With more than 750,000 gallons of salt water the Arctic Coast exhibit is home to several beluga whales.

Arctic Coast Exhibit

Get face to face with New England’s only beluga whales.

Studded with jagged rocks, glacial streams and northern evergreens, the Arctic Coast exhibit is home to the Aquarium’s beluga whales. This one-acre outdoor habitat features three interconnected pools holding more than 750,000 gallons of water­, making it one of the largest outdoor beluga whale exhibits in the United States.

For a short time only, the Aquarium’s three beluga whales are joined by seven other beluga whales from Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. The seven beluga whales are staying here at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, while the Oceanarium at Shedd Aquarium is renovated.  This is a very exciting time, as with the new beluga whales come two young belugas. They are two-year old Bella and one-year old Miki (MEE-kee). 

The whales from Shedd Aquarium are slowly joining Mystic's resident belugas in the exhibit's main pool. Visitors have the unique opportunity to view the whales and enjoy learning about them as they watch them interact with one another.

Get an up-close, eye-to-eye encounter with the belugas through a series of three 20-foot-long underwater windows. Caves featuring bubble-shaped windows are built into the rockwork and offer children a different perspective on the belugas’ underwater world. Above-water viewing is possible from rocky overlooks at various levels. Throughout the day, visitors can also see Aquarium staff working with the animals during informal marine mammal presentations. These educational demonstrations may feature the training of new behaviors for better veterinary care or simply provide enrichment and play time. 

To get closer than you ever thought possible, make a reservation for a Beluga Encounter or give it as a gift. Beluga Encounter programs are seasonal – please call 860-572-5955 ext. 520 for dates and details.

Click here to see other visiting animals from Shedd Aquarium.