As a child, I loved watching Ocean Girl on The Disney Channel. Back then, Disney aired shows from all over the world, and one of the most memorable was this Australian science fiction series. Recently, I sat down and watched all four seasons on DVD, and I was surprised by how well the show held up.

Ocean Girl follows Neri, a mysterious teenage girl who lives alone on a tropical island off the coast of Australia. She is no ordinary girl. Neri can breathe underwater, swim incredible distances, and communicate telepathically with a humpback whale named Charley. Her life changes when she befriends two brothers, Jason and Brett Bates, whose family works at ORCA, an underwater research facility dedicated to studying and protecting the ocean.

What begins as a story about friendship slowly grows into something much bigger. Over the course of the series, Neri discovers the truth about her origins, learns she is not from anywhere near the Island she grew up on, reunites with her long-lost sister, and uncovers a destiny connected to an advanced civilization known as the Ocean People. Along the way, she and her friends face corrupt organizations, environmental threats, and even dangers from her own world.

One of the things I appreciate most about Ocean Girl as an adult is that it respects its audience. While it was made for children, it explores themes of environmental responsibility, family, friendship, identity, and doing what is right even when it is difficult. The stories are thoughtful without feeling preachy, and the characters are easy to care about. In my opinion, even though Ocean Girl was considered a children’s show, I always felt it was made for adults too. Watching it again as an adult, I noticed themes and ideas that I never fully appreciated when I was younger.

The series is also visually beautiful. Much of it was filmed in Australia’s stunning Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef, giving the show a sense of wonder that is difficult to replicate. The underwater scenes, tropical islands, and ocean landscapes make the setting feel magical. I learned that Marzena Godecki, the actress who plays Neri, had the opportunity to swim with Dolphins and Minke Whales because of where they filmed! Lucky girl!

Neri remains one of my favorite television characters. She is kind, peaceful, curious, and deeply connected to the natural world. In many ways, she represents the heart of the series and the message that our planet is worth protecting.

If you enjoy family friendly science fiction, stories about the ocean, or simply want to experience a hidden gem from the 1990s, I highly recommend Ocean Girl. It may not be as well known in the United States as other shows from that era, but it is one of the most intelligent and enjoyable children’s series I have ever watched.

Sometimes revisiting a childhood favorite can be disappointing. For me, Ocean Girl was the opposite. Watching it again reminded me why I loved it so much in the first place.