Swim with wild dolphins, Perth, Western Australia
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
Our business is eco tourism- we provide an opportunity for visitors to directly experience our local natural environment and interact with local wildlife including dolphins, penguins, sea lions and more which enhances the visitor’s appreciation and understanding of nature. Our interpretation focuses heavily on the wildlife’s natural behaviour, local and international threats facing the species and how visitors can contribute to the solution rather than being part of the problem.
Our swim with wild dolphins, Perth, Western Australia (established 21 years ago) is believed to be the first operation in the world to ever successfully befriend a group of dolphins without the use of food or without taking the dolphins away from their natural habitat. Owner Terry Howson was determined that the dolphins should never be fed, touched or forced to change their natural behaviours. Through patience he developed trust, friendship and learnt how to fit in with the dolphins, rather than trying to force them to fit in with us.
Our tours and interpretive material offer guests the opportunity to visit wild animals in their natural habitat, an experience that normally enhances the visitor’s appreciation and understanding of the environment they are visiting.
We assist local scientists with data collection and initiated and have implemented a federal government funded project to combat scavenging sea lions and dolphins- a problem that results in increased mortality rates and decreased reproductive success. Our company is accredited with Ecotourism Australia.
Our commitment to best practise ecotourism has been recognized at a state and national level. The 'Swim with Wild Dolphins Tour' has won 3 state ecotourism awards in 2001, 2002 and 2003. In 2004 the tour was inducted into the West Australian Tourism Hall of Fame and won the Australian Tourism Award for Ecotourism’
Community
Our company is locally owned and operated. Staff and suppliers are also sourced locally where possible. Part of our licensing conditions is to promote appropriate visitor behaviour within the marine park in which our tours are based.
We donate tours to many local charities, schools and community organizations for fundraising. Our key charity that we support is The Sea Shepherd Foundation which spearhead a lot of marine conservation initiatives that are close to our hearts such as the annual dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan. Work experience placements are offered to local schools. Left over product from our onsite cafe is donated to a local shelter for women.
