blowin
Absolutely stunning place. Beachfront powered sites are $20 more per night ($55 as opposed to $35 when we stayed, Feb 2015), we took one and were not disappointed. We were parked 20 metres from the ocean and could easily see wild dolphins and pelicans from the van. Wading through the shallow water the dolphins often appear and swim around you, watch where your feet go - there are lots of little rays which swim off in a flurry of sand! The swimming pool is a good facility - it was 48 degrees C when we were there, and the shop is good for basics. Didn't use either of the restaurants. Shower block fine although all the taps seemed to need tightening up and wouldn't turn off - strange that this hasn't been attended to in a place which needs to conserve all the water it has. The afternoon cruise on the catamaran 'Shotover' was great, as was the free sunset cruise the following day.Now - the Dolphin Experience. Widely publicised and a great draw but quite a disappointment. The talk is quite informative but when it comes to the feeding the whole thing takes a nose-dive. These allegedly wild animals line up with their mouths open and you take one fish out of 'their' bucket and put it in their mouth. We left at this point as it all seemed so fake and as we had been swimming with the same animals but in a genuine situation less than 24hrs before.Monkey Mia is a long drive (150km from the highway) but is absolutely worth it if you are after beautiful scenery and peace and quiet. We loved it and hope you do too!
SoniandPaddy
Stayed here in a camper van recently whilst touring Western Australia and had the most amazing time. Saw Dolphins in the morning come right up to the shoreline, pelicans on the beach, turtles and even a few sharks whilst I was having my afternoon swim. Usain Bolt, eat your heart out. I can run faster than you! Emus wandering around the campsite stealing whatever food they could see (even tried to steal the lid off our teapot) gave us lots of hilarious moments. A must for anyone travelling here.
Dalmeny66
What a wonderful way to spend time on our holiday by feeding the dolphins and even having them swim so close to you even though it isn't feeding time. Couldn't get enough of it. The caravan park was basic but good, restaurant great, staff most helpful.
SeriouslyKids
This is not your average place. It slightly remote and you really only come here to either visit the dolphins or the view and surrounding national parks and beaches. We camped in our caravan and it was a lovely spot. The amenities were clean, the gift shops were a good addition as you were out of town so unless you drove there was nothing. The pub offered bar snacks if you found yourself hungry between meal times so the pizza was nice to eat in the quiet time and have a view to die for relatively by yourself. My daughter was lucky enough to be one chosen to feed the dolphins and she really was lucky as the dolphin feeding definitely draws a crowd. Although the dolphins do visit and come in close so it is a perfect spot to ensure you see a dolphin in the wild. The pelicans are pretty common and popular too and there is plenty of other wildlife around also.
stevec088
we stayed in a beach front cabin for 3 nights, what an amazing view from our balcony so quiet and peaceful. We swam with the dolphins and fed the dolphins what an experience. The resort has everything you need and more the food is great and plenty to choose from. All the staff were great and very helpful...
Mandy014
We had a beach front camp site for a few days and it wasn't long enough. The resort was very quiet, the beach empty and the wild life all around us. In addition to the dolphins, that came in every afternoon for a swim along the shore as well as each morning, we saw emus, pelicans and turtles. The water was warm and crystal clear. The toilets and showers are clean enough and (unlike some other reviews) we found all the staff to be friendly. A wonderful place to stay outside of season - not sure we would have had the same experience when it is packed in school holidays.
LaurababeGlasgow
I did a day visit to monkey mia, the do wild dolphin feeding several time a day, I was lucky enough to be picked to feed a dolphin, what beautiful creatures. the resort itself is stunning, it has a few gift shops and there is a charge o $8.50 per adult and so much worth paying to see the dolphins.you can get food and can stay in the resort also. well worth visit to this resort
570oliveri
We spent a few days at Monkey Mia Resort twice. It's really off the beaten path and the cabins are small and not really cheap. But there are not just the dolphins you can watch every morning and in the evening, but also hordes of other animals just like seabirds, sharks, emus etc. this is still a pure nature experience, even if it is called s resort. It's not a resort in the common way.And: try the excellent veggie burger at the bar.
Bbsurveys
The Aspen Parks resort is well run if a little in need of maintenance. The local parks and wildlife staff and displays make the stay a worth while experience. The cabins on the beach were adequate if not flash. The Boughshed Restaurant was superb with perfect meals and a good range of inexpensive alcohol. The Boughshed staff are amazing workers. The beach is good but the water not deep enogh for serious swimming. Wildlife abounds with dolphins, rays, pelicans, emus, etc.
saskiam2015
We arrived in Monkey Mia at a quarter to 8 in the morning - just in time for the first dolphin experience. Although we have not been picked to feed one of the dolphins, it was breathtaking to see the animals coming so close to the beach. Mind that the three "experiences" might be over before nine in the morning!However, the best experience was spending the whole day on the beach (which was far more quiet than the morning) and watching the dolphins whenever they came to the shore. A few of them spend the whole afternoon close to the beach hunting or just playing and came so close to those in the water, their tails touched our legs swimming by. Miraculous!A perfect spot - if it were not for a few tourists who ignore the regulations that are there to protect the dolphins, such like not swimming in their way, staying clear of the "feeding area" or not trying to touch them...
