SEA WORLD
SAN DIEGO
Wild Arctic Interaction allows guests a thrilling and chilling encounter with beluga whales. The program begins with a behind-the-scenes tour that has participants visiting SeaWorld’s enormous Pacific walruses, playful harbor seals and gigantic polar bears. Then, guests slip into wet suits, and are sure to feel an exhilarating rush the moment they set foot in the 55-degree water to meet the beluga whales. The program fee is $160 plus park admission and includes wet suits, booties, lockers, changing facilities and showers. Participants must be at least 10 years old. Advance registration is recommended; call (800) 25-SHAMU (press 7)
The Dolphin Interaction Program was created for guests who want to enter the water with these beautiful animals. Participants learn about bottlenose dolphin anatomy, training and husbandry in a 30-minute class and then enter the dolphins’ habitat for 20 minutes to feed, touch and even cue the animals for trained behaviors. The program fee is $150 plus park admission and includes wet suits, booties, lockers, changing facilities and showers. Participants must be at least 6 years old. Advance registration is recommended; call (800) 25- SHAMU (press 7)
The Trainer for a Day Program allows guests the opportunity to shadow an animal trainer. Each Trainer for a Day participant slips into a wet suit and dives into the exciting world of a dolphin trainer for an exclusive, hands-on look at the trainers’ responsibilities. Activities vary among individual sessions and may include learning training techniques, preparing fishy treats, and going behind-the-scenes at Dolphin Stadium and Rocky Point Preserve. Participants also have the chance to get in the water with dolphins and go for an exhilarating ride on a dolphin’s dorsal fin. Participants must be at least 13 years old. The program fee is $495 and includes lunch, T-shirt, changing facilities and park admission. Advance registration is recommended; call (800) 25-SHAMU (press 7)
The Dolphin Encounter at Rocky Point Preserve is for guests who want to get closer to bottlenose dolphins without getting in the water. During this 10-minute, trainer-guided experience, guests are guaranteed to touch, feed, and train bottlenose dolphins, while also learning about their natural history, conservation and training. The Dolphin Encounter program is limited to six people per session. The program fee is $40 plus park admission. Participants must be at least 48 inches tall. Advance registration is recommended; call (800) 25- SHAMU (press 7) for more information.
Guided Tours offer guests the inside scoop with several behind-the-scenes opportunities. Expert guides take guests on adventures that may include visiting the animal care complex and Dolphin Stadium. A variety of special topic, private and VIP tours also are available with advance notice. Special topic tours and private tours may include interactions with dolphins, seals, sea lions, sharks and sea turtles. Prices range from $12 to $40 for public tours, $300 to $600 for private tours (plus park admission). Advance registration is recommended; call (800) 25-SHAMU (press 4)
Rocky Point Preserve
is a two-part attraction that allows guests to see and learn more about bottlenose dolphins and California sea otters. For a nominal fee guests can feed the dolphins at specified times each day. Underwater panels allow an incredible view of the animals swimming and frolicking. Nearby, sea otters forage for shrimp and clams and play with toys in their pool. Surrounding the animals’ habitats, interactive graphics invite guests to touch and explore a life-size dolphin model, larger-than-life dolphin and porpoise teeth, killer whale and sea otter jaw models and sea otter fur. Interactive elements allow guests to guess how much a sea otter eats, how many hairs make up its coat and what other ocean animals eat. Forbidden Reef takes guests into underwater caverns where they find themselves face to face with hundreds of mysterious moray eels. At the surface, graceful bat rays glide by in a shallow lagoon lingering just long enough for guests to stroke their velvety skin or offer them a piece of food. Pacific Point is an attraction that offers guests an opportunity to observe and feed California sea lions and harbor seals. Recently refurbished, the improved exhibit re-opens to the public on March 23, 2007, and includes enhanced rockwork, a new feeder booth, and a wall with segmented glass that follows the curve of the pool, allowing for better views of the seals and sea lions. Also, special feeder tubes have been installed to allow small children, physically-impaired guests and others to get up close to the animals and feed them.California Tide Pool guests can reach below the surface to touch prickly sea urchins, pick up live sea stars and discover fascinating animals such as anemones, sea snails and tidepool fishes. Park educators are on hand to answer questions and share information about the amazing animals of the intertidal zone.
