Monkey Mia at Shark Bay, about 833 kilometres north of Perth, has become famous throughout the world. It's here that the wild dolphins come right up to the shore to be fed and stroked by visitors.
In knee deep water you can enjoy the close up company of these amazing mammals as they talk and laugh with you - they have never been trained but just seem to like the company of humans who visit this idyllic beach.
The Shark Bay area comprises two peninsulas and many small bays and inlets. All are safe, shallow and sheltered. Don't miss the Shark Bay Shell & Craft Museum - on display are gemstones, rocks, Aboriginal artefacts, and a replica of the Dutch ship "Zuytdorp," wrecked off the coast in 1712.
Visit Nanga Station & Caravan Park - a half million acre sheep station with accommodation and restaurant plus hire of catamarans, sailboards and dinghies.
Francois Peron National Park - a 40,000 hectare park made up of undulating sandy plains, interspersed by gypsum claypans, one of which has access to the sea and is known as the Big Lagoon. Wildflowers and birds are abundant. From the cliffs of Cape Peron dolphins, dugongs, turtles and manta rays are often visible. Fishing and camping are permitted.
Shell Beach - a 110 kms stretch of coastline comprising countless billions of tiny shells.
All along this coast there is magnificent fishing ,a series of lagoons for perfect boating and beach picnics as well as small boat sailing. You can take safari tours or charter boats to take you to and round the off-shore islands. Or you can walk the 100 kilometre Shell Beach. This beach, unique to Australia is made up of billions of tiny shells. At times these shells build up to mounds over 10 metres deep.
The Backpackers Guide to WA says:-
The name Monkey Mia draws the attention of tourists as soon as the words are spoken and instantly assimilates to dolphins.
It is here in the Shark Bay area that dolphins have been coming into shore from the deep to interact with thousands of visitors from all parts of the world for many years. Though their appearance is not guaranteed, it would be an extremely unlucky visitor who did not see them and indeed didn’t have his camera or enough film when they do come in. The odds are firmly in favour of their appearance.
It is vitally important that the requests of the rangers be heeded on all matters for the well-being of these majestic creatures and their future. This will enable others to see and enjoy this unique experience.
Backpackers are well catered for at Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, where they have two restaurants and modern facilities. They have a swimming pool, volleyball court and visitors can play tennis for free. A nightly lecture is given at 6.00pm by a professional naturalist on the evolution of the Shark Bay World Heritage.
Regular 4WD tours of the district leave daily. The choice of either half or full day safaris is open to the patron but all five are loaded with interest and are fully commentated.
Arguably the most popular attraction after the dolphins at Monkey Mia are the cruises on the giant sailing catamaran “Shotover” which sails amongst giant dugongs and dolphins or alternatively allows visitors to capture the magic of a Shark Bay sunset.
Visits to the Shark Bay Pearling Farm are also very popular with backpackers. The ferry leaves the resort jetty and allows visitors to see how cultured pearls are produced as well as the chance to buy souvenirs at well below Perth prices.
