New South Wales · Attraction
Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary
Meet dolphins and sea lions
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Established in 1970 as a rescue and rehabilitation centre for injured marine animals, Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary (formerly Dolphin Marine Conservation Park) is the only place in Australia where visitors can come face-to-face with bottlenose dolphins, endangered Australian sea lions, little blue penguins, freshwater turtles, and reef fish all in a single visit. Located near the Jetty precinct, it combines conservation with genuine animal encounters.
The sanctuary's mission centres on the care of animals that cannot survive in the wild, and daily talks give visitors an honest look at the rehabilitation work behind the scenes. Interactive programs, including swimming with dolphins and a seal encounter session, can be booked separately and are run by experienced animal trainers who emphasise respectful, low-impact contact.
The on-site cafe operates daily, and a gift shop sells locally made products with proceeds supporting the sanctuary's rescue work. Pre-booking for the main session is strongly recommended, especially during school holidays, as visitor numbers are kept deliberately small to minimise stress on the resident animals.
The sanctuary is open daily from 9 am to 3 pm. It sits within walking distance of Jetty Beach and the Coffs Harbour marina dining strip, making it a natural pairing with a morning at the water.
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Scenic views
