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Today's Hours: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Penguin Encounters Now Availabile

Get up close to a penguin as it waddles around outside the June Keyes Penguin Habitat before the Aquarium opens to the public in the morning.

Penguin close-up portrait

Credit: Robin Riggs

July 29, 2020

The Aquarium is now offering its popular Animal Encounter program with Magellanic penguins daily at 8:30 a.m. Penguin Encounter participants will have the chance to sit next to a penguin as it waddles around outside the June Keyes Penguin Habitat before the Aquarium opens to the public in the morning.

An Aquarium educator will accompany participants and teach them about the Aquarium’s penguins, where this species lives in the wild, what they eat, and how the Aquarium cares for them. Participants are encouraged to bring their camera or phone to take photos. Meet with the Aquarium’s staff members who care for penguins and get up close to these fascinating birds during this thirty-minute program.

Penguin Encounters are $150 per person and $135 per Aquarium member. Aquarium admission is included in the price. Please note that currently only outdoor exhibit areas are open. To make a reservation, visit pacific.to/penguinencounter.

Penguin Encounters require a minimum of two and a maximum of four participants, limited to one household group. Participants must be at least 7 years old. Advance reservations are required. Once booked, Animal Encounter participants must complete a waiver and release form. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and facial coverings, social distance from staff members at all times and will have their temperatures taken prior to entering the Aquarium. For more information about the Aquarium’s safety protocols, please visit the Aquarium Safety page.