Frequently asked questions

Question: There are huge queues to the ticket offices when summer begins. Is there any way to solve this problem?

Answer: Indeed, queues sometimes form at the ticket office and at the entrance to the Aquarium grounds during high season, from May to September. We recommend that you come early in the morning and buy tickets on our website https://primocean.ru in this period. We kindly remind you that the entrance to the Aquarium grounds, as well as the ticket office, opens at 9:30.

Question: Does the Aquarium work at weekends?

Answer: The Primorsky Aquarium is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed to visitors on Monday.

Question: I have paid for my e-tickets, but I have not received the order confirmation email. What should I do?

Answer: If your e-ticket has not arrived within half an hour:

• Please check your spam email folder.
• If this folder does not contain an email with the e-ticket, please contact us via clients@primocean.ru. Specify the phone number that you entered in the ticket purchase form.

Question: I have only received a receipt, but there is no ticket in the confirmation email. What should I do?

Answer: Please, reach us on clients@primocean.ru. Specify the phone number that you entered in the ticket purchase form.

Question: Can I book a ticket?

Answer: You cannot book a ticket, but you can buy it in advance, 28 days before the desired date of the visit, at the ticket office onsite or through the online service.

Question: I have bought tickets, but I cannot come to the Aquarium on the date. Can I change the date of my visit?

Answer: You have to cancel your visit by returning your ticket and then purchase a ticket for the date you need.

Question: Can I get a ticket refund if I cannot come due to bad weather (a broken-down car, a car crash, a closed Russky bridge, or a sick child)?

Answer: If a visitor cannot come due to force majeure, the ticket will be refunded on the submission of any document in evidence that the force majeure event has prevented him/her from coming.

Question: Can I get a ticket refund, if my ticket is for today?

Answer: The Primorsky Aquarium does not reimburse money for the ticket if a customer returns it less than 1 (one) calendar day before the date of the visit.

Question: How can I get my refund if the presentation was interrupted?

Answer: If the presentation was cancelled or interrupted by the Primorsky Aquarium, a customer may contact the receptionist at the reception desk and complete a refund application form. Please note that presentation times and animal participation are subject to change and shorter presentation time is not considered cancellation.

Question: Is it required to print out the electronic ticket?

Answer: It is recommended that you print your e-ticket in advance, though it is not required. With a hard copy of your ticket, you will go through the turnstile system faster. Please, print the PDF of the ticket on an A4 size paper. If printing is impossible, please download your e-ticket in PDF format to your smartphone and show it on the screen. The turnstile system does not read screenshots.

Question: Are there any kiosks at the Aquarium to print out e-tickets, the same as in a movie theater?

Answer: No, we have no ticket printing kiosks as we do not need them.

Question: What does ‘Exhibits’ mean? What does ‘Exhibits + Dolphinarium’ mean?

Answer: These are the two main ticket types for the Primorsky Aquarium. The ‘Exhibits’ ticket includes visiting all the exhibits in the Main Building. The ‘Exhibits + Dolphinarium’ ticket includes visiting all the exhibits and one session of the demonstration of marine mammals’ skills.

Question: Can I take photos with the dolphins? Can I swim with the dolphins?

Answer: Unfortunately, we cannot provide you with these services. We care about the animals that call the Primorsky Aquarium home. They have a rest between presentations and taking part in photo shoots would be stressful to them. In addition, some diseases may be transmitted through close contact from humans to dolphins and vice versa.

Question: How long does the program at the Dolphinarium last, and which animals take part in it?

Answer: The demonstration of marine mammals’ skills in the Dolphinarium lasts from 40 to 60 minutes. The participating animals are: belugas, northern fur seals, Pacific bottlenose dolphins and Pacific walrus. Presentation times and animal participation may vary depending on the mood and behavior of the animals.

Question: Do you offer marriage proposal service in the Dolphinarium?

Answer: This service is not provided during the demonstration of marine mammals’ skills, as it may become a nuisance to other visitors who have come to watch the performance of marine animals.

Question: Why is the entrance to the Aquarium grounds guarded by armed security guards?

Answer: The Primorsky Aquarium is directly controlled by the federal government. It is a category 1 facility and thus is mandatorily protected by the National Guard of the Russian Federation.

Question: Are bicycles, scooters, roller skates and other similar devices allowed on the Aquarium grounds?

Answer: The construction project of the Primorsky Aquarium does not provide for bike paths. Therefore, for the safety and comfort of all visitors, we ask children and adults not to use bicycles, scooters, roller skates, as well as skateboards and any means of individual transportation, excluding wheelchairs, on the Aquarium grounds.

Question: Is it allowed to use a baby carriage, a stroller or a wheelchair on the Aquarium grounds or inside the Main Building?

Answer: Yes, wheelchairs, strollers, and baby carriages are allowed for use by Aquarium visitors both on the grounds and inside the Main Building.

Question: Are tour buses allowed on the Aquarium grounds?

Answer: Yes, groups of tourists in tour buses may enter the Aquarium premises. Before their visit, managers of the group must book their place on the parking lot by filling a form and sending it to the email address primocean@primocean.ru. The form can be downloaded from the Primorsky Aquarium’s website https://primocean.ru.

Question: Can I enter the Aquarium grounds by car?

Answer: The Primorsky Aquarium is a category 1 sensitive facility and thus is subject to mandatory protection by the National Guard of the Russian Federation. Hence, the access control and the limitations for car parking onsite. Car parks on the Aquarium grounds are only designated for the Aquarium’s personnel during their working hours, for disabled people and tour buses.

Question: Can I reenter the Aquarium if I leave the Main Building?

Answer: Your ticket is for one-time use only. You cannot reenter the Aquarium once you left the building.

Question: What is the schedule for the demonstrations of marine mammals’ skills?

Answer: The schedule of marine mammals’ presentations depends on the season.

October till April: Wednesday, Friday through Sunday at 3 p.m.

May till June, September: Tuesday through Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

July till August: Tuesday through Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; Friday through Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. plus an additional session at 6 p.m.

Question: Can I get a ticket to the Dolphinarium only?

Answer: No. Access to the presentation is included with your General Admission ticket.

Question: Are there any cafes on the Aquarium grounds?

Answer: There are several cafes in the Main Building. We plan to set up some cafes on the Aquarium grounds in the future.

Question: Is there a smoking room at the Aquarium?

Answer: There is a smoking area near the ticket office. Smoking is strictly prohibited anywhere else onsite.

Question: Is there a doctor in the Aquarium?

Answer: We have a medical office for visitors with an emergency physician in charge. There are no doctors on the staff of the Primorsky Aquarium.

Question: Can I bring my dog?

Answer: No. Dogs and other pets are strictly prohibited on the Aquarium grounds.

Question: How can I contact the Director of the Primorsky Aquarium?

Answer: You can write an email to the Director and send it to primocean@primocean.ru. You will definitely get a response.

Question: Is there any left luggage facility?

Answer: There is a cloakroom in the Main Building, with shelves where you can store your belongings. There are no left luggage lockers at the entrance to the Aquarium grounds or to the Main Building.

Question: Can I buy a gift certificate?

Answer: Unfortunately, we do not sell them.