Beluga Encounters at the Vancouver

Aqaurium Animal Encounters Bring You Closer!

How would you like to meet the Beluga whales?

Join us for a Beluga Encounter! During this behind-the-scenes adventure you will come face-to-face with the Belugas.  See what it is like to work with these magnificent animals, right inside their habitat.

The Beluga Encounter offers visitors an insider's glimpse at the amazing ways that Belugas communicate with one another and with their trainers. You will get the unique opportunity to touch the whales and feed them a fishy snack, while discovering more about their curious behaviours.  You will also be mailed a CD of digital photos taken during your adventure with the whales. It is an amazing experience you will never forget!

Highlights

•     Go behind-the-scenes and into the Beluga habitat!
•     Make up beluga diets!
•     Touch a beluga whale!
•     Train belugas alongside Aquarium staff!
•     Feed the belugas!
•     Discover amazing facts about these fantastic animals!
•     Learn ways to help belugas and their Arctic environment!

Schedule, Reservations, Cost
 $150 per person
 $210 for one adult and 1 child (8-12)

Prices include taxes and Aquarium admission!
Aquarium Members receive a 20% discount.

Note: All children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a paying adult. You must be at least 8 years old to participate in an encounter. Beluga Encounters are available every day of the week. On occasion, animal safety may prohibit Encounters from happening on certain dates so please book ahead at: (604) 659-3552 or 1-800-931-1186.

(Participants should arrive at the Aquarium at least 10 minutes prior to the time of their adventure. The Beluga Encounter Coordinator will review individual participants' needs and circulate waiver forms prior to the adventure.  Please check with the co-ordinator or admissions for meeting location.)

Beluga encounters book quickly, phone (604) 659-3552 or 1-800-931-1186 to reserve your spot !!  
You can also email programs@vanaqua.org.

Note:  For phone reservations, payment by credit card is due upon booking.  For bookings made over the phone or by email, please allow 24 hours notice. Within 24 hours, please book onsite.

Details
Train a beluga whale!
This 90-minute program begins with a fascinating introduction to the whales at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre. We explore beluga adaptations and focus on the different ways that belugas use sound to communicate with one another. Here at the Aquarium, we study the sounds that belugas create by submerging small waterproof microphones into their habitat. These microphones have allowed us to document how our belugas communicate with each other. We also teach you hand signals that the trainers use to communicate with the belugas as they work with them.

Next, participants get dressed up in waterproof chest waders, raincoats and life jackets that will keep everyone mostly warm and dry. After proceeding to the Marine Mammal Food Room and preparing a fishy snack for the belugas, we will meet up with the beluga trainers and head into the beluga habitat.
 
"Guests will be in for an unforgettable experience as they get up-close and personal with the beluga whales in a hands-on training session."

Participants will be in for an unforgettable experience as they get up-close and personal with the beluga whales in a hands-on training session. This adventure of a lifetime includes a chance to feed, train and touch a beluga whale while working side-by-side with our beluga trainers.

After a session with the whales, we will sit back with a warm or cool beverage and discuss the conservation issues surrounding belugas. A take-home CD of your Encounter photographs, beluga sounds and information about the ways that we can all help belugas in the wild will be created for participants to pick up shortly after the program as a keepsake of the experience.

For more information call our info line at (604) 659-3474 or email information@vanaqua.org.