Sea Lion Encounter
Get Up Close and Personal
For those who wish to stay dry while still having an unforgettable marine experience on St Thomas, a Sea Lion Encounter is a fantastic interactive opportunity. All the fun of the swim program without getting wet. Our South American sea lions at Coral World Ocean Park are very affectionate, and will come right up to you, allowing you to pet them, snuggle in close, and pose for some memorable pictures. You will learn all about these amazing animals by spending some quality time with them, playing sea lion games, and feeding them some fishy treats.
Price includes all day admission to Coral World Ocean Park
Our program is designed to be both personal and unique, making our Sea Lion Encounter unlike any other marine animal interaction!
Program Details
- Program duration: 50 minutes including check-in, orientation, interaction, and photo processing (animal interaction time: 15-20 minutes)
- Sea Lion Encounter maximum capacity: 6 guests per animal
- Photo opportunities: individual posed photo, group/family posed photo, numerous candid photos of the experience (photo flash drives available for purchase)
What to Know
- Each child under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a participating 18 year-old adult (1 child per supervising adult).
- Participants must be able to understand basic instructions in English in order to safely participate.
- Unfortunately, non-participating observers are not allowed into the sea lion area (for the safety of our guests and animals).
- Personal cameras, sunglasses, cell phones and other loose objects are not permitted. There is an area to put your personal belongings.
- Coral World staff will take photos of your experience. Flash drives will be available to purchase at the retail store.
Sea Lion Encounter FAQ
Q: Is there an age or size limit for the Sea Lion Encounter?
A: No! Our Encounter program is designed to be child-friendly.
Q: Will the sea lion give me a kiss?
A: He will if you want one! All of our guests will get an individual photo opportunity with the sea lion. The setup is variable, and if you have something specific in mind, we’ll do our best to accommodate you. If you want a kiss as your individual photo, just let the trainer know. Be advised that some photo setups, specifically kisses, may not be possible with very small or uncooperative children.
Q: Can I request to meet a specific sea lion?
A: Unfortunately not. Our sea lions rotate between interaction programs, shows, training sessions, and other fun activities, so they never know what they’re going to get to do next. Keeping their day random is one way to ensure their experiences are fun and positive, and keeping their activities spaced out ensures they don’t get bored with their routine.
Q: I’ve been to Coral World before. Will my sea lion experience be the same as last time?
A: Probably not. We try to make every program unique, as this makes it much more fun for our animals! Our sea lions all have different personalities, and we often cater programs to allow them to be the most successful and enjoy their time with you as much as possible.
If you are coming from a cruise ship and this tour is offered through your cruise line, you must book through the cruise line.
Get Up Close and Personal
Coral World will be open from 9am to 3pm on open days with the ticket booth closing at 2pm.
Member of the US Virgin Islands HTA
