What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 3pm Tuesday 8am - 3pm Wednesday 8am - 3pm Thursday 8am - 3pm Friday 8am - 3pm Saturday 8am - 3pm Sunday 8am - 3pm

Dolphin Discovery Centre

Name: Dolphin Discovery Centre
Address: Koomabana Drive, Bunbury, WA, 6230, AU
Telephone: +61897913088
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.8

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Bunbury, WA
Dolphin Discovery Centre

A proud environmental community charity focused on conservation, education, research, and eco tourism
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As a proud environmental community charity all profits help fund our Conservation, Education, and Research Projects.

03/10/2024

Celebrating Marine Education with the release of our new School Education Program for 2025-2026🦀🐬🤟👏!
At the Dolphin Discovery Centre we provide extensive educational activities and field based learning in marine and environmental studies for Primary and Secondary Schools. These activities include both incursions and excursions and the content within each has been designed to not only be interactive, entertaining and educational, but also to focus on Science and Biology as described within the Western Australian Curriculum, School Curriculum and Standards Authority.

We are proud being able to grow our Education Programs into the future as we know what difference it makes to a child's life to learn and develop a sense and knowledge about marine life and environment. We can only change and shape the future of our coast together - so let's get started today!

Our 2025-2026 Program is now open for bookings for Primary and Secondary Schools as well as Teacher Development, please visit https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/education/

For all other educational tours, experiences or sessions you are planning please email [email protected]

01/10/2024

What a beautiful Spring School Holiday Season we have had so far.
Today was another perfect day on the water for lots of our visitors going on the Dolphin Eco-Cruise including two wheelchair users. It was fantastic being able to make this experience accessible via our Beach Wheelchairs 🐬♿ that are available for use to all visitors of the Centre.

For information and bookings please visit our website or call 08 9791 3088 https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/tours/dolphin-eco-cruises/

Please note that we ask wheelchair users to provide their own aide, family or carers to use the chairs as our volunteers cannot provide this service due to health and safety regulations. All facilities of the Centre are wheelchair accessible and we also provide fully accessible bathrooms for wheelchair users including hot showers♿🐬.

Western Australia Australia's South West All Sea Charters Whale Watching

29/09/2024

Are you ready for a swim on the wild side!? Our Wild Dolphin Swim Tour 🐬 is just around the corner with the season launching in November.

DBCA Licensed & Advanced Eco Tourism Certified Tours - plus with every trip you contribute towards Conservation, Education, and Research!

Don't miss out and secure your space now on our most thrilling wildlife experience, also available as Gift Voucher https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/103200/swim-with-wild-dolphins

We are only 2 hours south of Perth, conveniently located on the way to Busselton and Margaret River. Dolphins guaranteed, or you go again for free👌.

A life changing encounter with Bunbury's most famous residents. Come with us to see, hear, and feel the bottlenose dolphins' presence in their own environment🐬😀.

Book securely now (fully changeable and refundable up to 72 hrs before departure!) https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/103200/swim-with-wild-dolphins or call 08 9791 3088 (8am -3pm).

Western Australia Australia's South West All Sea Charters Whale Watching

27/09/2024

👀 Looking for something to do with the younger kids these school holidays? 👀

Get to know the dolphins 🐬 that call Koombana Bay home through interactive activities and games.

Listen 👂 to the sounds the dolphins make and learn how their bodies help them swim, jump and catch food 🐟 🐙 then play a game to show us your best dolphin impression!
Have a go at identifying the Koombana Bay dolphins using our FinBook guide, and then go on a walk along the foreshore to see if you can spot them. Discover some of the things that can hurt our dolphins and what we can all do to keep them safe.

Finish the morning by decorating your dolphin craft.

This activity is suitable for children 4-7 years of age.

For more information and to book: https://parksandwildlife.rezdy.com/662417/dolphin-discovers-bunbury

26/09/2024

And that's why they call it the Humpback Whale Highway🐋👍😀!

We are in the middle of the southern whale migration, and our tour operators out of Busselton & Dunsborough keep sending the most amazing images and videos day after day, with no filters needed👌.

Do you want to see the whales in the Southwest!? Please follow the link for more information or bookings - Whale Guarantee or you go again for free😍https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/whale-watching-southwest/

All Sea Charters Whale Watching Naturaliste Charters Whale Watching Australia's South West

24/09/2024

The Mysterious Crab Bait Thieves did it again🐬🦀!
We are proud to announce that our very own short film 'The Mysterious Crab Bait Thieves' has been nominated recently to the Max Sir International Film Festival in Costa Rica and the 25th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Perth 👏😀.

It is wonderful to see that the Bunbury Dolphins are still travelling around the world amazing viewers about their fascinating behaviours but also showcasing how we continue working on a co-existence with our marine neighbours.

Fun Fact: Did you know that the Crab Bait Thieves have been viewed online more than 11 million times on Facebook and Instagram alone? And that 60 broadcasters, newspapers, and online platforms reported about them globally to over 20 million people? It makes it one of the most viewed dolphin stories out there. Our dolphins never stop to amaze us and truly help putting Bunbury and our beautiful Southwest Region onto the world map🤟.

