Penguin Encounter | SeaWorld San Diego

Penguins

Watch the playful antics of penguins tall and small—nearly 300 in all. Our penguin population includes Emperor and King penguins, and smaller Adelie, Gentoo, Chinstrap and Macaroni penguins.

The Penguin Encounter habitat replicates the Antarctic environment, including the low light levels experienced over the winter in the Antarctic. The best viewing times are between 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. See Schedule.

April 27 & 28

Celebrate Penguins All Weekend

Did you know April 25 is World Penguin Day? We’re celebrating by turning Wild Arctic Plaza into a penguin party all weekend! Enjoy special penguin keeper talks, photo opportunities with Puck throughout the weekend, a cool educational table with penguin artifacts, and a 10% discount on merchandise at Penguin Encounter Gifts, plus an extra 10% exclusively for Pass Members!

We’ll also have unique penguin themed cupcakes available throughout the park and a $5 Magellanic Margarita available all day at Wild Arctic Bar! Don’t miss this penguin celebration Saturday, April 27 – Sunday, April 28.

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ALL-NEW!

ALL-NEW! Ultimate On-Ice Penguin Experience

Experience the magic of stepping onto the ice with six different species of penguins, including the only emperor penguins in the Western Hemisphere. Get up close and personal with these charming creatures.

$ 199.00

Select date

ALL-NEW! Ultimate On-Ice Penguin Experience

ALL-NEW!

$ 199.00 /ea.

Select Date

Walk onto the snow alongside our colony of penguins and learn all about these magnificent birds as an aviculturist shares what it takes to care for these highly specialized animals.

From May-July, guests participating in the Penguin On-Ice tour will experience Antarctic Winter. In order to simulate Antarctic seasons, light levels at Penguin Encounter will be very low. For the health and safety of the penguins, NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY or supplemental lighting of any kind, including cell phone flash, will be allowed at any point during the experience.

6 guests per tour. Guests must be at least 50" in height. Guests under 16 years old need to be accompanied by a paying adult participant. Guests will be exposed to low temperatures (as low as 20 degrees). Jacket and boots will be provided for this experience. All guests must be fully mobile and use of wheelchairs, electric scooters, walkers, canes, crutches, etc. is not allowed. Possibility to touch a penguin, but it is not guaranteed.

Reservation only valid on the day and time of your reservation. Park admission is not included with your program reservation but is required. Due to the special nature of this program, space is limited and early reservations are recommended. Any “animal experience reservations” can be changed or cancelled once for free as long as the change is 48 hours in advance of the reservation date, but there are charges for changes made within 48 hours or for more than one change. “Animal experience reservations” are nonrefundable with less than 48 hours' advance notice of cancellation. Program times, prices, components and animal participation are subject to change without notice.

ADA Accessibility:
All guests must be fully mobile and use of wheelchairs, electric scooters, walkers, canes, and other mobility aids is not allowed. Guests will be exposed to low temperatures (as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit).

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ALL-NEW! Ultimate On-Ice Penguin Experience

ALL-NEW!

Guest

$ 199.00 /ea.

Walk onto the snow alongside our colony of penguins and learn all about these magnificent birds as an aviculturist shares what it takes to care for these highly specialized animals.

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Limited Spots Available

Penguins Up-Close Tour

Go behind the scenes at Penguin Encounter to meet with an aviculturist and a penguin.

Prices starting at

$ 94.00

Select date

Penguins Up-Close Tour

Limited Spots Available

Prices starting at

$ 94.00 /ea.

Select Date

Go behind the scenes at Penguin Encounter for an up close interaction with one of our penguins. Meet an aviculturist and learn what it takes to care for these highly specialized animals

Visit inside Penguin Encounter then take a behind the scenes tour to have an up-close interaction with a penguin
Animal experts share their experiences in caring for these unique animals and the challenges they face in the wild
Participant must be at least 6 years of age to participate. Children under age 14 must be accompanied by a paid adult participant..

Reservation includes the Penguins Up-Close Encounter program on day and time of your reservation only. Park admission is not included with your program reservation but is required. Due to the special nature of this program, space is limited and early reservations are recommended. Program includes a guided 30 minutes walking tour, so participants should be in good physical health. Participants must be 6 years of age and older to participate. Children under age 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult. For the safety of the animals and guests, anyone under the age of 6 (including infants) is not permitted on this tour. Late arrivals may miss tour components or may not be accommodated due to limited tour availability. No smoking is permitted at any time. Dates, program, prices and event offerings are subject to change without notice. All events are subject to change and/or cancellation due to animal availability. Events are not cancelled due to inclement weather; programs will still be offered except in the event of lightning. Cancellations made with less than 24 hour notice are non-refundable. Cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or discounts. Non-replaceable, non-transferable, not for resale and cannot be redeemed for cash. Void if altered and photocopies will not be accepted. Pass Member discount is available when booking through the Pass Member website.

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Penguins Up-Close Tour

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Select a date to see available times

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Penguins Up-Close Tour

Limited Spots Available

Guest (Ages 6+)

$ 94.00 /ea.

Go behind the scenes at Penguin Encounter for an up close interaction with one of our penguins. Meet an aviculturist and learn what it takes to care for these highly specialized animals

Visit inside Penguin Encounter then take a behind the scenes tour to have an up-close interaction with a penguin
Animal experts share their experiences in caring for these unique animals and the challenges they face in the wild
Participant must be at least 6 years of age to participate. Children under age 14 must be accompanied by a paid adult participant..

An unexpected error occurred.

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Add to cart