Company Profile

Operating since 1989 on the shoreline of Koombana Bay, Bunbury, Western Australia, we are Australia’s Premier wild dolphin experience. A conservation, education and research organisation that helps fund its operations through tourism. With licensed dolphin watching and dolphin swim tours, a dolphin interaction beach, interpretive centre, cafe, souvenirs and conference facilities.

New purpose-built facilities ($12.3m), opened in 2019, significantly expanded our interpretive centre and enables us to host larger groups in our cafe/restaurant and functions facilities.

Our beachside setting on Koombana Bay, our new facilities and our resident population of wild dolphins makes this one of the best places in the world to interact with wild dolphins with the bonus of knowing that your support is contributing to sustainability and our conservation, education and research activites.

Please follow the links below for further information

wild dolphin interaction zone

meet a wild dolphin free of charge

With so many dolphins living along the coast, Bunbury and Koombana Bay offer the perfect opportunity for dolphins and humans to meet and interact. The Interaction Zone has been designated as a special dolphin protection area for this very purpose. Under strict license conditions set out by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), the Centre has been able to offer a unique interactive experience on the beach right in front of the Centre since 1989. Dolphin Volunteers have been trained to ensure the interaction guidelines are followed and they will always be present on the beach to answer your questions and manage the interaction should dolphins visit the Zone. Naturally, being a wild animal there is no set time, however, the most common visit times are in the mornings of the warmer months between 8 am – 12 noon!

interpretive centre

open all year (except public holidays)

Learn about the Bottlenose Dolphins. Explore, touch and visually immerse yourself in our local marine environment. Enjoy marine animal feedings by our volunteers. As an Advanced Eco Tourism attraction we do not have captive dolphins on display but together we will explore the wild dolphins of Koombana Bay to provide a window into their natural behaviours.

wild dolphin swim tour

November – April boat tour

An award-winning tour guaranteed to thrill! Join us for an intimate swim with wild dolphins in their natural environment. Our most popular and exhilarating tour, you will be accompanied by our experienced guide and trained volunteers as you venture into the beautiful open waters of Koombana Bay. Dolphin Discovery Centre will provide you with everything you need for your 3-hour adventure, including snorkelling equipment, wetsuits, a snack and drink and our knowledgeable team who are incredibly passionate about Bunbury’s dolphins and all marine life in the bay. As they are wild animals, please understand that dolphin interaction cannot be guaranteed. However, we do guarantee dolphin sightings. Swim Tour season runs from November to April with tours departing every day (except Monday & Tuesdays) at 8am.

dolphin eco cruise

our year round boat tour

The Dolphin Discovery Centre’s Dolphin Eco Cruise is for 90 minutes within Koombana Bay. Our vessel provides an excellent viewing platform designed to get you as close as possible to the dolphins – without getting your feet wet! The team will introduce you to our local Bottlenose Dolphins as they interact in their natural environment. Many of the Dolphins seen on the cruise call Koombana Bay their home. They can be seen frolicking, playing, sleeping and feeding during the cruise. The informative commentary from the skipper will keep you updated throughout.