You can watch the film in our Theatre inside the Marine Discovery & Interpretive Centre daily from 9am - 3pm, alternatively you can also find large parts on our page (at the top of the page) or on our YouTube Channel

https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/

Australia's South West City of Bunbury Society for Marine Mammalogy Western Australia DJI GoPro All Sea Charters Whale Watching Naturaliste Charters Whale Watching

23/09/2024

Volunteers Welcome🙏👏🐬!
Are you passionate about wildlife and our environment!? Then this might be for you. We are a community based not-for-profit organisation and without volunteers we wouldn’t be able to exist, so “don’t be shy - give it a try!” www.dolphindiscovery.com.au/volunteering/

We offer a wide range of activities you can get involved in like:
* Help manage our wild Dolphin Interaction Zone 🐬😄
* Assist guests in the Marine Discovery & Interpretive Centre 🦈🐙
* Working in the aquaculture area around aquariums and turtle rehabilitation🐢
* Being a ‘Swim With The Dolphin Tour’ volunteer during our swim tour season🐬
* Helping during our Dolphin Eco-Cruise with photography and information 📸
* Work in the background i.e. gardening, workshops, maintenance, data entry 👩‍🌾
* Citizen Science and educational programs / events 🔬
* Conservation Projects 🐋

By volunteering for the Dolphin Discovery Centre you will achieve a great sense of satisfaction knowing that you are assisting in a worthwhile project to increase public awareness about dolphins and other marine life. We are open minded and welcoming to all cultures and ethnic backgrounds; for us it is about the passion for animals and the environment https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/volunteering/

We aim for a minimum age of 16, however for younger qualifying applicants we do a personal assessment.

Volunteer South West

22/09/2024

Due to the King's Birthday Public Holiday, we are closed on Monday, 23rd of September 2024. Some volunteers may supervise the Dolphin Interaction Zone during a dolphin visit.

Fun Fact: Prince Charles and Diana actually visited Bunbury in 1983, anyone knows if they seen the Dolphins back then!?

We will be back on Tuesday 24th from 8 am. Wishing all our volunteers, staff, members, and visitors to Australia an enjoyable long bank holiday weekend🐬❤️!

Our booking systems remain open, and you can book all your dolphin and whale tours 24/7 here https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/

20/09/2024

The dolphins are back🐬😉👍!
Right on time for the school holidays, our first dolphins visited the beach interaction zone twice this morning❤️.

Cracker with her calf Wafer, Shadow with Reflection and Silhouette, as well as Key, visited our guest and volunteers for lots of photo opportunities. They were very relaxed, but we also saw quite a bit of feeding going on, and our Dolphin Eco-Cruise Vessels reported a lot of action in Koombana Bay👌😍https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/103196/dolphin-eco-cruise

Fun Fact: The return of the Bunbury dolphins is driven by ocean temperature. Once we reach 18-20 degrees, they reduce their feeding patterns significantly and start to lose weight, allowing for more social interaction.

Are you still looking for some cool school holiday activities for the kids!? Check out our School Holiday Program 24th Sep - 4th Oct https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/catalog/586405/school-holiday-program-sep-oct

18/09/2024

Two Southern Right Whales visited Bunbury's Back Beach today and swam only 100-200 m off the beach up and down from the Lighthouse to Hungry Hollows.

Bystanders and beachgoers called us in the morning to report the rare and endangered species. Our drone conservation team didn't struggle to find them and shared some video here.

Both whales were fine and had no visible injuries and no entanglements, which was the main concern. They spent a lot of time rolling and resting on top of each other, allowing us to take images of their heads with the so-called callosities. The unique patterns allow researchers to identify individuals to record their movements and behaviours 🐋🙏👍😀.

This is the best time of the year to see whales, so join our amazing crews from All Sea Charters & Naturaliste Charters in Busselton and Dunsborough for Whale Watching Tours. Please follow this link for bookings - Whales Guaranteed or you go again for free https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/whale-watching-southwest/

Western Australia Australia's South West

16/09/2024

Making Koombana Beach and the Bunbury Dolphins accessible🐬♿🙏!

Our fabulous volunteers have been preparing the Dolphin Beach Interaction Zone today by rolling out the beach-mat leading all the way to the water's edge and making it easier and safer to walk on the sand. We also got the 'Beach & Water Wheelchairs' back into action. The two models allow visitors to access the beach and also the water via the walking ramp.

The 'balloon-wheelchair' has got wide low pressure tyres making it easier to drive on sand but is not designed to go into the water as it would float and tip over. The 'blue-in water-wheelchair' however is designed to enter the water seamlessly, even during a dolphin visit to the interaction zone 👍😉🐬. After the beach we offer showers and changing rooms that are fully wheelchair accessible too.

