RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort is one of those bucket‑list WA family destinations where you can quite literally watch wild dolphins from your balcony. Set right on the beach in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, the resort offers a polished mix of villas, cabins, caravan sites and camping, all just steps from the water and the famous dolphin experience.
For families, the beachfront villas are a standout. The two and three‑bedroom villas sleep 6–8 guests and are light, bright and modern, with air‑conditioning, plenty of storage and all the mod‑cons you need for a longer stay.
Kids usually claim the bunk room, while parents get a spacious bedroom with a TV.
Villas come with a fully equipped kitchen, Nespresso machine and even a washing machine, which is a lifesaver in the middle of a road trip. Bathrooms are hotel‑style with separate powder rooms and quality toiletries, and all linen, towels and beach towels are provided.
The best bit, though, is outside. The beachfront villas have private, fully fenced decks with a gate – ideal if you’ve got wandering toddlers – complete with BBQ, outdoor sink and seating. Many families end up eating most of their meals out here, simply because the view is so good. Having breakfast on the deck while dolphins cruise past in the shallows is a pinch‑yourself kind of moment.
If you’re travelling with your own caravan or camper, the resort is just as impressive. The campground is well‑set‑up for families, with some of the fanciest camp kitchens you’re likely to see. There are multiple kitchens with top‑of‑the‑range appliances, big fridges, loads of bench space and both indoor and alfresco seating, plus BBQs outside for easy family dinners. Sites range from powered beachfront spots to ensuite sites and unpowered camping, all on shell‑grit surfaces that help keep the sand down and are firm enough for kids to ride their bikes around. A cute touch is that the “streets” within the park are named after the resident dolphins.
Kids are well catered for with a games room that includes ping pong tables, a pool table and a little TV screening room, all with ocean views.
Outside, there’s a resort‑style pool area with a main pool and a shallow splash pool for younger children, as well as a Playground and a general store for basic supplies close by.
These facilities sit near the on‑site Boughshed Restaurant and Monkey Bar, so it’s easy to move between play time, pool time and meal time. The pool by Monkey Bar is popular for an afternoon cool‑off, and during busier periods the bar often runs family‑friendly extras like outdoor movies in the evening. Parents can grab cocktails from Boughshed or a relaxed meal or takeaway pizza from Monkey Bar while the kids swim or play.
Being right next door to the official Monkey Mia dolphin experience is a huge perk. Resort guests can simply wander along the beach in the morning rather than driving and parking. The dolphins typically visit the shore up to three times each morning, with the first session around 7.45am usually being the busiest. One of the benefits of staying on‑site is that you can skip the crowds at the early feeding if it looks hectic and return for the later sessions – many families find the third visit of the morning quieter, with a better chance of being chosen to feed a dolphin.
When you’re not on the sand, there’s a small museum and gift shop where kids can learn more about the dolphins and the broader Shark Bay environment.
The calm, shallow water and the resort’s absolute beachfront position make it very easy for families to relax. Older kids can head down for a paddle or a play on the shore while parents watch from the deck or beach, and there’s something incredibly peaceful about sitting on the sand at sunset with dolphins cruising past just offshore. On top of that, RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort offers a huge range of accommodation – from budget rooms and backpacker dorms through to family studios, garden and pool view rooms, unpowered tent sites, powered and ensuite sites, dorms and the premier beachfront villas – so it works for everything from a shoestring backpacking trip through to a big multi‑generation getaway.
Because the resort is inside a national park, park entry fees apply on arrival, and it’s worth booking well ahead for peak season and school holidays. RAC members receive discounts and early access to key periods when booking direct, plus flexible booking terms and lay‑by options are available for added peace of mind.
With its unbeatable beachfront location, excellent facilities and front‑row access to the world‑famous dolphins, RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort is a fantastic choice for families keen to explore WA’s Coral Coast and create some genuinely unforgettable memories.
RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort
Address: 1 Monkey Mia Road, Monkey Mia, WA 6537, Australia
Opening hours: Resort and reception open year‑round; dolphin experiences run daily in the morning (check current times and seasonal schedules when booking). National park entry fees apply.
Website: RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
