Kangaroo Island - Swim with Dolphins/Seals/Coastal Snorkel

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours

Mobile ticket

2 Hour Swim nearby Dolphin / Seal & Coastal Snorkeling Safari departs from Christmas Cove Marina, Penneshaw. Have the opportunity to swim nearby wild dolphins or seals and snorkel some of KI’s beautiful coastline.

It's a great wildlife watching tour! We provide wetsuits, mask, towels, snorkel, and fins. Arrive at Christmas Cove Marina in Penneshaw 30 minutes prior to departure. You will be fitted into the appropriately sized wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and flippers as well as be provided with a safety brief. Then jump on board our 28 seater vessel in search of the marine life that inhabits the stunning coastline.

Seals often become very active which provides a unique snorkeling experience. We are the only operator in South Australia that provides the opportunity to swim nearby the Long-Nosed Seals. Also, have the opportunity to swim alongside dolphins in the wild. The guide will also provide an informative commentary along the way.

Additional Info

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Recommended children be over the age of 9 years old to participate in swimming activity.

Not recommended for those with a pacemaker

Not suitable for those who are pregnant (can be on vessel but not in water)

Water temperature is between 14-15 degrees. Expect it to be refreshing. We provide wetsuits (compulsory to wear). Kids under 14 are double wet suited. You can ask to be double wet suited if you are prone to being cold.

Please bring a warm jacket! We will have waterproof jackets on board but you can put your warm jacket over the top when getting out the water.

Seal numbers vary throughout the different seasons. Numbers peak in winter and are at their lowest from Nov-Jan

Wildlife Interactions are NOT guaranteed. The team will do their best on the day to give you the best experience possible. If you get in the water at any stage for coastal snorkeling, seals swim or dolphin swim YOU DO NOT get any money refunded.

For safety reasons swim will not be conducted when a pod has neonates (baby dolphins) with them. You are welcome to observe them from aboard the vessel.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Have the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins OR among seals and snorkel some of Kangaroo Island's stunning coastline. It's an amazing wildlife encounter! We provide wetsuits, mask, snorkel & fins. Arrive at the Kangaroo Island Information Stop in Penneshaw (Howard drive) where you will be fitted into a wetsuit, mask, snorkel and flippers and provided with a safety brief. Then jump on board our 28 seater vessels in search of the marine life that inhabits the incredible coastline. Spot the cheeky seals lounging on the rocks and playing in the water. Then it's time to dive in! These curious seals can be quite interactive and playful and provide a fun snorkelling experience. We are the only operator in South Australia that provides the opportunity to swim with the Long-nosed Seals. Search for the dolphin pods that reside in these coastal waters and take the opportunity to swim alongside them in the wild. A truly unforgettable wildlife encounter. Your friendly guide will also provide informative commentary along the way. Please note, these are wild animals. This tour is swim with dolphins or seals and is dependent on what occurs with wildlife on the day.

What‘s Included

Wetsuits

Sunscreen

Informative commentary

Life Jackets

Use of Snorkelling equipment

Jackets

Food

Options

Snorkeling Safari

2 hour snorkeling safari, that includes the opportunity to snorkel with dolphins and seals in the wild and coastal snorkeling.

