling, kayak wildlife watching and land-based watching. Two "dolphin tours" can differ completely in rules and price when one watches from the boat and the other puts you in the water. 36 of the 40 operators (90%) publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare those directly; ask the rest. Estimated prices are not shown. The 21 operators that state a season for dolphin programs in Australia cluster in May–Nov. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear. No operator can guarantee a wildlife sighting, and rules on approach distance and in-water permits differ by country.

Dolphin season in Australia

May–Nov

  1. JanJanuary: not in season
  2. FebFebruary: not in season
  3. MarMarch: not in season
  4. AprApril: not in season
  5. MayMay: in season
  6. JunJune: in season, singled out
  7. JulJuly: in season, singled out
  8. AugAugust: in season, singled out
  9. SepSeptember: in season, singled out
  10. OctOctober: in season
  11. NovNovember: in season
  12. DecDecember: not in season

The months 21 operators state as their program season, combined. That is the operators' operating period, not a sighting guarantee; each operator's months are in the dolphin season table.

40 listed operators

Dolphins in Australia, by region

Dolphins in Australia, by way to meet them

Dolphin season

Dolphins in other countries

Other marine life in Australia

Activities in Australia

Frequently asked questions

Where can you see dolphins in Australia?

40 operators name the dolphin as a target species. Main regions: Jervis Bay Territory, Byron Bay & North Coast, New South Wales, NSW, Central Coast, NSW, Mid North Coast, NSW, Port Stephens and SA, Adelaide.

Do you have to get in the water to see dolphins?

Formats on record: boat-based watching, swimming, snorkeling, kayak wildlife watching and land-based watching. Boat-based watching stays on the boat; snorkeling, swimming and freediving put you in the water. Some countries ban getting in the water altogether, so check the format in the program details.

When is dolphin season?

The 21 operators that state a season for dolphin programs in Australia cluster in May–Nov. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear.

Will I definitely see them?

No. Dolphins are wild animals, and whether you meet them depends on their movements and the sea. Maptlantis does not use wording that promises a sighting, and cancellation and refund terms follow each operator's policy.