pinterest pin Top Attractions in Dolfinarium (Dolphinarium) Harderwijk, the Netherlands

Welcome to Dolfinarium Harderwijk, the Netherlands

Dolfinarium Harderwijk in the Netherlands is the largest marine mammal park in Europe that interactively brings humans and nature closer together. Dolfinarium wants to educate people about the beauty of marine life and the threats to nature. The visitor will be better equipped to preserve nature and the environment if they are inspired by it which is crucial for the sake of our vulnerable planet's future.

Here, you can see charming bottlenose dolphins, naughty porpoises, enormous walruses, roaring sea lions, and stumbling seals performing up close in a variety of shows. All of the dolphins have names so you can come to know them well if you frequent the Dolfinarium. You can even get to pet some sharks and rays! Orcas cannot be seen in the Dolfinarium Harderwijk; they can only be seen in foreign dolphinariums. It also features 4 fantastic playgrounds and the magnificent water park ‘Waterpret.’ Today, around 600,000 people visit Dolfinarium every year.

A Brief History of Dolfinarium Harderwijk

Businessman Frits den Herder and his brother Coen, who ran a playground and a local shipping firm in Harderwijk, began gathering marine creatures in 1955. In order to house dolphins and other aquatic species, they first constructed a dolphinarium, or dolfinarium in Dutch. They launched the first dolphinarium in the Netherlands to the general public at Harderwijk ten years later, in 1965. According to Frits, the park's objective was to "make the Dutch population show respect for these most special and mythical sea mammals". The distinctive dome was constructed in 1969, and one million people visited the Dolfinarium in the first year of operation. Throughout the 1970s, the Dolfinarium increased the number of enclosures and added new creatures to its collection. Gudrun, an Icelandic orca, was added to the collection in 1976.

However, all did not go well for Dolfinarium for much longer. By 1982, the Dolfinarium went bankrupt due to its unsuccessful international expansions. Since then Dolfinarium changed hands many times. A new foundation was established to carry on the Dolfinarium at the request of the mayor of Harderwijk, and in 1984 the company's shares were sold to a new owner. Gudrun was sent to SeaWorld Orlando in 1987. The Dolfinarium was sold once more in 1989 to Ruud de Clercq, former director of the Efteling amusement park and the new owner put money into the construction of brand-new attractions. In addition to a Stingray Reef, a basin where guests could pet rays and sharks, a 3D theater, a sanctuary for cetaceans, and a lagoon in 1997 that costed around 12 million euros, he also enlarged the park to include California sea lions, bottlenose dolphins, numerous species of fishes, crabs, and lobsters. In 2001, the French recreation company Compagnie des Alpes, which also owns Walibi Holland, a theme park in the Netherlands, and Avonturenpark Hellendoorn, purchased the Dolfinarium. Dolfinarium Harderwijk underwent several renovations in 2005. A new walrus and porpoise enclosure was opened, and a new entrance was constructed. 'Aqua Bella', a dolphin show, and the marine mammal park's dome were both refurbished in 2013. Additionally, the Roggenrif was enlarged to include a number of tanks where North Sea creatures can be observed. In 2014, Aspro Parks bought Dolfinarium from Compagnie des Alpes for a sum of 18 million euros.

Dolfinarium or Dolphinarium in Harderwijk gelderland Netherlands Largest Marine Mammal Animal Park in Europe showcasing dolphin porpoise seal walrus sea lion shark and sting ray shows

Man and boy wearing sunglass standing at Dolfinarium or Dolphinarium in Harderwijk gelderland Netherlands Largest Marine Mammal Animal Park in Europe showcasing dolphin porpoise seal walrus sea lion shark and sting ray shows

boy standing in front of seal statue at Dolfinarium or Dolphinarium in Harderwijk gelderland Netherlands Largest Marine Mammal Animal Park in Europe showcasing dolphin porpoise seal walrus sea lion shark and sting ray shows

Attractions in Dolfinarium

For the interactive map please visit dolfinarium.nl/en/explore-the-park/map

The park is separated into a number of regions for various species or larger groups of animals. In some places, animals put on performances. Be sure to arrive early to the performances because the best seats are gone very quickly. Here are the descriptions of the animal areas as per the numbering in the above map under the header ‘Dieren’ (animals) -

1. Dolfijnen in DolfijndoMijn (Dolphins in Dolphin Domain)

The common bottlenose dolphins' primary performance area. 2000 people can fit inside the blue dome where this event is held. This dolphin show known as the ‘Aqua Bella,’ was selected as the best show in the world in 2013, and is surely a lifetime experience. Your kids will love it!

2. Californische Zeeleeuwen (California Sea Lions)

This is where the California sea lions are kept. There is also a very interesting show named ‘Adventure Island’ where they enact the adventurous story of a sailor and a California sea lion who get stuck on an island after a shipwreck.

