Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
4.5
About
The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary is located only 12 km from the City of Adelaide, offering a majestic wildlife experience like no other. This busy industrial and commercial port is home to exuberant wildlife, including many rare bird species, fish, a 10,000-year-old mangrove forest, and a community of bottlenose dolphins, with over 400 dolphins visiting over the years.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
20 reviews
Excellent
16
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2
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Andrea S
5 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
My 15 year old daughter loves to kayak, but rarely gets a chance, so with a Great State Voucher won, we booked into @dolphinsanctuarykayaktours to paddle around the dolphin sanctuary in a twin kayak.
Since I haven't kayaked since I was a teenager, I was nervous, but there was no need. Easy check in, warm welcome from Noah and Alex, well and quickly organised into two groups and after some key but quick learning about how to turn, stop, go forwards and backwards, and we were off.
We went into a mangrove channel, kayaked across to one of the shipwrecks for a sneaky peak and yes, we saw dolphins! And a hawk, jellyfish, crabs, fish, various water birds and either eagles or kites in the distance. Alex was brilliant, telling us interesting info all the way through, keeping everyone out of trouble and ensuring everyone was safe.
Superb morning, can't wait to go back!
Since I haven't kayaked since I was a teenager, I was nervous, but there was no need. Easy check in, warm welcome from Noah and Alex, well and quickly organised into two groups and after some key but quick learning about how to turn, stop, go forwards and backwards, and we were off.
We went into a mangrove channel, kayaked across to one of the shipwrecks for a sneaky peak and yes, we saw dolphins! And a hawk, jellyfish, crabs, fish, various water birds and either eagles or kites in the distance. Alex was brilliant, telling us interesting info all the way through, keeping everyone out of trouble and ensuring everyone was safe.
Superb morning, can't wait to go back!
Written 21 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
crockery
washington50 contributions
Mar 2021 • Solo
I’ve done lots of kayaking tours but this one beats them all. Wild dolphins playing, hunting and mating right in front of us. You’re not allowed to chase them but they can come quite close on their own - they got as close as three or four meters several times.
The dolphins are only one highlight. Kayaking up a mangrove creek and inspecting a huge shipwreck were really cool too. Super nice and knowledgeable guide. Just an outstanding day.
I recommend hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and maybe moxie spray (for when you’re in the creek)
The dolphins are only one highlight. Kayaking up a mangrove creek and inspecting a huge shipwreck were really cool too. Super nice and knowledgeable guide. Just an outstanding day.
I recommend hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and maybe moxie spray (for when you’re in the creek)
Written 28 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maralyn G
Grimsby, UK107 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
Kayaking with the dolphins at The Adelaide Dolphin Sacturary was our Christmas present from our family in Adelaide. My husband & I went with our grandson, daughter & husband so you are never too old to try this new experience. We had a guide called Mark who was very knowledgeable about the area, he told us about the area being cleaned up in 1980, all about the dolphins, the mangroves and the area in general.
We did see the dolphins, they were just popping up a few feet away front us, we have never been so close to a dolphin before
This place is a hidden gem, so close to Adelaide, only a 20 minute car ride, we would love to visit the sancturary again, maybe next year.
We did see the dolphins, they were just popping up a few feet away front us, we have never been so close to a dolphin before
This place is a hidden gem, so close to Adelaide, only a 20 minute car ride, we would love to visit the sancturary again, maybe next year.
Written 15 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francine S
Manchester, UK17 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
Walked along the boardwalk looking at beautiful blue water , cormorants abound and a small pod of dolphins swimming around wonderful location truly
Written 5 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nichole
Adelaide, Australia71 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
If you are in Adelaide this is a must! It’s beautiful kayaking around the area. The dolphins are very friendly and come very close to you. There is a shipwreck and mangroves you can paddle through.
Great day out for family or solo.
Staff are helpful
Great day out for family or solo.
Staff are helpful
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rodney S
Greater Adelaide, Australia34 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
Saw three Dolphins race ahead front of moving tug's bow passing the port river
Need car to visit four dolphin sanctuary sites of Outer Harbor, Point Pelican, Snowdon beach and Garden Island because dolphins are moving anywhere following to small flock of fish or go to their feeding grounds of four places. I saw them was at Point Pelican but Garden Island is best place because of playground, plenty of tree shades, some of picnic equipment and toilet house also big of car park enough for two hundred cars
Need few hours with patience search to find dolphins
Need car to visit four dolphin sanctuary sites of Outer Harbor, Point Pelican, Snowdon beach and Garden Island because dolphins are moving anywhere following to small flock of fish or go to their feeding grounds of four places. I saw them was at Point Pelican but Garden Island is best place because of playground, plenty of tree shades, some of picnic equipment and toilet house also big of car park enough for two hundred cars
Need few hours with patience search to find dolphins
Written 27 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YoungPetrina
Adelaide, Australia13 contributions
Aug 2017
Who knew there were so many dolphins in the Port River? There is a fabulous walking/cycling path at Port Adelaide called The Loop and we regularly saw dolphins while walking along the river - especially at New Port where they swim around the boats in the marina! I think a lot of times people forget to actually look in the water or they'd see the dolphins more often!
Written 27 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kylie D
Fairview Park, Australia3 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
Had the most amazing experience kayaking at Garden Island amongst the mangroves and historic ship wrecks. Highlight of the day was see 8 dolphins fishing with the birds. Could have sat there and watched them all day just beautiful! A must do when visiting Port Adelaide.
Written 4 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sporti22
Adelaide, Australia12 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
Highly recommended, photo taken while out kayaking at garden island a few months ago. Mum and baby came up so close, best experience ever 😁
Also check out the Port Adelaide ship graveyards, made up of five abandonment sites, Garden Island graveyard is the largest site.
Also check out the Port Adelaide ship graveyards, made up of five abandonment sites, Garden Island graveyard is the largest site.
Written 10 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Food coma!
Mount Kuring-Gai, Australia23 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
Stopped by and saw dolphins playing around in the water. Met a local who genuinely cared about the dolphins well being. He and the local community keep a watch over the wild dolphins ensuing they are healthy and unharmed. Previously one of the dolphins got caught in fishing line and was all cut up. The community got together and managed to cut him free. That dolphin is now healthy and safe... well done!
Great to see that people care about the wildlife! Please try and minimise plastic waste and follow the water speeds. Some dolphins have died in the past due to Jet skiers going faster than the recommended limits and hitting them!
Great to see that people care about the wildlife! Please try and minimise plastic waste and follow the water speeds. Some dolphins have died in the past due to Jet skiers going faster than the recommended limits and hitting them!
Written 30 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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