Selwo Marina Benalmádena
A unique marine park in Benalmádena, offering close encounters with dolphins, penguins, exotic birds, and more.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Catch the main attractions
Selwo Marina Benalmádena
Best Time
Catch the main attractions
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A unique marine park in Benalmádena, offering close encounters with dolphins, penguins, exotic birds, and more.
"A must-visit place with kids in Benalmádena! This is better than the Sea Life aquarium."
🎯 Check Show Schedules
Plan your visit around the dolphin and bird shows for the best experience.
💰 Consider Extra Experiences
Special animal encounters have extra fees; budget accordingly.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Dolphin Show
Delfinarium
Witness intelligent dolphins perform amazing feats in an educational and entertaining show.
+5
Penguinarium
Penguin Pavilion
Get up close with adorable penguins in a specially designed habitat.
Bird Show
Aviary
Marvel at the vibrant plumage and aerial skills of exotic birds, including macaws.
Sea Lion Encounters
Sea Lion Exhibit
Observe the playful antics and impressive abilities of sea lions.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Key for Shows
Budgeting for Experiences
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Check Show Schedules
Plan your visit around the dolphin and bird shows for the best experience.
💰 Consider Extra Experiences
Special animal encounters have extra fees; budget accordingly.
👟 Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking, so wear comfy shoes!
📸 Capture the Moments
Bring your camera or phone to snap photos of the amazing animals.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Check Show Schedules
Plan your visit around the dolphin and bird shows for the best experience.
💰 Consider Extra Experiences
Special animal encounters have extra fees; budget accordingly.
👟 Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking, so wear comfy shoes!
📸 Capture the Moments
Bring your camera or phone to snap photos of the amazing animals.
📍 Near Parque de la Paloma
Combine your visit with a stroll in the adjacent, beautiful park.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Selwo Marina is a charming, clean, and friendly zoo, particularly loved by families for its engaging animal exhibits and shows. While some find it small, many spend longer than expected enjoying the happy animals and educational sessions. However, the cost of special experiences and photos can be a drawback for some visitors.
"Very small beautiful zoo, I thought we would be there for an hour at most and ended up spending maybe three to four hours there. There were amazing animals in beautiful pavilions. The animals look very happy, the zoo environment was very clean and friendly. Toilets available, ice cream points and also a lots of snacks. We saw dolphins feding and training, ti was amazing and there is also an amazing penguin pavilion. You can go throught the open enclosures very often a see animals from 50cm, great! Parking is close to zoo with enough capacity. Close to the zoo i park Paloma - absolutely recommended for short walk and see the small cactus zone which is inckluded inside the park."
Zdenka Rozanski
"A must visit place with kids in Benalmadena! If you need to choose due to budget or time constraints between the Sea life acquarium and this, this is the one you should pick - in my opinion! We visited bith and this is better! The selection of animals was perfect, my kids enjoyed every minute. The dolphin educational session was not that long, so don’t have overexpecations with that. However, the bird educational session is in my opinion much more amazing! These large Parrots and tucans flying across the audience, and they are shown to many people in the audience from touchable distance, that was our favourite! You’ll love it! For us it was around a 3-3.5 hour programme - with these educational sessions. Without those it would have been shorter. My kids of 8 and 6 didn’t want to try out the playground first as they assumed it is for smaller children, but finally they loved that as well."
Nomadadventures pont hu Lakóautó bérlés
"Small park, could walk around it in about 20 minutes. Met some lovely penguins and the friendliest chonky penguin named Barney. Staff are friendly. However, after myself and my girlfriend paid €39.80 collectively for entrance to the park and then an additional €63 to meet the penguins, so do the math. We then were told we had to pay extra for pictures with the penguins. When I asked could we just get a QR code for digital copies we were told no, that we'd have to pay for physical copies and then pay for QR codes for each photo, so overall spent over €100 before food and drink etc overall we were happy with the experience but not very happy about how expensive it was"
James Peppard
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Selwo Marina is easily accessible in Benalmádena. Many visitors arrive by taxi from nearby hotels, with journeys often taking around 6 euros. It's also a pleasant 20-minute downhill walk from some areas.
Yes, the park is generally stroller-friendly, making it convenient for families with young children.
There is parking available near the zoo, and it typically has enough capacity for visitors.
Depending on your hotel's location in Benalmádena, walking to Selwo Marina is a viable option, often taking around 20 minutes and offering a pleasant downhill stroll.
