Meet the belugas! Standing with a caretaker on an underwater ledge, you’ll step into chest-deep water and come face to face with a beluga whale in this 75-minute experience.
Highlights
Put on waders and have the opportunity to look a beluga whale in the eye
Touch a beluga whale
Try a few training techniques
Enjoy a few surprises!
Requirements
For the safety of the animals and guests, no one under 5 feet (60 inches) tall may attend the experience.
Participants up to 17 years old must be accompanied by a participating paid adult age 18 or older.
Dates
Check back for future dates!
Price
$205 per person $165 per member
Admission to the aquarium is included with the purchase of a Beluga Encounter.
Time
Beluga Encounters begin promptly at 9:45 a.m. or 2:15 p.m. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled encounter time.
Safety Precautions
Due to the up-close nature of the encounter, please contact us to reschedule if you are sick or experiencing any symptoms for the health and safety of the animals and the caretakers.
Requirements
Participants must be at least 60 inches (5ft or 1.5 meters) tall. Children up to 17 years-old must be accompanied by a participating paid adult age 18 or older.
A waiver must be signed by all participants. A parent or guardian must sign for any participant 17 years or younger.
We recommend that guests with shellfish and seafood allergies avoid participating in this encounter, as well as those who are at risk for lymphedema.
Guests will need to understand information and instructions given in English or arrange for a paying translator to participate.
Accessibility
We strive to remove barriers to your Shedd Aquarium experience. If you have an accommodation request related to a disability, please contact us at [email protected] or 312-692-3355. We review each request individually against the participation requirements and will follow up with you as swiftly as we can.
Program includes
Standing in cold water for 20 minutes (without assistance)
Use of stairs
Lifting arms
Ability to walk/wear chest waders
For the safety of the animals, no one under 5 feet (60 inches) tall may attend the experience.
Participants up to 17 years old must be accompanied by a participating paid adult age 18 or older.
You
will be provided with neoprene waders during the encounter, so please wear
comfortable clothing. All participants must wear socks, a short-sleeve shirt,
and either shorts, jeans, or slacks. A bathing suit or wetsuit is not
necessary, as you will not be swimming in any of the habitats. We recommend
bringing a change of clothes, as you may get wet during the encounter. Towels
will be provided for guests. Please note that participants cannot wear jewelry
(including wedding rings) or artificial fingernails. Lockers will be available
for storing personal belongings.
Those in your party who are not participating in the experience are not permitted to follow along and are not allowed in the behind-the-scenes areas. Please arrange a time and place to meet with your party after your experience.
Check in at the Member Services Suite in the Atrium, up to 15 minutes before your scheduled encounter.
Should you find a line outside the entrance to Shedd, please show your
encounter confirmation email to a Shedd representative. They can help expedite
your entry. Late arrivals may not be able to join the encounter, in which case
the experience is forfeited.
The waders are based on shoe size. Only whole sizes are available, not half sizes. They range from a size 6, which has a 36 inch waist, to a size 15, which has a 52 inch waist.
Email us at [email protected] or call 312-692-3355 with questions. We are unable to take reservations by email.
Refund policy
No refunds. Participants who need to reschedule may do so up to 10 days before their scheduled experience. Otherwise, date and time exchanges cannot be accommodated. For additional details, see our refund and cancellation policy.
Shedd Aquarium prioritizes animal care and wellbeing. Because of this, we reserve the right to modify, cancel and/or reschedule animal encounters at any time. Reasonable accommodations will be made to reschedule guests as effectively as possible.
Gift certificates
Beluga Encounters are an extraordinary gift idea! Purchase a gift certificate online, redeemable for Extraordinary Experiences, general admission, or membership. Or call us at 312-692-3355. Certain restrictions apply.
Pricing
$205 a person ($165 for members)
Entry
Check in at the Member Services Suite in the Atrium up to 15 minutes before your scheduled encounter. Late arrivals may not be able to join the encounter, in which case the experience is forfeited.
Questions?
Email us or call 312-692-3355 with questions. We are unable to take reservations by email.
Accessibility Needs
If you have any accessibility needs, please contact us.
Photography
Photography and video recording are not allowed while participating in the Beluga Encounter. However, a photographer will be in the area taking photos of the experience. You will receive one free image with the option to purchase more.
Refund Policy
No refunds. Participants who need to reschedule may do so up to 10 days before their scheduled experience. Otherwise, date and time exchanges cannot be accommodated. For additional details, see our refund and cancellation policy.
