The amount of fresh fish that is fed to the dolphins is limited
as they are wild creatures and they should not become dependent
upon handouts from humans.
Monkey Mia is 27 kilometers north of the Western Australian town,
Denham, and 850 kilometers (over 500 miles) from Western Australia's
capital city of Perth. You can drive from Perth or fly to from
Perth to visit the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. There are fly-in,
1 to 5 day packages available from $495 (AU) (Page written
July 2001). For more information visit www.visitwa.com.au.
This site also offers backpacker
specials to Monkey Mia, coach
vacations and self-drive
vacations.
The Shark Bay Area is also known for hundreds of miles of magnificent
beaches, snorkeling, diving, touring the Francois Peron National
Park and many nature-based tours. Another famous inhabitant of
the Shark Bay World Heritage area is the Dugong. The Dugong is
one of 2 surviving sirenians or sea cows, the other being the
Manatee which is found in Florida and the Caribbean.
The area further north of the Monkey Mia area is also worth a
visit. If you travel north you will come across Coral Bay and
Exmouth. This whole area from Shark Bay to Exmouth is often referred
to as the Outback Coast and includes a wonderful area known as
Ningaloo Marine Park. The abundant sealife, the beautiful waters
and the warm temperatures make this area ideal for diving. You
can find several diving and diving supply companies at
http://www.outbackcoast.com/diving
In fact the site www.outbackcoast.com
will give you a very good idea of how to dive in this area, where
to stay and much more. Important information includes driving
tips. This is important as many of the roads are unpaved,
the main pedestrians are kangaroos and you need to take a supply
of water with you. It is not a jaunt down the Autobahn or the
U.S. Interstate. Please be prepared, listen to the locals and
enjoy your trip.