We are proud being able to make the Dolphin Discovery Centre and the beach as accessible as possible for everyone https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/venue/facilities/

15/09/2024

Why is whale-watching in the Southwest the best!? That's why🐋🐬👌

The whale migration is in full swing right now. Book your trip to today with one of our Tour Operators - Whales Guaranteed (*or you go again for free). Multiple Tours departing daily from Dunsborough & Busselton. Tour is also available as Gift-Vouchers😍.

To book, please follow the link or call 08 9791 3088 https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/whale-watching-southwest/

14/09/2024

Mark this day, folks - Saturday 12th of October is WA Beach Clean Up Day 👏🐬🙏👍😄!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wa-beach-clean-up-2024-tickets-1017218326397?aff=oddtdtcreator
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of and the first WA Beach Clean-up event. In celebration, we at the Dolphin Discovery Centre are hoping to make this year our biggest clean-up yet!

Join us on Saturday, the 12th of October, from 8-8.30 am for registration at the Dolphin Centre. Then, participants will be split into groups to cover Koombana Bay, Back Beach, and Turkey Point. After the beach clean up, we are meeting back at the Centre to audit the rubbish found and to enjoy a sausage sizzle. Please register for this event so we can plan on equipment, food, and locations we can cover. If you can not make it but would still like to participate, please also register and get in touch so we can log where you are doing your clean - up.

Every kilometer of litter free coast line counts and makes a difference to our wildlife!

To register, please follow this link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wa-beach-clean-up-2024-tickets-1017218326397?aff=oddtdtcreator or email [email protected] for assistance.

Proudly supported by Tangaroa Blue, , Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Environment Fund!

13/09/2024

We got a new co-tenant at the Dolphin Discovery Centre!
With spring truly arriving in our region we are not only seeing more and more dolphins in the bay but also welcome a pair of laughing doves (Spilopelia senegalensis) as seasonal tenants to the Centre. Next time when you come for a visit, have a look at the right-hand side of our main entrance on top of one of the lights - but ssssshhhhh, they are nesting 😉🕊.

Fun Fact: Laughing Dove is a small pigeon that is a resident breeder in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Western Australia where it has established itself in the wild after being released from Perth Zoo in 1898.

But of course, you can also see a lot of dolphins in Koombana Bay. We got our 'Dolphin-Spotting-Station' on the Boardwalk ready for you with free binoculars and monoculars to be used. Help us find and identify the dolphins and their behaviour. During most days, we now also have dolphins feeding close to the beach in front of the Centre, which is fabulous to watch. Our Dolphin Eco-Cruises leave twice daily (three times daily during the School Holidays) and take you for 90 minutes into Koombana Bay and the local waterways from which you are guaranteed to see dolphins (*or you go again for free) 🐬😄.

For Info and booking please, visit https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/ or call during office hours 08 9791 3088.

12/09/2024

Kids Teaching Kids Conference 2024!
Today was another proud moment in our Education Program History. Being part of the Kids Teaching Kids Conference now for many years it is always a highlight and honour to hold it at the Centre.
This year, we had three participating schools with 110 students under the theme 'Humans Helping Habitat'. We welcomed South Bunbury Primary School, Clifton Park Primary School, and Cooinda Primary School. Throughout the morning and into the afternoon, students shared their knowledge and prepared work stations across two floors to teach and educate each other.
We were impressed and inspired about the thoughtful process and effort they invested, and it showcases that this next generation takes it very seriously when it comes to looking after our environment and wildlife.

Thank you all for participating, and thank you to for sponsoring the event.
https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/education/

10/09/2024

Thank you Josh Risdon and family for your visit to the Dolphin Discovery Centre Bunbury 🐬🐙🐢😀. It is always great welcoming back Bunbury Legend's @ Perth Glory

09/09/2024

Young humpback whale is free after entanglement - mother and calf humpback whales saying hello to Bunbury's Dolphins🐳🐬👍👏!

It has been a morning of celebrations for all of us. The reported 9m juvenile humpback whale from yesterday entangled in ropes and buoys of our coastline was successfully freed this morning by a team of Parks and Wildlife Service WA (DBCA) just of Dalyellup Beach. We can not credit this team from Busselton enough for their efforts since the rescue started yesterday. The whale was first sighted by Dustin Cole, a local fisherman who also supplied some photos and video. We were notified and raised the alarm with the Disentanglement Team of Parks and Wildlife, and within the hour, efforts began. Bad visibility made the rescue very difficult, but the experienced team succeeded in the end.

Our conservation drone team was patrolling early this morning along Bunbury's Back Beach looking for the whale and spotted some commotion approx 500m offshore. Turns out that this, however, was a different pair of whales, a humpback mum and calf were playing for some time with Bunbury's Dolphins, including one of our leading males Razor amongst them. After a while, the whales were heading west towards Cape Naturaliste, continuing on their journey towards Antarctica.

