Ocean Tours

Half Day

OCEAN TOURS

Embark on an unrivalled aquatic experience with Wild Sea Lions & 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 20 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 a 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 across the bay for an exhilarating experience, to swim alongside a pod of majestic dolphins.

The experience concludes back on land. After a hot shower and time to freshen up, an onsite restaurant offers a two-course daily menu with regionally-inspired dishes featuring freshly caught seafood and local produce. 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 read our FAQs for more details.

Times & Rates

Ocean Tours Season

Operating daily between 01 October and 30 April annually.

Tour Departure

9:00am, for a 9:45am departure

During the summer high season, when the morning session is full, we will offer a second tour at 12:45pm, for a 1:30pm departure.

All passengers required to arrive 45 minutes before tour commences for safety briefing and wetsuit, mask and snorkel fitting. Please note the vessel departs on time at 9:45am or 1:30pm sharp.

2025/2026 Rates

Adult Swimming: $290.00
Adult Non-Swimming: $270.00
Child (under 17yrs) Swimming: $200.00
Child (under 17yrs) Non-Swimming: $160.00

2025/2026 Rates – Two Course Lunch Included

Adult Swimming & Lunch: $325.00
Adult Non-Swimming & Lunch: $300.00
Child (under 17yrs) Swimming & Lunch: $220.00
Child (under 17yrs) Non-Swimming: $180.00

Rates vail until 30 September 2026.
Lunch added to booking on the day will be charged at $55.00 per-person for an adult and $20.00 per-child.

Conditions Apply

Inclusions

Swim, snorkel and photograph wild sea lions and dolphins in their natural habitat
Interaction guaranteed
Wetsuit, mask and snorkel included
No more than 20 passengers onboard
Onboard refreshments provided and restaurant onsite for a la carte dining
Hot water shower facilities available
4-5 hour tour

LUNCH BY THE BAY

After your swim, settle in for a thoughtfully prepared two-course lunch served onsite at Baird Bay. Our daily menu is simple, fresh, and led by the season, featuring locally sourced ingredients and a strong focus on Eyre Peninsula seafood from our trusted suppliers. Whether it’s King George whiting with seaweed butter or Streaky Bay lamb with summer salad, every dish reflects the character of the region. Dietary needs are warmly accommodated with care and creativity.

Please indicate at your time of booking if you would like to join us for lunch. Dining is not compulsory.

If you’re staying at the villas or simply passing through and would like to join us for lunch, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice to dine.

Important

FAQs

Book

Tours

"Sitting by a waterfront campfire feasting on fresh-from-the-sea Smoky Bay oysters topped with nam jim as the sunset paints the sky and sea in rich golden hues: now that's a true feast for the senses."

Ute Junker, Traveller, Sydney Morning Herald,
April 2025

"When I do a somersault, they do a somersault. When I turn on to my back, they follow suit. They have no concept of personal space, often coming right up to my mask, seemingly fascinated by the creature behind it. Their behaviour feels curious, light-hearted and joyful."

Ellie Dudley, Travel+Luxury Magazine, The Weekend Australian
March 2025

"Every dish is outstanding, but the most memorable meal comes on my final evening when (Head Chef Calvin) Von Niebel cooks fish over an open fire on the beach. We gather to eat as the sun dips low, toasting the journey with local wine and presided over by pelicans who watch us with their strangely beautiful yellow eyes."

Cushla Chauhan, Vogue Australia,
May 2025

Photo Gallery

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.