Things to do
Dolphin spotting in the Mandurah canals
Mandurah's wild dolphins live right among the canals and estuary. On a quiet self-drive hire, you can find them on your own time without the crowds.
On the water
A resident pod, right on the water
Mandurah's estuary and canals are home to a resident population of wild bottlenose dolphins — one of the few places in the world where dolphins live among the houses. On a quiet self-drive hire you'll often find them cruising the canals, surfing a boat wake or working the channels for fish, close enough to take your breath away.
Give yourself the best chance
How to find them
Go early or late
Calm, glassy mornings are prime — dolphins are active and easy to spot before the wind and boat traffic pick up. Late afternoon is a lovely second window.
Idle and watch
Ease off the throttle in the canals and channels and just scan the surface for fins and swirls. Slow, quiet boats see far more than fast ones — and it's the law near dolphins anyway.
Read the water
Look for birds working bait, and for the tell-tale roll of a dorsal fin. Dolphins often follow the fish into the channels on a moving tide.
Where to look
Best spots on the water
Dolphins roam, so nothing is guaranteed — but these are the areas they're seen most. Tap a pin for the local knowledge.
Idle speed near dolphins — slow, quiet boats see the most.
Watch them the right way
These are wild animals in their home. A few simple rules keep them safe — and the law in WA requires the 100 m distance below.
- Keep at least 100 m away — if dolphins choose to come closer, put the motor in neutral and let them.
- Never feed or touch them, and don't swim towards them. Feeding wild dolphins is illegal in WA and harms the pod.
- No chasing, circling or cutting them off. Let them set the pace and direction.
- Slow to a no-wake speed and stay predictable when they're around.
More than dolphins
A cruise worth the trip on its own
- Grand canal homes and moored yachts from the water
- Pelicans, cormorants and black swans along the margins
- Cafés and the boardwalk at the Ocean Marina to moor up for lunch
- Calm, sheltered water that's easy and safe to drive yourself
Go find the dolphins
Hire a boat with Mandurah Boat Hire and explore the canals at your own pace.