Polperro Dolphin Swims
Polperro Dolphin Swims
Polperro Dolphin Swims
5
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view

About
For most of us, swimming with dolphins is a rare and magical experience, so who better to help you connect with these magnificent creatures than the people who've been making the introductions in Port Phillip Bay the longest? The Muir family established Polperro Dolphin Swims in 1986. Named after their classic, lovingly maintained boat, which is 25 years young, Polperro has led the bay in environmentally responsible dolphin interactions. Judy Muir in particular has been tirelessly active in establishing and improving legislation controlling human interaction with wild marine animals, including dolphins.That's why passengers can't swim up to the bay's bottlenose dolphins, but rather hang on to long ropes trailing from the Polperro's stern, waiting for these often curious creatures to come to them. The rope, and the crew's careful training and supervision of passengers, mean that even non-swimmers can enjoy this exciting experience. People who are initially very timid and reticent about getting in the water leave enchanted by the experience. The Polperro departs from Sorrento pier twice daily from October to April. Passenger numbers are strictly limited so everyone has ample opportunity to get wet, or watch dolphins at play from the deck. Reef and seal swims are often part of Polperro trips as well. These are also revelatory experiences, even for most locals, as the bay's rich aquatic life is a surprisingly well-kept secret. All gear, including wetsuits and snorkels, are provided, and the Polperro has change areas below deck. On chilly days her saloon cabin is warmly welcoming, as is the complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate and delicious scones, freshly baked on board. They're the cherry on top of an inspiring, memorable experience, which saw Polperro enter the Victorian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame in 2001, after winning the environmental tourism category three years running.
Sorrento, Victoria, Australia
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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Polperro Dolphin Swims
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(67 reviews)
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5.0
287 reviews
Excellent
264
Very good
11
Average
2
Poor
4
Terrible
6
Vivian T
2 contributions
Apr. 2023 • Friends
These guys went above and beyond to give us the most amazing experience. We had to wait a bit for the dolphins, so we detoured and snorkeled the sea forest and spotted sea dragons. Hot chocolate and scones, great addition. My second trip, and we’ll return next season.
Written 29 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joy D
1 contribution
Apr. 2023
I took my granddaughter on this trip as a birthday treat and it was exceptional. Swimming with the dolphins, seals and rays will be a lifelong memory for us both - the sea creatures were all in great form on the day. Must mention how incredible the staff were - thank you for your amazing service, friendliness and efforts to get us the best experience possible - and remembering all our names. The hot tea and scones were the perfect finishing touch to our adventure. Would highly recommend!
Written 14 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morgan
1 contribution
Apr. 2023 • Solo
An amazing experience showcasing the unique and beautiful marine life of the Mornington Peninsula. Ben, Jess, Troy and Sophie are awesome!
Written 13 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robyn T
1 contribution
Mar. 2023
This was my 60th Birthday present from the family and it was incredibly special. The amount of time we spent in the water was fantastic. We swam with dolphins and then went out to visit the seals and got quite close up in the water. Sting rays swam underneath us, it was amazing. The crew knew their stuff and were great advocates for the marine life. They also made sure that everyone on the boat, young, older, local and international tourists, who wanted to swim had a good opportunity to see the marine life first hand. Despite an overcast day, the water was a good temperature and the sun eventually made its way out. A warm cuppa and hot scone was just the thing on the way back to shore.
Written 10 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeremy M
1 contribution
Feb. 2023 • Couples
Thank you to the captain and his crew for a great experience. We all thoroughly enjoyed swimming with dolphins, seals and rays. Even the member of our party who had never used a snorkel and mask before really enjoyed the experience.
Written 28 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo Zim
Bendigo18 contributions
Feb. 2023 • Couples
This was a Xmas pressie from my son and my husband and I absolutely loved it. The weather was perfect - sun shining and smooth waters. The staff were so friendly and welcoming and went out of their way to make sure we had the best time! We were amazed that staff learnt the names of all 20 guests and referred to us by name both in and out of the water! Genuinely lovely people! The highlight of the day was obviously the dolphins! During our first snorkel, I had two dolphins swim within a metre of me, one almost hitting me with its tali! The other swam from the bottom straight towards me and turned just as he reached me! It was amazing! Even watching from the deck we were treated with lots of dolphins doing their thing! One put on a real show, laying on his back, slapping the water with its fins. I love that this is a family business, run by people who genuinely love and care for the marine life. Thanks so much for a wonderful experience 👏👏👍🏼👍🏼🙂🙂
Written 18 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mandy W
1 contribution
Feb. 2023 • Family
Absolutely amazing day!! We were blown away by the coral snorkelling nevermind anything else!! The fish and starfish were just incredible, we then headed over to the seals to swim with them and wow!! There was a huge (and I mean massive!!) Stingray just swimming around under us.... The seals were playful and right besides us as we snorkelled around...
We then headed to find the dolphins and these were just amazing!! The crew were diving down to interact with them so that they came over by the boat and were literally dancing under us...my 10 year old was blown away... Best experience ever.... Worth every penny!! Got a lovely brew and scones on board, all crew were fantastic, so helpful and genuinely wanted you to have the best experience... Would highly recommend!! Must do experience that I'd absolutely do again :) thanks so much!
