Swim with Sea Lions and Dolphins in Baird Bay - A Must-Do Experience
Have you ever heard of Baird Bay, a small fishing town along the western coastline of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia? It's been on my bucket list for a while now because it's one of the few places where you can swim with sea lions and dolphins on the same tour. I recently had the chance to tick this off my bucket list, and it was surreal! Trust me, if you're going to splurge on an experience in the Eyre Peninsula, this is it!
We arrived in Baird Bay the day before our tour and decided to get there early to make sure we snagged a spot at the Baird Bay Campground. We'd read on WikiCamps that it fills up quickly, so we didn't want to miss out. Lucky for us, we secured one of the limited 7-9 sites available. The campground only costs $10 per night and provides clean toilets and easy access to the water's edge, as well as a stunning lookout that boasts panoramic views of the area. We shared the campground with 5 other caravans and vans, but it was still very quiet, and our neighbours didn't disturb us at all.
Note: If camping without a shower isn't your thing, don't worry! You can head to Streaky Bay, which is just a 50-minute drive away. There are two caravan parks in town where you can park your wheels and relax. Or if you're looking for something more upscale, check out the Baird Bay Ocean Eco Apartments and enjoy a roof over your head for a more comfortable stay.
We spent the afternoon walking around the small town. There aren't many facilities, but the bay makes for a great and peaceful walk. We also made the short drive around the corner to The Point Labatt Sea Lion Colony. The drive there was stunning, with the clear waters of Baird Bay visible on our left throughout the whole drive. Once we arrived at the cliffside, we watched the sea lions lazing around in the sun. It was a great opportunity to view these amazing creatures before jumping in the water with them.
The next day, our tour departed at 1 pm, so we had the morning to relax and enjoy Baird Bay. The drive to Baird Bay Eco Experience is very short, and you could even walk from the campsite, but we decided to drive down the beach and park right outside the office. We were grateful for this decision when we returned from our tour in wet wetsuits, and our warm clothes and car were in walking distance.
As we arrived, the morning tour was returning, and we saw them take their wetsuits off before it was our turn to gear up and jump in the boat. If you arrive early, there's a cafe where you can purchase a limited menu for breakfast or lunch. The boat ride out to the head was quick - only 15 minutes - and before we knew it, we were defogging our snorkels and arriving at our location.
Our first stop was a reef by the headland of the bay, where the dolphins like to hang out. We were told that the dolphins are unpredictable and fast, which added to the excitement. Within minutes, we spotted our first pod of dolphins, and we all jumped in the water. We spent the next 40-50 minutes jumping in and out of the water, following a pod of dolphins as they did laps of the shoreline. It was a breathtaking experience, and at one time, there were 10-15 dolphins swimming underneath and beside us. We were even lucky enough to spot 2 fairly junior dolphins too, who were sticking very close to their mum.
Our next location was Jones Island, which was just a short boat ride across the bay. As we arrived, the crew anchored the boat so we could watch the bulky male sea lions guard their females while enjoying a much-needed hot milo and biscuits for morning tea. We spotted sea lions lounging around on the shore in small groups, with a few scattered males amongst the females.
Excitement filled the air as it was time to jump into the water. Once we submerged ourselves, it was clear to see why sea lions are often referred to as the puppies of the sea. We spent most of our time swimming with two playful sea lions who loved to chase each other and attempt to grab each other's tails. They were incredibly quick, disappearing into the distance only to come back moments later at full speed. The water was shallow, at only 1 meter deep, and the sheltered section of Jones Island made the visibility and conditions truly breathtaking.
After spending 1-2 hours with these playful creatures, we surpassed our expectations of the experience. The boat ride back seemed a bit longer than the way there, possibly due to the cold and the wind picking up. Once back to shore, we removed our wetsuits and reflected on the incredible adventure we had just experienced. The team at Baird Bay Eco Experience were knowledgeable, friendly, and experienced, and the whole boat felt comfortable and safe.
Hint: If we were going to do it again, or if we could go back in time, we would book the morning tour that departs at 9:30 am to have better visibility. The weather is unpredictable on the Eyre Peninsula, but we found that the wind always picks up in the afternoon. So if you're keen on capturing some great underwater photos or videos, the morning tour might be a better option.