3. Walrussen (Walruses)

The Walruses are kept here. A Walrus show named the ‘Mustache Show’ is also held in the amphitheater here where the Walruses roll on the floor, sit upright, fold their flippers to greet the audience only to spit water at them a few moments later, and finally rounding off by giving flying kisses! It’s a tremendously fun show.

4. Steller Zeeleeuwen (Steller Sea Lions)

This is the enclosure for the Steller sea lions. They perform in a show named ‘Strong Work.’

5. Bruinvissen (Porpoises)

Here you can find Harbor porpoises. They perform in a show named ‘Our Little Dolphin.’

6. Zeehonden (Sea Dogs)

Here you can find harbor seals and grey seals. They are referred to as "sea dogs" because of their expressive, dog-like appearance and barking screams. They perform in a show named ‘Hobbel de Bobble.’

7. Roggen en Haaien (Rays and Sharks)

Here you can find rays, sharks, European seabass, thicklip grey mullet, various fish, crabs, lobsters, oysters, lugworms, and sea anemones.

8. Dolfijnen in de Delta (Dolphins in the Delta)

Previously known as the lagoon, here is where the majority of common bottlenose dolphins reside, particularly the young ones. At fixed intervals, the Dolfinarium staff feed the dolphins and that’s when you can see them come to the surface and do outstanding stunts!

9. Dolfijnen en Walrusses in de Onderwater Odiezee (Dolphins and Walruses in the Underwater Odyssey)

The Delta area can be watched from underwater (at the Onderwater Odiezee), which offers a 60-meter-long glass wall. Dolphins frequently approach due to their natural curiosity in this environment. There are 15 million gallons of water in this aquarium i.e. the Delta area.

10. Other Attractions

Apart from the animals, the park also offers the following -

DolfijnBrein (Dolphin Brain) - Here you can learn more about the anatomy, behavior, and care of bottlenose dolphins.
Waterpret (Water Fun) - A water playground for kids and adults that has up to 7 distinct slides.
Swimming with Dolphins - The only location in the Netherlands where you can enter the water (in groups of up to 8 people) and get up close to the dolphins is the Dolfinarium. It takes about 20 minutes, and at the end, you can take a complimentary photo with a dolphin. If you think that’s not enough, you can go swimming with dolphins in a VIP area. You need to register through the website in advance.
A beach and sunbathing spot on Lake Wolderwijd
Kid’s Playgrounds
Restaurants
Stores

People diving at Dolfinarium or Dolphinarium in Harderwijk gelderland Netherlands Largest Marine Mammal Animal Park in Europe showcasing dolphin porpoise seal walrus sea lion shark and sting ray shows

Kid's playground at Dolfinarium or Dolphinarium in Harderwijk gelderland Netherlands Largest Marine Mammal Animal Park in Europe showcasing dolphin porpoise seal walrus sea lion shark and sting ray shows

Shark Shaped slide at Kid's playground at Dolfinarium or Dolphinarium in Harderwijk gelderland Netherlands Largest Marine Mammal Animal Park in Europe showcasing dolphin porpoise seal walrus sea lion shark and sting ray shows

lady wearing sunglass walking at Dolfinarium or Dolphinarium in Harderwijk gelderland Netherlands Largest Marine Mammal Animal Park in Europe showcasing dolphin porpoise seal walrus sea lion shark and sting ray shows

man wearing sunglass standing at Dolfinarium or Dolphinarium in Harderwijk gelderland Netherlands Largest Marine Mammal Animal Park in Europe showcasing dolphin porpoise seal walrus sea lion shark and sting ray shows

beach and sunbathing spot on Lake Wolderwijd at Dolfinarium or Dolphinarium in Harderwijk gelderland Netherlands Largest Marine Mammal Animal Park in Europe showcasing dolphin porpoise seal walrus sea lion shark and sting ray shows

How to visit Dolfinarium?

Address: Dolfinarium, ZuiderzeeBoulevard 22, 3841 WB, Harderwijk

GPS Coordinates: 52.3554° N, 5.6176° E

Parking: Paid parking (around €9) is available on the Lelykade (P2) all day. The Dolfinarium is about a 10-minute walk from here.

Public Transport: The Dolfinarium is conveniently accessible by public transport. Take a train to the Harderwijk station. From there board any of the buses 103, 142, 144, 147, 148, and 159 and get off at the Dolfinarium stop. The Dolfinarium can be reached after a quick 10-minute stroll from there.

Opening Hours, Ticket Prices, and Reservation: Dolfinarium Harderwijk is open each year from spring through autumn, with the winter months set aside for maintenance. It is required to make an online reservation in order to visit the park (this applies to anybody who already has a ticket or voucher). For more information on the opening hours, ticket prices, reservation, show time, and latest events, please visit their website mentioned below.

Website: www.dolfinarium.nl

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Epilogue

So those were the top 10 attractions in Dolfinarium Harderwijk. Please let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed reading this article. And until we meet next time, I wish you merry traveling and happy shooting!