Dolphin Discovery Centre
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersBunbury, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
Dolphin Discovery Centre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dolphin Discovery Centre
- Legal name
- Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Inc
- Website
- https://dolphindiscovery.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dolphin Discovery Centre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Eco-Tourism and Marine Wildlife Experiences
- NAICS
- Marinas (713930), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130)
- 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
- Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours (THAAAIAC), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Guided Diving & Snorkeling Excursions (boat/shore trips) (THAAAIAB)
Keywords
Where Dolphin Discovery Centre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bunbury
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Dolphin Discovery Centre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Eco-Tourism Tours: Revenue from dolphin eco-cruises, swim with dolphins tours, port and dolphin cruises, and whale watching partnerships. Tour prices range from $35-$220 per person depending on experience type.
- Marine Discovery Centre Entry: Entry fees to indoor interpretive centre with themed fish tanks, aquariums, and digital dolphinarium. Adult $23, Child $13, Family $62.
- Annual Passes & Memberships: Unlimited entry annual passes for Marine Discovery Centre: Adult $50, Child $25, Concession $30, Family $100.
- Cafe & Kiosk Operations: Beachside cafe and kiosk serving breakfast, lunch, snacks and refreshments 7 days 8am-3pm
- Venue Hire & Corporate Events: Function and conference centre hire including boardroom ($300), function rooms ($550-$1000), and alfresco areas. Also includes catering services and beverage packages.
- Adoption Programs: Symbolic dolphin and turtle adoption packages including e-adoption ($75), gift pack ($125), and premium adoption ($1000) with VIP experiences.
- Donations & Environment Fund: Tax-deductible donations ($2+) supporting dolphin rescue, whale stranding response, turtle rehabilitation and conservation programs. Target of $300,000-$450,000 annually.
- Gift Shop & Retail: Souvenir store selling gifts and merchandise including PHYCO HEALTH seaweed products, plush toys, and marine-themed items.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Marine Discovery Centre Day Entry |
| Subscription | Annual | Marine Discovery Centre Annual Pass |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dolphin Eco Cruise |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Swim With Dolphins Tour |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Port & Dolphin Cruise |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Corporate Event Venue Hire |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Beverage Packages |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | School Education Programs |
| Subscription | Annual | Dolphin Adoption Package |
| Subscription | Monthly | Turtle Adoption Package |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Dolphin Discovery Centre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dolphin Discovery Centre is a non-profit eco-tourism, education and research organisation that sells guided wild dolphin encounters in Koombana Bay, Bunbury. Its core offerings are boat-based Dolphin Eco-Cruises, in-water Swim With The Dolphins Tours (Nov-Apr), a Marine Discovery & Interpretive Centre with aquariums and a Digital Dolphinarium, a free licensed Dolphin Interaction Zone on the beach, and a new Bunbury Port & Dolphin Cruise of the working harbour. Revenue also comes from partnered whale watching, dolphin and turtle adoption packages, annual passes, venue hire, a beachside cafe, school education programs, donations and grants.
Product overview
Dolphin Discovery Centre is a non-profit eco-tourism organisation offering a portfolio of marine wildlife experiences centred on wild Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins in Koombana Bay, Bunbury, Western Australia. The core experience is built on five interconnected offerings: Dolphin Eco-Cruises (boat-based dolphin watching, all year), the Swim With The Dolphins Tour (in-water swimming with wild dolphins, seasonal Nov–Apr), the Marine Discovery & Interpretive Centre (indoor aquariums and educational displays), the free Dolphin Interaction Zone (beach-based wild dolphin viewing), and the new Bunbury Port & Dolphin Cruise (working harbour + dolphin tour, launched 2025). Supplementary products include partnered Whale Watching Tours across three Southwest seasons, adoption programs for dolphins and turtles, a Corporate Function & Conference Centre, Marine Education Programs for schools aligned with the WA Curriculum, and a Beachside Cafe & Kiosk. Annual Passes and Gift Vouchers provide repeat-visit access and gifting options. All purchases fund the Centre's licensed Dolphin Rescue, Turtle Rehabilitation, and marine research programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dolphin Eco-Cruises
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 150 dolphins rescued since 1989
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Dolphin Discovery Centre
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Dolphin Discovery Centre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature3 records
Dolphin Discovery Centre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- South West Development CommissioncoreRegional government development body supporting economic growth in Southwest WA. Displays logo as partner/sponsor on DDC website, indicating marketing and promotional support for tourism initiatives.
- Murdoch UniversitycoreFounded South West Marine Research Program (SWMRP) in 2007. Partnership enables high-quality research outcomes, PhD programs, and scientific baseline understanding of local dolphin population. Research collaborations have produced six completed or ongoing PhDs.
- Naturaliste CharterscorePremier whale watching operator providing tours from Dunsborough and Busselton during southward migration (Aug-Nov), northward migration from Augusta (May-Aug), and Killer Whale expeditions from Bremer Bay (Dec-Apr). DDC markets their tours as preferred partner.
- All Sea CharterscoreWhale watching tour operator partner providing tours from Busselton, Dunsborough, and Augusta. Tours promoted through DDC booking platform with 'Whales Guaranteed' offering.