We then headed to find the dolphins and these were just amazing!! The crew were diving down to interact with them so that they came over by the boat and were literally dancing under us...my 10 year old was blown away... Best experience ever.... Worth every penny!! Got a lovely brew and scones on board, all crew were fantastic, so helpful and genuinely wanted you to have the best experience... Would highly recommend!! Must do experience that I'd absolutely do again :) thanks so much!
Written 16 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D F
1 contribution
Feb. 2023
Fabulous Day out, great crew, safe and friendly, plus a Cup of Tea and Scones at the end on the Boat!
Written 13 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dennise R
Melbourne, Australia5 contributions
Feb. 2023 • Friends
We had an amazing experience. Although you are at the whim of the dolphins the Polperro team worked hard to provide us with the best situation. They were professional, supportive of the passengers who couldn’t swim. Thankyou so much. Dennise, Peter and Hannah
Written 13 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
girija W
Bentleigh East, Australia1 contribution
Feb. 2023 • Family
We had the best time with this crew. I want to give a shout out to Tom. I don't know swimming at all. But Tom helped me so much and helped in water. Tom, thank you so much you. You made my 40th birthday special!
Hope you have the best Valentine day ever!!!
Hope you have the best Valentine day ever!!!
Written 13 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello. Terribly random, but what sizes do your wetsuits come in? Thank you.
JudithSorrento
Sorrento
Polperro has a full range of sizes and so far we are able to fit our swimmers into comfortably fitting, good quality suits. We stock over 150+ suits to ensure our 20 swimmers per trip are fitted well. If you wish to call or email to discuss please do so. Our range
4 yo child to XXXL adult
JeromeLimz
22 contributions
Hi, we would like to know if you provide sightseeing trips around Port Philip Bay on any of the days between 1 - 5 May 2018. If so, would like to know the price you would charge for 4 adults and a 2 year old child.
Zoe P
Melbourne, Australia17 contributions
I believe they stop operating at the end of April and commence again in October. I suggest giving them a call to confirm.
may i know if we can also swim with seals? one of my friends can't swim, can she still swim with a ring and will you provide a ring to her?
Judith M
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
McC Thank you for your enquiry. Polperro offers swimming with seals on each of our trips.
We take purposefully small numbers of snorkelers on each trip and we offer a very high ratio of care. Your friend needs to be confident and comfortable entering deep, cool water with large marine mammals. We are able to assist those with poor swimming skills because our staff are highly trained, qualified and experienced. We don't provide swim rings a buoyancy aids as we do not believe that equipment is ideally suited.
Our wetsuits are thick and provide both buoyancy and warmth, we have buoyant mermaid lines that are used throughout all dolphin swim encounters. However the proper supervision and support from our staff for each participant has ensured that our passengers remain safe and comfortable and well supervised. The snorkelers abilities must be flagged upon booking and again must be made known to our staff on the day of the trip.
Luen96
kuching6 contributions
Hi, just wondering if I join the dolphin swimming during winter time, would the waters be too cold? And would I be able to bring my gopro into the waters to take photos with the dolphins?
Ilkka K
Espoo, Finland82 contributions
GoPro is ok. The water is something like 18C. 3-5mm long leaves wetsuit will keep you warm. Hood is not needed.
Luen96
kuching6 contributions
Hi, just wondering if I join the dolphin swimming during winter time, would the waters be too cold? And would it be possible to bring a go pro and take photos with the dolphins in the waters?
Thanks!
Judith M
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
I am afraid I must disappoint you with the news that we do close over winter. Weather is variable and often very cold and dolphin sightsings are not as regular as during our season, as they need to search a little further around for food. I do hope we are able to assist at another time. Our season is 1 Oct to end of April.
Perhaps you will still be in Melbourne at the time?
Kind regards and happy travels
PS And perhaps if you are experiencing this blast of cold and windy weather now, you won't be so very disappointed? It has changed considerably from our very prolonged summer!
Judith
Andrew B
Melbourne, Australia6 contributions
Do you do collections and returns to Melbourne - Park Street / St. Kildas Road? If so, what is the cost and what are the pick up times?
Judith M
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
Hello again. I do hope this answer was adequately addressed in our earlier reply. Public Transport Victoria website: ptv offers trip planner for best directions.
Bunyip Tours in Melbourne offer transfers an several days each week.
Hire car is quickest and most direct. More details are in the previous response to your question
Kind regards
Judith of Polperro Dolphin Swims
Andrew B
Melbourne, Australia6 contributions
Do you do collections and returns to Melbourne - Park Street / St. Kildas Road? If so, what is the cost for two people and what times are the pick ups?
Judith M
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
Polperro Dolphin Swims does not offer transfers but you may like to contact Peninsula Limosenes for pick up and return. Public transport is available by train and bus and takes about 2.5 hours each way, however it is a pleasant journey. Hire car is often the fastest and most cost effective. I do hope we can assist. Please refer to our website. I am also happy to respond in greater detail by email .
Thank you for your enquiry
Just wondering how much it cost to do the dolphin swim?
Judith M
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
Dear Jess, Thank you your interest. The cost is $137.50 which includes the government bay-user fee of $2.40pp. Please contact Polperro for availability. Trips are twice daily at 8am and 12 midday.
trips 3 - 4 hours, departing Sorrento 3943