A Kangaroo Island dolphin cruise, or the swim?
One operator in Penneshaw runs both of the island's popular dolphin trips. The short safari keeps you dry on deck, while the longer outing puts you in the water. They suit different people, and only one of them made our shortlist.
Two trips from the same marina
Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari leaves from Christmas Cove Marina on Christmas Street in Penneshaw, next to the ferry terminal. It sells a 75-minute coastal safari and a 2-hour trip for swimming and snorkelling with dolphins and seals in the wild.
We put the short safari on our shortlist. It costs less, it suits more people, and its review numbers are stronger. The swim appeals to a narrower group, and we have not read all of its details, so we describe it more briefly below.
The 75-minute coastal safari
The ocean safari, from ~$62, is a fast loop along the coast with live commentary on wildlife and conservation. The crew watch for bottlenose dolphins, sea lions and seabirds.
Humpback and southern right whales pass in their season. Life jackets and spray jackets are provided, and there is a baby harness for small children.
It scores 4.8 from 600+ reviews on Viator and 4.7 from 100+ on GetYourGuide. Food and drinks are not included, and neither is hotel pickup, so you make your own way to the marina.
Dolphins from a dry seat
The 75-minute safari is one of the two cheapest tours on our list and fits around a ferry crossing in Penneshaw. Expect spray and some bumps on the open boat, and no land animals.
The 2-hour swim and snorkel trip
The same operator's longer trip is a swim and snorkel outing with dolphins and seals in the wild. It runs about 2 hours and costs roughly twice the safari's price. It is not on our shortlist, and we have not read the listing's full details.
Its scores are 4.7 from 200+ reviews on Viator and 4.4 from 100+ on GetYourGuide, a little below the safari on both sites. Read the listing for the swimming requirements, the wetsuit question and the minimum age before you book.
Wild dolphins choose whether to come near a boat or a swimmer. On any trip they may stay away, and no listing can promise you will be in the water with them.
Spray, bumps and cold water
Both trips use an open boat, and the coast off Penneshaw faces the open water of Backstairs Passage. On a windy day the ride is wet and bouncy, which some people love and others regret. The spray jackets are there for a reason.
The sea around the island is cool through the year, and much colder in winter. If you choose the swim, expect the water to feel cold even in summer, and ask what the operator provides to keep you warm.
Anyone prone to seasickness should take the shorter safari and eat lightly beforehand. Sit toward the back of the boat, where the motion is usually gentler, and keep your eyes on the horizon.
What to bring on board
Even on a warm day the wind on an open boat feels cold, so bring a warm layer under the spray jacket. A hat that ties on and sunscreen help too, since the sun off the water is strong.
Use a wrist strap or a zipped pocket for your phone or camera. Dolphins surface quickly and the boat moves, so most photos come out better in burst mode than as single shots.
- A warm layer and closed shoes with grip
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- A strap or dry bag for your phone
- Motion-sickness tablets if you need them, taken before you board
Whales in the cooler months
Southern right whales come close to South Australian coasts roughly from June to October, and the safari keeps a lookout for them. Humpbacks also pass at times. Sightings are never certain, and winter brings rougher water, so trips may be called off at short notice.
Calm summer mornings make for the smoothest rides, while winter days bring the whale chance with more swell. Our guide to the best time to go sets out how the months change the sea and the wildlife.
How the boat fits the rest of your visit
The safari shows you the island's marine side, but no kangaroos or koalas. Most people pair it with a land tour. Kangaroo Island Trails' small-group day tour from ~$287 covers Seal Bay and Flinders Chase.
Seal Bay is where you walk on the sand among resting Australian sea lions with a ranger, which no boat trip can match. Our Seal Bay guide explains how that works. Do not expect to swim with them there.
Because the marina sits next to the ferry terminal, the safari fills the hours around a crossing well. The ferry or flight guide shows how each tour fits your arrival, and the nine animals guide covers what else lives on and around the island.
Cruise or swim, side by side
| Trip | Length | You get wet | Ratings | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75-minute coastal safari | 75 minutes | From spray only | 4.8 from 600+ (Viator), 4.7 from 100+ (GetYourGuide) | ~$62 |
| Dolphin, seal and snorkel swim | About 2 hours | Yes, in the sea | 4.7 from 200+ (Viator), 4.4 from 100+ (GetYourGuide) | About twice the safari |
Pick the safari if you want a short, cheap look at the coast with children or non-swimmers along. Pick the swim if you are a confident swimmer who does not mind cold water. Compare all five tours in our prices guide.