- JBSGminorBusiness entity displayed as sponsor logo on DDC website partner section.
- RetravisionminorRetail electronics chain displayed as sponsor logo on DDC website partner section.
- WIN TVminorRegional television network displayed as media sponsor partner.
- Southern Cross AustereominorMajor Australian media company displayed as radio/media sponsor partner.
- TronoxminorMining/minerals company displayed as sponsor logo on DDC website.
- Parks and Wildlife Service WA (DBCA)coreGovernment department providing licensing for dolphin Interaction Zone, Marine Turtle Rescue facility, and swim tour operations. DDC works closely with DBCA on wildlife interventions and conservation programs.
- Perth ZoocoreVeterinary partnership for turtle rehabilitation. Turtles requiring higher levels of care are referred to Perth Zoo vets for examination and treatment.
- South West Artificial Reef CommitteeminorCommittee planning artificial reef installations in Southwest WA. DDC participates in coral propagation and reef seeding projects as part of this initiative.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Dolphin Discovery Centre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Whale Watch Kaikoura: Iconic New Zealand whale watching tour operator. Directly comparable whale/marine wildlife tour model but operating across the Tasman in a different regulatory and tourism market.
- Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari: New Zealand eco-tour operator running marine wildlife safaris from Auckland. Comparable vessel-based dolphin and whale watching tour product but operating across the Tasman.
Direct peers
- Tangalooma Island Resort: Moreton Island, QLD resort famous for its wild dolphin feeding program and eco-tours. Comparable as an Australian tourism operator monetising wild dolphin encounters with conservation messaging.
- Mon Repos Turtle Centre: Queensland government-run marine turtle conservation and viewing facility. Comparable as a turtle-focused eco-tourism and education experience with strong research and visitor engagement program.
- Dolphin Marine Conservation Park: Coffs Harbour, NSW facility offering interactive wild dolphin experiences combined with marine conservation, rescue and education. Closest Australian analogue to DDC's licensed wild dolphin Interaction Zone model.
- Jervis Bay Wild: NSW-based eco-tour operator running dolphin and whale watching cruises plus marine education. Comparable small-scale eco-tourism business with similar boat-based wildlife experience focus.
Emerging players
- Phillip Island Nature Parks: Victoria-based wildlife eco-tourism operator (penguins, koalas, seals) with strong conservation, education and volunteer programs. Comparable model as a regional nature-based tourism non-profit with conservation mission alignment.
Broad incumbents
- Taronga Zoo Sydney: Major Australian zoo with marine exhibits, aquariums and conservation education programs. Larger incumbent with overlapping marine education and conservation positioning but a much broader species and experience portfolio.
- Sea World Gold Coast: Major Australian marine theme park offering dolphin encounters, aquariums, and education. Broader and larger-scale incumbent with overlapping dolphin/aquarium products but a captive-animal rather than wild-interaction model.
Others
- SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium: Large Sydney-based marine aquarium offering immersive marine displays and education. Comparable indoor interpretive centre experience but as part of a global aquarium chain rather than a regional non-profit.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Dolphin Discovery Centre social profiles
Digital presenceDolphin Discovery Centre compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Dolphin Discovery Centre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dolphin Discovery Centre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Dolphin Discovery Centre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dolphin Discovery Centre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dolphin Discovery Centre
What does Dolphin Discovery Centre do?
Dolphin Discovery Centre is a non-profit eco-tourism, education and research organisation that sells guided wild dolphin encounters in Koombana Bay, Bunbury. Its core offerings are boat-based Dolphin Eco-Cruises, in-water Swim With The Dolphins Tours (Nov-Apr), a Marine Discovery & Interpretive Centre with aquariums and a Digital Dolphinarium, a free licensed Dolphin Interaction Zone on the beach, and a new Bunbury Port & Dolphin Cruise of the working harbour. Revenue also comes from partnered whale watching, dolphin and turtle adoption packages, annual passes, venue hire, a beachside cafe, school education programs, donations and grants.
Is Dolphin Discovery Centre a public or private company?
Dolphin Discovery Centre is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Dolphin Discovery Centre founded?
Dolphin Discovery Centre was founded in 1989. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Dolphin Discovery Centre based?
Dolphin Discovery Centre is headquartered in Bunbury, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Dolphin Discovery Centre make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Eco-Tourism Tours are the primary driver. The others are marine Discovery Centre Entry, annual Passes & Memberships, cafe & Kiosk Operations, venue Hire & Corporate Events, adoption Programs, donations & Environment Fund and gift Shop & Retail.
Who are Dolphin Discovery Centre's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Whale Watch Kaikoura and Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari. Direct peers are Tangalooma Island Resort, Mon Repos Turtle Centre, Dolphin Marine Conservation Park and Jervis Bay Wild. Phillip Island Nature Parks is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Taronga Zoo Sydney and Sea World Gold Coast. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is listed as an others.
Does Dolphin Discovery Centre have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dolphin Discovery Centre.
What industry is Dolphin Discovery Centre in?
Dolphin Discovery Centre's product category is Eco-Tourism and Marine Wildlife Experiences. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAEAD, Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking), with a secondary code of THAAAIAC, Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours. Its NAICS code is 713930 and its SIC code is 7900.