Wild Dolphin Tour
Swim & Watch Wild Dolphins
Temptation invites you to experience the amazing opportunity to swim alongside or watch wild dolphins in their natural habitat, something that you will remember forever!
Dolphins are one of the Earth’s most fascinating, curious and interactive species. Our Advanced Eco Certified Wild Dolphin Cruises are hosted by our amazing team of Marine Biologists who will educate and assist you throughout the tour. An experience you will never forget!
Wild Dolphin Swim:
Temptation is the first vessel in South Australia to be given a licence to swim with and study these magnificent mammals and has been operating successful dolphin swim and watch tours from Glenelg since 2002.
This is possibly the only cruise of its type, where we don’t go to the dolphins, they come to us, something that has taken many cruises to achieve.
We offer two different swim experiences during our Wild Dolphin Cruise, a Front Swim and a Back Swim. On a typical day, all swimmers should get the opportunity to try both swims, however some days swimmers may only get the opportunity to try one. Our goal is to get all swimmers to see a dolphin underwater so please know how friendly staff will do their best to make this happen.
Front Swim Experience:
Lay down and feel as if you’re a part of the dolphin pod, our Front Swim is an experience you don’t want to miss!
Our custom made Front Swim net is secured between the bows of Temptation and allows customers to experience wild dolphins swimming within arms length, playing and socialising on the bow of Temptation.
Back Swim Experience:
Submerge yourself in the water with our Back Swim Experience, an amazing way to view wild dolphins in their natural habitat.
Our Back Swim Experience allows customers to interact with dolphins from a truly unique perspective. Jump in and hold on to our mermaid lines off the back of the vessel and enjoy amazing interactions our wild dolphins offer.
Please note: We generally operate both swim experiences throughout our Wild Dolphin Cruise and rotate customers between the Front Swim and Back Swim Experiences to evenly spread interaction time with the Dolphins.
Wild Dolphin Watch:
For those who aren’t keen to get wet, watch the dolphins play and interact with Temptation in their natural habitat.
Sit down, relax and watch from the front of Temptation and enjoy our 360 degree viewing deck. Watch the dolphins play on the bow of the boat swimming only a few feet away from you and your camera!
Wild Dolphin Tour - Swim
We offer two different swim experiences during our Wild Dolphin Cruise, a Front Swim and a Back Swim.Wild Dolphin Tour - Watch
For those who aren’t keen to get wet, watch the dolphins play and interact with Temptation in their natural habitat. .Gift Vouchers are available
What to Bring: Camera, Towel, Sunblock, Hat, Swim wear (if swimming, please have on prior to arriving)
What we supply: Wetsuits, Snorkels, Masks (Ocean Pro Corrective Lens Masks also available on request – low strength, medium strength and high strength.)
Dolphin Swim Physical Requirements
As we operate a wild dolphin swim experience at times getting in and out of the water can be fast paced, therefore it is a requirement that anyone participating in the dolphin swim should be able to get in and out of the water with little assistance.
We also use a floatation line during the swim, so upper body strength is required to hold onto the line whilst the boat is moving at a slow pace.
All swimmers will need to use a mask and snorkel – a snorkelling brief is available for those who have never used a mask and snorkel before but for those who are unsure and not comfortable having their heads in the water we suggest the dolphin watch may be more enjoyable.
All passengers must wear a wetsuit during the swim. This is used as a buoyancy device during the swim. Wetsuits are supplied by Temptation Sailing and fitted on the journey. Our wetsuits are 5mm.
The dolphin swim is not available for those who have a pace maker, unfortunately the shark shields can cause disruptions.
If you have any questions regarding these requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0412 811 838.
Wild Dolphin Swim Interaction Awareness
Temptation Sailing offers customers the special experience of viewing wild dolphins in their natural habitat. While dolphins are naturally curious creatures and generally love playing around the boat and swimmers, the interaction is different on each cruise. Temptation Sailing’s experienced crew guarantee dolphin sightings on each cruise or a full refund, however, we can not guarantee duration and quality of the dolphin interaction.
Shark Shield
Please note that at the end of our swimmers lines we use Shark Shields. These are electronic shark deterrents that creates a unique protective electrical field around the swimmers. For more information, please visit the website www.sharkshield.com.
Please also note that we have been using these devices for many years and the electronic field does not affect the dolphin interaction in any way.
