Seaworld san diego beluga interaction program

There is a different encounter that includes the walruses. It was really cool to see the back pool area not visible from the exhibit. It gives the trainers and medical staff a great area to work with the animals as well as additional space to separate out which animal requires individual attention. The pool can also be left open for the whales to have additional swimming space. Moving to the front of the exhibit, we walked down onto the platform.

There were two locations the group could stand, one a bit more shallow than the other. Since we had a group of 6 3 couples and my husband and I were fine being on the slightly deeper end, we were off to ourselves with one trainer while the other 4 were split to the shallow end with the other trainer.

This allowed for us to essentially have a private session. The trainer explained all about the routine care and enrichment as well as fun facts about the whales. Honestly, I was surprised at how different this was from previous dolphin encounters we had done. For starters, the beluga whale has a large melon forehead which is way more jiggly than anticipated. It is flexible and full of fat, helping with sound production.

The flexibility is thought to help with navigating through the ice. Because of this, being able to move the melon back and forth is a natural trait in beluga whales. Another difference is the sheer size. Something unique to this species is that beluga whales can actually swim backward as well as forward. Their swimming was amazing to watch from a front row seat in the water with them. We were able to interact with each whale individually.

I loved this opportunity because it gave you a bit of insight into their different personalities. The trainers talked about each whale, their habits, how they interact during training sessions. 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 minute, trainer-guided experience, guests are guaranteed to touch, feed and train bottlenose dolphins, while also learning about their natural history, conservation and training.

Please note that the dolphin pool at Rocky Point Preserve, including the Dolphin Encounter, is closed for renovations through April The Dolphin Interaction Program was created for guests who want to enter the water with these beautiful animals. Please note that the dolphin pool at Rocky Point Preserve, including the Dolphin Interaction Program, is closed for renovations through April Participants get up close and personal with amazing bottlenose dolphins, or interact with other incredible animals such as endangered sea turtles, penguins or sharks.

Guests get a close-up look at these delightful animals as they swim and waddle in the degree, snow-filled habitat. Warmweather Magellanic penguins, native to South America, live outside the Encounter.

Rocky Point Preserve is a two-part attraction that allows guests to see and learn about bottlenose dolphins and California sea otters. Also at Rocky Point Preserve, California sea otters can be seen playing with toys and foraging for shrimp and clams in their pool.

Please note that the sea otter exhibit is currently open, but the dolphin pool at Rocky Point Preserve is closed for renovations through April Shamu: Close Up offers unparalleled views of Shamu and companions as they swim, play and socialize.