A quick guide to guest feeding of wild dolphins
To feed the dolphins, you’ll need to walk into at least knee-deep water. So wear shorts or swimwear.
-
Ensure you’re dolphin-ready
Any sunscreens, insect repellents, moisturisers or other lotions must be thoroughly washed off beforehand. No personal items (including umbrellas and ponchos etc.) should be brought into the water.
-
Do not take flash photography on the beach or in the water, video cameras are okay
-
Listen to the Dolphin Care Team and follow their instructions
They will guide you into the water and assist with feeding
Hold the fish just like an ice cream, with the head poking towards the sky.
-
Do not touch the dolphins
Not only may you distress or hurt the dolphins, but this is a requirement of the Queensland Government. Break this rule and you’ll be asked to leave immediately.
-
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.
Dolphin Feeding Precautions
-
If you have a cold, flu or respiratory illness you are not permitted to feed the dolphins.
-
If you’re pregnant, please advise our Dolphin Care Team prior to feeding. Pregnant women are not to enter the water beyond their knees.
-
Children must be 102cm or taller to walk into the water and feed the dolphins.
Wild Dolphin Viewing & Wild Dolphin Feeding Access
Please note that casual visitors to Moreton Island are not allowed access to the resort premises for the nightly dolphin viewing / feeding experience. All guests that are authorised to stay overnight at properties within the grounds of the resort have general admission access to the dolphin viewing areas each evening. Only guests who have booked official day trips and select overnight stays with Tangalooma Island Resort will be able to participate in the nightly dolphin feeding program, but only if it was included in your original package. Consult your confirmation paperwork to confirm your access.
Wild Dolphin Feeding / Viewing is dependent on dolphin attendance, weather conditions & tides, therefore arrival cannot always be guaranteed; however over the last 3 decades of the program, we have experienced a 99% attendance rate. See Dolphin Feeding FAQs for further information about the program.