Monkey Mia Tours is famous for its dolphin encounter. Thousands of tourists visit each year to see the friendly bottlenose dolphins that come in to shore. But if you’re planning to visit, get there early. Why? Because the dolphins only come in the morning. This natural wonder has been happening for decades but the reasons behind it are as interesting as the experience itself. From feeding to water temperature, many natural and human factors contribute to the dolphins morning routine. Let’s get into the reasons why you’ll only see dolphins in the morning at Monkey Mia.
The Monkey Mia Dolphin Experience
The Monkey Mia dolphin experience is like nowhere else in the world. Every morning local rangers run a controlled feeding program where a few wild dolphins come in to shore for fish handouts. This rare interaction allows visitors to see the dolphins up close, often just a few metres away. What makes this experience so special is that it’s a sustainable, managed program that puts the health and welfare of the dolphins first. Visitors can see dolphin interactions from the beach, so you can connect with these amazing animals. The Shark Bay Marine Park is the natural home of these wild dolphins, adding to the overall dolphin experience. While it’s a magic experience, the dolphins don’t just come for the humans – natural behaviour plays a big part too.
Why Do Dolphins Come to Monkey Mia in the Morning?
1. Natural Feeding Times
Dolphins are opportunistic feeders and their feeding patterns are driven by the availability of food. In the morning, fish are more active and easier to catch. Fish swim closer to the surface in the early hours of the day due to changes in light and water conditions. Dolphins have learned to take advantage of this and use the calm, shallow waters of Monkey Mia to feed more effectively. The natural feeding times align with the Monkey Mia dolphin experience, it’s a win-win for dolphins and tourists. The Shark Bay Dolphin Project has been studying these natural feeding behaviours for years and have gained insights into dolphin biology and dolphin communication.
2. Cooler Water
Water temperature plays a big role in the behavior of marine animals and dolphins are no exception. In the early morning the water is cooler and this encourages fish and squid to swim closer to the surface. This makes it easier for dolphins to hunt. As the day warms up and the sun heats the water, fish often retreat to the deeper, cooler parts of the ocean. Dolphins are energy conscious creatures and prefer to hunt when prey is more accessible, that’s why they’re more active in the morning. Cooler water also means a more comfortable hunting environment for dolphins, especially in Shark Bay where water temperature fluctuations impact the local fish population.
3. Afternoon Rest
Just like humans, dolphins need to rest and recharge. After a busy morning of hunting and interacting with tourists, dolphins retreat to deeper water to rest. Unlike humans, dolphins are voluntary breathers, which means they’re always semi conscious while they sleep. This “resting state” occurs more frequently in the afternoon when they’re not actively hunting or socialising. It’s during this time they’re less likely to come to shore, they prioritise rest over social interaction. Dolphin social lives take priority in the afternoon as they communicate with their pod and do group activities away from the shore.
4. Human Interaction
While human interaction doesn’t dictate the dolphins’ behaviour entirely, it does play a part. The Monkey Mia dolphin feeding program is a structured activity that occurs at specific times in the morning. The rangers feed the dolphins a small portion of their daily food intake, so they maintain their wild hunting instincts. Dolphins are quick learners and since food is only offered in the morning, they know to come to shore during those hours. By midday the feeding is done and the dolphins have no reason to stay near the shore. Daily dolphin viewing experiences allow lucky visitors to see this process which has become a major wildlife experience for tourists in the Shark Bay region.
How the Feeding Program Influences Dolphin Behavior
The feeding program at Monkey Mia is designed to keep the dolphins’ natural foraging skills and behaviours intact. Only a select few dolphins are allowed to be fed and only a small percentage of their daily food intake is provided by humans. This means the dolphins still have to forage for their meals in the wild. The feeding program schedule (usually 7:45am to 12:00pm) dictates when the dolphins come to shore. Over time the dolphins have learned to associate the early hours with food and human interaction and so they arrive in the morning. Researchers from the Shark Bay Dolphin Project have been monitoring dolphin behaviour and attendance rates for years and have documented how the feeding program affects dolphin approaches and human interaction.
Best Time to See Dolphins
If you want to see the monkeys of Monkey Mia, get here early. Rangers start the feeding program around 7:45am and it runs for several sessions until 12:00pm. The best time to see the dolphins is at the first feed when they are most active and closest to shore. Getting here early not only increases your chances of seeing the dolphins but also gets you a good spot along the beach to see them. The RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort is a great place to stay if you want to be close to the action and has a range of accommodation to suit all.
What If You Visit Later in the Day?
Monkey Mia Trip later in the day reduces your chances of seeing dolphins. After the feeding sessions are over the dolphins head out to deeper water to rest or forage on their own. While it’s not impossible to see them in the afternoon it’s much less likely. The dolphins’ behaviour changes to resting or socialising away from the shore. To avoid disappointment plan your visit early in the morning to coincide with the feeding times. Park entry fees apply to the Monkey Mia Reserve and visitors should check with park rangers for any park closures or changes to feeding times.
Tips for an Unforgettable Dolphin Encounter
- Get There Early: Get here before 7:45 am to see dolphins up close.
- Check the Times: Check the daily schedule and plan your arrival.
- Follow Ranger Instructions: Listen to the rangers for where to stand and what to do around the dolphins.
- Be Gentle: Dolphins are wild animals, so be patient for the best experience.
- Bring a Camera: Capture the moment, but no flash.
Conclusion
Monkey Mia’s dolphins are world famous and attract thousands of visitors each year. They prefer morning visits due to natural feeding patterns, water temperature and rest cycles. Human interaction and feeding programs also play a part, but every effort is made to keep the dolphins wild and self sufficient. Get here early and follow the rangers advice and you’ll have an unforgettable experience. Seeing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is a must do for nature lovers, marine enthusiasts and travellers. If you want to make the most of this experience Autopia Tours have various Perth Tours to ensure you see the best of Monkey Mia’s marine wonderland.
FAQs
Why do dolphins only come in the morning?
Dolphins visit in the morning due to natural feeding patterns, water temperature and the feeding program managed by the rangers.
What time is best to see dolphins?
7:45 am – 12:00 pm, morning is the most active.
No, after the feeding sessions the dolphins head back out to deeper waters to hunt and rest. Sightings later in the day are less frequent.
Can I touch the dolphins?
No, visitors are not allowed to touch the dolphins. The feeding program is designed to minimize human impact and allow the dolphins to behave naturally.
Are dolphins fed every day at Monkey Mia?
Yes, dolphins are fed daily during the morning sessions. But only a few dolphins get a small amount of food so they can still hunt.