How to feed the dolphins

Please note: The Dolphin Care Program operates to strict guidelines, therefore restrictions on feeding apply. The number of guests able to feed the dolphins will depend on weather and tidal conditions and dolphin attendance.

The dolphins trust us enough to come into shallow water and let us hand feed them. Please respect their trust by following these procedures.

• Please follow all directions given by Dolphin Care Staff
  We hope that you find the program enjoyable, however our priority is to ensure the health and safety of the dolphins as well as all who come to interact with them.
  Please listen carefully to all instructions and advice offered by any member of the Dolphin Care Team.

• Flash photography from the beach is not permitted (but is allowed from the jetty).
  Close-up camera flashes may cause the dolphins stress, and may be harmful to their sensitive eyes.
  
  
• Please do not wear insect repellants, perfumes, deodorants or sunscreens into the water.
  The dolphins' skin may be very sensitive to some common man-made chemicals.
  
  
• If you have a cold, flu or respiratory illness you are not permitted to feed the dolphins.
  Dolphins can catch these sorts of illnesses.
  
  
• Do not enter the feed area unless directed to by a member of the Dolphin Care Team.
  Minimising our use of the dolphins' area allows them to feel confident they will not be disturbed there.

• Wear something you do not mind getting wet. Remove any sharp or large hand jewellery.
  They could scratch the dolphins.
  
  
• Disinfect your hands in the bucket provided before handling the fish.
  It is important that we do not pass any bacteria onto the dolphins through handling the fish we feed them.
  
  
• Hold the fish firmly by the tail.
  Dolphin prefer to eat fish head first to avoid problems with any spines that the fish may have.
  
  
• When directed by staff, walk into the water.
  Keep your fish well clear of the water and do not feed the dolphins until staff tell you.
  
  
• Hold the fish steady under the water until a dolphin takes it.
  Pulling the fish away from the dolphin encourages it to snatch the fish.
  
  
• Under no circumstances touch or pat dolphins.
  Dolphins have sensitive skin and some do not like being touched by humans. We have hundreds of people who feed the dolphins. If patting was allowed this would be stressful for the dolphins. Please respect this rule.
  
  
• When directed by the Dolphin Care Team, please leave the water.