We truly live in a remarkable place! To book the best whale watching tours in the Southwest, please visit our website https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/whale-watching-southwest/ or call 08 9791 3088, and our Dolphin Eco-Cruises depart multiple times daily https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/tours/dolphin-eco-cruises/

Filmed under license using optical and digital enhancement.
Visit Bunbury Geographe Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia

08/09/2024

Two very different 'Ocean Giants' were spotted in our local waterways today, and both drawn the attention from locals. An entangled juvenile humpback whale in Geographe Bay and the Q7000 Semi Submersible Platform in Bunbury Harbour.

Our reception team received an animal in distress call this morning from a local fisherman of our coast reporting that he found a juvenile whale with ropes and buoys attached in approx 14m of water. He acted immediately and did the right thing by sending through the coordinates of the location. We were able to organise the Whale Entanglement Team of Parks and Wildlife Service WA (DBCA), who have been looking for this animal. The chain of reporting worked extremely well, giving the animal a fighting chance of being freed. We keep our fingers crossed for a good outcome and thank everyone involved for caring about our wildlife 🐳🙏👍.

The Q7000 vessel arriving into Bunbury Harbour this morning was quite a spectacle. It is a decommissioning platform for well intervention and to kill and remove old wells and then returns the seabed to its original condition. After working in the Bass Straight for a year, it is now heading north and stopped in Bunbury for maintenance, refuelling, etc. It can be seen from the Harbour Lookout Point next to the Preston River but is also clearly visible from the Leschenault Inlet due to its huge size.

We would like to emphasise that both ocean giant stories are unrelated. The whale has been entangled for some time in fishing gear (most likely lobster traps or of a similar nature). But they both remind us on how close we as humans and marine wildlife are living together.

If you find a marine animal in distress, please contact the Wildcare Helpline WA immediately on 9474 9055 or locally the Dolphin Discovery Centre Bunbury on 9791 3088.

To learn more, help, support, or become a volunteer, please visit our website https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/

Southern Ports Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia

06/09/2024

This makes good viewing easy!
Will you be joining our volunteers in spotting the Bunbury Dolphins from the boardwalk with our new binocular and spotting scope systems!? Thanks to a Lotterywest Grant our volunteers cannot wait to share them with you.

Since the weather is improving rapidly we are excited to bring out these important and very helpful tools. Although this morning we had dolphins cruising right through the Interaction Zone while feeding close to the beach, much to the enjoyment of our guests, they are not always nearby. But with these optical tools you can scan right through the bay from Point McKenna to The Cut and check out the fins' in the neighbourhood and help us analyse their behaviours.
We made them suitable for all age groups with kids friendly monoculars for all heights and mobile phone adapters as well as tripods for more steadiness. So come on down to the bay and join us for some dolphin action. Learn how we identify the individuals, their family groups or male alliances and so much more🐬👍.

If you fancy some more close up interaction why not book yourself onto one of our dolphin eco-cruises, departing daily https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/tours/dolphin-eco-cruises/ (dolphins guaranteed or you go again for free!).

Australia's South West Western Australia

04/09/2024

A mini crab hitch-hiking in a baby turtle found at Binningup Beach!? 🦀🐢
You are having a laugh, you might say...🤣
Actually, that's the true story of our latest arrival 'Huxley' into the turtle rehabilitation station. Have a look at our photos. A tiny crab was hiding under the shell above the tail of the rescue loggerhead, who was also covered in barnacles weighing just over 300 grams. A 2nd turtle named 'Treasure' was found at Maidens Beach Reserve in Bunbury, bringing the total number of turtles found so far this season to 16.
As previously reported, four of them have now graduated into the large rehabilitation aquarium inside our Marine Discovery & Interpretive Centre where you can visit them daily from 9am -3pm and learn all about their exciting life's. These turtles are: Squirdle, Coody, Barney, and Megan. Our volunteers, aquarists, and work experience students will happily share their knowledge and experiences with you. So, when will you be visiting us!?
https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/

Australia's South West

01/09/2024

Spring School Holiday Program released! We are super excited to continue and grow our community school holiday program from Tue 24th Sep - Fri 04th October. This time, we offer events for kids 7-13 years old but also some fun activities for 4-7 year olds. Please follow the booking links below or in person at the Dolphin Discovery Centre. Alternatively, please call 08 9791 3088 during business hours. Limited spaces available!

Tue 24th Sep, Dolphin Detectives, 9am - 12pm, $25, 7-13 years. Join us to find out how much you really know about dolphins https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/649613/dolphin-detectives-tue-24thsep-9am-3hrs-7-13-years

Tue 24th Sep, Pirates Playtime, 1pm – 2.30pm, $25, 4-7 years incld. 1 Guardian. Join us to find your inner pirate searching for hidden treasure and create your very own treasure to take home https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/662998/pirates-playtime-tue-24th-sep-1-30-90mins-4-7-years

Wed 25th Sep, Totally Turtles, 8.30am – 11.30am, $25, 7-13 years. Meet our rescue Marine Turtles and discover why our Loggerhead hatchlings needed rescue, how we help them recover, and where their journey will lead them, before making your own turtle to take home https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/649793/totally-turtles-wed-25th-sep-08-30am-3hrs-7-13-years

