Kalbarri Scenic Flights Monkey Mia Dolphin Spectacular Tour

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Fly north from Kalbarri along the Zuytdorp Cliffs to Shark Bay, watch the wild bottlenose dolphins come in to the beach at Monkey Mia, then spend the late morning on a wildlife cruise before flying home past Eagle Bluff.

Days

About 7 hours

Age

All ages, children with an adult

Group size

Shared flight in a small plane

Start / finish

Kalbarri Airport / Kalbarri Airport

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Fixed-wing light aircraft, a window seat for everyone

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Kalbarri Scenic Flights Monkey Mia Dolphin Spectacular Tour

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Included experiences

Zuytdorp Cliffs — fly low along the cliffs north of Kalbarri
Monkey Mia — watch the wild dolphins come in to feed
Shark Bay — two and a half hours on a wildlife cruise
Eagle Bluff — fly past the cliffs over Denham Sound

Kalbarri Scenic Flights Monkey Mia Dolphin Spectacular Tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: NORTH ALONG THE ZUYTDORP CLIFFS

Take-off from Kalbarri Airport is at 7am, and every seat is a window seat. The plane heads north, low and parallel to the coast, along the Zuytdorp Cliffs. They take their name from the Dutch East India Company ship Zuytdorp, wrecked at their foot in 1712 with no word ever reaching home of what became of the survivors. Next is Womerangee Hill, at about 900 feet the highest point on this coast, and then the pilot drops below the level of the cliff tops so you can see every ledge and sea cave in the rock face.

SHARK BAY AND DENHAM

Crossing the Peron Peninsula, named after the French naturalist François Péron who sailed here in 1801, you see the dark blue ocean meet the pale shallows of Shark Bay. The bay was World Heritage-listed in 1991 for its seagrass meadows, among the largest on earth, which feed around 10,000 dugongs. You land at Denham, the westernmost town in Australia, at about 8:20am, and a short drive across the peninsula brings you to Monkey Mia by about 8:40am.

MID-MORNING: THE DOLPHINS AT MONKEY MIA

From 9am to 9:45am you're on the beach at Monkey Mia, where wild bottlenose dolphins have been swimming into the shallows to meet people since the 1960s. Rangers offer a few of the dolphins a small amount of fish up to three times each morning. There are no fixed feeding times, but mornings when the dolphins don't come in are rare. From the shallows you're often only a few metres from them. There's time for a coffee before the next part of the morning.

LATE MORNING: WILDLIFE CRUISE ON SHARK BAY

At 9:45am you board the wildlife cruise, so wear your bathers. The boat leaves at 10am and spends two and a half hours on the clear, shallow water of Shark Bay, back at 12:30pm. Look over the side for dugongs grazing the seagrass, green and loggerhead turtles, rays and more dolphins, and in the cooler months the odd whale out in the deeper channels. Shark Bay's water is saltier than the open sea because so little fresh water flows in, which is why the seagrass and the creatures that live on it do so well here.

AFTERNOON: HOME VIA EAGLE BLUFF

At 12:45pm you head back to Denham Airport for the flight home. Prefer to linger? You can stay in Monkey Mia for lunch at your own cost, but ask when you book so the tour time can be stretched. The flight south passes Eagle Bluff, a high cliff over Denham Sound where the water is so clear that sharks, rays and turtles can be seen from the top. Then it's back down the coast to Kalbarri in the early afternoon.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Kalbarri Airport terminal on Fawcett-Broad Drive, about 10 km east of town along Ajana Road, opposite the turn-off to the river gorges. Be there 30 minutes before take-off for the safety video and pre-flight form; boarding closes 15 minutes before.
Departure time: Take-off at 7am.
Finishes: Back at Kalbarri in the early afternoon, about 6 to 7 hours after take-off; later if you choose to stay for lunch.
Minimum age: No minimum age. Children fly with an adult, and babies under 12 months travel free on a parent's knee (one per booking).
Please note: Monkey Mia Reserve charges its own daily entry fee (children under 6 free), and park passes are not valid there; the tour description doesn't list it as included. Weights are declared when you book, and online bookings are capped at 120 kg per passenger because some seats have that limit. Pregnant passengers need a doctor's certificate saying it is safe to fly.

What to bring

Bathers for the cruise
One carry-on bag of up to 3 kg per person

What is included

Return scenic flight Kalbarri to Denham
Drive between Denham Airport and Monkey Mia
Time at the Monkey Mia dolphin feeding
Morning wildlife cruise (about 2.5 hours)
A window seat for every passenger

Not included

Coffee and lunch at Monkey Mia
Transport to and from Kalbarri Airport (about 10 km from town)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.