The dolphinarium is housed within the reconstructed Kopgalis fortress, a 19th-century defensive installation.
It maintains a rehabilitation center specifically designed to care for injured seals and sea birds found along the Lithuanian coast.
The facility utilizes a closed-loop seawater filtration system to maintain specific marine conditions for the inhabitants.
Performances are integrated with educational modules explaining the physiology and ecological role of Black Sea bottlenose dolphins.
The architectural design incorporates the historic ramparts of the old fortress into the modern museum layout.
The Dolphinarium of the Lithuanian Maritime Museum is located on the northern tip of the Curonian Spit in Smiltynė, reachable only by ferry from Klaipėda. It functions as a specialized educational center focused on the rehabilitation and exhibition of Black Sea bottlenose dolphins. The facility features a large performance pool with an underwater viewing gallery and an amphitheater for live demonstrations. As part of the wider Lithuanian Sea Museum complex, it shares grounds with historic fortifications and outdoor aquatic animal enclosures. The site emphasizes environmental education, marine conservation research, and animal welfare initiatives. It remains the only facility of its kind in the Baltic States, operating in a restored 19th-century coastal fortress architecture.
The large glass wall in the underwater viewing gallery provides a clear view of the dolphins swimming at eye level.
Combine your visit with the aquarium and the outdoor maritime exhibits to get the most out of the ferry trip.
Arrive at the amphitheater early for central seating, as shows can reach capacity during peak periods.
Check the local ferry schedule carefully, as the museum is on a peninsula with limited access.
Do not wait until the last ferry of the day to leave, as queues can be significant during the summer.
Closed on Mondays during the off-season; typically open daily throughout the summer months.
Flash photography is strictly prohibited during dolphin performances to avoid distressing the animals.
