SeaWorld San Diego is an aquatic theme park featuring numerous animal interactions, thrilling shows, and some of the world’s most exciting rides.
This family-friendly attraction gets around five million visitors annually.
This article shares everything you must know before booking your SeaWorld San Diego tickets.
Top Tickets
# San Diego SeaWorld tickets
# Go City San Diego All-inclusive Pass
# San Diego CityPASSBook your SeaWorld San Diego tickets early to skip the queues and guarantee your spot on this unforgettable experience.
What’s ahead
Where to book tickets
Tickets for SeaWorld San Diego are available online and at the attraction’s box office.
Save time by booking your tickets online—it’s usually cheaper and lets you skip the long queues at the entrance.
Plus, buying in advance ensures you won’t miss out, especially since tickets are limited and often sell out during peak days.
Once your tickets are purchased, they will be emailed to you—no need for a physical printout. Show your e-ticket on your smartphone upon arrival.
The San Diego Pass is another fantastic way to reduce ticket costs. The all-inclusive attraction pass provides complimentary admission to SeaWorld San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and 35 additional attractions.
SeaWorld San Diego tickets
This popular skip-the-line SeaWorld San Diego ticket gets you access to all the animal exhibits, all the shows (except Rescue Tail), and all the rides.
You can meet creatures of the deep, such as orcas, sea lions, dolphins, and more, through live, interactive shows with their trainers.
Enjoy thrilling rollercoasters, flumes, sky-high gondolas, and more. There are numerous rides here for both kids and adults.
Touch and feel starfish, urchins, and other marine creatures in the touch pool, and discover the world of animal rehabilitation.
The SeaWorld Rescue team has given over 30,000 animals a second lease on life!
Animal Encounters are paid activities and aren’t included with this ticket.
Ticket Prices
Regular Ticket (3+ years Monday to Thursday): $89
Any Day Ticket (3+ years): $94
Any Day – All Day Dine Bundle (3+ years): $145
SeaWorld & Sesame Place Ticket (3+ years): $136
Infants under three years can get in for free.
Buy This TicketSeaWorld San Diego `Eat Free’ tickets
The SeaWorld `Eat Free’ ticket is also known as the ‘Drink and Dine’ bundle and helps you reserve your food, brews, and cocktails at the attraction.
Besides entry into SeaWorld, the ‘Eat Free’ tickets also include –
For adults: Six food and drink items of your choice (including beer, wine, and cocktails)
For kids: Four kids’ food and drink items of your choice
Ticket price (3+ years): $103
Kids under three years old can enter for free.
This ticket costs $134 at the attraction’s entrance, and by booking it in advance, you save $31 per person.
*On the ticket booking page, select ‘Eat Free Ticket’
Buy This TicketSeaWorld San Diego hours
SeaWorld San Diego opens at 10 am every day of the year.
From Monday to Thursday, it closes at 7 pm, and on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, it remains open till 9 pm.
The closing hours are subject to change; please check your ticket details before booking.
How long does the tour take
Most families spend six to seven hours at SeaWorld San Diego. Staying longer helps you see the shows, animal exhibits, encounters, and rides.
Best time to visit SeaWorld
The best time to visit SeaWorld San Diego is when they opens at 10 am.
Early in the day, the animals are fresh and active, and the crowd has yet to arrive, resulting in shorter queues.
If you purchase your tickets in advance, you won’t need to stand in line at the ticket counter and can start visiting the animals as soon as you arrive.
The summer months and school holidays are the busiest at the San Diego attraction.
However, SeaWorld offers extra shows during the busiest days and stays open later.
What to expect
SeaWorld San Diego is renowned for its diverse array of marine life exhibits. Visitors can observe and learn about various sea creatures, including dolphins, sea lions, penguins, sharks, and many more.
There are interactive touch pools where you can touch and feel certain marine animals under the supervision of park staff.
The theme park is famous for its entertaining and educational shows featuring marine animals.
SeaWorld offers a mix of rides and attractions suitable for different age groups. Some popular rides may include roller coasters, water rides, and themed attractions.
The park offers a range of dining options, from casual to upscale restaurants, featuring a diverse selection of cuisines.
Gift shops are scattered throughout the park, where visitors can purchase a variety of souvenirs, apparel, and marine-themed merchandise.
