Delphinus

What Delphinus does

Delphinus (legally Operadora Xuna, S.A. de C.V.) is a Quintana Roo, Mexico-based marine tourism operator that runs dolphin swim and interaction programs across seven physical habitats in the Cancun and Riviera Maya corridor: Interactive Aquarium Cancun, Punta Cancun, Playa Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya, Xcaret, and Xel-Há. Founded in 1990 and operating with a team of marine biologists, veterinarians, and IMATA-certified trainers (including MVZ Fernando Delgado Casarín as Director of Operations and Animal Welfare and MVZ Raúl Torres Salcedo as Director of Veterinary Medicine), the company's core deliverable is tiered, time-bound in-water dolphin experiences ranging from a 20-minute "Harmony" group swim (10 participants, $109 USD) up to a 2-hour "Dolphin Trainer" program ($189 USD), plus specialty packages such as a seasonal Whale Shark Tour and integrated "Dolphinclusive" bundles with the Xel-Há and Xcaret eco-parks. Operationally the company maintains 24/7 veterinary care, daily per-animal care protocols, and a global research initiative spanning 44 institutions across 7 countries, and is American Humane Certified for 2025.

The business model is direct-to-consumer with B2B2C reinforcement. Customers transact online via delphinusworld.com or on-site at habitat counters; pricing is fully published in USD with early-booking discounts and an 8% cancellation handling fee. Distribution is augmented by transportation partnerships with more than 150 hotels (Bahia Principe, Barceló, Hard Rock, Hyatt, Dreams, Marriott, Palladium, RIU, Secrets and others) for $10 shuttle service, and by co-located habitats inside two of Mexico's largest eco-parks (Xcaret, Xel-Há) that bundle park admission with dolphin programs. Marketing mixes content-driven travel guides, multi-platform organic social (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X, LinkedIn), and opt-in SMS/WhatsApp. No parent company, venture funding, public listing, or disclosed financial statements are present in the source data; the entity is a privately held Mexican S.A. de C.V. governed under Quintana Roo law.

Name

Delphinus

Legal name

Operadora Xuna, S.A. de C.V.

Website

https://delphinusworld.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Delphinus operates seven dolphin-interaction habitats across Cancun and the Riviera Maya in Mexico, offering tiered swim-with-dolphins experiences, eco-park bundled packages, and hotel shuttle services to tourist families, couples, and marine-life enthusiasts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Tourism and Dolphin Experiences

NAICS

Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine & Coastal Ecotourism (Diving, Snorkeling, Whale Watching) (THAAAAAJ), Marine Wildlife Sanctuaries & Protected Seascape Visitor Operations (Reef/Marine Parks) (THAAAFAJ)

Keywords

• Dolphin swim experiences
• Marine tourism services
• Aquarium attractions
• Eco-park experiences
• Wildlife encounters

Headquarters

HQ city

Quintana

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Dolphin Swim Experiences: Core revenue from dolphin interaction programs. Multiple tiered packages ranging from basic Harmony (10 participants, 20 min in water) to premium Supreme and Trainer experiences. Pricing varies by package complexity, duration, and included amenities.
2. Park Combination Packages: Bundled experiences combining dolphin swims with access to partner ecological parks (Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor). Includes all-inclusive options with park admission, food, and beverages.
3. Transportation Services: Shuttle service from partner hotels to dolphin habitats. $10 USD per person for most locations (Riviera Maya, Playa Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, Interactive Aquarium). Free transportation with all-inclusive packages to Xcaret and Xel-Há.
4. Aquarium and Additional Experiences: Interactive Aquarium Cancun admission, Sky Wheel Cancun combinations, and aquarium trek experiences as add-on offerings.
5. Cancellation and Change Fees: Cancellation policy generates revenue: 8% handling fee for cancellations made 2+ days prior. No refunds for reservations less than 2 days old or for whale shark tours.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Delphinus operates seven dolphin habitats across the Mexican Caribbean (Cancun and Riviera Maya) offering tiered dolphin swim experiences ranging from basic group interactions (Harmony, Interax) to premium trainer programs and all-inclusive eco-park combinations. The company's core revenue comes from dolphin encounter experiences booked by tourists, supplemented by transportation services, aquarium admissions, whale shark tours, and bundled packages with Xcaret and Xel-Há ecological parks.

