I am convinced dolphins have magic powers. Whenever I get close to one, I can't help but get excited. Just ask my son, he rolls his eyes with embarrassment because he knows what's coming - 'OMG OMG OMG' is what you will hear me yelling as I run by the dolphin pool, hoping to catch that perfect shot. In fact, at my last dolphin encounter at Dolphin Marine Magic also known as the Pet Porpoise Pool in Coffs Harbour, I got kissed by a dolphin and even got to play ball with one. It was amazing - and yes, I got
so worked up that one visitor to the park had commented that he had never seen anyone get so excited.
I love travelling and find any opportunity to get close to dolphins, whether it is a dolphin cruise or a swim with dolphins and this was yet another wonderful experience – getting so close to the dolphins without actually getting wet. The Pet Porpoise Pool offers you many different ways to interact with dolphins, seals, penguins, turtles and other animals and fish.
Every day the park runs two marine magic presentations, where guests are given the opportunity to get involved in the dolphin and seal show. (Yes, of course I volunteered) The presentation educates visitors about these beautiful mammals, their habitat and the importance of their continued existence.
Before each session, you are given the opportunity to get a kiss from a dolphin and take pictures (yes, of course I was the first in line).
Dolphin marine magic is home to a family of five indo pacific bottlenose dolphins. All the dolphins have either been born there or have been rescued with debilitating injuries and would not have been able to survive in the wild.
The Pet Porpoise Pool offers dolphin and seal experience for all ages and ability levels, including several shallow water encounters, swimming with seals and dolphins for more confident swimmers, a land based dolphin and seal encounter for those who do not wish to enter the water.
Other fun adventures in the park include:
Solitary reefs display many species of marine animals and can be viewed from an underwater corridor.
Fish, shark and penguin feeding – hand feed fish, sharks and penguins. This is especially fun for children.
Penguin Beach – watch Little Blue Penguins swimming around or darting in and out of their nesting boxes. You can also feed them after each Marine Magic Presentation.
Reptile World – during school holidays, reptile world comes to the park with some of the world's most venomous snakes, salt water crocodile and lizards.
For lunch, enjoy a hot meal or a sandwich in Creekside café. You can either dine indoor or outdoor and enjoy great water views and lovely landscaped grounds. The café is open every day from 7.30am to 3pm.
Dolphin Marine Magic has great facilities including a gift shop, undercover area for strollers, wheelchair ramps to show area, large carpark, baby changing area, disabled toilets and marquee in the garden park.
If you are planning a trip to Coffs Harbour, this is definitely a must visit, especially if you have children. The experience is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and maybe get you as excited as I did, when you get a wet kiss from a beautiful bottlenose dolphin or a seal.