fionap998
Hi FionaThanks so much for taking the time to review your recent visit to Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, its always nice to welcome a return guest.Lovely to hear of your experience with the dolphins - it really is quite a unique experience. Great to hear that you are exploring the local area - Monkey Mia really does have a lot to offer (the aquarium is very popular).Well we do hope to welcome you back for a third say some time some.ManagerMonkey Mia Dolphin Resort
StepikCh
We were accommodated in Denham so we can´t really say anything about the resort itself (Denham was much cheaper). Entry fee is 8 dollars/day or 13 dollars/4 weeks. Definitely worth buying the 4 weeks one if you want to feed the dolphins/ go there multiple times. We saw echidnas, emus, kangaroos, water turtles and plenty of pelicans and other birds in the area.Dolphins are lovely and we were picked to feed them on our eight feeding, so be optimistic about it. Feeding is generally pretty busy. Dolphins then come quite often to the beach to hunt for a fish so you can encounter them in the water swimming next to you. Rangers were nice and loved the animals very much.What we did´t like - some of the tourists. Guys, seriously, swimming and walking to the water is prohibited in the dolphin area, so as touching the dolphins. Still some of the tourist tried to touch the dolphins, but that can be very harmful for them! Rangers aren´t always there to stop it so please - don´t do it. Those regulations are there for a reason!
MickNatplusFOUR
This place is nice for their conservation efforts and great for wildlife lovers that don't expect 5 star class. It's in serious need of a gardener, handyman and maintenance crew, or, a full renovation. The Dolphins come in regularly just to say hello. Not just when feeds are on. There are a lot of them and they are probably around the bay 80% of the time we went out to the shore. (All different ones, not the same ones. Just incase that gives the impression they're mooching for food as that is not the case at all) As they mention before each feed, it's strictly regulated so that even if the Dolphins did come in for all 3 feeds they'd only ever get 5% of their daily requirement of fish/food). Monkey Mia is definitely great for that side of it. They don't care what tourists "want" the Dolphins care is their priority.The pool. It's not great for young kids. Small, way too deep, cold, and packed full all the time. The little rounds "spa" is Bore water. It stains your clothes brown really badly, and you stink after you get out. (walk away to the shower and realise it's you and your kids that's smelling like that!!) You obviously therefore can't put your head under but heaps of the kids in it were. I'm sure they had sore bellies after!The Little Lagoon down the way 25 minutes, is beautiful, warm and shallow. Great for young kids! The bay at Monkey Mia had butterfish that will sting you if there's Dolphins around making them nervous. Nasty sting that will be sure to ruin a family holiday quickly. But if you are willing to risk them, strolls out far on the sand bars is great. There's also water bikes, snorkelling hire, 'aristocat' catamaran tours, indigenous tours and if you head down to Denham there's more to do too. The breakfast buffet was good at Monkey Mia Resort but they need to include the barista coffee!! Not the little cafe help yourself machine that was half broken. If there was no renovations soon or no garden and general maintenance soon, I'd say if we came back for the Dolphins, we would probably stay in Denham instead. If the Reno was done, we would come back for sure.
rasco81
Arrived after a 10 hour drive to the resort itself. Was concerned about the accommodation as there was little info on the site we booked through. Thought we would have shared facilities. No need to worry at all. our room had a beach view, with en suite bathroom including toiletries, a massive comfortable bed, full size fridge which even included water and milk!! There was a kettle and tea and coffee provided. The beach was approx. 15yards away from our patio. It caters for all budgets, there are dorms, shared facilities, single rooms like ours, different chalets, and a camp site. there is a large well equipped communal kitchen and a laundry You can hire any amount of kitchen equipment. We stayed B&B, the buffet style breakfast was amazing, just watch out for gulls and crows. The Boughshed restaurant served a small but excellent menu, not too expensive AND the largest pork chops I have ever seen in my life!!! There is also the Monkey Bar, an informal bar that offered pizza fish and chips etc Drinks not too overpriced either.The dolphin feeding is also worth attending, go to the 2nd or 3rd feed as the 1st one is very well attended, and if there is a coach party in, that's the one they attend. Walking around the resort there was Mr. Emu with 5 chicks, beautiful. Lots of pelicans, and of course the dolphins, they were awaiting a new arrival whilst we were there, but it was born after we arrived back in Perth. We both got the opportunity to feed the dolphins which was lovely. Had a trip on a catamaran and saw dugongs, sea snakes and of course more dolphins. The staff there are also great, helpful, pleasant, just lovely. Will definitely be going again.
sushirose
If it seems to be very touristic but in fact it's just marvelous! The Rangers are very nice and explain all what you need to know to protect the Dolphins. We arrived for the first feeding and stayed for the second and the third. It was worthy: my daughter could feed Puk!! And there were less people. After a trip with the catamaran aristocat 2 we returned to the beach and stand in the water quiet during the Dolphins swam around us! An incredible sensation. I could heard the sonar of one of them. Don't hesitate to come again on the beach and have patience!