Product overview

Delphinus is a tourism and hospitality company offering dolphin swim experiences at seven locations across Cancun and the Riviera Maya region of Mexico. The company operates a portfolio of dolphin interaction programs structured in tiers ranging from entry-level experiences (Interax, Harmony) to premium offerings (Premium, Primax, Dolphin Trainer, Trainer for a Day). The product ecosystem includes location-specific programs at Interactive Aquarium Cancun, Punta Cancun, Playa Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya, Xcaret, and Xel-Ha. Additional offerings include integrated packages with ecological parks (Xel-Ha Dolphinclusive, Xcaret Plus Dolphin Tour), whale shark tours, and a shuttle transportation service connecting partner hotels to Delphinus habitats. The company positions animal welfare and conservation as central to its operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Harmony Group dolphin swim experience with 10 participants, 10 activities, and 20 minutes in the water. Available at Punta Cancun, Playa Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, and Riviera Maya locations.
• Interax Entry-level dolphin swim program with 6 participants, 14 activities, and 30 minutes in the water. Available at Interactive Aquarium Cancun, Punta Cancun, Playa Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, and Riviera Maya locations.
• Primax Mid-tier dolphin swim program with 4 participants, 18 activities, and 45 minutes in the water. Available at Punta Cancun, Playa Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya, Xcaret, and Xel-Há locations.
• Premium Enhanced dolphin swim program with 4 participants, 18 activities, 45 minutes in the water plus 20 minutes Aquarium Trek. Available at Interactive Aquarium Cancun location.
• Dolphin Trainer Premium experience program with 4 participants spanning 2 hours, offering deeper interaction and training activities with dolphins.
• Whale Shark Tour Seasonal swimming tour with whale sharks including round trip transportation, stop at Playa Norte at Isla Mujeres, optional dolphin swim, box lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks. Located at Playa Mujeres.
• Interactive Aquarium Cancun Marine habitat located in Plaza Isla Cancun, 12.5 km from the hotel zone and 25 minutes from Cancun International Airport. Offers dolphin encounters and viewing of other marine species.
• Xel-Há Dolphinclusive All-inclusive Xel-Há park access combined with dolphin swim experience, including free transportation. Located inside the Xel-Há ecological park.
• Xcaret Plus Dolphin Tour Dolphin swim experience combined with Xcaret ecological park access. Located inside the Xcaret ecological park.
• Delphinus Trek Dolphin experience option for up to 8 people per pack with 45 minutes in the water. Park entrance not included. Available at Xel-Há location.
• Trainer for a Day Extended dolphin trainer experience program allowing participants to spend a full day learning trainer activities.
• Delphinus Shuttle Transportation service to Delphinus habitats from partner hotels. Available to Riviera Maya, Playa Mujeres, and Puerto Morelos for $10 USD per person; Interactive Aquarium Cancun for $10 USD per booking; and Xel-Há and Xcaret with all-inclusive packages at no extra cost.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35+ years of dolphin care experience
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• XcaretcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDelphinus habitat is located inside the Xcaret ecological park. Combined Dolphin Tour packages available that bundle dolphin experiences with park admission. Transportation included with select packages.
• Xel-HácoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDelphinus habitat is located inside Xel-Há ecological park. Exclusive Dolphinclusive packages combine all-inclusive park access with dolphin swim experiences. Free transportation available with these packages.
• XplorminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for combined adventure experiences with Xplor eco-park featuring ziplines and extreme activities in the Riviera Maya.
• American Humane AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird-party animal welfare certification organization. Provides American Humane Certified designation for dolphin care standards.
• International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (IMATA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal professional organization for marine animal trainers. Delphinus team members are IMATA certified.
• SEMARNAT (Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. Regulatory partner for environmental compliance and permits.
• Chicago Zoological SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Brookfield Zoo. Partner in cetacean welfare research and conservation initiatives.
• AZCARM (Asociación de Zoologicos, Criaderos y Acuarios de la Republica Mexicana)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMexican Association of Zoos, Breeders, and Aquariums. Industry association for zoo and aquarium best practices.
• AMHMAR (Asociación Mexicana de Hábitats para la Interacción y Protección de Mamíferos Marinos)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMexican Association of Habitats for Marine Mammal Interaction and Protection. Industry body for marine mammal welfare standards.
• University of CambridgemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for marine mammal research and conservation science initiatives.
• CUNY (The City University of New York)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner contributing to marine mammal research and conservation education.
• CONACYT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMexican National Council for Science and Technology. Funding and regulatory partner for scientific research initiatives.
• Cinvestav (Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvanced research center for marine mammal science and veterinary medicine research.
• The Global CompactmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Global Compact participant. Commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility principles.
• Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & AquariumscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal alliance of marine mammal facilities. Industry standards and best practices organization.
• Hotel Shuttle Partners (150+ properties)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransportation partnership with major resort chains including Bahia Principe, Barcelo, Dreams, Hard Rock, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Palladium, Riu, Secrets, and 150+ other properties. Provides shuttle service from hotels to Delphinus habitats.
• Cabo AdventuresminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdventure tourism operator partnership for combined marine experiences.
• Vallarta AdventuresminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdventure tourism operator partnership for combined marine experiences.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Ocean Park Hong Kong: Large Asian marine theme park combining aquariums, animal encounters, and amusement rides — broader incumbent in captive marine entertainment with overlapping dolphin encounter offerings.
• SeaWorld Entertainment: US-based marine mammal theme park operator with broader amusement park portfolio; relevant as a large incumbent shaping public perception, regulation, and welfare standards for captive cetacean entertainment.
• Grupo Xcaret (Experiencias Xcaret): Eco-park operator (Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor) that is both a Delphinus co-location partner and a broader competitor for ecotourist share in Riviera Maya — directly comparable in target customer, bundled-park product, and distribution.

