Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari - Penneshaw, SA

Madeliene T.

This tour was perfect for my day trip to KI to be able to swim with seals, dolphins and enjoy the beautiful coastal reef of KI. You can easily walk to the visitor information centre where the tour starts from the ferry terminal, like I did. The crew (I believe her name was Tanisha or started with a T!) and skipper are such lovely humans - thank you for being so warm, passionate, funny, energetic, helpful and knowledgeable. The tour is run at a really good pace, and they fit a lot in for only a few hours which was a perfect balance. They were very professional with organising our wetsuits and snorkelling gear, with both our and the animals’ safety, and giving us interesting information about the island. The excitement they had for us when we swam with both dolphins and seals was so sweet! I felt very thankful that I was able to snorkel with both of these amazing creatures again thanks to them. The coastal reef snorkelling is also really cool, we saw stingrays and lots of fish, and the scenic cruise around the island is amazing. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon guys. I highly recommend adding this tour to your Kangaroo Island trip!

Julie S.

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our 75 min cruise. The two hosts were friendly and knowledgeable about the area and wildlife. We saw a pod of dolphins relaxing and a couple of areas where the seals were sunning themselves on rocks. A very enjoyable afternoon and would definitely recommend to others 😊

Lin A.

We had a wonderful experience swimming with seals and dolphins with Bonnie, Elijah, and Michael.

Right from the beginning at the check-in spot at the information center, they were patient, hospitable, and knowledgeable, helping us pick the right gear for the experience.

After a short bus ride to the marina, the adventure began! We spotted a pod of dolphins with calves almost immediately after leaving the dock. They came right up to the boat and followed us for a short while.

It took only about 10–15 minutes to reach the seal site, where at least 12 seals were swimming and sunbathing on the rocks. We had plenty of time to swim up close with them, taking photos and videos.

Michael did a fantastic job explaining the differences between swimming in cold water (around 15–17°C) and tropical waters. The initial plunge took our breath away, but as soon as we saw the seals, the excitement made us forget about the cold. That said, be well-prepared for the temperature!

On the short ride to the dolphin swimming site, we saw more dolphins with calves along the way. The crew was incredibly knowledgeable about marine life, the ecosystem, and sustainability, providing enthusiastic commentary that reflected their love for wildlife.

At the dolphin site, we held onto lines in the water and were towed by the boat while waiting for the dolphins to approach. Once they were within a good swimming range, we let go of the lines and swam parallel with them. What a magical encounter! We got to swim with at least two pods of dolphins!

I’ve been on many boat tours in Australia (including the Whitsundays, Cairns, and Port Douglas), and I deeply appreciate seeing an operator truly focused on wildlife experiences rather than unnecessary marketing and luxury.

The experience with Ocean Safari left me feeling wholesome, touched, and grateful. I highly recommend it and would definitely bring friends and family to do it again!

Kathy D.

Took our grandchildren on this cruise. Was very impressed with Elijah and Sophie’s interaction with the passengers. It was very informative and Elijah did his best to ensure we found seals and witnessed dolphins. Recommend this if you get the chance.

Andrea G.

Fantastic experience, got to see plenty of dolphins and seals. Staff were amazing, especially as a medical incident occurred, the staff went above and beyond to make sure was okay. Very knowledgeable staff and seem to thoroughly enjoy what they do

Emmah V.

Great staff who make sure you have the best experience and animal encounters possible. Loved swimming next to dolphins, seals, schools of fish, and the local coral! Would 100% recommend

Jay M.

Absolutely amazing experience! The crew were super knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. Got to go to the side of the island that you just cannot access by road. Saw atleast 15 dolphins in two separate locations and a few fur seals. The kids also really enjoyed the little joyride when the boat zoomed through in the final stretch of the return back. Absolutely worth the money and highly recommended!

Jasmin S.

We had an incredible experience with Bonnie, Elijah and Baxter swimming with Seals and Dolphins.

They were so supportive and patient with everyone, including our 2 kids who were quite nervous.
I will never forget this magical day. It was a dream come true.
Thank you so much!