Hippo Encounter

Help feed Adventure Aquarium's Nile hippos and check out where our dynamic duo goes when they aren’t on exhibit.

Age Limit: 8+

Capacity: 10 participants

When: Daily, 15 minutes before closing

Duration: 30 minutes

Add-On Cost: $74.99 per person plus tax (10% off for Gold & Platinum members)

*All encounters and tours are non-refundable. Please check age restrictions to confirm all guests are eligible to participate. Encounters and tours can be rescheduled by calling 844-474-FISH (3474) at least 24 hours before the scheduled time. If Adventure Aquarium needs to reschedule for any reason, refunds will be provided. Please check in at least 15 minutes before your scheduled encounter/tour. Guests arriving after the start of the encounter will not be able to participate, and the encounter will not be refunded or rescheduled.

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What to Expect:

Learn about our amazing Nile Hippos, their care, and conservation
Opportunity to feed and pose for photos with our two Nile Hippos
Free parking for one (1) car
One (1) hippo painting per group
Our professional photography team will be at your encounter to capture your memories
- Add a photo package when booking your encounters to save or purchase on the day of your encounter
All our experiences are opt-in for our animals; we cannot guarantee that they will choose to participate

For Your Safety:

Closed toes shoes must be worn
Individuals participating in the Hippo Encounter must possess the physical ability to navigate stairs and slopes within the entry and exit points
Allergy Alert: If you have a hay allergy, you may not want to participate in this encounter since hay is the primary food for our Hippos
This Encounter is not available to children under the age of 8. Proof of age is required; Children ages 8-17 must be accompanied by a paid participating adult. Under no circumstance will a child under 8 be permitted in the hippo encounter
Except for animals in our touch exhibits, touching animals is prohibited by New Jersey State Law

Check Out Our Other Amazing Encounters:

Shark & Ray In-Water Encounter

Put on a wet suit to test the waters and snorkel within inches of sandbar and sand tiger sharks in our 550,000-gallon Shark Realm exhibit! Then, feed and swim with dozens of playful stingrays!

Shark & Ray In-Water Encounter

Penguin Pop-In Encounter

Waddle on over for an up-close and personal opportunity with our African penguins. Get 20 minutes among our endangered colony and exclusive time with a penguin expert.

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Sea Turtle Encounter

Help care for, train, and tong-feed our massive loggerhead and green sea turtles from a dock floating on top of our 760,000-gallon Ocean Realm exhibit.

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Wild Things Encounter

Go behind the scenes for an up-close encounter with our team of unique animal ambassadors. During this 30-minute encounter, you will meet four of our fascinating ambassador animals: mammals, birds, and reptiles.

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Become A Member

Save 10% On Encounters

Want a discount for this encounter? Become an Adventure Aquarium Gold or Platinum Member and get access to tons of incredible benefits including 10% off encounters! Take advantage of the chance to immerse yourself in aquatic wonder while saving big. A membership pays for itself in just two visits!

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