Getting to Know the Dolphins of the Gold Coast

Between 2010 and 2011, the first dolphin population research surveys in the Gold Coast region took place. These surveys completed by Dolphin Research Australia team members provided valuable baseline knowledge about the populations.

These early surveys revealed that there are multiple species that inhabit the Gold Coast region throughout the year. The most abundant species are the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins.

The coastal habitat of the Gold Coast region includes complex estuarine systems and sheltered waters protected by barrier islands (North and South Stradbroke Islands) and the Southport Seaway spit. These waters we refer to here collectively as The Broadwater. To the east of the barrier islands and mainland are exposed coastal waters which are dominated by surf zones, sandy substrate and scattered rocky reefs. Currumbin and Tallebudgera Creeks are located towards the southern reaches and flow directly to the ocean.

Some individual dolphins move in and out of the region and only briefly visit the region. However, others are highly resident and have limited home ranges and remain in the Gold Coast region.  These individuals make up what we call the ‘resident communities’ and it is these dolphins that our research is particularly focused on. It is apparent that some individuals and communities prefer different habitats, with some almost exclusively using The Broadwater, while others prefer the exposed coastal habitats.

Higher densities of dolphins in the Gold Coast region are found nearby estuaries (including Currumbin Creek and Tweed River) and major outflows (including the Jumpin bar and the Southport Seaway).

In 2018, Dolphin Research Australia were successful in receiving funding support from the City of the Gold Coast to re-commence surveys of this dolphin population. Recent surveys have focused entirely on the resident dolphins that use The Broadwater as part of our Healthy Waterways-Healthy Dolphins Project.

Each month, our team of dedicated Dolphin Ambassadors conduct field surveys of these waters, searching for dolphins and recording their behaviour, habitat use and take photographs to identify individuals.