Destination Profile - Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, Western Australia
The Shark Bay World Heritage Area, with its crystal blue waters and dramatic coastlines, is recognised as one of the most important eco-zones in the world. In 1991 the entire area was placed on the United Nations World Heritage List.
The area was first settled by Europeans in the late nineteenth century and for a few brief years became a pearling station. However there was no regular water supply the settlement disappeared. Its main settlements now are Denham, Monkey Mia and Nanga.
Visitors are encouraged to look closely at the region's unspoilt natural beauty, to explore the pristine bays, inlets and islands including the amazing beach of shells. The shallow waters of the Bay are home to a myriad of marine life. The huge seagrass flats sustain the world's largest and most secure herd of dugong plus manta ray, turtle and in the deeper waters giant humpback whales and gentle whale shark.
In the shallow waters of Hamelin Pool can be found ancient stromatolites, evidence of the oldest form of life on earth.
At Monkey Mia, for over 27 years a pod of wild bottle nosed dolphins have delighted visitors with their intelligence and grace by swimming into the shallows of a remote pristine beach in the heart of the Shark Bay World Heritage region.
Monkey Mia is 27 km north-east of Denham. Most mornings the dolphins arrive in small groups and remain in the shallows for up to an hour.
A small amount of fresh fish is fed to each dolphin but never more than one third of their daily food requirement, to ensure that these wild creatures do not become dependant on handouts.
This destination is part of the Western Wedge Safari Australian Adventure.
Australian Tours
Other Tours and Info