Marineland is one of Mallorca’s best-known family attractions, a seaside animal park at Costa d’en Blanes, near Calvià, on the south-west side of Palma Bay. It has been welcoming visitors for decades and offers a full day's entertainment built around the sea. The main draws are the dolphin and sea lion shows, held in open-air arenas with seating, and a parrot show in a tropical garden. Elsewhere in the park you will find an aquarium with sharks, turtles and tropical fish, a collection of flamingos and other waterbirds, and an area of sea-facing lawns with a small swimming beach where families can cool off. The park is easy to explore with small children, since paths are flat and signed, and there are play areas, cafés and picnic spots. Opinions about shows with marine mammals differ, so it is worth deciding in advance whether the format suits your family. For many parents with young children it is a straightforward, well-organised day out close to the main holiday resorts.
How it works
Marineland is about twenty minutes by road from Palma, and the park is clearly signposted from the motorway to the south-west coast. A ticket gives entry for the whole day, with show times posted at the gate. Combination tickets are available with nearby attractions such as a water park or the east coast caves, but check the distances before you try to see two places in a day, since the island is bigger than it looks.
The park runs on a seasonal calendar and may close on some days or for longer periods in winter, so check opening days before you set out.
What to expect
Allow four to five hours, longer if you want to swim from the beach. Shows run at fixed times, so pick up a timetable on arrival and plan your route around them. Seating can be in full sun, so bring hats and sunscreen, and take a refillable water bottle. Strollers are fine on the paths. There is food on site, though you may prefer to bring a picnic on a busy day. On a cool or wet day the open-air shows can be less comfortable, and some outdoor features may be closed.
Making the most of it
Arrive at opening time, see the first show, and then explore the aquarium and the bird areas while the crowds build. After lunch let children play on the beach or in the park's open spaces. A swimsuit and towel are useful in summer. If you are staying in Palma, a taxi or hire car is easiest, and several tour operators run day trips with transport.
For a rainy day, the Palma Aquarium is a better indoor alternative. Whatever you choose, remember that animal shows are a matter of personal taste, and it is perfectly reasonable to spend your day at the beaches and boat trips instead.
Good to know
The park can be reached by taxi, hire car or day tour, and parking is normally available on site. Bring a swimsuit and a towel if you hope to use the beach, and keep valuables in a bag you can watch or lock away. On very hot days the open-air seating can be uncomfortably sunny, so choose a shaded row where you can. Staff at the gate can explain the day's timetable, and families with strollers can ask where the easiest routes between the shows and the aquarium are.
What to expect
The experience
A day-long visit to a seaside park with scheduled animal shows, an aquarium, bird areas and a small beach.
Best time
Opening time on a warm day, so you see the first show before the park fills up.
How long
Four to five hours.
Tips
Check opening days, take the show timetable on arrival, bring sun protection and a swimsuit for the beach.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families with young children who enjoy animal shows and a relaxed seaside day.
- Families
- Flat paths, play areas and a small beach make it easy with toddlers and primary-age children.
- Couples
- Not a romantic choice, but a good-humoured day out if you enjoy animals and the coast.
- Pair with
- A beach afternoon on the south-west coast or a boat trip from Palma.
- Time needed
- Four to five hours.
Good questions
Where is Marineland Mallorca?+
It is at Costa d'en Blanes in the municipality of Calvià, on the south-west side of the Bay of Palma, about twenty minutes from Palma by road.
How long should we allow?+
Plan for four to five hours, or longer if you want to swim from the beach.
Is Marineland open all year?+
Opening days and hours follow the season, with reduced days in winter. Check before you go.
Is it suitable for toddlers?+
Yes, the paths are flat and stroller friendly, and there are play areas and shade in places.
Can you swim there?+
The park has a small beach where families can swim in the warmer months. Bring swimwear and towels.
