Alan and Patricia Payne run this family owned business operating off the West Coast of the Eyre Peninsula South Australia, in the Great Australian Bight.

"Our adventures with the marine mammals of Baird Bay started in late 1992 by chance, with the first approach being made by a young Australian Sea Lion inquisitive of what we were and what we were doing, which consequently brought this young mammal close to our boat while we were fishing."

The day was warm and calm, and with Alan's curiosity matching this little Lion of the sea, he could not resist the temptation to slip quietly into the water to return the gaze of this young, wide brown eyed Lion. Our now long time friendship began right there. After many years of constant encounters we have learnt a great deal from these wonderful creatures, their likes and dislikes, what upsets them and what pleases them and one thing we have really learnt is, they love human interaction, they love a game but it must be of their choosing.

Swimming with the Dolphins of this Bay started in much the same way, their game though is much different. They are 'cats of the sea', and like a cat they are aloof and possess what seems to be a magical quality.

In this encounter and always, they leave for those that are lucky enough to experience them in an interactive mood, a sense of wonder and excitement. We now find with each new generation born of both these mammals of the sea, we have the fortune of being given their unconditional trust. What never ceases to amaze us is the fact that we have never hand fed any of these mammals, all interaction is done solely on their choosing and must remain so.

Dolphins.
Dolphins can swim up to 40 km/hr, due to special structures in the skin that reduce turbulence. They spend the least amount of energy when swimming at speeds of about 8 km/hr.

Sea Lions.
Sea Lions, Seals, and Walruses are in a scientific group of animals called Pinnipeds, which means "wing foot" or "feather foot."