Lithuanian sea museum and Dolphinarium

Lithuanian sea museum and Dolphinarium - 1

Updated 21 April, 2020

THE MARITIME MUSEUM IS ONE OF THE MOST VISITED MUSEUMS IN LITHUANIA

Visiting Klaipėda or the Curonian Spit to say hello to dolphins, seals, penguins, and other marine animals are becoming a tradition for many vacationers. Located in the historic fort of Nerija, the Lithuanian Maritime Museum and Dolphinarium invite all the seaside residents and guests to explore the mysterious world of the waters. About half a million Lithuanian and foreign visitors come here every year. It is one of the most visited museums in the country. The focus is on dolphin performances. At the northernmost point of the Curonian Spit, you will also find exhibitions of marine nature and maritime history that are continuously filling. The exhibits are presented in an innovative way using the latest technologies, and the spaces after the reconstruction are much more impressive than before.

MARITIME MUSEUM

Founded in 1979, the museum covers an area of ​​approximately 13 ha. The exhibits can be viewed both inside lounges and aquariums, as well as in outdoor pools with seals, sea lions, and penguins. Breathing in the fresh seaside air, you can also visit the historic shipping exhibit and anchor collection, and visit the ethnographic fisherman's homestead. The museum also owns a floating exhibition - a platoon (flat-bottomed platoon) - on which ethnocultural expeditions organized.

The Maritime Museum has over 88 thousand exhibits. They are mainly of marine nature - shellfish, coral, crustaceans, echinoderms, seabirds, fish, and mammals. The Maritime Museum has over 88 thousand exhibits, mainly of marine nature - shellfish, coral, crustaceans, echinoderms, seabirds, fish, and mammals. In the summer of 2017, the museum opened its doors after reconstruction, and the renovated aquarium opened its doors to visitors in December of the same year. The reconstruction of the aquarium which cost 15 million Eur, was carried out by the vision of the best Lithuanian and foreign specialists. The aquarium system consists of 24 aquariums featuring freshwater, Baltic, Nordic, and tropical marine ecosystems. Also, an 18m acrylic tunnel that lets you feel as if underwater and to watch spectacular marine life from below. The museum also has an exhibition hall, a souvenir shop, and the building adapted for the disabled. The Baltic Sea Animal Rehabilitation Center is under construction, where it is planned to treat, care for injured animals, and train them to live in freedom again.

THE DOLPHINARIUM

Klaipeda Dolphinarium is the only one on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. The showroom seats 1000 spectators, and the pool volume is 1800 cubic meters. It established next to the Maritime Museum in 1994. The Dolphin Show is particularly popular with children and adults alike. That is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the Black Sea Afalins (a species of dolphin, toothed whale) whose living there and have fun. Watching and staying with dolphins is not only an everyday fun for the whole family, but it can also serve healing purposes. For almost two decades, the Dolphinarium has been working on a project of friendship between children and dolphins. Dolphin therapy admits 60 children each year with an autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or other health problems.

After the reconstruction started in 2010, this project and other activities have become more comfortable. New spaces have emerged, and the ultimate goal of improving the living conditions of animals achieved. The pool area tripled, and additional spaces created. In 2015, the Dolphin Therapy Center and the Sunshine Outdoor Pool were established for sea lions to perform during the warm season. There is a cafe in the Dolphinarium.

SERVICES

At the Maritime Museum and Dolphinarium, it is not only interesting to see exhibits and get to know more about the underwater world, but also to participate in educational activities. You can choose from pre-designed programs for students, families, people with disabilities, seniors, or make individual bookings for businesses or institutions. Anyone interested in getting to know about one of the most intelligent marine animals are invited to try individual dolphin classes. Children with health problems have the opportunity to try dolphin therapy. Lithuanian Maritime Museum organizes events and animal shows. The institution is engaged in educational, educational, and scientific research, searches for new exhibits, preserves, restores, and promotes them.

HOW TO GET TO THE MARINE MUSEUM

Travelers from other cities can come to Klaipeda by bus, train, or car. The distance from Klaipeda bus or train stations to the Old Ferry Terminal is 2.2 km. If you do not want to hike, you can shorten the route by bus number 8 or take a taxi. Travelers by car are advised to move to Smiltyne to the New Ferry Terminal and then follow the directions to the museum.

If you are traveling by public transport, take the ferry to Smiltynė by the Old Ferry (Danės St. 1) or New Ferry (Nemuno St. 8). Moving from the Old Ferry Terminal to the Maritime Museum can be done by train, bike, or on foot. The distance is 1.8 km. If you choose the New Ferry Crossing, the distance will be slightly longer - 7 km, which you can cycle or hike while enjoying nature.

More information about the Lithuanian Maritime Museum opening hours, ticket prices, free shows, and events you can find here.

The official website of the Lithuanian Maritime Museum.

We recommend to  buy tickets online in advance.

Working hours here.

Prices here.

Contacts

Visitors Service: +370 659 61 497, aptarnavimas@muziejus.lt Department of Education and Visitor Service

Education: +370 659 21 932, edukacija@muziejus.lt

Services (guides, individual sessions with dolphins, events): +370 698 37299

Requests, invitations, documents are sent to –  ljm@muziejus.lt

Contacts and information

Address
Smiltynės g. 3, Lithuania Map
Phone no.
+370 659 61 497
Website
https://www.muziejus.lt