DOLPHIN SWIM SEASON IS OFFICIALLY OPEN
Each tour is intentionally limited to just 24 swimmers, creating an intimate wild dolphin experience while keeping the dolphins' welfare at the heart of every encounter.
Experience NSW’s only permitted wild dolphin swim in the open waters of Port Stephens. Completely wild, completely on their terms.
Secure your swim now
WATCH HOW IT WORKS
🌊 In this video:
How our unique dolphin swim works
What makes this experience ethical & wild
What you’ll do on the day
Your chances of seeing dolphins
Tips to get the most out of your swim
Unlike many dolphin experiences around the world, this is a completely wild and respectful interaction.
The dolphins choose to swim with us — we never chase or force interactions.
Step into the open ocean and experience one of the world’s rarest wildlife encounters, a swim shaped entirely by the dolphins themselves.
In the pristine waters of Port Stephens, you’ll enter the dolphins’ world as a respectful visitor, guided by marine experts who understand that nature always leads.
This is not a show.
Not a performance.
Just the wild, the ocean, and the possibility that a dolphin chooses to swim beside you.
★★★★★ WHAT GUESTS SAY
“We live locally and thought we’d seen dolphins before, but nothing compares to what we witnessed today. … Our group ranged in age from 9 to 50, including teenagers, and every single person rated it a 10/10 experience.”
Elise O, TripAdvisor
No swim? Come back free.
It’s rare not to get a swim. But if the dolphins don’t show on your day, you come back and swim again for free.
How the Swim Works
1. Welcome & Safety Briefing
Your morning begins on board our vessel in Nelson Bay. Our crew of marine biologists, conservationists, and ocean lovers walk you through the harness system, ocean conditions, and how to enter the water calmly and respectfully.
2. Finding the Pod
Port Stephens is home to over 140 resident bottlenose dolphins. Our team understands their patterns, behaviours, and preferred areas, giving you the best chance of a meaningful encounter.
3. Entering the Water
Using our specialised open-ocean swim line, you’ll glide into the water gently, supported by a secure harness that keeps you stable and relaxed.
4. The Encounter
Sometimes the dolphins pass by. Sometimes they circle with curiosity. And sometimes, in the moments guests talk about for years, they swim right beside you, moving with effortless grace.
5. Returning to Shore
Back on deck, the energy shifts. People are quiet, smiling, reflective. Many describe the experience as grounding, calming, or life-changing.
The Details
$359 per swimmer, or $109 to watch from the deck
6:15am start from Nelson Bay, about four and a half hours on the water
Swimmers aged 7 and up
Wetsuit, mask, snorkel and harness all supplied
Max 24 swimmers per trip, on a 52 foot catamaran
No swim? Come back free
Your Questions, Answered
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Yes. Our swim uses a specialised harness system designed for stability, comfort, and minimal disturbance to the dolphins. Our team includes marine experts trained in ethical wildlife interaction.
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Not always, and that’s the beauty of it. When they choose to approach, the moment feels real and unforgettable.
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You need basic swimming ability and confidence in the water. Our crew supports you every step of the way.
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Swimwear, towel, warm clothes, and a sense of wonder.
Our Ethical Approach
Dolphin Swim Australia is the only permitted wild dolphin swim in NSW, operating under strict government-approved guidelines. Our approach protects the dolphins’ welfare above all else.
No feeding.
No chasing.
No touching.
No interference.
No guarantees.
This is wildlife on its own terms, and that’s what makes it extraordinary.
Success Rate & Seasonality
Because the dolphins are wild, every encounter is unique. Across the season, our success rate remains consistently high thanks to:
A thriving resident population
Expert marine crew
Decades of behavioural knowledge
Port Stephens’ rich marine environment
Peak season runs September to May, with warm water, calm conditions, and frequent sightings.
Gift the Adventure of a Lifetime
Looking for gift ideas? Our gift card is the perfect present for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, surprises, retirement, celebrations, or simply to say thank you! Give the gift of a lifetime and help make your loved one’s dreams come true!
Not Ready to Get Wet?
Try Our Dolphin Watch
The swim is extraordinary, but the ocean has more than one way in. Our dolphin watch option gets you closer to wild dolphins than you ever thought possible, without ever leaving the deck. Stay dry, stay thrilled, and watch as dolphins swim and interact with our guests in open ocean conditions unlike anything you’ll see from shore.
These are oceanic dolphins, rarely encountered by humans and far more curious and playful than the coastal dolphins you might spot from a headland. Because they don’t see people often, they’re naturally drawn to the boat, showing off, surfing the bow wave, and putting on a display that’s entirely their own idea. No choreography. No cues. Just wild animals choosing to engage.
It’s the reason we call it the best dolphin watch you can do. And we mean it.
Ready? Pick Your Date
A rare, ethical, soul-stirring encounter with wild dolphins, found only in Port Stephens.