Reviews

4.65

257 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

209

Cold water eeeek
Sacha B,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
Lovely day, the staff were great. Brand new 5mm suits. I was very worried about getting into 14 degree water as I won’t even swim in a pool unless it’s like bath water. But the suits were very good. We have done many of these trips and you can not expect to see anything and only hope you do. We saw 4 seals lying on the rocks and was able to swim fairly close, also checking the fish out. Unfortunately we did not get to swim with dolphins, however did come across some and was able to get a pic of them under the boat. What I liked was it was only a short trip, only 10 mins till we saw the seals and 15 mins to next stop for dolphins. I have been on trips where you are in a boat for over an hour each way and don’t get to see anything. Definitely worth a shot. Well organised, nice people.
Here tourists are led around by the nose
11udos,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
Absolutely not recommended!! In the less than 2 hours we saw a seal on which then 20 people jumped! She was looking for the distance! Instead of going back on board we were allowed to swim in the water for another 20 minutes! The very young crew of three was not motivated to look for dolphins after that, instead they talked and ran down time! Conclusion of a tour that is too expensive anyway (over 100€ for two hours) here tourists are led around by the nose!!! It would be fair if part of the money paid is refunded!!!
Nice snorkel trip - dolphins elusive
kazsd2021,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
This snorkeling trip was pretty good- a bit hectic at start getting everyone fitted with wetsuits and fins, but once on boat we found some seals fairly quickly and swam around them for about 30 mins. This was best part of trip. Efforts to locate dolphins were less successful and once found they swam quickly away so we really didn’t get to swim with dolphins. You have to keep in mind that they are wild creatures and you may not get close to them. The advertising for this trip doesn’t make that super clear. Anyway it was a hot day and nice to be in the water!
Epic tour!!
191pernillel,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a fantastic tour and crew!! We all loved it. We got to see and swim with BOTH seals and dolphins. What a special day! We started out jumping in the water with a couple of playful seals and afterwards had a wonderful encounter with 5 dolphins. Very family-friendly tour.
Highlight of Kangaroo Island trip
Bridget G,,Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What an amazing trip with Elijah and crew! We swam with seals and dolphins. The staff could not have been more helpful or informative. Such a relaxing and fun experience.
Average encounter. Disappointed and did not live up to advertising.
elizabethhA7400YV,,Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
Lovely crew. However a’ 2 hour swim’ as advertised is misleading. We were at most 30-40 minutes in the water with seals. That was great. The rest of the time was spent in the boat looking at dolphins. As experienced snorkelers, divers and ocean swimmers this was disappointing with the dolphins all around the boat and not allowed to get in.
Amazing!!
jackid215,,Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Wow! What an amazing experience 🥰 Where else could you swim with wild seals & dolphins on a 2hr tour in a small group. Loved the no frills about food & drink, but gave us the best equipment to enjoy the experience (new thick wetsuits, gloves, awesome snorkelling equipment, warm wash down) And the guides so passionate about our the wildlife we were so lucky to see on the day. 10 out of 10 for us 👍
Exciting experience!
Brigitte Y,,Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
exciting experience for good swimmers! nice crew, that leads you in good way through the 2 hours trip!
Highly Recommended
47StephenS,,Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
“No wise fish would go anywhere without a porpoise.” “Wouldn’t it really?” said Alice, in a tone of great surprise.”Of course not,” said the Mock Turtle. “Why, if a fish came to me, and told me he was going on a journey, I should say ‘With what porpoise?’ The pristine waters of Backstairs Passage and the rugged coastline seen from seaward make the two hour Ocean Safari well worthwhile, but the dolphins make it very special. Elijah and Bonnie make a great Skipper and Deckie respectively, apart from a minor 550 nautical mile navigational glitch confusing the SA mainland with Tasmania…..but we did make it back in the end.
Don't hesitate - it's fun!
AnnW86,,Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
If you are hesitating, don't! I am an "average" swimmer and it was highly achievable and enjoyable. There are three fabulous things about this tour. 1. I was nervous about the water chill but the wetsuits and (if you want them) gloves provided are top quality, thick and warm. They keep you buoyant in the water, so that you can watch seals slip around you on the surface or snorkel down under the water. 2. The tour leaders Elijah and Laurence are lovely; interested, attentive, and invested you having the best time. I had trouble with my mask and snorkel in the water, but they took the time to sort me out quickly and with care. 3. The seals themselves are thrilled to be there, twirling underneath and around in a constanr game of hide and seek. (Could I also thanks Sandy for helping me retrieve belongings i left behind on the day - Laurence, Elijah and Bonnie turned up off duty to help me . Thank you.)