Wild Dolphin Swim & Watch (Nelson Bay, Port Stephens)

Our season runs from the beginning of October until the end of April! Our tours are usually from Thursday to Sunday- but this varies throughout the season. Check out our bookings page for exact dates!

What is the best time of the year to swim with dolphins? There is no best time of year! We are lucky enough to have dolphins in the area year-round! Every single day is different, so chose a date that suits you best!

Do you ever not see dolphins? It is rare, but occasionally it happens. We have an amazing success rate, usually up around 90% swim success each season. If it doesn’t work out on your day, we offer a free return so you can come back and try again within 12 months!

Do I need to know how to swim? Swimming and snorkelling skills are definitely recommended, but not essential! We call it a ‘swim’, but while you are being towed along as part of the pod you do not actually swim at all. Rather, you just ‘hang’ by your arms, and relax as much as you can, holding on to the tow-rope and watching the dolphins. It is more important that you are confident in trying something new- our team will be there to help!

Does the tour ever get cancelled? How can I maximise my chances of doing the swim? As we operate offshore in the open ocean, we are subject to ocean and weather conditions. We will have to cancel the tour if the ocean is too rough. We will try and give you as much notice as we possibly can, but ocean conditions can change quickly! Your best chance is to come to the area for a few days, so you have a backup day in case it is too rough on the day you booked! There are so many other amazing activities in the area too!

Can I take my camera in the water? Sure you can! They will need some form of lanyard as they are easy to drop. No long selfie sticks are allowed! We usually tell people to have their first swim with no camera, to get used to it first! Remember- we will be filming for you, so you might as well enjoy the experience and let us do the filming!

What about sharks? We are operating in the open ocean- but we have never had an issue with sharks at all. We have 7 swimmers in the water, holding on to a rope of a 52 foot catamaran- sharks are not interested in this and are more scared of us then we are of them! Sharks do not target humans and statistically, your drive to the tour in the morning is far more dangerous than the tour itself! Dolphins will know if there are sharks around, if they are acting strange, we will get our swimmers out of the water. For your peace of mind, our swim leader also wears a SharkShield which is an electronic device that strongly repels sharks!

All participants must sign a Risk Warning. Each participant and where applicable, their parent or guardian, takes part in The Swim at their own risk.

This is a wild dolphin experience and therefore DSA does not guarantee that the participants will successfully see or swim with dolphins on their tour.

Swimmer participants who do not successfully swim with dolphins are eligible for a free return within 12 months time. Alternatively, swimmers can apply for a 50% refund that will be made to the same card used for booking.

Observer participants who do not successfully see dolphins are eligible for a free return within 12 months time. Alternatively, observers can apply for a 50% refund that will be made to the same card used for booking.

If Swimmers or Observers wish to take the 50% refund option, this must be requested within 7 days of the tour date.

A swim or sighting is deemed ‘successful’ or ‘unsuccessful’ by DSA in its absolute discretion.

Restrictions on Photography and Release (a) Participants may use cameras or other video recording devices above and in water but for safety reasons must immediately follow the directions of DSA staff. (b) DSA is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen equipment during its tours. (c) All photographs and video recordings (“Images”) remain copyright to DSA. Images may be used for private or domestic purposes by the participant but must not be used for any commercial purpose without prior written consent from DSA. (d) DSA, its authorised agents and contractors have the right to use images and videos taken during a tour for any purpose including, but not limited to, promotional material and marketing purposes. Images may be edited with other images, text, graphics, film, audio, audio-visual works and may be cropped, altered or modified without compensation or prior notice to any participant.

Please read the complete T&C: https://www.dolphinswimaustralia.com.au/about

After the product is successfully booked, we will send you a confirmation voucher. The main information about the reservation and the precautions for participation will be provided on the confirmation voucher. Please read it. If you do not have any feedback, we consider that you have read and know all the information on its confirmation.

As an intermediary agency, we are only responsible for making travel product reservations for tourists.

We recommend that tourists purchase travel insurance. Tourist product suppliers such as tourist attractions, hotels and transportation companies will be directly responsible for the quality, service and safety of travel products. We are not responsible for any safety issues with the products ordered.

In the event of an unexpected situation without insurance, we will only assist in handling it.

If the booking is forcibly cancelled due to the reasons of the travel product supplier, we will refund the full amount corresponding to the booking without additional compensation.

No show: Ticket holders who 'no show' without prior cancellation or notification are not eligible for a refund.

We will try our best to assist tourists to communicate and negotiate solutions with tourism product suppliers.

For some marine products (including but not limited to various cruises, whale watching cruise, etc.), the supplier reserve the right to arrange alternative vessels or make changes to itineraries, service timetables, routes and/or destinations. The supplier may cancel or abandon the cruise if they consider it necessary for weather or safety reasons and except as expressly stated in these Terms and Conditions, we will not be liable for any loss or expense incurred by the Passenger caused by such substitution or cancellation.

When visiting attractions or participating in activities, please strictly adhere to the instructions provided by the venue or staff. Ensure you fully understand the associated risks (refer to venue announcements or the safety waiver required for signature for specific details), cooperate as required to implement appropriate safety precautions, and strictly refrain from engaging in any dangerous behaviors during the activity.