FAQs
I wish to swim but my friend would like to watch, will this be a problem?
No problem, you have the option of either dolphin swimming or dolphin watching. So your friend can stay on-board and take photos or watch the dolphins play and frolic around Temptation’s hulls and the swimmers.
My child is under 9 years old. Can they participate in the dolphin swim?
Unfortunately not, our insurance does not allow children that are under the age of 9 years old to participate in the dolphin swim. Please note that children are more than welcome to view the dolphins from on-board Temptation.
I’m not a good swimmer / I have never snorkelled before – is this cruise still suitable?
This is very common with a number of our guests, so over the years we have refined our briefing and techniques to accommodate the most nervous of dolphin swimmers.
- On boarding Temptation you will be given a full length, 5mm wetsuits, which acts as a full body floatation device
- You are given a briefing (about 15 minutes) on what to do and not do when entering and being in the water.
- Colour visual charts are also used to help show what to do and not do when entering and being in the water.
- Fully experienced crew will demonstrate how to use your mask and snorkel and can assist when trying masks on.
- All swimmers must hold onto a floatation line connected to the stern of Temptation.
- If at the end of the briefing and snorkel demonstration you are still not confident in entering the water you can stay on-board and do the dolphin watch. We will then refund the difference of $30.00 back to you.
Do we have to sign a waiver?
Yes, there are always risks when dealing with wild animals and open water activities, however, we have never had any accidents in all of our years of operation. Obeying our brief will help decrease any potential risks.
What about sharks?
Sharks are present in all oceans and where we conduct our dolphins swim is no different.
Please note that we do use two high powered shark shields which send out electronic signals which deters sharks. This does not deter the dolphins as dolphins use sonar.
For more information on the shark shields please visit www.sharkshield.com.au
Can we feed or touch the dolphins?
Definitely not, these dolphins are 100% wild that come over to the swimmers for a little fun. They are more than capable of catching their own live food and feeding and touching these dolphins can lead to health issues. Our tour is about seeing Adelaide’s dolphins in their natural environment.
Reaching out to try and touch the dolphins only makes them nervous, therefore shortening the interaction time. If the dolphins touch you this is OK, but please respect the dolphins.
What happens if we went out on a dolphin cruise and no dolphins were spotted?
This would be devastating to yourself and Temptation crew as this has never happened before. We have 100% success rate of seeing dolphins on the dolphin swim and watch cruise. We also have a money back guarantee, if no dolphins are spotted throughout the course of the cruise we will refund you the full cost of the cruise.
Are there any restrictions on who can do the dolphin swim?
Yes, there are a few:
- Anyone with a pace maker (The sharks shields can interfere with the pace maker)
- Anyone who is not capable of holding onto the floatation line while being towed slowly behind Temptation.
- Anyone who is not capable of climbing three runs of the ladder on the back of Temptation.
*Please note that Temptation is not wheelchair friendly
Is the dolphin swim easy to do?
Generally yes, we try very hard to make the dolphin swim as easy as possible for our swimmers, but unfortunately this isn’t always the case.
- We do not put the swimmers into the water until the dolphins have turned to come over to Temptation. Sometimes this is quite fast, therefore we have to get the swimmers into the water as quickly and safely as possible. When the dolphins get too close we stop people from going into the water because it can scare the dolphins causing them to move away.
- The crew are constantly shouting at the swimmers in the water directing where to look. Unfortunately crew must shout so that swimmers can hear them through the water.
- The first swim is usually the worst as there is a lot to take in
- Breathing through a snorkel
- Hanging onto a floatation line or laying on the front boom net
- Crew shouting direction on where to look
- Having your breath taken away when you see your first dolphin under water
- If you are not confident to go into the water, we suggest watching the first swim and deciding if it is right for you.
Can I take photos or film my experience?
You would be silly not to, this is an amazing up close experience with wild dolphins. Every trip a crew member is taking photos of the dolphins for research and also photos of passengers in and out of the water. The photos taken throughout the cruise will then be put onto a photo USB which can be purchased for $25.00, a great way to capture this once in a lifetime experience. (Normally around 70 high definition photos)
How can we help with dolphin protection?
When joining the dolphin swim and watch cruise part proceeds go to dolphin research, which is helping with dolphin protection.
You can also help by making sure you do not litter our streets, the litter goes into storm water and then out to sea. Also, when out fishing please do not feed the dolphins, this can be detrimental to their health.
