RAD KI

RAD KI At Research and Discovery Coastal Tours Kangaroo Island (RAD KI), we offer a unique opportunity to explore Kangaroo Island's North Western coastline.
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Our tours are tailored for those who share a passion for the marine environment. We welcome you to join us on our versatile 8m zodiac rib RADIKAL to explore the unexplored and to expect the unexpected! We will ferry you out to RADIKAL in our tender vessel from Stokes Bay boat ramp. This is where your adventure begins. After getting you all on board, we will head out wide in the search of various d

olphin species, attempting to capture images of their dorsal fins for cataloging before heading back into the geological wonderland that compromises the far North West coastline of KI. RAD KI holds a permit to join sealion, seals and dolphins in the water. So if you are keen and the weather permits, we will seek out a sheltered cove and pop you into the water (with an underwater camera if you have one) to survey the incredible diversity of creatures, large and small, that we often encounter. Of specific interest are of course our at risk marine species such as the endangered Australian Sealion, the near threatened Leafy Seadragon and the vulnerable Western Blue Groper. But with 85% endemism of species in this little-explored section of our temperate Great Southern Reef, so much remains yet to be discovered, so who knows what you might come across. Not keen to hop in, no worries! There is just so much to see and do on the surface. We are actively monitoring the coastal raptors such as the ever-decreasing osprey population and the majestic white bellied sea eagles that nest along this coastline. You will no doubt also encounter many a pinniped (seal or sea lion) perched up on the rocky cliff face and may even observe the feeding frenzies of multiple species unfold causing havoc to the schools of small fish below. Never a dull moment, and always so much to record and see! And if you wish to just sit back and savor the journey, that's great too. We are happy to take care of the surveying for the day ourselves....and have you just feast you eyes on all that this incredible coastline has to offer whilst you just relax and enjoy. Following a fun filled morning we will indulge you in a mouthwatering lunch featuring all of Kangaroo Island's best local produce. From the delicious Stokes Bay smoked chicken, olives and sticky figs to the scrumptious D'Estrees Bakery rolls... there will be something for everyone in our bento box assortment of goodies. And naturally home made treats baked with KI's award winning local honey will accompany a hot cup of coffee or tea after underwater surveying. On our way home we will show you some of the most incredible geological wonders you have yet to see (promise!), and are happy to stop off at pristine inaccessible beaches on the way. But naturally if we come across a friendly pod of bottlenose dolphins, you may just feel that hoping into the water with them....or simply dropping down our hydrophone to hear what they have to say to us!...may take precedence over this. They are just so curious and playful. We have no itinerary per se. Every day is different. We let nature guide us from the very first moment you set foot on the boat. But we will aim to have you back within 5 to 6 hours of departure. At RAD KI we aim to discover the undiscovered with you. We aim to find out, through continual surveying, what is actually going on out there. And most importantly perhaps, we want you to be a part of this exciting journey of research and discovery with us. Who knows - you may well be the one to come across a whole new species! Give us a call. We can't wait to have you on board as fellow citizen scientist in this truly unique, exciting and just so incredibly beautiful part of the world. See you soon on RADIKAL! As a fully surveyed diving and research vessel we welcome any groups that wish to charter our vessel for this purpose only. Personal private charters very welcome also.

14/05/2026

Online news

14/05/2026

16 degrees and a bit murky, but the seals didn't mind, and nor did I :)

Well hello swallow! My favourite photo of today :) @topfansAuthentic Kangaroo IslandNational Parks and Wildlife Service ...
13/05/2026

Well hello swallow!

My favourite photo of today :)

@topfansAuthentic Kangaroo IslandNational Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia Kangaroo Island Tourism Randall JohnsonBirdLife Australia Raptor GroupBirding Kangaroo Island

RAD KI is not only active on the water.We are also strong believers in conservation and protection of the land, and shap...
04/05/2026

RAD KI is not only active on the water.

We are also strong believers in conservation and protection of the land, and shape our lives and breaks around this accordingly.

We are proud members of The Nature Foundation and have just returned from what we affectionately call a ‘wombatical’ at one of our favourite places - Hiltaba Nature Reserve.

