Did you know that there is a delightful destination in Delaware where you can swim with otters, have a happy hour in the company of sloths, forge friendships with kangaroo companions, and pursue a wide range of other wild activities and adventures? I am referring to Coastal Wilds—the most unique Eastern Shore endeavor you may not know about.
With its convenient location in Frankford, in Sussex County, Coastal Wilds can be the quintessential extra add-on exploration to top off your next visit to Maryland and Delaware beaches. This is especially true for animal-loving enthusiasts. Coastal Wilds is, after all, home to 35 diverse species of creatures. Included in the lavish lineup are the aforementioned otters, sloths, and kangaroos as well as wallabies, lynxes, camels, spider monkeys, capybaras, aardvarks, fennec foxes, Watusi cattle, owls, ravens, rheas, chinchillas, rabbits, hedgehogs, tenrecs, guinea pigs, alpacas, ducks, chickens, tortoises, lizards, armadillos, and snakes.
Formerly established as Barn Hill Preserve, the newly-branded Coastal Wilds continues its founding work in providing enriching and educational experiences to inspire a passion for wildlife conservation in the young and old alike. As attested to by their mission statement, “Our mission is to not only showcase the beauty of these incredible creatures but also to instill a sense of responsibility and empowerment in our guests to make a positive impact on the environment.”
You will find a wonderfully knowledgeable and remarkably committed staff running the show at Coastal Wilds. They truly are the best in what they do, whether leading hands-on educational activities and animal encounters with the public or maintaining and caring for the animal residents who make their permanent homes here. Several of the preserve’s workers are even known to travel around the world, assisting in emergency conservation efforts or providing natural disaster relief from wildfires, floods, and violent storms. Furthermore, many of the proceeds raised from programs, experiences, and special events at Coastal Wilds go toward rescue, rehabilitation, release, and restoration projects both locally and globally.
There are plenty of pursuits to take to at Coastal Wilds, all ranging in price, duration, age specifications, and season. The previously mentioned Otter Swim Encounters are among their most popular offerings. Available to adults and kids alike, these three-hour encounters include a full park tour (add-ons available) and a 45-minute swim in the pool with resident otters. This is one of the most inclusive experiences available to guests.
Sippin’ with Sloths: Summer Sessions are widely popular with the over-21 crowd. Spanning two hours, these events include one drink ticket per attendee (access to the finest wine from local vineyards), a self-guided tour of the park, live musical entertainment, and one-on-one sloth encounters.
Brews & Roos is another option for adults. If you liked Sippin’ with Sloths, you’ll probably enjoy this craft beer equivalent featuring kangaroo companions.
There’s also a fun Kangaroos & Comedy offering. Presented as an outdoor two-hour evening event, it’s great for animal-loving comedy fans ages 18 and older.
Paint Night is a unique option for those animal-loving artists, seasoned and novice alike. You may even come away winning a masterpiece by one of the animal ambassadors.
Other offerings to consider signing up for include their regular 90-minute Encounter Tours, autumn events like Kanga-Boo and the Fall Festival, Pancakes with Santa come wintertime, and many others. They even have Kangaroo Yoga sessions to partake in! Click here to read more about or to sign up for all of the offerings at Coastal Wilds.
In addition to the obvious creature features, Coastal Wilds is site to other onsite attractions and amenities to check out. There’s G.P. Mining Co., for instance—a fun-themed gem mining pursuit in which you get to pan for various gemstones, fossils, arrowheads, and seashells before or after the specific experience you signed up for.
Feeling hungry? How about hopping on over to Kool Kangaroo for some delightfully icy sweet treats in the way of soft-serve ice cream, sno-cones, and more. You can also stop by the onsite gift shop for several different kinds of light snacks to munch on in addition to refreshing drinks.
While you’re there, check out the store’s awesome inventory and grab some souvenirs for the road!
Due to the delicate nature of the animal ambassadors and the ambitious work that goes on behind the scenes here, Coastal Wilds does not adhere to regular public hours of operation in which walk-ins can just stop by and tour the park on their own. To attend, you must sign up for one of several ongoing events being offered at a given time.
During the summer peak season, which ranges between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Coastal Wilds offers Encounter Tours daily, every hour on the hour. The park closes from mid-December through March.
Coastal Wilds truly is a wild wonder worth visiting on your next excursion to the Eastern Shore. You’ll find them at 34215 Peppers Corner Road, Frankford, DE 19945. To learn more, visit the website at www.coastalwilds.org.