Dive deeper into the Aquarium experience with an animal encounter! These one-of-a-kind opportunities bring you up close and behind the scenes to learn directly from our animal keepers. You will walk away with a greater fascination and connection to these special creatures.
Guests are welcome to capture the moment with photos and video. Space is limited, so call today to book your encounter during your next Aquarium visit. Restrictions apply.
Penguin Encounters
Meeting our Gentoo penguins up close is truly a unique and fun adventure. First, you’ll participate in fun activities while learning all about Gentoo penguins – where they are from, what they eat, their adaptations for survival in an Antarctic habitat, and more – in an educational setting. Then, your family will suit up in Penguin Encounter parkas, with gloves and boots, and go behind the scenes to meet our playful penguins up close. The penguins will waddle into the Penguin Encounter room from their habitat, and you’ll have the opportunity to feed them capelin fish by hand. The entire experience lasts approximately 50 minutes, allowing you plenty of time with our penguins, getting to know their individual personalities.
Limit 10 people per encounter. All guests, including children, must have a Penguin Encounter ticket. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Children ages 5 and under must have a ticket and are required to sit on an adult’s lap. The Aquarium will provide parkas, boots, and disposable gloves. Guests who have backyard chickens or other outdoor birds at home may be asked to wear additional protective clothing.
Book Your Encounter
Penguin Encounter
1:00 p.m. | Thursday through Tuesday
Guests are required to check in at the Information Desk by 12:30 pm.
*Aquarium Admission ticket is also required with a Penguin Encounter Ticket.
Save on both your admission and Penguin Encounter with Plan Ahead Pricing!
Regular: $49.95 – $74.95 per person
Member: $39.96 – $59.96 per person
Penguin Encounters often sell-out over a month in advance for guests looking to buy more than one ticket. Encounters may be canceled for a full refund up to one week before the encounter date. The encounter date may be changed (pending availability) with no penalty up to 48 hours before the original encounter date. Changes within 48 hours of the encounter date are not permitted. For assistance call 801-355-3474 ext. 222. No refunds will be given for late arrivals or no-shows.
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Stingray Encounters
Get up close with stingrays in the Ocean Explorer habitat touch pool and interact with them just like our animal care team! Stingray Encounters last about 20 minutes. Guests are invited to feed a variety of stingrays and learn about their unique adaptations and dietary needs.
Guests must be at least 48” tall to participate in a Stingray Encounter or stand in the feeding area. Guests under 14 years old must have a chaperone present at the touch pool. Chaperones are only permitted in the feeding area if they purchased a Stingray Encounter ticket.
Limit 10 people per encounter. Provided gloves are required to be worn throughout the animal encounter experience.
Book Your Encounter
Stingray Encounter
11:30 a.m. | Thursday – Tuesday
Guests are required to check at the Information Desk by 11:20 am.
*Aquarium Admission ticket is also required with a Stingray Encounter Ticket.
Save on both your admission and Stingray Encounter with Plan Ahead Pricing!
Regular: $6.95 – $12.95 per person
Member: $5.56 – $10.36 per person
Encounters may be canceled for a full refund up to one week before the encounter date. The encounter date may be changed (pending availability) with no penalty up to 48 hours before the original encounter date. Changes within 48 hours of the encounter date are not permitted. For assistance call 801-355-3474 ext. 222. No refunds will be given for late arrivals or no-shows.