3.5-Hour Swimming with Wild Dolphins Experience Highlights
- Get up to $15 cash back per person when you book with us
- A 4-hr dolphin cruise onboard the Temptation, a 58-foot sailing catamaran
- The opportunity to get in the water to swim alongside wild dolphins
- Use of all required equipment including wetsuits, snorkels, & masks for a safe & comfortable swim
- Departs from the meeting point at Marina Pier, Holdfast Shores Marina, Glenelg
What to Expect
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not a good swimmer/have never snorkelled before, can I still join this cruise?
I'm not a good swimmer/have never snorkelled before, can I still join this cruise?
This is very common with a number of guests, so over the years, the crew has refined the briefing and techniques to accommodate the most nervous of dolphin swimmers.
- On boarding Temptation, you will be given a full length, 5mm wetsuit, which acts as a full-body floatation device
- You are given a briefing (about 15 minutes) on what to do and not do when entering and being in the water
- Colour visual charts are also used to help show what to do and not do when entering and being in the water
- The fully experienced crew will demonstrate how to use your mask and snorkel and can assist when trying masks on
- All swimmers must hold onto a floatation line connected to the stern of Temptation
- If at the end of the briefing and snorkel demonstration you are still not confident in entering the water you can stay on board and do the dolphin watch. The crew will then refund the difference back to you.
Do we have to sign a waiver?
Do we have to sign a waiver?
Yes, there are always risks when dealing with wild animals and open water activities, however, the Operator has never had any accidents in all of the years of operation. Obeying the brief will help decrease any potential risks.
What about sharks?
What about sharks?
Sharks are present in all oceans and where the crew conduct the dolphin swim is no different. The vessel does use two high powered shark shields which send out electronic signals which deter sharks. For this reason, the swim is unsuitable if you have a pacemaker, as it can interfere with it. The shields do not deter the dolphins as dolphins use sonar.
Can I feed or touch the dolphins?
Can I feed or touch the dolphins?
Definitely not, these dolphins are 100% wild and come over to the swimmers for a little fun. They are more than capable of catching their own live food and feeding and touching these dolphins can lead to health issues. This tour is about seeing Adelaide’s dolphins in their natural environment.
Reaching out to try and touch the dolphins only makes them nervous, therefore shortening the interaction time. If the dolphins touch you this is OK, but please respect the dolphins.
What happens if we don't see any dolphins?
What happens if we don't see any dolphins?
This would be devastating to yourself and the Temptation crew as this has never happened before. The Operator has a 100% success rate of seeing dolphins on the dolphin swim and watch cruise. However, they also have a money-back guarantee, if no dolphins are spotted throughout the course of the cruise they will refund you the full cost of the cruise.
Are there any restrictions on who can do the dolphin swim?
Are there any restrictions on who can do the dolphin swim?
Yes, there are a few:
- Anyone with a pacemaker (The sharks shields can interfere with the pacemaker)
- Anyone who is not capable of holding onto the floatation line while being towed slowly behind Temptation.
- Anyone who is not capable of climbing three rungs of the ladder on the back of Temptation.
*Please note that Temptation is not wheelchair friendly
Is the dolphin swim easy to do?
Is the dolphin swim easy to do?
Generally yes, the crew try very hard to make the dolphin swim as easy as possible for swimmers, but unfortunately this isn’t always the case.
- The crew do not put the swimmers into the water until the dolphins have turned to come over to Temptation. Sometimes this is quite fast, therefore they have to get the swimmers into the water as quickly and safely as possible. When the dolphins get too close they stop people from going into the water because it can scare the dolphins causing them to move away.
- The crew are constantly shouting at the swimmers in the water directing where to look. Unfortunately crew must shout so that swimmers can hear them through the water.
- The first swim is usually the worst as there is a lot to take in
- Breathing through a snorkel
- Hanging onto a floatation line or laying on the front boom net
- Crew shouting direction on where to look
- Having your breath taken away when you see your first dolphin under water
- If you are not confident to go into the water, it's suggested watching for the first swim and deciding if it is right for you.
Can I take photos or film my experience?
Can I take photos or film my experience?
You would be silly not to, this is an amazing up-close experience with wild dolphins. Every trip a crew member is taking photos of the dolphins for research and also photos of passengers in and out of the water. The photos taken throughout the cruise will then be put onto a photo USB which can be purchased for $25.00. It's a great way to capture this once in a lifetime experience.
Does this tour cater for people with a disability?
Does this tour cater for people with a disability?
Due to the physical nature of the experience, you must be in good physical health, able to hold onto a floating line while the vessel is slowly moving and be able to climb three rungs of a ladder to get in and out of the water with minimal assistance. Unfortunately, the Temptation is not wheelchair friendly.
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