Wild Dolphin Feeding Frequently Asked Questions
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, tidal conditions and dolphin attendance.
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.
Who can feed the dolphins?
Guests on selected accommodation and day cruise packages can feed dolphins once per person per stay (not every night of stay). Please check the package details when booking to see if dolphin feeding is included.
Timeshare, Casual Visitors (such as people camping on Moreton Island) and guests staying in private accommodation are not permitted to partake in feeding the dolphins. Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Feeding is only permitted for guests staying in accommodation that is managed by Tangalooma Island Resort. From time to time Tangalooma Island Resort will sell rate/rooms that do not include dolphin feeding, to ensure that we can not oversubscribe our dolphin feeding allocation - so check at the time of booking to see if your rate is inclusive of dolphin feeding. The 'Run of House' room category does not include participation dolphin feeding.
Beware of imitators - guests that book with third-party accommodation providers or Online Travel Agents (eg Stayz, AirBNB, VRBO, or Real Estate/Property Manager sites) are generally not able to participate in dolphin feeding; and whilst they may talk about the dolphins visiting the Resort, they do cannot and do not promise participation in the program.
What age or height can children participate in dolphin feeding?
Children must be at least 102cm tall to walk into the water and feed the dolphins.
Small children 0-2 years may be carried by a parent or guardian to be a part of the experience but will not be allocated their own fish. Children aged 3 and over, who are under 102cm, must also be carried and may drop a fish into the water with guidance from the Dolphin Care Team. Children 102cm or taller may walk into the water with a parent or guardian and will be given a fish to feed a dolphin underwater or to drop in the water at the staff's discretion. Depending on water conditions, even children above 102cm may need to be carried. As the dolphins are wild and water conditions unpredictable, we appreciate your cooperation with the Dolphin Care Team to ensure everyone's safety.
As a general guide, waist height is 102cm, but as there can be huge variances in people's heigh, it is best to see a member of the Dolphin Care Team for guidance.
Is flash photography permitted?
Flash photography from the beach while dolphin feeding 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. The Tangalooma Photo Shop has a team of professional photographers who are trained to not aim the flash in the dolphins eyes (this is why they stand behind the dolphins). You can purchase your photos from the Tangalooma Photo Shop or online after.
Do I need sunscreen when feeding the dolphins?
Please do not wear insect repellents, perfumes, deodorants or sunscreens into the water. The dolphins' skin may be very sensitive to some common man-made chemicals.
I have a flu/cold, can I still feed the dolphins?
If you have a cold, flu or respiratory illness you are not permitted to feed the dolphins. Dolphins can catch all sorts of illnesses - even human ones!
Can I feed the dolphins if I am pregnant?
If you are pregnant please advise our Dolphin Care Team prior to feeding. Pregnant women are not to enter the water beyond their knees. Please be aware that the weather conditions may affect the water levels.
When can I enter the dolphin feeding area?
Do not enter the feed area unless directed to by a staff member of the Dolphin Care Team. Minimising our use of the dolphins' area allows them to feel confident they will not be disturbed there. 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.
What do I wear, and what about jewellery?
Wear something you do not mind getting wet and remove any sharp or large hand jewellery. Jewellery such as rings, watches and bracelets can scratch the dolphins skin or even eyes. This also ensures you do not accidentally lose or drop your jewellery.
If you do not want to get wet, waterproof waders can be hired from Tangatours - $15.00. Waders are a waterproof boot extending from the foot to the chest (similar to overalls).
Do I need to wash my hands?
Disinfect your hands in the bucket provided before handling the fish. It is important that we do not pass any bacteria onto the dolphins when handling the fish we feed them.
Where do I hold the fish?
Hold the fish firmly by the tail. Dolphins prefer to eat fish heads first. This helps them avoid problems with any spines that the fish may have.
How do I feed the dolphins?
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.
How many fish can I feed the dolphin?
We aim to allow our guests to feed 1 fish per person to the dolphins, however as the dolphins are wild, there may be times when their attendance is lower than expected. In such cases, guests may be required to share a fish between two or more people. Please note that no refunds or credits will be provided in this scenario.
Can I swim with the dolphins?
No, the dolphins are a family of wild animals and are not captive.
Can I touch or pat the dolphins?
Under no circumstances can you touch or pat the wild dolphins. Dolphins have sensitive skin and some do not like being touched by humans at all. We have hundreds of people who feed the dolphins every day. If patting was allowed this would be very stressful for the dolphins. This is also a requirement of the Queensland Government and anyone that breaks this rule will be asked leave the water immediately. Please respect this rule.
By following these few simple steps, your dolphin feeding experience will be much more enjoyable and the dolphins will thank you too!
What happens if there is bad weather?
There are times when, due to unfavourable weather conditions, we must adjust the experience for everyone's safety, this may include occasionally feeding the dolphins from the jetty instead of being hand-fed from in the water.
What happens if there are no dolphins?
As the dolphin feeding program involves wild animals, Tangalooma cannot guarantee the attendance of wild dolphins at the night feeding. However, the resort does experience a 98-99% dolphin attendance rate each night. In circumstances where there are only a few dolphins, guests may be required to share their feeding between 2-3 people.
The number of guests able to feed the dolphins will depend on weather and tidal conditions and dolphin attendance. We recommend Resort house guests participate in dolphin feeding on the first night of their stay, to allow for another night in circumstances where the dolphins attendance is lower than expected.
If the dolphin feeding is cancelled due to weather conditions or no dolphins, as a gesture of goodwill, you will receive a return voucher to Tangalooma so you can enjoy another opportunity to experience feeding the wild dolphins in their natural habitat. This voucher entitles you to a complimentary return visit, which includes boat transfers and wild dolphin feeding only. As dolphin feeding is not a commercial experience, and therefore does not have have an attributed dollar value, unused vouchers can't be refunded or exchanged.