Wed 25th Sep, Trash or Treasure, 12pm – 3pm, 7-13 years, $25. All washed up - wonders or waste? See what you can find on the beaches of Koombana Bay. Search for hidden treasures before creating 'gems' of your own to take home https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/649773/trash-or-treasure-wed-25th-sep-12pm-3hrs-7-13-years

Fri 27th Sep, Sea Floor & More, 9am – 12pm, $25, 7-13 years. Observe and investigate marine animals in a range of different habitats. Learn about seahorses, sharks, lobsters, and more before making your own marine animal to take home https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/663001/sea-floor-more-fri-27th-sep-9am-3hrs-7-13-years

Fri 27th Sep, Turtle Tales, 1 pm – 2.30 pm, $25 (for 1 Child 4-7 years and 1 Guardian).
Meet our rescue turtles! Learn about the lives of our marine turtles and find out why they needed rescue before making your own turtle to take home https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/663003/turtle-tales-fri-27th-sep-1pm-90mins-4-7-years

Mon 30th Sep, Octopus Obsession, 8.30am – 11.30am, $25, 7-13 years. What has eight arms, nine brains, three hearts, and blue blood?!? The Octopus. Find out more about these amazing animals before making your own eight-armed friend https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/649780/octopus-obsession-mon-30th-sep-08-30am-3hrs-7-13-years

Mon 30th Sep, Pirates and Shipwrecks, 12 - 3pm, $25, 7-13 years. Find your inner pirate! Join us in searching for shipwrecks and hidden treasure and create your very own treasure to take home https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/663004/pirates-and-shipwrecks-mon-30th-sep-12pm-3hrs-7-13-years

Wed 02nd Oct, Dolphin Discovers@Bunbury, 10:30am - 12pm, $15, 4-7 years. Organised by Parks & Wildlife Service WA - Nearer to Nature. Get to know the dolphins that call Koombana Bay home through interactive activities and games. Listen to the sounds the dolphins make and learn how their bodies help them swim, jump, and catch food, then play a game to show us your best dolphin impression! Have a go at identifying the Koombana Bay dolphins using our FinBook guide, and then go on a walk along the foreshore to see if you can spot them. Discover some of the things that can hurt our dolphins and what we can all do to keep them safe. Finish the morning by decorating your dolphin craft. This activity is suitable for children 4-7 years of age. Tickets must be purchased for participating children only. The ticket includes entry to the Dolphin Discovery Centre Aquarium for the child. Additional entry ticket will need to be purchased for accompanying adults from the Dolphin Discovery Centre, on the day, if they wish to enter the aquarium before or after the activity https://parksandwildlife.rezdy.com/662417/dolphin-discovers-bunbury

Fri 04th Oct, Whacky Whales 8.30am – 11.30am, $25, 7-13 years. Whales are among the largest animals on the planet. Come and join us to explore different whale species, their habitats, and diets and discover which one’s swim through WA on their annual migration https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/663005/whacky-whales-fri-4th-oct-08-30am-3hrs-7-13-years

Fri 04th Oct, Marine Madness, 12 - 3pm, $25, 7-13 years. Learn all about different ocean environments and eco-systems. Meet some cool new species, as well as some well-loved locals, before making your own ocean creature to take homehttps://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/663006/marine-madness-fri-04th-oct-12pm-3hrs-7-13-years

30/08/2024

Southern Right Whales mother and calf visit Bunbury 🐳 & Baby Rescue Turtles are coming out to play this weekend🐢!

Rough wind and seas didn't bother two very large visitors to Bunbury's Back Beach today. The endangered cow calf pair of Southern Right Whales were only swimming 100 - 200m offshore and seen by many locals and visitors. It might have been the same pair being observed north in Binningup a few days ago. These gentle giants can look like a large log in the water and don't mind the shallowness. The calf was head slapping quite a bit, which can look scary but is a normal behaviour. They are easily identified by their whiteish callosities on their heads💪🐋.

To celebrate the official end of winter and the beginning of spring, some of our baby rescue turtles will come out to play in the Marine Discovery & Interpretive Centre this weekend for the very first time. You can visit them from 9am - 3pm daily in the large turtle rehabilitation tank. Learn all about their endangered species status and the vital work we do in conservation to help the species survive. Feeding times are at 9:45am & 12:45pm for turtles and octopus and 11am & 2pm for the large Offshore Reef Tank with Sharks & Co.

Don't forget we got our Father's Day Special this Sunday, 1st of September - all dad's go free into the Marine Discovery & Interpretive Centre. Plus, we got several Dolphin Eco-Cruises going out on Sunday with the weather improving rapidly 😀!