Others

• Cabo Adventures: Existing Delphinus channel partner and Mexican adventure-tourism operator (snorkeling, whale watching, sea kayaking) — relevant comparator as a regional marine experience distributor rather than a direct dolphin-encounter competitor.

Direct peers

• Dolphin Cay (Atlantis Paradise Island): Bahamas marine mammal habitat integrated into a Caribbean resort ecosystem with curated dolphin swim experiences — comparable business model combining destination tourism, hotel distribution, and welfare-positioned interactions.
• Discovery Cove (SeaWorld): Orlando-based all-inclusive day resort offering curated dolphin swim interactions with capped participant counts — highly comparable to Delphinus's Trainer / Premium / Dolphinclusive tiered model.
• Zoomarine (Portugal): Marine theme park offering dolphin interactions, exhibits, and presentations in a Mediterranean tourism destination — comparable in product mix, customer segment, and welfare positioning to Delphinus.
• Marineland (Antibes / Niagara): Marine mammal park with dolphin and orca encounters in France/Canada — direct peer in the dolphin interaction category, illustrative of regulatory and welfare headwinds facing the segment.
• Dolphin Discovery: Mexico- and Caribbean-based dolphin swim operator with multiple habitats across Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, and other destinations — the closest direct competitor to Delphinus in product, geography, and pricing tiers.

Emerging players

• Dolphin Plus (Florida Keys): Boutique Florida Keys dolphin encounter operator with educational and interactive programs — comparable niche positioning to Delphinus's Trainer and Premium tiers in a smaller-scale format.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/delphinus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/delphinusworld
• Facebookfacebook.com/DelphinusWorld
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/delphinus
• Instagraminstagram.com/delphinusworld
• TikToktiktok.com/@delphinusworld

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Delphinus