Sea Otter Encounter
Meet a sea otter at Shedd Aquarium! During this encounter, you’ll get an up-close look at Shedd’s sea otters behind the scenes. Help our animal care team create an enrichment item for the otters filled with tasty fish treats and watch them participate in a training session. There may be an opportunity to hand a sea otter a snack or even touch the densest fur of any mammal, all while safely behind an acrylic partition. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore the world of sea otters firsthand and learn why it’s important to protect sea otters and their habitats in the wild.
Guests will receive one free digital photo taken by a provided photographer! Additional photos of the experience are available to purchase.
Dates
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, April 22 - May 1
Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, May 3 - June 30
Time
Sea Otter Encounters begin promptly at 9:15 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled encounter time
Ages
6 years old and up; participants 6 to 17 must be accompanied by a paying adult participant.
For the safety of the animals, no one under the age of 6 may attend the encounter.
Price
Adults (12+): $129.95
Children: $119.95
Members: $84.95
Admission to the aquarium is included with the purchase of a Sea Otter Encounter.
Highlights
- Go behind the scenes of the sea otter habitat
- Prepare an enrichment item for a sea otter
- Interact with a sea otter through an acrylic partition
- Watch a training session
- Learn about the species and why they are important to protect
Includes admission
A general admission ticket is included with the purchase of a Sea Otter Encounter.
COVID Safety Precautions
Proof of full vaccination is required for participation.
Medical and religious exemptions are allowed but must be accompanied by a negative COVID test taken from a medical facility or pharmacy within 72 hours of the experience. At home tests cannot be considered for this exemption.
KN95 masks are required to be worn whenever behind the scenes of the sea otter habitat. This does include during any photos taken by the provided photographer.
These measures are required to ensure the safety of the sea otters. Thank you for your compliance!
Requirements
Minimum age is 6 years old. Guests ages 6-17 must be accompanied by a paying adult, age 18 or older.
Guests will need to understand information and instructions given in English or arrange for a paying translator to participate.
An electronic waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian for any participant 17 years or younger. This waiver will be found in the confirmation email you receive upon purchase.
We recommend guests with shellfish and seafood allergies do not participate in this encounter.
Accessibility
We believe there should be no boundaries 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.
Program includes
- Use of stairs
- Crouching and kneeling
- Standing for 45 minutes
-
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 Information Desk in the Main Foyer up to 15 minutes before your scheduled encounter. Should you encounter 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.
-
All participants must be at least 6 years old, and children 6-17 must be accompanied by a paying participating guardian.
-
Please wear comfortable clothing and something you don’t mind getting dirty or wet. Be sure to wear rubber sole shoes- sneakers are recommended. For your safety, please do not wear heels or flip-flops. See Mask and Vaccination FAQ for more information on what to bring and wear.
-
For the safety of the sea otters, pictures will be taken by a provided photographer. One free digital image is included. Opportunities to purchase additional photos are available onsite.
Pricing
Adults (12+): $129.95
Children: $119.95
Members: $84.95
Admission to the aquarium is included with the purchase of a Sea Otter Encounter.
Entry
Check in at the Information Desk in the Main Foyer at least 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 in advance of your reservation.
Photography
For the safety of the sea otters, pictures will be taken by a provided photographer. One free digital image is included. Opportunities to purchase additional photos are available onsite.
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.