While specific public transport routes aren't detailed in the provided content, its location in Benalmádena suggests local bus services might be an option. Checking local transport schedules is recommended.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Ticket prices can vary, and there are often discounts available. For example, one offer mentioned up to 40% off for bookings made by January 31, 2025, for the 2025 season.
Yes, discounts are sometimes available. One promotion offered up to 40% off for early bookings for the following season.
Opening times can vary by season. For instance, the park was scheduled to open for the 2025 season on February 14th.
While not explicitly stated, it's generally recommended to book tickets in advance, especially during peak season, to secure your entry and potentially benefit from early bird discounts.
Selwo Marina is part of a larger group, and sometimes package deals or contests are offered that include entry to other parks like Selwo Aventura or the Benalmádena Cable Car.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Selwo Marina is home to a variety of marine life and birds. You can see dolphins, penguins, sea lions, exotic birds like macaws, and even squirrel monkeys.
Yes, Selwo Marina features popular shows, including an exciting dolphin show and an engaging bird show. +4
A typical visit, including the educational sessions, can last around 3 to 3.5 hours. Without the sessions, it might be shorter. Some visitors found they spent 3-4 hours there, enjoying the animals and pavilions.
Yes, there is a playground area that children, even those who initially thought it was for younger kids, ended up enjoying.
The 'meet the penguins' experience allows for close encounters, including meeting a specific penguin named Barney. However, this experience comes with a significant additional cost, and photos also incur extra charges.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there are food options available, including ice cream points and snacks. However, one reviewer noted a 30-minute wait for food near the central playground.
Information about bringing outside food is not explicitly provided, but given the presence of snack points, it's advisable to check their policy or plan to purchase food on-site.
The available food options include snacks and ice cream. During special events like the San Juan Feria, there were many food stalls.
While specific prices aren't listed, one review mentioned a significant wait for food, suggesting it might be a busy area. The overall cost of the visit, including special experiences, can add up.
Specific dietary options are not detailed, but typical park offerings often include standard snacks and meals. It's best to inquire on-site or check their website for detailed menus.
📸 📸 Photography
The dolphin shows, penguin encounters, and the bird shows offer fantastic photo opportunities. Getting close to the animals in their enclosures also provides great shots. +2
Yes, visitors are encouraged to take photos and videos to capture their experience. +1
No specific restrictions on general photography are mentioned. However, for professional shoots or commercial use, it's always best to check with the park management.
Yes, professional photos are often available for purchase, particularly during special animal encounters like meeting the penguins. However, the process and cost for digital copies can be restrictive.
Mornings or late afternoons can offer softer lighting, but the shows themselves are prime times for capturing dynamic action shots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider combining your visit with a trip to the nearby Parque de la Paloma for a full day of family fun.
💰 Budget Travelers
Be mindful that premium experiences like 'meet the penguins' come with a substantial extra charge.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
While general photography is permitted, be aware that purchasing professional photos, especially from special encounters, can be costly and may have restrictions on digital copies.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Marine Life Encounters
+3 The park also features a dedicated penguinarium, offering a chance to see these charming birds up close in a simulated environment. Beyond the main marine mammals, Selwo Marina also houses a variety of exotic birds. The bird show is a highlight, showcasing the vibrant colors and impressive flying skills of species like macaws.
+1For those seeking even closer interactions, special experiences like 'meet the penguins' are offered. However, it's important to note that these premium encounters come with a significant additional cost, and photo packages can also be expensive.
Family Fun and Education
Beyond the animal encounters, Selwo Marina also offers a playground area that has proven to be a hit with kids, even those who initially hesitated.
While the park is generally considered a positive experience for families, some visitors note that the educational sessions, particularly the dolphin talks, might be shorter than expected.
Planning Your Visit
Many visitors find that a visit, including the educational sessions, lasts around 3 to 3.5 hours, though it can be shorter if you skip these. For those on a budget, it's worth noting that while general admission provides access to the park and its main exhibits, special up-close animal encounters, such as meeting the penguins, incur additional fees.
Selwo Marina is conveniently located and can be reached by a short taxi ride or a pleasant walk from many parts of Benalmádena.
Its proximity to Parque de la Paloma also offers an opportunity to extend your day with a visit to the adjacent park, making it a well-rounded excursion. 
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