Mandurah Dolphin Cruise: Wild dolphins guaranteed or sail free

Wild dolphins in their own waters, plus the canals and birdlife Mandurah is built around

A 75-minute guided cruise through Mandurah's estuary and canals with live commentary on board, departing from the Performing Arts Centre. You'll pass the world-class Ocean Marina, the Venetian-style Port Mandurah Canals lined with luxury homes, and the RAMSAR-listed Creery Wetlands. Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins are guaranteed—if you don't see them, you sail again free. The shallow waterways are where dolphins feed and play; you may see them jumping or riding the boat's wake. A live tank on board shows the blue swimmer crabs and Western Rock Lobster the region is known for, and the guide shares Mandurah's history from Aboriginal times onward.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mandurah Dolphin Cruise and Scenic Views

• Depart from Performing Arts Centre
• Cruise through Mandjar Bay waters
• View dolphins in natural habitat
• Explore Mandurah Ocean Marina at Dolphin Quay
• Travel through Port Mandurah Canals
• See Peel-Harvey Estuary wildlife
• Pass the mouth of the Indian Ocean
• View RAMSAR listed Creery Wetlands birdlife
• Learn Mandurah history and culture

The Experience

The cruise departs from the Performing Arts Centre and runs 75 minutes through the calm Mandurah Estuary. You'll travel through Mandjar Bay, the heart of Mandurah's waters, then into the Ocean Marina—a working commercial and recreational boat fleet anchored in a world-class setting. From there the route enters the Port Mandurah Canals, where luxury homes line both sides of the water. The guide provides live commentary throughout, pointing out heritage sites, cultural landmarks, and the wildlife that moves through these shallow, protected waterways.

Dolphins are the draw, and they're guaranteed: if Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins don't appear, you get a free return cruise. The shallow estuary is where they feed, rest and play—you may see them jumping from the water or surfing the boat's wake. On deck, kids can explore a lifelike engine room, marine controls, a captain's wheel and giant binoculars. A live tank holds blue swimmer crabs and Western Rock Lobster, two of the seafoods Mandurah's fishing heritage is built on; the guide explains how they're caught and shows them up close.

The route also passes the Creery Wetlands, a RAMSAR-listed site thick with birdlife, and ends where Mandurah's calm inland waters meet the Indian Ocean. The tour operates daily in all weather—dress for the conditions. You'll receive 10% off in the Mandurah Cruises Gift Store and can use your ticket for a buy-one-get-one-free offer at San Churros. All areas of the vessel are wheelchair accessible, and infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller.

What’s included

• Live guide commentary in English.
• dolphin sightings guaranteed or a free return cruise.
• access to the lifelike engine room, marine controls and captain's wheel on deck.
• a live tank with blue swimmer crabs and Western Rock Lobster.
• 10% discount in the Mandurah Cruises Gift Store.
• buy-one-get-one-free churros from San Churros with your ticket.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendly

Operated by Mandurah Cruises

Is this one for you?The 75-minute window leaves room for a morning or afternoon in Mandurah without eating the whole day—book the cruise, grab the free churros, and still have time to explore the town or the waterfront. If you're traveling with young kids, the on-deck activities and the guarantee mean you're not gambling on a sighting; if dolphins don't show, you come back at no extra cost.

Traveler reviews

4.61★★★★★★★★★★

397 verified traveler reviews

5 ★302

4 ★63

3 ★15

2 ★6

1 ★11

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What are the chances of seeing dolphins on the Mandurah cruise?

Dolphins are guaranteed on this cruise—if you don't see Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, you get a free return sailing. The shallow estuary is their natural feeding and resting ground, so sightings are frequent, though as wild creatures they are not always predictable.

How long is the Mandurah Dolphin Cruise?

The cruise runs 75 minutes and covers the estuary, the Ocean Marina, the Port Mandurah Canals, and the Creery Wetlands, departing from and returning to the Performing Arts Centre.

What can kids do on the boat during the cruise?

The vessel has a lifelike engine room, marine controls, a captain's wheel and giant binoculars for kids to explore. There's also a live tank where you can see blue swimmer crabs and Western Rock Lobster up close while the guide explains how they're caught.

What is the Ocean Marina and what will I see there?

The Ocean Marina is a world-class facility in Mandurah that serves as a hub for commercial and recreational boats. The cruise passes through it as part of the route, showing the working fleet and the scale of Mandurah's maritime activity.

Is the cruise accessible for people in wheelchairs?

Yes, all areas of the vessel and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. Guests must be able to move around the vessel independently and safely, including boarding and handling small steps or walkways, and staying seated during small waves without crew assistance.

What's included with the cruise ticket?

The ticket includes the 75-minute guided cruise with live commentary, the dolphin guarantee (free return if dolphins aren't seen), 10% off at the Mandurah Cruises Gift Store, and a buy-one-get-one-free offer at San Churros. Food, drinks and gratuities are not included, though alcoholic drinks are available to purchase on board.