The Moody Gardens® Penguin Encounter is a 45-minute program designed to allow guests to get up close to one of the penguins from the Aquarium Pyramid® South Atlantic Exhibit.  Led by a Moody Gardens® biologist, the experience starts at the front of the exhibit and takes guests behind the scenes to the penguin food preparation kitchen and the back of the chilly penguin exhibit while discussing penguin biology, conservation, training, enrichment and care. Participants will experience the cool climate, sounds and even smells of the exhibit and witness a penguin create a work of art as part of an enrichment activity for the animal.

Penguin Encounter Program Package*
$50 per person, 3 year old and under free
Click here to buy tickets
Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants must also purchase admission to the Aquarium Pyramid®. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Current Schedule: 

• Saturdays & Sundays: 1pm

May 25 - August 4:

• Daily: 1pm, 3pm 
• Please note: There is no availability for the June 8 Penguin Encounter at 3pm 

Private Penguin Encounter Program Package*
$350 per group of up to (1-4) four people
Guests can schedule a private encounter at their convenience based on availability. This 45-minute encounter includes a piece of penguin art for each participant and admission to the Aquarium Pyramid®. Reservations must be made at least one week prior to the encounter date. To schedule an appointment, please call Diane Olsen between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at 1-800-582-4673 Ex. 4102 or email at dolsen@moodygardens.com.

The Seal and Penguin Experience Package*
$250 per person
Experience what it’s like to be a keeper at the South Atlantic and North Pacific exhibits for a day. Participants will experience what it is like to take care of the penguins and seals that call Moody Gardens their home in this 4-hour behind the scenes adventure. The morning will be spent assisting the biologists cleaning the penguin exhibit, preparing their diet, watching training sessions and meeting a seal, feeding the penguins and creating a piece of penguin art for you to remember your experience with. Lunch with the Biologist is included. Maximum three participants (must be 16 years or older) are allowed per session. Please wear comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes. We require 2 weeks’ notice prior to the date of your interest before a reservation can be secured. Please contact Joel'Lon Lockett at 1-800-582-4673 ex. 4325 or e-mail education@moodygardens.com for more information.

 *Because these are special, behind-the-scenes experience, and participants are allowed in staff-only areas, it is not wheel-chair accessible.

Q. What is the difference between a public and private Penguin Encounter?
A. (1) While a private Penguin Encounter includes admission to the Aquarium Pyramid, a public one does not. So you must first purchase the Aquarium Pyramid ticket. (2) While a private Penguin Encounter accommodates only your party, a public one can have as many as 16 people per session. (3) While the private Penguin Encounter can be scheduled at your convenience any day of the week all year, public encounters are only offered at the scheduled times. (4) Each person in a private Penguin Encounter will receive a piece of penguin art that is created during the session. Public encounter participants can purchase a piece at the Aquarium Pyramid gift shop.

Q. How long does a Penguin Encounter last? 
A. Approximately 45 minutes

Q. Do we get to touch or pet a penguin? 
A. It all depends on the penguin and what kind of mood he or she is in. Our biologists are experts in determining if it’s appropriate for you to do so.

Q. Is it cold in there? 
A. Yes, it is 45 degrees in the Penguin Encounter area.  We have blankets and jackets available but please dress accordingly.

Q. What if I want to bring more than four people for my private Penguin Encounter? 
A. While there is no price break for fewer than four people, you may add more people at $50 extra per additional person.

Q. Will I get to feed the penguin?
A. Penguins love getting fed by familiar faces. Unfortunately, you cannot feed them, but you can watch our biologists feed them several times throughout the day at the South Atlantic exhibit.

Q. What do I do if I am late? 
A. The Penguin Encounter starts at the front of the exhibit and will be there for about five minutes.  After that time, you will have to find a staff member to escort you back.  Guests are not allowed in the back areas un-escorted.

Q. Can I take pictures? 
A. Yes, you can! The penguins do not mind, and some of them can be such posers.

Q. Can I be in the pictures? 
A. It depends on the penguin whether he or she will allow people to approach him or her. Our biologists are experts in detecting how the penguin feels about that.

Also please note...
Encounters can be canceled at any time if there is an animal emergency. Because these are special, behind-the-scenes experience, and participants are allowed in staff-only areas, it is not wheel-chair accessible.