Monkey Mia is a park that is a must-see for families and nature lovers alike. Best known as the home of the Monkey Mia dolphins, known for their habit of coming ashore almost daily to interact with humans, which attracts thousands of people to Western Australia’s Shark Bay region every year.
Visit Monkey Mia
In Monkey Mia (850 km north of Perth), wild dolphins have been coming to the shores for generations, earning them an international reputation. But Monkey Mia and the Shark Bay region have much more to offer than just a dolphin experience. Listed as a World Heritage Site for its natural riches, this arid desert is characterised by endless sky and stiff ocean breezes. Impressive ochre dunes plunge into turquoise waters where emus frolic in the shallows and dugongs feed their young in the swaying sea grass. It is home to the world’s oldest living culture and stromatolites, one of its oldest life forms. European history is also present here, as it was the site of the first European landing in Australia in 1616. Even today, modern explorers will find many exciting things to discover in Monkey Mia and Shark Bay, especially with guided experiences offered by Australian Pinnacle Tours, which showcase the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage.
Access to the reserve is paid for by a conservation fee, which is different from a National Park pass. You can also learn more about the adorable Monkey Mia dolphins at the Dolphin Information Centre, with proceeds going to the Monkey Mia Dolphin Rescue Fund in New South Wales.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to spot sharks, rays, turtles, humpback whales, and the elusive dugongs.
Popular attractions in Monkey Mia
Meet Monkey Mia's friendly dolphins
The dolphins of Monkey Mia are well known for their regular interaction with people, swimming up to the shore almost daily.
The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins have been coming ashore every morning for over 40 years, making this one of the world’s best examples of wild dolphin interaction. Every day, the park rangers dolphin feeding program with a small amount of fish (less than 10% of their daily intake) allows them to continue to behave and hunt in their natural environment. The dolphins are fed three times in the morning, between 7:45 and noon. We recommend arriving at the beach before 7:30 am to get the most out of this spectacle. The Mia’s Monkey dolphins have provided researchers with invaluable information about their ecology, genetics, social structure, and more.
Dugong watching
Shark Bay is a haven for vulnerable dugongs, which make up about 10% of the world’s population. Spot them on a sailing catamaran cruise searching for turtles, manta rays and sharks. Dont forget to cool off by climbing into the boat’s net!
See one of the oldest forms of life in the world
The stromatolites in the Hamelin Basin, which look like giant rocks, are living fossils, colonies of microscopic cyanobacteria similar to the first life forms on Earth 3.5 billion years ago. Find them during a guided walk or from the shore.
Visit a beach built from seashells
You can walk along a beach made entirely of seashells! Composed of billions of tiny shells, the aptly named Shell Beach is located 45 kilometres southeast of Denham in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, near the stromatolites of the Hamelin Basin. Shell Beach is one of the few places in the world where seashells replace beach sand in a spectacular and picturesque way.
In the early 1900s, shells were quarried, pressed, cut into blocks and used to construct several historic buildings in nearby Denham, some of which can still be seen today, such as the Old Pearler Restaurant.
Join us for a one-day sea safari
Go on an unforgettable full-day journey to discover the wonders of the Shark Bay Marine Park above and below the water! Our marine safari is designed to give you the best Shark Bay experience possible. Guided by our experienced crew, you’ll visit iconic sites such as Steep Point, the westernmost point on mainland Australia, the breathtaking Zuytdorp Rocks, and the chance to set foot on the unspoilt island of Dirk Hartog.
As you sail through the crystal-clear waters, be prepared to discover snorkelling in the South Passage and along the coast of Dirk Hartog. You’ll encounter abundant marine life throughout the year, including dolphins, dugongs, turtles, sharks and rays. From July to November, watch the majestic migration of humpback whales, these giants of the ocean, along the coast of Western Australia.
Explore the Dirk Hartog Island
Dirk Hartog Island is where Europeans first landed in Australia in 1616. It was once a sheep station but is now primarily a national park. Book accommodation in a beautiful eco-lodge or go on a Perth day trip by boat, including a 4WD tour.
Get to know the sharks with a marine biologist
Outside of Denham Aquarium, Ocean Park’s oceanarium, all visits include a guided tour with a marine biologist. Watch sharks feed in the open lagoon, meet rescued turtles and learn about clownfish, sea snakes and stingrays. Have lunch at Ocean’s Restaurant.
Learn about indigenous culture
Join the Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Cultural Adventures to explore and learn about the importance of this area to the Nhanda and Malgana indigenous peoples living in Shark Bay. Choose between kayaking, paddle boarding, four-wheel drive and nighttime didgeridoo rides.
Visit Francois Peron National Park
Explore this gigantic national park in a 4×4 that stretches into the marine park. Stop at Skipjack Point for a walk along the boardwalk and watch stingrays, turtles and sharks from the cliff top. Admire the contrast between the water and the rusted dunes.
Visit the World Heritage Centre
At the Shark Bay World Heritage and Visitor Centre, you’ll learn why the region was inscribed for four criteria on the World Heritage List. You’ll learn about First Nations and European history and visit an exhibition commemorating the sinking of HMAS Sydney during World War II.
Visit a working pearl farm by boat
Take a boat trip to the Blue Lagoon Pearl Farm to learn how the magnificent pearls are grown in these waters. Shop for a great souvenir or admire the striking red colours of the Cape of Roses cliffs. Watch for wildlife such as dolphins, manta rays and turtles.
FAQ
What is Monkey Mia best known for?
Monkey Mia is famous for its wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, which have been coming ashore almost daily for over 40 years to interact with visitors.
When is the best time to see the dolphins?
Arrive before 7:30 am to watch the ranger-led feeding sessions, which happen up to three times each morning between 7:45 am and noon.
What other wildlife can I spot in Shark Bay?
You may see dugongs, turtles, manta rays, sharks, humpback whales (July–November), and a variety of birdlife.
Are there unique natural attractions nearby?
Yes — highlights include the living fossil stromatolites at Hamelin Basin, the seashell-covered Shell Beach, and the rust-red dunes of Francois Peron National Park.
Can I experience local culture and history?
Absolutely — you can join Indigenous-led eco-cultural tours, visit the Shark Bay World Heritage Centre, explore Dirk Hartog Island’s European landing site, and see historic buildings in Denham.
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