Monkey Mia (and a Hangover)

Trip Start Mar 10, 2007
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Trip End Jan 08, 2008


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Thursday, April 5, 2007

After two hours sleep and a sore head I wasn't really sure it was a good idea for me to go and play with dolphins today, but it was the only opportunity I had, so obviously I dragged myself out of bed, only to find that our driver had also been partying the night before and couldn't get up, and by the time his replacement had arrived, I could have had at least another forty minutes in bed.  Oh well. 

To say the least  it was not what was said in the brochure, unless by swimming you mean standing only ankle deep in water while a ranger plays with the dolphins.  The dolphins as an attraction are advertised as being wild and playful and will do this for free, but the whole thing is severely controlled by the rangers, who do not let the public close and which lends the air of a lie to the experience.  Now in some part this was due to the dolphins having calves, but the nature of the restrictions can only be described as fairly ludicrous when you consider that outside of the 'dolphin interaction zone' you are still welcome to get in the water and swim.  Why, if it is not good for you to be more than ankle deep 30ft further up the beach, the dolphins have access to all of the water, not just that one cordoned area.  After the event I was told that I would have been better not listening to the rangers talk, but to go and hire snorkel gear while the ranger had the attention of the dolphins.  Then snorkel out on the outside of the interaction zone buoys and wait.  Once the dolphins have been fed they leave the interaction zone and probably come and play.  Obviously you must exercise caution, they did have young and can be very protective, so I was told not to try to touch or crowd, but to give them space and let them make the decisions, but in the event I had once again forgotten my swimmers and couldn't take this advice - my head probably would have objected anyway.

I did take out a  glass bottomed boat later in the day, but we only saw a dolphin in the distance and lots of sea grass, but it was good to get out on the water, as the 40 degree heat was intense.  Most of the rest of the day was spent under a tree catching up with some deeply needed sleep.

In conclusion, the dolphins do come into shore and you do get close and it is a good experience, but you will be disappointed if you expect to be frolicking with them in the shallows unless you are a ranger, or lucky when you snorkel.  In other words do not be fooled by the brochure. 
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