Temptation takes you swiming with the dolphins in south australia

Swim with wild Dolphins or Just Watch

Dolphins are one of the Earth's most fascinating and curious creatures. We offer you this once in a lifetime encounter in which you will be touched forever.

Temptation is the first vessel in South Australia to be given a licence to swim with and study these magnificent mammals.

This is possibly the only cruise of its type, where we don't go looking for dolphins, they come to us - something that has taken many cruises to achieve.

Guarantee:

Because this gulf is home to over a thousand common and bottlenose dolphins, we are able to offer a money back guarantee. if you do not get to swim with the dolphins for whatever reason, we will refund the difference between the watch and the swim.

Departures 8.00am	Return 11.30am
Dolphin Watch Adults : $58.00 Children (under 15 years) : $48.00	Dolphin Swim*† Adults : $98.00 Children (8 - 15 years) : $88.00
All prices are GST inclusive
† Part proceeds go to the Adelaide Coastal Dolphin Research
What to bring: Camera and spare film Towel Sunblock Hat * Supplied: wetsuits, snorkels, masks

Customising your tour
Group bookings can be arranged

Shark Shield™
Please note that at the end of our swimmers lines we use Shark Shields™. These are electronic shark deterrents that creates a unique protective electrical field around the swimmers. For more information, please visit the website www.sharkshield.com.
Please also note that we have been using these devices for over two years and the electronic field does not affect the dolphin interaction in any way.

History

Temptation was designed and built by owner/operator Stephen Waites to do snorkeling trips out to the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. She was being built at the same time as Holdfast Shores Marina was being developed.

When completed she was put into the new marina as the only operating charter vessel.

Temptation went out on daily cruises which over time gave the local dolphins a bit of fun and safety. In April 2001 a young dolphin with its mother made Holdfast Shores Marina its safe haven. This dolphin which was named Jade, after Stephen's daughter, became a large draw card for Temptation and the restaurants in the precinct. In a short time Jade began swimming with Jade and then the ball began to roll.

We travelled to the best known areas of Australia and New Zealand to talk to other dolphin swimming operators. The conclusion was to legislate a code of practice and zoning for South Australia. This was approved and now we can offer this 100% natural experience that is possibly the best of its kind in the world.

JADE THE DOLPHIN

Jade is a very special dolphin to Temptation’s crew. We first met when her mother “MoHawk” (named because of the scar she has across her blow hole) bought her into the Holdfast Shores Marina in April 2001.

We believe Jade to be a Valentines baby because of her size when she came into the Marina. Almost all of the baby dolphins that we have monitored along the Adelaide coast in 3 years, have been born around February 14th, give or take 3 weeks.

Jade is one of only a handful of dolphins around the world that has “taken” to people. She will come from a long distance and bring other dolphins over to Temptation. This action from Jade has been the main reason of Temptation’s success.

We have been filming the antics of this dolphin for 2 years now and are currently putting together a documentary of “Jade the dolphin”.

The national travel show “Getaway” has recently finished filming the relationship of Jade (our crew member) with Jade the dolphin and will be aired on Channel 9 soon.

WHAT YOU WON’T SEE ON THIS CRUISE

Dolphins at the back of the boat with their heads out of the water wanting hand outs.
Temptation going to, chasing and harassing the dolphins. Temptation will cruise along the coast of Adelaide under auto pilot. When a dolphin pod is spotted, the vessel will move over to within 100m from the pod and continue in a straight line past the pod. It is up to the dolphins to make their way over to Temptation.

If they do then its play time, if they don’t then we move onto the next pod.

Temptation gives the dolphins only one chance to interact. When the dolphins decide they want to move away, we do not change our course to follow them.
People touching the dolphins – These dolphins are wild and will bite if threatened.
The “Swimmers” swimming over to the dolphins – All swimmers must hold onto a floatation line at all times. This line is connected to the stern of Temptation.

RESPECT:
It is the above rules which Temptation follows that has given us the respect of the local dolphins and this has made our dolphin swims a success.

DOLPHINS FOR THE FUTURE OFF GLENELG

The Barcoo Outlet has made a big difference to the effect of storm water on the sea grasses out from Glenelg (completed 2001).

The Patawalonga Catchment Water Management Plan

40% reduction in suspended solids
50% reduction in nitrogen
65% reduction in phosphorous
35% reduction in heavy metals

This will be achieved with volunteer “our Patch” sites and groups, industrial
pollution prevention programs, gross pollution traps, wetlands and silt
basins.

Researchers at the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) are looking at ways to replant sea grasses along the metropolitan coast.
Squid fishermen of Marina rocks are being monitored by Environment and Heritage.

Areas that can be improved

An awareness campaign for canoe and power boat owners of the effects on the dolphins from going to or following them.
A Community group to watch over dolphins and their feeding grounds.

Areas that need to be protected

The sandy beach just south of the Seacliff Sailing Club and into the cove. This may well be the main area the dolphins are giving berth (this is only a 2 year study and with no real evidence).
Marino Rocks is the major breeding area for the Southern calamari and may need protection from anchoring boats in this small area.