Get up close and in the water with the Harbor Seals at the Virginia Aquarium.  A lucky family of 4 will enjoy this exciting experience.  

The Virginia Aquarium is the only one of the few places in the United States where you can get in the water to interact with harbor seals!

This 90-minute program takes you behind the scenes in the Harbor Seal area where you’ll learn about marine mammals, animal adaptations, training techniques and efforts to conserve these unique animals and the environment we share with them.  You’ll also meet a friendly seal or two in their private quarters, and observe a brief animal training session just prior to the in-water experience.  During the 15-20 minute in-water interactive portion of this program, you’ll put on neoprene or rubber chest waders and a life vest (over your casual clothes), and enter the water with a trained animal professional (the water is about waist-high for most adults).  Aquarium staff will walk you to a specially designed submerged platform to reach out and touch, communicate and learn about the beauty and grace of our Harbor Seals.  The seal will follow the target you’re holding, say “hello” (in seal, of course), and even wave to you. It’s the experience of a lifetime for the whole family!