Basically, it's just a small place that does shows with Baikal seals (2 at a time), every hour on the hour except at 2pm when they had a break, during their opening hours (the last one goes at 6pm). The hours are on their official website. Baikal seals are the only freshwater seals in the world, native to only Lake Baikal (around an hour away from Irkutsk by bus, car, or ferry), the largest and deepest freshwater lake in the world. Scientists have not confirmed how they managed to get to the lake in the first place. The seals aren't that easy to see in nature on a visit to the lake, although there's also a show in the most popular town, as well as 2 seals swimming around in the aquarium section of the Baikal Museum, near the entry to Lake Baikal. The seals are of a darker shade, and are ball-like and generally on the smaller side. They behave similar to other species of seals otherwise. The show was amazing! It was around 40 minutes in length, everyone just buys the ticket on the spot and wait in the reception area, then everyone's let in. The seals waved, splashed water, played basketball, played football, hit a ball, jumped through a hoop, triggered a thing to get flowers, kissed, slided, swam around quickly, stayed in place, answered questions by slashing the water, drew a picture etc. There was never a dull moment and even though I don't speak Russian, my level of enjoyment was not lowered. The trainer also tried to replicate many of the tricks in all 4 corners so everyone gets to see it closer, although the pool is small anyway. The painting went to the highest bidder at an auction. You would have to have some knowledge of Russian to participate in that. The highest bidder also gets a certificate from the company certifying the authenticity of the painting by a Baikal seal. There was no photo sessions like the ones you see in the old reviews, but you can take all the photos and videos you like, including photos and videos with the seals as the show happens, and the seals don't always move around quickly anyway, so that's not difficult. I think everyone enjoyed it, both adults and children. Public transport access is also very good at this location, and it's only around a 15-minute walk from the railway station anyway. There's no storage fascilities (you could get a little wet if you're right at the barrier), but you can put your bags at the back. The price as of August 2025 is RUB800 per adult, which sounds pricey but actually is totally worth it, especially considering the fact that the prices from the same business by Lake Baikal is like double. You can pay in cash or by digital payment methods, including cards and phones. The reception also serves as a little giftshop with a number of things to purchase. I highly recommend this to everyone!

Игорь А/С

Level 30 Local Expert

Посещение Иркутского нерпинария показалось интересным. Нерпинарий, как заявлено на сайте, представляет "первое в мире шоу дрессированных байкальских нерп", что, конечно, интересно для детей. Для тех же, кто вышел из детского возраста, будет небезынтересным рассмотреть поближе байкальских нерп. Как известно, байкальская нерпа или байкальский тюлень (Pusa sibirica) - единственный пресноводный вид тюленей, эндемик озера Байкал, реликт третичной фауны и единственное млекопитающее Байкала. Нерпинарий в Иркутске работает в среду, четверг, пятницу, субботу, воскресенье и праздничные дни, шоу с 11.00. каждый час (кроме 14.00.), стандартный билет - 800 ₽.

Светлана П

Level 15 Local Expert

Милые животные, очень много умеют. У детей от посещения выступления восторг на всю последующую неделю. Неудобно, что нет гардероба и приходится стоять в одежде, учитывая влажность потом неприятно выходить на улицу. Есть два филиала, второй в Листвянке. Разница в стоимости билетов огромная. Билет на взрослого человека в Иркутске 800 руб., в Листвянке на подобное выступление - 1500 руб, поэтому учитывайте, планируя посещение

Baikal Seal Aquarium

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