If you’re visiting SeaWorld in San Diego, California, you may be wondering if the ‘Dine with Orcas’ experience is worth it.
‘Dine with Orcas’ is on the pricey side, but in my experience, it’s definitely worth doing.
I visited SeaWorld in December 2023 with my wife and three kids. We did the ‘Dine with Orcas’ experience, and it was one of the most unique dining experiences I’ve had, even as a food and travel photographer. It was also one of the coolest things you can do in the park.
What ‘Dine with Orcas’ Involves
The ‘Dine with Orcas’ experience is a unique food option. You book an arrival time and wait in line just before your time arrives.
We found the wait was about 20 minutes to actually get in.
Once you’re in, you’re shown to a table that’s arranged right alongside the massive orca tank, one of the centerpieces at SeaWorld. There is a small glass wall between you and the tank, but you’re seated incredibly close!
Our table was about 6 feet from the water. A waiter takes drink orders, and there’s a big buffet where you can go and get food.
As you eat, trainers perform a full show with the orcas, demonstrating some of their behaviors and telling you about their ecology. The orcas jump out of the water, swim quickly, and even poke their noses right up onto the side of the pool next to your table!
Especially for kids, there’s something so magical about eating your chicken tenders and having a massive whale stick its nose a couple of feet away from you.
When the orcas leap out of the water, you’re so close, you can get (lightly) splashed. It’s a really immersive experience and a great way to eat lunch.
The food at the buffet is plentiful. It’s not exactly the buffet at the Four Seasons, but there are salads, steak, salmon, chicken tenders, cookies, and other desserts for the kids.
I found it amusing to eat a piece of salmon while watching a giant whale eat an entire salmon whole right in front of me.
Why It’s Worth It
Part of the reason that ‘Dine with Orcas’ is worth it is the fact that you’ll have to eat at SeaWorld anyway. The food at the other stands isn’t exactly cheap.
We ended up paying around $200 for my family of five for ‘Dine with Orcas’. But I know that if we had gotten the same amount of food at other stands throughout the park, we probably would’ve paid over $100. And there wouldn’t have been killer whales in front of us!
The show itself is a little bit on the short side, but other than that, this was a really amazing and unique experience. I would definitely recommend it if you’re visiting SeaWorld.