To book and learn more, please visit https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/ or call 08 9791 3088

Australia's South West Western Australia

Address

Koomabana Drive
Bunbury, WA
6230

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 3pm
Tuesday	8am - 3pm
Wednesday	8am - 3pm
Thursday	8am - 3pm
Friday	8am - 3pm
Saturday	8am - 3pm
Sunday	8am - 3pm

Telephone

+61897913088

Website

http://www.dolphindiscovery.com.au/

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Videos

Are you ready for a swim on the wild side!? Our Wild Dolphin Swim Tour 🐬 is just around the corner with the season launching in November. DBCA Licensed & Advanced Eco Tourism Certified Tours - plus with every trip you contribute towards Conservation, Education, and Research! Don't miss out and secure your space now on our most thrilling wildlife experience, also available as Gift Voucher https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/103200/swim-with-wild-dolphins We are only 2 hours south of Perth, conveniently located on the way to Busselton and Margaret River. Dolphins guaranteed, or you go again for free👌. A life changing encounter with Bunbury's most famous residents. Come with us to see, hear, and feel the bottlenose dolphins' presence in their own environment🐬😀. Book securely now (fully changeable and refundable up to 72 hrs before departure!) https://dolphindiscovery.rezdy.com/103200/swim-with-wild-dolphins or call 08 9791 3088 (8am -3pm). @followers Western Australia Australia's South West #seeaustralia #dolphinswimtour #dolphintours #ecotours #wadreamstate #dolphincruise All Sea Charters Whale Watching #wilddolphins

And that's why they call it the Humpback Whale Highway🐋👍😀! We are in the middle of the southern whale migration, and our tour operators out of Busselton & Dunsborough keep sending the most amazing images and videos day after day, with no filters needed👌. Do you want to see the whales in the Southwest!? Please follow the link for more information or bookings - Whale Guarantee or you go again for free😍https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/whale-watching-southwest/ @followers All Sea Charters Whale Watching Naturaliste Charters Whale Watching @westernaustralia Australia's South West #whales #whalewatching #whaletours #whalecruises #ecotours #seeaustralia #wadreamstate

Two Southern Right Whales visited Bunbury's Back Beach today and swam only 100-200 m off the beach up and down from the Lighthouse to Hungry Hollows. Bystanders and beachgoers called us in the morning to report the rare and endangered species. Our drone conservation team didn't struggle to find them and shared some video here. Both whales were fine and had no visible injuries and no entanglements, which was the main concern. They spent a lot of time rolling and resting on top of each other, allowing us to take images of their heads with the so-called callosities. The unique patterns allow researchers to identify individuals to record their movements and behaviours 🐋🙏👍😀. This is the best time of the year to see whales, so join our amazing crews from All Sea Charters & Naturaliste Charters in Busselton and Dunsborough for Whale Watching Tours. Please follow this link for bookings - Whales Guaranteed or you go again for free https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/whale-watching-southwest/ @followers Western Australia Australia's South West #whalewatching #whaletours #seeaustralia #ecotours #whalecruises #busselton #Dunsborough #wadreamstate

Why is whale-watching in the Southwest the best!? That's why🐋🐬👌 The whale migration is in full swing right now. Book your trip to today with one of our Tour Operators - Whales Guaranteed (*or you go again for free). Multiple Tours departing daily from Dunsborough & Busselton. Tour is also available as Gift-Vouchers😍. To book, please follow the link or call 08 9791 3088 https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/whale-watching-southwest/ @followers @westernaustralia #seeaustralia #wadreamstate #whalewatching #whalecruises #whaletours #humpbackwhales #seewhales @australiassouthwest #ecotourism #ecocruises

Young humpback whale is free after entanglement - mother and calf humpback whales saying hello to Bunbury's Dolphins🐳🐬👍👏! It has been a morning of celebrations for all of us. The reported 9m juvenile humpback whale from yesterday entangled in ropes and buoys of our coastline was successfully freed this morning by a team of Parks and Wildlife Service WA (DBCA) just of Dalyellup Beach. We can not credit this team from Busselton enough for their efforts since the rescue started yesterday. The whale was first sighted by Dustin Cole, a local fisherman who also supplied some photos and video. We were notified and raised the alarm with the Disentanglement Team of Parks and Wildlife, and within the hour, efforts began. Bad visibility made the rescue very difficult, but the experienced team succeeded in the end. Our conservation drone team was patrolling early this morning along Bunbury's Back Beach looking for the whale and spotted some commotion approx 500m offshore. Turns out that this, however, was a different pair of whales, a humpback mum and calf were playing for some time with Bunbury's Dolphins, including one of our leading males Razor amongst them. After a while, the whales were heading west towards Cape Naturaliste, continuing on their journey towards Antarctica. We truly live in a remarkable place! To book the best whale watching tours in the Southwest, please visit our website https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/whale-watching-southwest/ or call 08 9791 3088, and our Dolphin Eco-Cruises depart multiple times daily https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/tours/dolphin-eco-cruises/ Filmed under license using optical and digital enhancement. @followers #seeaustralia @westernaustralia Visit Bunbury Geographe #whalerescue #dolphintours #whalewatching #dolphincruises #whaletours #whalesandolphins Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia

