Baird Bay Ocean Tours
Embark on an unrivalled aquatic experience with wild sea lions and dolphins in the safe and shallow waters of Baird Bay.
Located in a small fishing village 280kms north of Port Lincoln/50kms south of Streaky Bay, Baird Bay Experience offers an unrivalled aquatic experience with wild sea lions and dolphins in the pristine waters of the Eyre Peninsula.
Embark on a wild interactive tour for the opportunity to interact with some of the most intelligent marine mammals on earth, in their home, at their invitation. Small intimate groups, of no more than 14 passengers, mean you get to swim with these wild ocean animals without clusters of people around you, ensuring you get one on one time with these incredible animals.
Jump aboard our expedition boat for an half-day adventure within the safe and shallow waters of Baird Bay. We begin with a short cruise to Jones Island, the natural home and habitat of our sea lion friends. As we moor in chest-deep water, the sea lions will come to us, in their time, on their terms. We do not feed them, but simply join their aquatic playtime in the calm and protected rockpools surrounding their home. We then venture to another nearby rockpool to experience ultimate tranquillity, swimming alongside friendly dolphins.
The experience concludes back on land. After a hot shower and time to freshen up, enjoy a regionally inspired lunch or afternoon tasting platter featuring freshly caught seafood and local produce, designed and cooked by our acclaimed chef. Sip on local wines and soak in the sun’s inviting rays as the unique moments from your underwater experience become core memories.
It’s an experience unlike any other suitable for children and adults alike.
Please view our Frequently Asked Questions here.
Eyre Peninsula Feast: Seaside Culinary Experience at Baird Bay
This May as part of Tasting Australia, join us for a distinctive seaside lunch at Baird Bay, featuring a five-course meal crafted by Head Chef Calvin Von Niebel.
Experience the best of the Eyre Peninsula with a menu that includes freshly shucked oysters and seafood courses cooked over open-flame. Explore various food stations and discover how locally foraged ingredients can transform a meal. This event is more than a unique culinary journey through the landscape of our region, it’s a perfect blend of casual atmosphere, good company and sophisticated flavours.
For more information and to book visit the Tasting Australia website.
Meet the Team
Brendon Bevan
Lead Guide
As the Lead Guide at Baird Bay, Brendon Bevan serves as a profound link between guests and the natural world. With a career spanning more than 25 years, including pivotal roles managing some of Australia’s premium lodges like Arkaba Conservancy, Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, and Bamurru Plains, Brendon brings a holistic and deeply informed perspective to wildlife conservation and eco-tourism.
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Originally honing his expertise in Southern Africa’s game lodges, Brendon possesses a unique understanding of the natural world, allowing him to enrich guest interactions with insightful narratives and respectful wildlife encounters. His intimate knowledge of Australia’s diverse ecosystems has seen him host guests across the nation—from the rugged Flinders Ranges to the remote expanses of Arnhem Land—creating memorable experiences that highlight the delicate connection between humans and nature.
At Baird Bay, Brendon transforms ordinary encounters into meaningful adventures. Guests are not merely observers, but become part of the environment, swimming alongside wild sea lions and dolphins under his guidance. These immersive experiences are designed to deepen guests’ appreciation for marine life and inspire ongoing stewardship of the natural world.
In addition to guiding, Brendon is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of private guides, developing a comprehensive training program that emphasises sustainable practices and exceptional guest service. His commitment to excellence in guiding and conservation makes Brendon Bevan not only a distinguished figure in Australian eco-tourism but also a visionary in shaping its future.
Kat Bevan
Lodge Manager
With nearly two decades of expertise in managing and guiding at some of Australia’s most renowned luxury lodges, Kat Bevan is a distinguished leader in the hospitality industry. Originating from the rugged coasts of Scotland, Kat ventured to Australia in 2006, where she quickly established herself as a pivotal member of the founding team at Bamurru Plains. Over three years, she played a crucial role…
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…in helping to define the guest experience, solidifying its reputation as a premier luxury destination. In 2009, Kat transitioned to Arkaba Conservancy, where she assisted in the development of the renowned Arkaba Walk, enriching the eco-tourism landscape with her innovative vision.
Kat’s tenure at Seven Spirit Bay in Arnhem Land marked a significant chapter where, alongside her professional duties, she embraced the challenges of raising her two young sons in a remote setting. This experience deepened her connection to the natural environment, a passion she brings to her role at Baird Bay. Kat excels in connecting guests with the subtleties of nature that might otherwise remain unseen, enriching their understanding through her keen insights into local flora, fauna, and the intricate balance between climatic forces.
Her profound appreciation for nature is not just a professional asset, but a personal creed. At Baird Bay, Kat continues to inspire guests with her deep-seated knowledge and enthusiasm, crafting unforgettable experiences that highlight the symbiotic relationship between nature and humanity.
Calvin Von Niebel
Head Chef
Baird Bay Experience Head Chef Calvin Von Niebel is a South African born chef, classically trained in British gastropubs and top restaurants. Calvin has previously held positions as the former Head Chef of Arkaba Conservancy and Executive Chef and Group Development Chef for the Ottolenghi across its seven London restaurants, some of Britain’s much-acclaimed dining destinations.
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Originally from Durban, Calvin credits his grandmothers for their influence in his cooking – his English granny for her recipes, preserves and jams, and his South African grandmother for her love of spicy food and curries. Under the mentorship of Yotam Ottolenghi, Sami Tamimi and Ramael Scully, Calvin’s style of cooking has found a unique voice that combines his South African heritage with his experience of living and cooking in the UK and South East Asia, and now Australia.
Outside of the kitchen, Calvin is an accomplished scuba diver and enjoys tending to his own kitchen garden. Most days you can find Calvin cleaning off his muddy boots after a long walk with his wife and dogs.
About Jones Island
In 1992, the Jones Island sea lion population was thought to be around 25 to 35 adult sea lions with around six pups born. The last approximate count of sea lions took place in late 2024, which found the population had grown significantly with 32 pup births recorded. With Australian sea lions classed as endangered, it’s pleasing to see the colony thrive with Jones Island playing a unique role as one of the few colonies around Australia where pup counts have continuously risen over the last decade.
There has never been official count of the dolphins in Baird Bay, so numbers are only based on observation. First sightings put the numbers at around four with only occasional sightings and no calves being seen at all in the bay until 1998. An approximate count was conducted in 2020 and recorded around 25 in the resident pod of dolphins with at least four calves being born each year in Baird Bay. More recently the team has seen up to 70 dolphins in the bay with two calves born in early 2025 alone.
As an ECO Certified Tourism business, Baird Bay Experience works closely with the Department for Environment and Water, and its regional counterparts, to monitor the local marine population and ensure the health and well-being of the inhabitants of Baird Bay.
About the Business
In 1992, Alan and Patricia Payne created a family-owned business at Baird Bay, a small and remote coastal fishing village situated on the West Coast of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. After growing the business (and living their coastal dream) for 31 years, Alan and Patricia entrusted this important and sensitive operation to their long-time friends who continue the business today. The Paynes’ innovation and influence will live on at Baird Bay into the future, as will their undying commitment to this exceptional natural environment.
In 2024 the property underwent a significant redevelopment with the revitalisation of the main building with the introduction of new restaurant and lounge space, plus professional kitchen. In addition, the adjacent villas were remodelled and professionally styled to create the homebase for an all inclusive private villas stay with custom safari-style experiences.