Located on the shores of beautiful Shoalwater Bay, Perth Wildlife Encounters (formerly Rockingham Wild Encounters) operates a ferry service to Penguin Island and a range of eco cruises that visit the local wildlife and take in the scenic highlights of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park.
Swim with wild Dolphins
An exhilarating wildlife encounter that will stay with you forever! Perth Wildlife Encounters has been operating the multi award winning Swim with Wild Dolphins Cruise since 1989. There are over 200 local bottlenose dolphins that live amongst the sheltered waters of Rockingham's bays & islands that they’ve come to know as friends. They don’t perform tricks and they aren't fed, you simply spend some time enjoying each other’s company!
Penguin Island Ferry & Cruises
Blessed with white sandy beaches and surrounded by crystal clear waters, Penguin Island lies a five minute ferry ride away in the heart of the ruggedly spectacular Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. The wildlife is the star attraction. Enjoy a cruise to see wild dolphins and rare Australian sea lions before getting up close with the world’s smallest penguins! Island rangers present penguin feedings at 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm daily. Getting here is easy with ferries departing hourly from 9am to 3pm. Spend as long, or as little as you like to swim, snorkel, picnic and explore the nature trails and beaches before catching a return ferry at your leisure.
Experience the ultimate marine wildlife encounter with Australia's original and multi award winning wild dolphin swim cruise. With over 20 years of experience, friendship and trust we offer a unique opportunity to swim with these fascinating creatures in their natural environment and enjoy a better than 99% success rate.
It's just a 5 minute ferry ride to meet the world's smallest penguins on Penguin Island. In just under an an hour you can see the penguins but if you have more time swim, snorkel, explore or relax and enjoy this beautiful, unspoilt nature reserve. Price options for ferry only or ferry & entry into the Discovery Centre to see the Penguin Feeding. Ferries depart hourly 9am - 3pm and Penguin feedings are 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm.
Enjoy a ride an our glass bottom boat! Explore the wildlife sanctuary zone to see wild Dolphins, nesting ospreys & sea birds. Visit rare Australian Sea Lions at Seal Island and a pelican rookery. Includes penguin feeding, free time to enjoy Penguin Island and return ferry transfer.
Enjoy the scenic highlights of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park and keep a look out for the wildlife! This 60 minute cruise on board our glass bottom boat takes in the ruggedly spectacular coastlines of Penguin, Seal & Bird Islands and takes advantage of the best wildlife spotting opportunities of the day.
Followed by a 30 minute guided walk on Penguin Island.
Tour available June - September.
Pricing Information
More Information
Penguin Island is open daily September 15 to early June (Western Australia Day Public Holiday), subject to weather. When the island is closed due to bad weather, an ‘Island Alert’ is displayed on the Welcome page of www.penguinisland.com.au. Please refresh the welcome page for the latest information.
Closed December 25th for Christmas and for the winter penguin nesting season (the day after the Western Australia Day Public Holiday to September 14).
During the winter closed season, our 90 minute Penguin Island Wildlife Cruise still operates daily subject to weather.
Tickets, Gift Shop & Reservations
8.30am- 4.30pm (when Penguin Island is open).
9.00am- 3.00pm (when Penguin Island is closed).
Ferry Departures
Depart hourly*: 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm.
Return hourly*: 10.10am, 11.10am, 12.10pm, 1.10pm, 2.10pm, 3.10pm & 4pm sharp.
*Extra ferries are scheduled every 20 minutes or half hour during busy times as required.
Penguin Island Discovery Centre
Open daily 10am- 3.30pm.
Penguin Feedings: 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm.
Pengos Café
Open Daily 8am- 4.30pm.