Check out the park hours and times of the experiences at SeaWorld San Diego.
SeaWorld San Diego animals
SeaWorld San Diego is home to about 13,000 animals, including mammals, fish, birds, and reptiles.
You can explore these animals through interactive exhibits, attractions, and encounters.
Interactive animal exhibits
There are three animal exhibits where you can touch the marine life forms.
Regular SeaWorld San Diego tickets provide access to all interactive exhibits.
Explorer’s Reef
Explorer’s Reef is just inside the park entrance and is the first opportunity to interact with sea life.
It is a series of touch pools where you can see and touch various reef shark species, horseshoe crabs, and stingrays, among other marine life.
Feel free to ask the Animal Care Ambassadors nearby for their insights.
Bat Ray Shallows
Kids can interact with touch-friendly bat rays at Bat Ray Shallows.
Visitors can also go downstairs (beneath the touch pool) to view an underground aquarium featuring white sturgeons and shovelnose guitarfish.
Sea Lion Point
At the Sea Lion Point of SeaWorld, kids and adults can feed and enjoy the antics of seals and sea lions.
These animals are always active, so expect a crowd.
Animal Attractions
Like the interactive animal displays, access to the animal attractions is also included with the regular SeaWorld ticket.
Attractions are animal exhibits that visitors can observe and enjoy, but cannot interact with the animals.
The most popular animal attractions are – Dolphin Point, Orca Underwater,
Bat Rays, Flamingos, Sea Lion Point, Otter Outlook, Moray Eels, Magellanic Penguins, Macaws, Sea Turtles, Sloths, Sting Rays, Tide Pools, etc.
Animal Encounters
SeaWorld San Diego offers four animal encounters: with Dolphins, Sloths, flamingos, and Sea Otters.
All encounters are paid activities; therefore, all participants under 18 must have a paying parent or guardian present.
Dolphin Encounter
This 15-minute tour is an exclusive trainer-guided, poolside opportunity to meet, feed, and learn to communicate with Bottlenose Dolphins.
Image: Seaworld.com
For this encounter at Dolphin Point, a paid parent or guardian must accompany participants under 4 feet 8 inches (122 cm) in height.
For groups of up to six members, the encounter costs $79 and must be reserved in advance.
Sloth Encounter
During the Sloth Encounter, you go behind the scenes at the Dolphin Amphitheater for an up-close experience with a two-toed sloth.
Image: Seaworld.com
A #Slothie (Sloth selfie) is one of the highlights of the 15-20 minute session.
Participants must be at least six years old and accompanied by a paid adult if they are under 18.
The Sloth Encounter costs $89 per person and requires a reservation.
Flamingo Encounter
Flamingo Encounter is a 20-minute session inside the Flamingo’s habitat, where an Aviculturist shares unique facts about the birds.
Image: Seaworld.com
The cost is $24 per person; a reservation is required in advance.
Sea Otter Encounter
The Sea Otter Encounter is a 30-minute session that offers the opportunity to feed the Sea Otter and learn about this fascinating animal.
Image: Seaworld.com
This session with the curious and playful sea otters takes place at the ‘Otter Outlook’; reservations are required in advance.
SeaWorld San Diego shows
Five shows at SeaWorld San Diego, Sea Lions Live, Dolphin Days, Orca Encounter, Magellanic Penguin, and Sesame Street Meet‑and‑Greets are free for all ticketholders.
The sixth show, Rescue Tails, is a paid event.
Tip: Ask for the day’s show schedule and times at the attraction’s entrance. It will be helpful to plan your day’s itinerary.
Sea Lions Live
The Sea Lions Live is a free show at the Sea Lion Amphitheater.
Visitors join Sea Lions Clyde, Seamore, and their buddy O.P. Otter for splashy action.
The San Diego SeaWorld show is funny, educational, and a favorite among most families.
Dolphin Days
During this show, visitors see the SeaWorld aquarium’s family of Bottlenose Dolphins and their incredible athleticism.
This free show happens at the Dolphin Amphitheatre.
If you sit close to the Dolphins, be ready for some splashing.
Orca Encounter
This show is a fantastic opportunity to meet Orca, the ocean’s most powerful predator.
Spectators learn about orcas’ masterful hunting techniques and complex communication codes.
This free show at the Orca Encounter venue can get very splashy.