Hiltaba sits on the edge of the Gawler Ranges - a vast, ancient landscape of red hills, granite outcrops and quiet valleys that feel a long way from everything. It’s a protected property, carefully managed for conservation, where native species are given the space to simply exist as they should.

A 'wombatical 'means being completely out of range of all technology and doing nothing more complicated than counting wombats ...echidnas....macropods...and birdlife that never really switches off.

Bliss.

04/05/2026

Our survey for tomorrow is now full :)

Sharon Maree Cole, Coastal Research Survey – KI Reef Resilience Project (Free of charge for Kangaroo Island residents)We...
03/05/2026

Sharon Maree Cole, Coastal Research Survey – KI Reef Resilience Project (Free of charge for Kangaroo Island residents)

We’re getting back on the water tomorrow — making the most of the calm between the storms. It’s set to be a cold one, but conditions look ideal for our next KI Reef Resilience Project research survey.

A last-minute private charter cancellation has left us with a full day, so we will be using it to engage KI locals in another important KI Reef Resilience Project survey where we will be monitoring our ospreys, sea eagles, dolphins, seals, and sea lions, and fingers crossed might even happen upon an early whale!

Tomorrow’s Reef Resilience Project survey has been made possible by the generosity of a dear family friend and truly remarkable human, Sharon Maree Cole. Each week, Sharon reaches out to thank us for the work we do and contributes what she can. It’s this kind of support that quietly keeps the Project moving.

So thank you, dear Sharon — this one is because of you.

We’ll also be introducing our new marine biology intern, Mia, to the RAD KI team. Mia joins us from James Cook University in Queensland and will be out there with us, helping with the research.

Details:
Emu Bay departure
Tuesday 5 May
10:00am – approx. 5:00pm
Route: Emu Bay to Snug Cove and return
BYO lunch
Home-baked morning tea, water, and hot coffee and tea provided

If you’d like to join us as a research volunteer to help spot and document the wildlife, give us a call on 0448 100 101 to secure a spot.

This trip is entirely free of charge, however small donations toward fuel are welcome in these volatile times...

We can't wait to see who we get on board this time!
@topfansAuthentic Kangaroo IslandGreat Southern Reef FoundationNational Parks and Wildlife Service South AustraliaKangaroo Island CouncilKangarooIslandEcotourism Australia

ANZAC dawn 2026
03/05/2026

ANZAC dawn 2026

There is no age limitation when it comes to citizen science. This little dolphin-lover was just such an asset to the tea...
19/04/2026

There is no age limitation when it comes to citizen science.

This little dolphin-lover was just such an asset to the team!

6 hours on the water is not a problem for the little ones. As 4 year old Billy said to me on the way home, 'we have just seen soooo much!' ...and then he fell to sleep in his dad's arms :)

Thanks guys for joining us. We will not forget this tour. So special!

Ahhh these guys...We are not your average tour company. We are pretty hard to find, don't do much marketing and don't ha...
18/04/2026

Ahhh these guys...

We are not your average tour company. We are pretty hard to find, don't do much marketing and don't have an online booking system.

We are old school and believe in handshakes and chats over the phone. And that's the way we like it :)

But we do know that those that are destined to find us will.

And this incredible family from the US did! They have been following our wildlife conservation work since the 2020 fires and finally made it to KI.

What a day!

My heart is full.

18/04/2026

Just imagine....

We only saw one Aussie Sea Lion (ASL) at their usual haul out area out west, but now we know why. Salmon at Stokes Bay!!...
17/04/2026

We only saw one Aussie Sea Lion (ASL) at their usual haul out area out west, but now we know why.

Salmon at Stokes Bay!!

Yum...

The wildlife are defiantly changing behaviour with the post bloom food availability.

@topfansAuthentic Kangaroo IslandGreat Southern Reef Foundation National Parks and Wildlife Service South AustraliaKangaroo Island- Natures Paradise Kangaroo Island - Locals Only

Address

Stokes Bay
Stokes Bay, SA
5223

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