Guided Dolphin Eco-Cruise in Koombana Bay: Dolphins Guaranteed

Watch bottlenose dolphins feed, play and socialise in their natural bay habitat from a purpose-built vessel.

A guided dolphin eco-cruise in Koombana Bay near Bunbury takes you out for 60–90 minutes to watch wild bottlenose dolphins in their natural environment, with a guarantee to see them or go again free. The boat leaves from the beach within minutes, carries a 300-degree viewing platform, and is crewed by a skipper who narrates dolphin behaviour as you watch them feed, play, sleep and socialise. Your ticket supports conservation and marine research.

The experience

The cruise departs from the beach near Bunbury after a 45-minute arrival window, and during the cooler months (May to September) leaves from an alternative beach five minutes away with free parking. The boat is purpose-built with a 300-degree viewing platform designed to get you close to the dolphins without leaving the vessel. The protected waters of Koombana Bay hold a large resident population of bottlenose dolphins, and the skipper identifies individuals and narrates their behaviour (feeding, hunting, playing, socialising, sleeping) as you move through the local waterways. The tour stays minutes from shore, so there's no long travel time. The vessel has a toilet on board.

The operator runs this as a not-for-profit and holds Advanced Eco Tourism Certification and a full license from Parks and Wildlife Service Western Australia. Every cruise contributes to a conservation project that monitors the wild dolphin population, tracks individuals, records behaviour and reports injuries. If you don't see dolphins, you can return on another departure at no extra cost, subject to availability.

What’s included

• In-person guide providing skipper commentary throughout.
• dolphin watching and sightseeing cruise of Koombana Bay and the Bunbury Waterways.
• 300-degree viewing platform.
• on-board toilet facility.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:30, 12:00 and 13:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 28

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Dolphin Discovery Centre

Is this one for you?This is a shared guided tour, so you travel with other visitors and watch the dolphins together from the boat. Choose it if you want a naturalist skipper to explain dolphin behaviour and identify individuals as you observe them, and if the guarantee to see dolphins or return free matters to your booking decision.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How close do you get to the dolphins on this cruise?

The 300-degree viewing platform is designed to bring you as close as possible to the dolphins without getting your feet wet. You watch them in their natural environment from the boat as they feed, play and interact.

What happens if we don't see dolphins?

The operator guarantees you'll see dolphins or you can go again for free, subject to availability. This guarantee is backed by the large resident population of bottlenose dolphins that call Koombana Bay home.

How long is the cruise and how far from Bunbury is it?

The cruise runs 60–90 minutes and departs from the beach within minutes of Bunbury, so there's no long travel time. You arrive 45 minutes before departure to check in.

What's included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes the guided cruise with skipper commentary, dolphin watching in Koombana Bay and the Bunbury Waterways, and access to the on-board toilet. Your ticket also supports the operator's conservation, education and marine research projects.

Is the boat accessible for people with mobility needs?

Yes, the boat and the boarding area are wheelchair accessible. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, or sit on an adult's lap. The tour suits all physical fitness levels.