Sesame Street Meet‑and‑Greets
The Sesame Street Meet and Greet at SeaWorld San Diego is extremely popular among younger children.
During this free activity, kids and adults can meet their favorite Sesame Street characters, including Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby, Oscar the Grouch, Grover, Zoe, Rosita, Telly, Bert, and Ernie.
Magellanic Penguin show
Visitors can watch the keepers feed the penguins during this free show at the outdoor Magellanic Penguin exhibit.
The keepers also tell stories and answer questions about the penguins.
Ask for the park schedule to know the feeding times.
Rescue Tails
Visitors learn about SeaWorld’s commitment to animal care and rescue at the Rescue Tails show at Nautilus Amphitheater.
Visitors meet many of the park’s rescued animals, such as birds of prey, primates, and reptiles, and learn about their unique stories.
Besides meeting the animals, you also get to take photos of the fantastic animals.
Entry to this show is paid and costs $14.99 per person.
Reserved Seating at shows
Visitors who prefer front-row action at the SeaWorld San Diego shows can reserve seats.
Unlimited single-day reserved seating at all participating shows costs $30 per person.
Reserved seating upgrades guarantee front-row action at Orca Encounter, Dolphin Amphitheater, and Sea Lion & Otter Amphitheater.
It won’t be valid at Cirque Electrique, Nautilus Amphitheater, or Mission Bay Theater shows.
Seating is reserved only until the show begins; any unused seats are made available for general seating.
SeaWorld San Diego rides
Most visitors check out the animals, attend shows, and then head to SeaWorld San Diego’s rides for their adrenaline rush.
SeaWorld has five high-thrill rides, four of which are roller coasters.
Emperor, the fifth roller coaster of the attraction, is now open.
SeaWorld also features two water rides and nine rides designed for children under 48 inches tall.
Some of SeaWorld San Diego’s most popular rides are Electric Eel, Journey to Atlantis, Manta, Tidal Twister, etc.
SeaWorld San Diego map
Spanning nearly 200 acres in Mission Bay, SeaWorld San Diego is a substantial tourist attraction.
Carrying a map and being aware of the exhibit locations helps save time and energy.
Besides the animal enclosures, a map helps you identify rides and visitor services, such as restaurants, restrooms, and souvenir shops.
San Diego SeaWorld’s layout is even more necessary for visiting with kids.
The SeaWorld app for Android and iOS features an interactive map to help you navigate your way during your visit.
Parking
SeaWorld San Diego offers ample parking and provides three-car parking packages.
General Parking costs $32, and Up-Close Parking, where you can park your car in the first six rows near the park entrance, costs $53.
For $74, you can enjoy a reserved parking spot in the closest parking section near the park entrance.
You can decide which slot you prefer on the day of your visit.
Parking for RVs and campers is $40, and parking for motorcycles is $20.
There are numerous parking garages around the theme park.
FAQs about SeaWorld San Diego
Here are some frequently asked questions about SeaWorld San Diego:
How can I purchase tickets for SeaWorld San Diego?
Tickets can be purchased online or at the park’s entrance. Online purchases often come with discounts, and it’s a convenient way to skip the ticket line.
Can I bring food and drinks outside to SeaWorld San Diego?
No outside food, drinks, or coolers are allowed into SeaWorld San Diego, except you may bring a water bottle. Exceptions may be made for Guests with special dietary needs, including food allergies and baby food/formula. Upon arrival at the Park, you may contact Park Security or Guest Relations for approval to bring special dietary foods.
Are strollers and wheelchairs available for rent at the park?
Both strollers and wheelchairs are available for rent at SeaWorld San Diego. Rentals can be made at the park entrance.
Wheelchairs and strollers are also available to rent online.
What types of marine animals can be found at SeaWorld San Diego?
SeaWorld San Diego is home to many marine animals, including dolphins, killer whales (orcas), sea lions, penguins, sharks, and many more. The park is dedicated to the conservation and welfare of these animals.
We had an awesome day at the park checking out all the amazing animals. The shows with the sea lions, dolphins, and whales were super entertaining. Just a heads-up, the stadiums aren’t shaded, so make sure to bring a hat and some sunscreen. They do offer a food package add-on with the admission tickets, which might be a good deal if you’re planning to stay all day.