Meet the site
Monkey Mia is world famous for the wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins that have visited its beach for decades, and for the ranger-supervised morning sessions where a few dolphins are fed small amounts of fish in the shallows. It lies within the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and Shark Bay Marine Park, on the eastern shore of the Peron Peninsula.
It is not a dive site. The water off the beach is shallow sand and seagrass with modest visibility, and swimming and interacting with dolphins outside the supervised sessions is discouraged and restricted to protect the animals. The eastern bay supports dugongs, turtles, rays, sharks and sea snakes, which can be seen on wildlife cruises from the jetty.
Divers visiting Shark Bay should look to the coral sites around Dirk Hartog Island, Francois Peron National Park and Eagle Bluff, which require self-sufficiency, as there is no dive operator in the region.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Monkey Mia is recorded as Muck/Sand in Kalbarri & Shark Bay. The listed access is shore. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Monkey Mia suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Monkey Mia through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, dugongs, turtles, rays, sharks, sea snakes, seagrass
Location
Famous dolphin-interaction beach on the eastern side of the Peron Peninsula, 25 km from Denham; shallow sand and seagrass – not a dive site, and swimming near the dolphin interaction area is restricted.
Facilities nearby
Monkey Mia resort, café, toilets, showers, parking and jetty; reserve entry fee.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
sharkbay.orgsharkbay.orgRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.