Mystic Aquarium

Mystic Aquarium's Beluga Encounter is a hit among guests. Participants put on waterproof gear and wade waist-deep into the Arctic Coast exhibit with the whales and trainers. This program is designed to help guests better understand and connect with these magnificent animals through an up close experience, and is a great opportunity to learn more about them, their habitat and conservation of the species. Click here to make a reservation.

This 90-minute program begins in the Beluga Encounter Room where guests meet a whale trainer and learn about the belugas at the aquarium and in the wild, as well as training concepts and current conservation issues. From there, they are led to the Arctic Coast exhibit, home to New England’s only beluga whales and one of the largest beluga whale exhibits in North America. The program takes place on the exhibit’s "beach," an area typically only accessed by staff.

Participants touch the whale’s back and belly and see how they breathe, spout and "sing."  Aquarium trainers will explain how we care for the whales and demonstrate the way in which contact sessions are beneficial to the whale’s health and well-being.

Mystic Aquarium is a leader in beluga research, care and training. Through long-standing animal care and research relationships with other institutions across the nation, Mystic Aquarium has been selected to house belugas from other leading facilities for various reasons, including breeding initiatives, exhibit renovations and research. Your participation in this program helps Mystic Aquarium researchers who are trying to better understand belugas’ health and how they respond to environmental change, including human-related factors, ultimately contributing to the long-term survival of the species.

Beluga Encounter programs take place May through October. Participants under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult who has paid to participate in the encounter. All participants must be at least five feet tall and be able to stand on their own throughout the program.

Cost is $150 for non-members and $142 for members. Admission is not included. Reservations are recommended for this program as spaces fill quickly. Spaces may also be reserved on-site at our information booth. For more information, call 860.572.5955 ext. 520. Click here to make a reservation.