Swim with dolphins in Koombana Bay, Western Australia
| country: | Australia |
| location: | Western Australia |
| departures: | Departs daily at 8am – October to May, no minimum number of people as you will be joining others on this trip |
| price: | From AU $185 (1 day) excluding flights |
| more info: | Price includes: entry to our informative interpretative centre - the "Discovery Room", instruction, snorkel equipment, wetsuit hire and light refreshments |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Join us for an intimate swim with wild dolphins in their natural environment. The Swim Encounter includes entry to our informative interpretative centre called the "Discovery Room", instruction, snorkel equipment, wetsuit hire, and light refreshments.
The tour is professionally led by the Centre’s marine biologist or environmental scientists and is a truly memorable experience. The three hour cruise will have you swimming with these ambassadors of the ocean. Of course, the dolphins of Koombana Bay are completely wild so the success of a tour cannot be guaranteed.
Located in Bunbury on the South West coast of Western Australia, our base faces Koombana Bay to the North. It is only 10 minutes walk from the city centre along Koombana Drive. From the Bunbury Visitor Centre, follow the footpath that leads you past the Entertainment Centre, walk over the bridge and continue on past the Yacht Club. Move onto the beach and then it’s only a short stroll.
Koombana Bay itself has been created by a natural land point known as Point Casuarina. Added onto this is an area of reclaimed land known as Point McKenna. The combined land forms the ‘Outer Harbour’. Koombana Bay is approximately 2.5km wide and faces north. It opens out into the Indian Ocean.
The tour is professionally led by the Centre’s marine biologist or environmental scientists and is a truly memorable experience. The three hour cruise will have you swimming with these ambassadors of the ocean. Of course, the dolphins of Koombana Bay are completely wild so the success of a tour cannot be guaranteed.
Located in Bunbury on the South West coast of Western Australia, our base faces Koombana Bay to the North. It is only 10 minutes walk from the city centre along Koombana Drive. From the Bunbury Visitor Centre, follow the footpath that leads you past the Entertainment Centre, walk over the bridge and continue on past the Yacht Club. Move onto the beach and then it’s only a short stroll.
Koombana Bay itself has been created by a natural land point known as Point Casuarina. Added onto this is an area of reclaimed land known as Point McKenna. The combined land forms the ‘Outer Harbour’. Koombana Bay is approximately 2.5km wide and faces north. It opens out into the Indian Ocean.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Our swim encounters are minimal impact and we have self regulated controls to ensure the dolphins welfare is our number one priority. Each tour is hosted by our qualified marine biologist (or environmental scientist).
We operate under 2 codes of conduct. The first is an enforced set of guidelines that relate to our Dolphin Interaction Licensed issued by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). The second is a self imposed set of guidelines established to further minimise impacts on the dolphins and their environment. These guidelines go well beyond those set out under the DEC license requirements and have been developed through the Centre's research programs. Examples of these additional self imposed guidelines include anchoring the vessel with engines off during swim attempts, time restrictions with dolphins and No-Go Zones identified as critical habitat areas for resting and nursing dolphins. For anyone who visits the centre the message of respect and minimal impact cannot be avoided. Information boards and the feature film all have elements of this message. In addition, our staff and volunteer teams on location throughout the centre are there to inform the visitor about the dolphins and how best to behave around them. All visitors are also made aware on how we interact with the dolphins and the reasons for the sensitive and minimalistic approach when on the beach during an interaction. If visitors venture further on board the eco-cruise and swim tours, qualified Marine Biologists and trained staff are on hand to further enhance the message of respect through first class interpretation. They are also there to ensure all codes of conduct are followed during the tour and to make sure the client is made aware of these guidelines along with the reasons why they have been imposed. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |