Overview
- Features: Marine park with animal encounters and water-based rides
- Opening Times: 10am to 5pm, daily
- Best Time to Visit: December to February
- Duration: Any
- Transport Options: Car, bus
- Budget: Moderate
- Address: Sea World Drive, The Spit Main Beach, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
- Type: Theme Park
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Summary
There are so many unique and wonderful attractions at Sea World Gold Coast. Before you plan your trip, you should be aware of the top things to do there so you can make the most of your visit. In this post, we go through the star animal attractions, popular rides and all the family entertainment at this popular theme park.
Top Things to Do at Sea World Gold Coast
There’s not enough time in one day to see all the attractions at Sea World so we’ve put together a list of the top things you must do at Sea World. This includes the top 5 animal encounters, top 5 rides and the best family entertainment on offer at Sea World.
Top 5 Animal Encounters at Sea World Gold Coast
1. Polar Bear Shores (Star Attraction)
The star attraction at Sea World is the Canadian polar bears with newly graduated Henry the crowd favourite. He shares this area of Sea Wold with his mother Liya as well as two orphan cubs Hudson and Nelson. Crowds flock to see them frolic, dive, and hunt for fish in a large pool.
The areas of Polar Bear Shores and its extension Polar Pre-School are artistically decorated to mimic the natural landscape of the polar bears. There’s a cascading waterfall, a large pool that is up to four metres deep, an array of climbing outcrops, fallen trees, shrubs and other structures that provide endless fun for these inquisitive bears.
The best day to visit Polar Bear Shores is March 1 which is International Polar Bear Day. On this day, Sea World throws a pool party for the polar bears. The celebrations include giant ice-blocks, fancy fruit and favourite toys for the bears. There is also an in-park education table for guests to learn more about polar bears and the major threat to this species, climate change.
2. Shark Bay
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At Shark Bay, you can see some of the larger and more dangerous marine animals, such as tiger sharks in addition to the magical display of tropical fish, sting rays and other bottom-dwellers. This man-made tropical reef lagoon for sharks is made to look like a little piece of the Great Barrier Reef on the Gold Coast.
The huge glass windows offer a glimpse into the life of the deadly sharks as they glide past in the massive Shark Lagoon. This impressive two-level exhibit offers two viewing options –topside and underwater. In addition, there is an interactive touch pool, a snorkel and dive lagoon pool and a shark lagoon as well as loads of educational information for the kids.
You can also snorkel with the sharks (if you are 10 or over) or dive with them if you are a certified diver.
3. Penguin Encounter
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One of a kind in Australia, Penguin Encounter is an amazing frozen exhibit and should be on top of your list. Sea World has brought a piece of Antarctica to the Gold Coast and filled it two penguin species – King Penguins, the second largest species of penguins in the world, and the lively and animated Gentoo penguins. Crowds flock to this attraction to see the penguins dive in and out of the crystal clear water in this icy wonderland. There are two viewing platforms to enjoy the acrobats of these playful birds; through the topside viewing area, you can watch them play on the snow or you can watch them swim underwater through the underwater viewing window.
4. Dolphin Beach
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Dolphin Beach is popular for one reason – it’s where crowds flock to watch the amazing dolphin show that takes place daily at the stunning 8m deep show pool. There are two other large lagoons which are home to a pod of Offshore Bottlenose Dolphins as well as some baby dolphins in the nursery area.
At Dolphin Beach adults (14 and over) can also snorkel with the dolphins and receive a souvenir photo.
5. Seal Harbour
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This amazing new exhibit at Sea World is the perfect place to get up close and personal with seals and sea lions. Featuring New Zealand Fur Seals, the golden maned Australian Sea Lions and the sleek Californian Sea Lions, Sea Harbour has lovely boardwalks just above the water’s surface where you can relax and watch the seals splash, play and sun themselves in the open air. With expansive sandy bottomed lagoons, naturalistic play areas and crystal clear waters, Seal Harbour is not to be missed.
Throughout the day you will even have an opportunity to hand feed the seals and learn from their trainers.
Animal Adventures at Sea World Gold Coast (Star Attraction)
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In addition to the animal encounters mentioned above, Sea World Gold Coast has several ways to get up close and personal with these marine animals. If you have some extra money to splurge, this is the place to do it. It’s worth every penny.
The best of these animal adventures for kids (aged between 8 and 14 years of age) is the Junior Ambassador program. Junior Ambassadors will get a unique opportunity to get up close to one of Sea World’s resident rescued seals, explore turtle rehabilitation behind the scenes and get hands on in the reef pools. This program is for children who’d like to work with or are passionate about marine animals and conservation.
However, nothing tops being a Trainer for a Day. This unique hands-on experience offered by Sea World allows you to be a dolphin trainer for a day. You’ll learn all about how the trainers at Sea World look after and train their dolphins, enjoy an in-water Dolphin experience, as well as a tour of Dolphin Bay with a Marine Mammal trainer who will introduce you to some of the amazing marine mammals that you will be working with.
You’ll also receive an educational lesson where you’ll learn all about Sea World’s role in rescuing and caring for stranded and injured marine mammals, as well as a tutorial on how to train animals, in particular the delightful dolphins. You’ll also receive a souvenir photo so you can keep a memento of the amazing memories created that day.
Top 5 Sea World Gold Coast Rides
1. Castaway Bay
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Great for: Family
Ride restrictions: Battle Boats less than 120cm need to be accompanied by an adult; Sky Fortress max weight 130kg; Sky Climb min 120cm, less than 140cm need to be accompanied by an adult
Price: free with admission; extra charges for Sky Climb
Castaway Bay is an adventure playground for the entire family which will keep both young and old entertained for hours. This is one of the best activities in Sea World as it includes three different yet exciting rides – Battle Boats, Sky Fortress and Sky Climb (extra charges apply).
The Battle Boats ride involves over eighty water canons so expect this ride to be wild and expect to get wet while having a ton of fun. This is a perfect activity for the entire family to enjoy together.
Sky Fortress has five exciting levels that allows kids to climb, crawl and clamber their way through rope bridges, tunnels, slides and lots more.
You have to pay extra for Sky Climb but you get to engage in something a bit more challenging such as balancing 12 metres above the ground.
2. Sky High Skyway
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Great for: Bird’s eye view over the entire theme park
Ride restrictions: Less than 122cm must be accompanied by an adult
While at Sea World you must take the Sky High Skyway to get an incredible bird’s eye view over the entire theme park. As you ride in the gondola between the top of the park and SpongeBob 3D, you’ll be able to see the park’s many action packed rides and animal attractions. It’s the best way to see everything that’s on offer for you to experience at Sea World, including the amazing Polar Bear Shores, Dolphin Bay and Shark Bay.
3. Beach Break Bay
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Great for: Kids
Ride restrictions: Beach Ball Bounce height min 90cm, less than 110cm must be accompanied by an adult; Carousel & Air Sea Explorer less than 105cm with adult; Sea Climb min 105cm, less than 122cm with adult
Kids love Beach Break Bay because it has a host of exciting rides and attractions – Splash Capsule, Beach Ball Bounce, Beach Dump Trucks, Air Sea Explorer, Sea Climb and the Carousel.
They can splash around for hours in the Splash Capsule, ride up and down on the Beach Ball Bounce or have fun driving the Beach Dump Trucks. They can also have their very own adventure on Air Sea Explorer and get to new heights on the Sea Climb. There’s even the Beach Break Bay Carousel featuring a carnival theme of colour and light that is sure to be a hit with the kids.
4. Jet Rescue
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Great for: Adrenaline junkies
Ride restrictions: Height min 125-196cm
Jet Rescue is a rollercoaster with a difference. Here you have your very own jetski in which you’ll zoom around the track at speeds of up to 70km/hr and pull 2.5Gs. You’ll fly past rock pools and race through a dark and dangerous blowhole cave. This is a rescue mission where the aim of the game is to save a trapped sea lion in the blowhole cave.
5. Viking Revenge Flume
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Great for: Family
Ride restrictions: Height min 95cm, less than 120cm must be accompanied by an adult
The Viking Revenge Flume is a Viking-themed log style carriage on which you embark for a 460m floating ride through the battlements of the Viking’s Castle. You’ll be taken 13m above the ground before descending upon a thrilling splash down at speeds of up to 58km/ph. This is another great activity for the entire family.
Family Entertainment
Nickelodeon Character Meet & Greet
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This entertainment venue is for the Nickelodeon fans out there. Meet your favourite Nickelodeon characters here including SpongeBob, Patrick Star and more Bikini Bottom dwellers.
Meet the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as they emerge from the sewers of New York City to hit the streets of Sea World. Join Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo as they show off their RAD ninja moves.
Jet Stunt Extreme
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For the adrenaline junkies out there, head over to Jet Stunt Extreme at Sea World to see some of the world’s best jetski stunt performers in an action packed live show. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as the team perform some amazing aerial flips, gravity defying stunts, as well as the awesome new Jetlev Packs on Sea World’s lake.
SpongeBob 3D
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The SpongeBob 3D show is set in an underwater world where anything can happen. Put on your 3-D glasses, sit back, and watch as Patrick Star, Plankton and friends ride a bubble bicycle through Bikini Bottom in search for the special ingredient needed to perfect the infamous Krabby Patty. This hilarious 3D adventure show is not to be missed especially for the SpongeBob fans.
Sea World Gold Coast Tickets
Admission (all-inclusive except animal experiences, helicopter rides, and powered watersports) to Sea World Gold Coast costs A$70 for adults and A$46 for kids (aged between 3 and 13 years).
Tickets can be purchased online from Theme Parks or from any travel agency or hotels in the Gold Coast.
Sea World Gold Coast Map
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Sea World Gold Coast Address
Sea World Drive
The Spit, Main Beach
Gold Coast
Queensland
Australia
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