Overall, Baird Bay is a hidden gem that's definitely worth a visit if you're looking for a unique and unforgettable wildlife experience. If you're road-tripping on the Eyre Peninsula, this is a must-do experience that you won't want to miss.
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Baird Bay is a small coastal town located along the western coastline of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. To get to Baird Bay, you can drive from either Port Augusta or Port Lincoln. The distance from Port Augusta is approximately 520 km, and the drive takes around 6 hours via the Flinders Highway and then the Eyre Highway. From Port Lincoln, it is approximately 300 km and takes around 3.5 hours to drive via the Lincoln Highway and then the Flinders Highway.
Baird Bay is also a short drive from Streaky Bay, which is approximately 70 km away and takes around 50 minutes to drive via the Flinders Highway. The drive from Streaky Bay to Baird Bay is a scenic route that offers stunning coastal views.
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The best time to visit Baird Bay is during the warmer months of the year, between November and April when the weather is generally more pleasant and the water temperatures are warmer.
We visited Baird Bay in January and had an incredible experience with the sea lions and dolphins. The weather was perfect with plenty of sunshine and minimal wind, which made the water crystal clear with excellent visibility. When planning your visit to Baird Bay, it's important to keep in mind that the weather and wind can still be unpredictable even during the warmer months.It's recommended to book your activities in advance to ensure availability, but crossing your fingers for good weather is still necessary. Being flexible with your schedule can also come in handy in case your experience needs to be rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances.
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Prices for swimming with sea lions and dolphins in Baird Bay are subject to change, but when we visited in January 2023, it cost us $200 per adult to swim. This price includes a 3-4 hour experience, all equipment hire, and morning/afternoon tea. In our opinion, the experience is 100% worth it and we would pay for it again in a heartbeat. However, if you're not keen on getting in the water but still want to be a part of the experience, it costs $170 for non-swimming adults.
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If you're wondering where to crash in Baird Bay, we've got you covered. Baird Bay may be a small coastal town, but it offers a few great accommodation options for visitors. During our trip, we stayed at the Baird Bay Campground which only costs $10 per night, and we were lucky enough to secure one of the limited 7-9 sites available. The campground provides toilets and easy access to the water's edge, as well as a stunning lookout that boasts panoramic views of the area. If camping without a shower is not your style, you can always head to Streaky Bay, which is just a 50-minute drive away. There are two caravan parks in town where you can park your wheels and relax. And if you're looking for something more upscale, check out the Baird Bay Ocean Eco Apartments and enjoy a roof over your head for a more comfortable stay.
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If you're a fan of fishing, then you'll love Baird Bay. It's a fishing village, and you could spend hours dropping a line to catch dinner. The calm bay makes launching a boat, kayak, or canoe easy for a relaxing day on the water.
If you're up for some adventure, take a short drive around the corner to The Point Labatt Sea Lion Colony. The drive there is stunning, with the clear waters of Baird Bay visible on your left throughout the whole drive. Once you arrive at the cliffside, you'll be able to watch the sea lions lazing around in the sun. If you're lucky, some might be playing in the rockpools that line the coastline. It's a great opportunity to view these amazing creatures before jumping in the water with them.
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When we visited Baird Bay in January, the water was still quite chilly (18-22 degrees in Summer), but don't worry, as wetsuits are provided for the swimming experience. These suits definitely made a big difference in our comfort level and allowed us to stay in the water for longer periods of time. So even if you're visiting during the warmer months, be prepared for the water to still be a bit cool. But with the proper gear, you'll still be able to have an amazing time swimming with the playful sea lions and dolphins.
In the winter months, from June to August, the water temperature can drop to around 14-16 degrees Celsius.
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The sea lion and dolphin swim tour in Baird Bay typically lasts around 3-4 hours. We did the afternoon tour which departed at 1 pm and found that the duration was perfect. The tour included time for putting on wetsuits, loading onto the boat, swimming with the seals and dolphins, and returning back to the office. We were glad that we got to spend most of the tour time in the water, which made the experience all the more worthwhile.