25 October - Monkey Mia Dolphin Experience and Sailing; Shark Bay World Heritage Area

25 October 2016 – 192 858

Monkey Mia Dolphin Experience and Sailing; Shark Bay World Heritage Area

This morning we were up early and away by 7am to head for Monkey Mia.

https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/monkey-mia-dolphin-experience 

https://www.sharkbay.org/place/monkey-mia/dolphin-experience/#:~:text=The%20Dolphin%20Experience%20Area%20The%20Monkey%20Mia%20Recreation,fishing%20are%20prohibited%20in%20the%20dolphin%20experience%20area.

https://www.australiascoralcoast.com/destination/monkey-mia

The Dolphin Experience run by the Department of Parks and Wildlife has a briefing at 7:45am – most of the people and two of the dolphins had arrived by 7:30am.  There are up to three experiences each morning within the time from of 8am to noon.  Each one is limited to 20 minutes and there are up to 5 mature female dolphins (each of whom must have successfully weaned a calf) which are fed a measured weight of fish. As the dolphins were ready, the first experience began at 8am, with two dolphins choosing to come in (Surprise and Shock).  After each experience, there is a minimum of ten minutes before another is commenced to ensure the dolphins take the time to go out to deeper water and feed their calves.  The second experience started not long after 8:30 am, all five of the provisioned dolphins chose to come in, although only four opted to accept fish.  There were also five other dolphins that came in close to the shore to visit the people.  The third experience was an hour or so later and had only two dolphins.  It was lovely to see the dolphins up so close of their own choice.  We also saw a turtle and lots of pelicans.  

After the dolphin experience, we took a walk along the beach and I was amazed at the variety of shell types that make up the shore.  We enjoyed a picnic lunch in the shade near the seashore.  After lunch we boarded the 18m catamaran “Shotover” for a wildlife cruise on Shark Bay. 

https://www.monkeymiawildsights.com.au/home

We headed out to the seagrass beds to observe the shy marine herbivores “Dugongs”.  We were lucky enough to observe four of these amazing unusual creatures.  We also saw many many dolphins as well as lots of shy green turtles and a few loggerhead turtles.  On the return trip, the steering cable of the catamaran broke and a manual rudder needed to be mounted.  The crew had the cable repaired in good time and kept us all informed as to what was going on in the meantime.  As a result we got back from this cruise slightly late. We went back to the car and had a cold dinner before returning to the boat for a sunset cruise along the peninsula.  This was very very cold with the wind.  We got back to the caravan park a bit after 7pm – a long day and everybody ready for bed.