Thank you SeaWorld San Diego for the Beluga Whale Interaction Program passes and for tickets for our family to attend SeaWorld San Diego.
If you follow me on Instagram and saw my IG story last Monday, then you know how thrilled I was about my recent once in a lifetime experience.
I was given the chance to participate in the beluga whale interaction program at SeaWorld San Diego, and I can’t wait to share all the incredible details with you!
I’ve always been a nautical girl, loving all things ocean and marine related.
I’m sure that living in San Diego all my life has contributed to my love of the ocean too.
We love going to SeaWorld as a family (you can check out our last visit here).
When I was given the opportunity to go in the water with two beluga whales at SeaWorld and feed them, hug them, and even get big beluga whale kisses, I could barely contain my excitement!
My beluga whale interaction program at SeaWorld San Diego started with my husband and I getting our own changing room and locker, along with a SeaWorld wetsuit and water boots waiting for us to change into.
After getting dressed, we were led inside the beluga whale pool area, which is a very large area with a long, wide platform for us to stand on.
We were able to meet two male beluga whales named Klondike and Ferdinand.
My husband and I first interacted with Klondike, a teenage male whale.
Our trainer, Garrett, let us rub Klondike’s soft head and feed him fish from the end of the platform.
He shared with us lots of interesting facts about beluga whales that I didn’t know, including the fact that beluga whales weigh over 2,000 lbs!
Belugas live in cold arctic waters and are white so they blend in and look like a big piece of ice to predators.
They are born gray, and their coloring gets lighter as they get older.
Klondike was very friendly, and after every interaction we were able to feed him fish.
He would open up his mouth, we would throw the fish inside, and he would gulp them right down whole.
Garrett also show us how we could feed the whale underneath the water by putting the fish below the water, and letting the whale “suck” it right out of our hands!
The second whale we met was a male named Ferdinand who is 47 years old.
Beluga whales live to be between 35 and 50, so Ferdinand is getting up there in age.
Garrett said that Ferdinand was like a big lap dog, and you could definitely tell the difference in personality between the two whales.
We were shown how to turn sideways and point to our cheek, and the whales would pop right up and give us a big long kiss on the cheek!
If we put out our arms in front of us and made a round shape with them, he would pop right up in our arms for a hug.
Hugging a beluga whale is hands down one of the coolest things I’ve ever done!
I even got splashed a few times by my new friends!
It was such a joy to interact with these gorgeous animals so closely.
I’ve gained even more respect and love for these animals through this incredible beluga whale interaction program.
They are amazing creatures, and I’m so lucky to have had this once in a lifetime experience!
A big shout out goes to my mom and dad who captured these awesome photos while watching our kiddos.
If you’re looking for a unique present for a birthday or holiday, definitely consider the gift of the beluga whale interaction program at SeaWorld.
It truly was a day that I will never forget.
Now my kids are excited to do the experience too!
Of course we also had lots of other fun during our day at SeaWorld!
There is a new Orca Encounter, a new Ocean Explorer area, and a new summer Electric Ocean event.
The new Orca Encounter was wonderful.
It was still a show like in the past, but in a more natural setting with a 140 foot video screen.
I learned lots of new things about killer whales.
Did you know that they are the largest member of the dolphin family? I had no idea!
The ocean Explorer area was a lot of fun for the kids.
There is a new Submarine Quest ride, a swing ride called Tentacle Twirl (my favorite!), the Octarock ride that swings back and forth, the Sea Dragon Drop, and the Aqua Scout rides, many aimed at young explorers to the park.
The new summer celebration event, Electric Ocean, is a collection of experiences, shows, acrobats, lights, music, and more!
Atlantis and Manta are transformed at night as part of the celebration too.
And of course there are our other favorites too that we had to do- Ship Wreck Rapids, Atlantis, and Manta are all must-rides for us.
Whether you’re local to San Diego or are planning your next vacation, definitely consider taking your family to SeaWorld San Diego!
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