Spending a day at Marineland is undoubtedly one of the best ways for the little ones in the family to enjoy something different on the island of Majorca. But this park is not only fun for children. Adults can also enjoy a lot a visit to Marineland where they will learn amazing facts about the captive life of the animals that live at this zoo.
Although Marineland specialises in marine species (hence its name), it also offers a wide range of land animals – many of them from tropical countries. There is also a significant section dedicated to the native Mediterranean fauna and that of Majorca in particular.
About Marineland Mallorca
Marineland Mallorca opened its doors in 1970 on the well-known Costa d’en Blanes beach in Calvià. From that moment on it became a benchmark in educational leisure for many families on the island and also for those who, every year, come to Majorca for their holidays. In fact, its dolphinarium was the first to open in Spain.
The complex is divided into several thematic areas, depending on the type of animal or recreated habitat. Of all these areas, the dolphinarium is probably the most visited. The eleven bottlenose dolphins here also star in one of the most popular shows at Marineland.
The aquariums and marine animal pools are the second most spectacular areas of the complex. But you can also see the evolution of the animals that live in the aviary and in the tropical house. This last area is home to dozens of reptiles, amphibians and several primates.
Marineland also allows easy access to the beach, where you can enjoy the sun and the sea. And the little ones can cool down at the Mini Park, a small water park with slides, fountains and even a pirate ship.
Dolphins and seals at Marineland
Dolphins are, without a doubt, the stars of Marineland. There are a total of eleven, living in a large salt-water pool. Four of them (two males and two females) take part in the show, which takes place twice a day.
In the show the great intelligence of these animals is put to the test, and their impressive coordination, agility and speed is demonstrated. The same is true of the seals and sea lions that inhabit Marineland. Sea lions also take part in the dolphin show, which children and adults alike enjoy.
The park’s aquariums
Three aquatic environments have been recreated at Marineland, two are salt water and one is fresh water. The main species that inhabit them are the following:
- Fresh water aquariums: with species coming from rivers and lakes from different parts of the world, here you can admire fish as striking as piranhas, neons or guppies, with their typical colour.
- Sea aquariums: inspired by the Indian and the Pacific Oceans, here you will find the always frightening sharks (such as the blacktip shark). You can also see other sea animals including clownfish, scorpionfish and sea turtles. And we cannot forget the invertebrates section, with spectacular coral formations.
- Mediterranean: here live species as striking as stingrays and manta rays, along with others such as guitar fish, croakers or sea bass.
The aviary and other winged species
The Marineland aviary is home to several species from the most distant origins, specifically from Africa, America and Oceania. Among the most significant is the hyacinth, which is one of the largest macaws that exist. It is a real rarity, since it has been declared extinct in the wild.
Here it can be found in the company of other species of parrots and tropical birds, as well as small insectivorous birds. Some of these exotic birds take part in another of this centre’s star shows, which takes place up to three times a day, in the morning, noon and afternoon.
Marineland is also home to several flamingos of two different species, pelicans and Humboldt penguins. These penguins, unlike most of their biological family species, live in tropical areas. Unfortunately, they are at serious risk of extinction.
The tropical house
This area is home to all kinds of species from the warmest countries around the world. Reptiles are the animals that stand out here. These are the main sections of that area of Marineland:
- Snakes: here you can see from the dreaded boa constrictor to the corn snake, which is characterised by its great colour.
- Iguanas: the species at this park are some of the most dangerous arboreal lizards on the planet.
- Frog Terrarium: inhabited by several species of poisonous frogs. Some of them have been used ancestrally for making poisons.
- Primates: here you will find a small colony of cotton-top tamarins, along with a common marmoset. Although they are small, they are among the most popular animals for children visiting Marineland.