Come wind and rain, our Marine Discovery & Interpretive Centre is open daily 9am-3pm with a warm and dry environment and lots to discover for everyone 🐙🐟🦈👍. Check out our new Science Stations, and don't miss any of our four feeding sessions of octopus, sharks, and giant western rock lobster or win a great price during the 'Scavenger Hunt'. Tickets are valid the whole day - see you soon...https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/tours/interpretive-centre/ @followers #seeaustralia #australiassouthwest @westernaustralia #thingstodo #familyfun #keepthekidsbusy #marinewildlife #aquarium #thingstodoonarainyday

Have you ever complained about cleaning your windows!? Watch our little video and think again...😉👍🦈 Our Aquarist and Volunteer Nat shows how you clean a 27,000 litre tank from the inside. Like every other aquarium, the large Offshore Reef Display needs weekly cleaning except it includes 3 species of sharks and over 20 types of fish. You got to be on a scuba and attached to a rescue harness for safety so we can winch the diver out in case of any emergencies. The white blanket is needed to see the built-up of algae on the thick glass. So much to see and discover in our Marine Discovery & Interpretive Centre, open daily from 9am-3pm, and your ticket is valid for the whole day with multiple entry https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/tours/interpretive-centre/ @followers #seeaustralia @westernaustralia @australiassouthwest #livestream #octopus #shark #dolphin #seaturtles #watchsharks #aquarium

Beware - sharp shooting octopus in the Marine Discovery & Interpretive Centre 🐙🎯😉! Our feeding sessions are never getting boring, especially the octopus, which can be full of surprises. Even our most experienced volunteers can get a wash down at times as Bob found out today. Feeding times are 9:45am & 12:45pm, the big offshore reef tank at 11am & 2pm https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/tours/interpretive-centre/ @followers Australia's South West Visit Bunbury Geographe Western Australia #octopus #aquarium #thingstodo #perthisok #lovebunbury #bunburybrighter #seeaustralia #familyfun #octopusfeeding

They are coming hard and fast, and some even bring hitchhikers along 🐢😮🦀. Please welcome 'Barney' the newest addition to our sea turtle rehabilitation program, No 5 of the season. The 171-gram baby loggerhead turtle was found today by Nardia on Back Beach in Bunbury near Hungry Hollow. Little Barney is covered with barnacles and even had a small crab living on its shell when found and rescued. Please help and support our life-saving rehabilitation program. Head for the beaches and coastline and keep an eye out for them. If found, please call the Wildcare Helpline 9474 9055 or the Dolphin Discovery Centre Bunbury 9791 3088. Do not put them back into the sea as they will need urgent care. Thank you 💙🙏. https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/adoption/adopt-a-turtle/ Please like, share, and comment our little video🐢👍 @followers #seaturtles #loggerheadturtles #animalrescue #turtlerescue #turtlerehabilitation #wildlife #animaladoption #turtleadoption #perthisok #lookwhatwefound #lovebunbury #bunburybrighter

When will you be joining us!? The dolphins are all excited 🐬😀🌊 Dolphin Eco-Cruises depart daily 10:30/12:00 (weather permitting). We take you for 90 mins into Koombana Bay and the local waterways - home of the dolphins. Dolphins guaranteed, or you go again for free! Book your Tour today https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/tours/dolphin-eco-cruises/ #dolphintours #seeaustralia #dolphincruises #seedolphins #lovebunbury #bunburybrighter All Sea Charters Whale Watching Western Australia Australia's South West #ecotourism @followers DJI

...and then there were three🐢! Shortly after we posted about Baby-Rescue-Turtle Megan, we received another message with a turtle found in a remote location. Adam was camping between Windy Harbour and Coodamurrup Beach and found 'Coody' all alone sitting on the beach weighing 105 grams. Being very remote and without much signal, they made contact via his partner Kelly to ask for advice as they wouldn't be able to get back to Bunbury for that night and had to camp out with Coody-Turtle. They did a marvellous job, putting it into a little bit of fresh water and keeping it away from the cold (around 18-22 degrees would be the ideal temperature). The following day, they made it on time to the Dolphin Discovery Centre, where an Intensive-Care-Pod was ready. Coody is now recovering well, already eating and passing food plus doing little dives. This brings us to 3 turtles for the season. With windy weather forecasted, we ask all of you to check local beaches for more washed-up loggerhead turtles. If you find one, please call the Wildcare Helpline 9474 9055 or us on 9791 3088. To help more, please consider one of our fabulous Turtle Adoption Packages and make a real difference to an endangered species 🙏🐢💙https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/adoption/adopt-a-turtle/ Please like, share, and comment on our little video...🙂👏 #loggerhead #seaturtles #turtlerescue #turtlerehabilitation #safeaturtle #animalrehabilitation @followers #bunburybrighter #lovebunbury #seeaustralia #australiassouthwest

