Monkey Mia is a marine-lovers paradise, with sandy beaches and ocean cruises for the whole family to enjoy.
For a complete guide to marine fun, we’ve put together a list of the best tours and experiences in Monkey Mia guaranteed to leave you wanting more.
Cruise with dolphins
Perfect Nature Cruises are the only cruise operators licensed to interact with marine mammals in the Monkey Mia Marine Park Reserve. Step aboard an 18-metre luxury catamaran and embark on a 2.5 hour journey to search for dugongs, dolphins, turtles, manta rays and more.
As the only group licensed to interact with the animals, the team can stop at any moment to bring you up close and personal with these amazing creatures. Each catamaran has multiple viewing vantage points around the vessel, as well as indoor and outdoor seating, and a saltwater boom-net spa so you can relax in the water. On board, you will also find a fully licensed ocean bar.
The tours come across plenty of marine life, although it’s dugongs that keep people coming back time and time again. These shy animals are most active between August and May, sometimes popping up for fresh air near the boats.
To further experience the beauty of Monkey Mia, opt for a sunset cruise and watch as the sky changes colours from the comfort of your sailing catamaran. With the option to bring your own drinks and snacks, you can fully immerse yourself in the natural surroundings as you travel along the tranquil waters.
Tour the open ocean
Shark Bay Eco Tours strive to introduce visitors to the beauty and abundance of Shark Bay World Heritage Area, just 20 minutes from the heart of Monkey Mia.
On a full-day scuba diving tour, you will set off into the waters of the Steep Point region and explore underwater landscapes. Guests often encounter turtles, cuttlefish, stingrays and sharks, while dolphins, whales and dugongs can be found during the right season. The guides know several different dive sites, and choose your adventure based on conditions to ensure the best chance of spotting some amazing animals.
The tour also includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, and diving equipment can be hired when booking. All divers must have their PADI Open Water Scuba Diver certification (or equivalent). However, there are plenty of other tours for beginners including marine safaris and sunset cruises. Plus, Shark Bay Eco Tours run diving certification courses.
Immerse in Indigenous culture
Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Cultural Adventures are dedicated to sharing Indigenous history and culture through a variety of tours in rural Australia.
The Shark Bay World Heritage Tour is a three-day walking tour across two world heritage national parks. Led by an Indigenous tour guide, you will learn the importance of the region to local Nhanda and Malgana people, including the story of ancient creation. After trekking through Wilybidi (Francois Peron National Park) and Wirruwanna (Dirk Hartog Island National Park), the tour group will hop aboard a marine safari to explore the waters of Shark Bay.
The experience also includes a Didgeridoo Dreaming Night Tour, where participants can sit around the campfire and listen to the beautiful sounds of the didgeridoo while stargazing, as well as most meals and national park fees. This once-in-a-lifetime experience offers the chance to understand Indigenous culture and explore the stunning landscape surrounding Monkey Mia like never before.
For a shorter yet equally impactful experience, join an overnight adventure in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area on an exclusive eco cultural camp. After setting up camp in Francois Peron National Park, you will kayak in sheltered bays, swim through coral reefs, and catch and cook your own dinner on an open campfire.
Talk with marine experts
Ocean Park Aquarium is an eco-friendly aquarium located on the shores of Shark Bay. Here, you can see Australia’s unique marine life up close. Watch stingrays, sharks and tropical fish as they glide through the waters, and learn all about this impressive World Heritage Site which is home to at least 28 species of shark.
All throughout the day, marine biologists and ocean enthusiasts run tours where visitors are taken to every tank to learn about the animals found in Shark Bay. These scientists also host feedings and animal interactions for guests to discover the beauty and incredible power of marine life in Monkey Mia.
After a long day of exploring, you can head to Oceans Restaurant for an array of light and satisfying meals. With a view over the marine park, it’s a great place to rest your legs and unwind with a drink.
Go island-hopping
Just off the coast of Monkey Mia lies Dirk Hartog Island, a heritage listed area with crystal clear water and breathtaking views. From Monkey Mia airport, it’s a short 20 minute flight to this coastal oasis. Or, Island Life Adventures hosts daily tours departing from Denham.
Each tour starts with a 4WD adventure past large blow holes and the Surf Point marine sanctuary to look for sharks, turtles and dolphins. Guests will then enjoy an ocean to plate lunch, followed by a tour of the historic shearing shed to learn about the island’s more than 100 years of pastoral history. Finally, kayak and SUP on a pristine beach, and visit Dirk Hartog Island Gin for a refreshing gin and tonic.
If you’re hoping to stay longer, Dirk Hartog Island is home to an eco-lodge, with private villas facing the sea. Each villa includes an en-suite bathroom, Vasse Virgin amenities and soft linen sheets. The all-inclusive package includes every meal, and access to all island tours and experiences. This includes the popular sundowner experience, where visitors are invited to stand atop a 600 foot cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean as the sun dips below the horizon.
Take a self-guided tour
Of course, you don’t have to spend money to enjoy Monkey Mia and its surroundings. There are several walking trails throughout the area that offer breathtaking views over the ocean, and the chance to spot marine life from dry land.
The Wulyibindi Yanayina Trail starts from the middle of town, winding through the red sand dunes and past the coastline. It’s the ideal way to see the landscape of Monkey Mia, and only takes about an hour to complete.
On the Denham Discovery walk, in the nearby town of Denham, you will be taken past sites offering insight into the history of Shark Bay, including its Indigenous peoples, early pioneers, pearlers, prisoners and more.
Can’t get enough of these tours and experiences in Monkey Mia? Check out what else there is to see and do in the Gascoyne region.
Rex flies to Monkey Mia. Head to the Rex website or check out the route map below for more details.