Male dolphin alliances - strength through unity💪🐬!? This impressive pod of dolphins swimming in formation is quite a sight, isn't it!? Our videographers were thrilled to be part of this dynamic group travelling slowly along Buffalo Beach. How many can you count!? But have you noticed that there are no calves? Can you see how rugged and scarred their bodies are? Because these are all males, and they are from out of town heading into Bunbury, or better Koombana Bay. The reason for this behaviour are females, and these guys are ready to take on the local males over them 🥊🐬🥋. We see these and many more fascinating scenes on our Dolphin Swim-Tour (Nov-Apr) or Dolphin Eco-Cruises (all year). But you can also learn all about male alliances and maternal groups of dolphins in our Marine Discovery & Interpretive Centre open daily 9am-3pm with tickets valid the whole day🐙👍💙! For more info and bookings, please visit https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/ or call 08 9791 3088. Filmed under permit. @followers City of Bunbury Shire of Capel Shire of Harvey Western Australia Visit Bunbury Geographe #dolphinresearch Australia's South West #seeaustralia #lovebunbury #bunburybrighter #ecotourism #dolphintours #dolphinswim #dolphincruises #perthisok @allseacharters

Surf's Up - Bunbury Dolphin Winter Surfer's 🐬! Our Southwest Winter Season can produce some crazy weather patterns as we know for well. Come wind, rain, or sunshine when there are waves there will be winter surfers, and they are spectacular to watch🐬🌊💙 With beautiful weather forecasted from Thursday onwards, these scenes and more dolphin behaviour are best to be viewed from our Dolphin-Eco-Cruise Boats https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/tours/dolphin-eco-cruises/. We will take you for 90 minutes around Koombana Bay to see the wild bottlenose dolphins without getting your feet wet😀👍 - dolphins guaranteed or you go again for free. @followers City of Bunbury Australia's South West #seeaustralia Visit Bunbury Geographe Western Australia #dolphintours #ecotourism #dolphincruises #bottlenosedolphins #loveaustralia #bunburybrighter All Sea Charters Whale Watching #thingstodo #perthisok

Dolphins and pelicans are fun to watch, especially when they appear working together or just annoying each other🐬😀!? Our drone pilots often find the unusual pair of animals together in the same area, especially around the inlet or estuary waterways. The reason is quite simple, really - food🐟! In this instance, a brief of pelicans and a single dolphin working the same area for fish. The rich and nutritious seagrass fields in the shallows are perfect to forage for tasty treats that both animals alike enjoy feeding on. You can see these and many more fascinating dolphin behaviours on our 90-minute Dolphin Eco-Cruises, dolphins guaranteed, or you go again for free. We depart up to 3 times daily, weather permitting at 10:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm. To book and more info, please follow the link or call 08 9791 3088 https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/tours/dolphin-eco-cruises/ Filmed under license - using optical and digital enhancement. Min distance to dolphins in Western Australia with a drone is 60m. Please respect our wildlife🙏👍🐬! @followers Western Australia City of Bunbury Shire of Harvey Shire of Capel Australia's South West Visit Bunbury Geographe #seeaustralia #dolphintours #dolphincruises All Sea Charters Whale Watching #dolphinwatching #pelicans #ecotourism #lovebunbury #bunburybrighter #perthisok

Good News - 'Squirdle' the turtle update! We are so happy to report that Squirdle, our very first baby rescue loggerhead sea turtle, is doing very well. Our specialist team of aquarists and volunteers report from the intensive care station that it is eating well (see video) and passes the food. The water level slowly increases now so it can dive a bit, and it is swimming in pure seawater. Found two weeks ago at Binningup Beach by students of the @ParkfieldPrimarySchool during a beach clean-up, this baby turtle needed urgent care weighing only 58 grams.Today, Squirdle weighs already 80 grams 🐢💙. Now is the time to hit our beaches and coastline to look for washed-up turtles, especially in seagrass/seaweed. If you find one, please do not put them back into the sea. Pick them up and put them gently into a soft towel or similar with space to breathe. Call the Wildcare Helpline on 08 9474 9055 or the Dolphin Discovery Centre on 08 9791 3088, and we arrange a pick up. To support our sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation program, you can adopt them through this link or donate. Donations of $2 or above are tax deductible 🙏 https://dolphindiscovery.com.au/adoption/adopt-a-turtle/ @followers City of Bunbury Shire of Capel Shire of Harvey #seaturtles #animalrescue #loggerhead #turtlerehabilitation #supportcharities

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Dolphin Discovery Centre BUNBURY, Western Australia

The Dolphin Discovery Centre Bunbury is a self sustaining not for profit community organisation dedicated to the protection of marine animals and the conservation of their environment.

It is an essential stop for any visitor to the South West region. Recognised internationally as a leader of ecologically sensitive Dolphin and Marine interactive experiences through our conservation, eco-tourism, education and research programs.

We offer a wild dolphin Interaction Zone, Dolphin Eco Cruises, summer Dolphin Swim Tours and our Interpretive Centre & Interactive Displays. Or just relax and dine in our Café while enjoying stunning ocean views - your visitation supports our Conservation, Research and Education Projects.