Selwo Marina
Selwo Marina on the Costa del Sol has an amazing array of marine life ranging from dolphins, penguins (Yes really!), sea-lions as well as varieties of ducks and other exotic birds. It is very well laid out and is a good fun day out for the family to enjoy.
It is also worth knowing, that Selwo Marina is owned by the same company that operates Selwo Aventura in Estepona and the Teleferico (cable cars) also in Benalmadena. If you are interested in all these excursions it is possible to purchase a group ticket at a greatly reduced price for all three trips (about 40% of the total cost), as opposed to paying per person each time.
For a family of four to Selwo Marina for example it will cost 16.00 E per adult and 11.90 E per child (children are from 3-7 years) so you’re looking at 56 Euros before you’ve even thought about lunch or souvenirs. You will not be able to take any of your own food into the park (many a time I have seen people eating their picnic in the car park having been turned back at the gate!)
If you are staying in one of the many hotels in Benalmadena, then you are just a stones throw from Selwo Marina.
If you are driving from further along the coast Selwo Marina is found off the N-340 (A-7) at junction 222, Benalmadena/Arroyo de la Miel junction. It is fairly well signposted, just follow this road down toward the sea and you will come across the un-missable Parque de Palomas (the very big central park in Benalmadena) Selwo Marina is located just behind this. There is adequate parking signposted once you get near.
Selwo Marina is open daily 10.00 – 6.00 February through to April, 10.00 – 8.00 in June and 10.00 – Midnight in July and August, dropping back to 10.00 – 6.00 until November when the park closes until the following February.
The park itself is designed really well and they have created different zones relative to the sorts of marine life there-in. You will notice, once through the main entrance, the large ice-berg style enclosure ‘Ice Island’ to the right which houses the penguins and is kept between 0 and 5 degrees all year round. (Lovely and refreshing on a hot summers day believe me!)
The feeding times for the penguins are 11.30, 1.30 and 6.00 when there is a commentary in Spanish and English about the penguins which is very interesting. The penguins are housed behind glass and it is possible to see them swim and dive underwater!
Just behind the ‘Ice Island’ is the 3-D cinema and virtual reality area which is a great learning tool for the kids, also located here is the touch pool with various varieties of flat fish that come to the surface for a tickle!
Keeping to the path the kids can explore the playground area with tunnels and rope swings and slides before coming to the exotic bird area where there is a daily show and feeds. Again a dual narrative gives information on each bird of prey and is very interesting. In this arena they also put on a kids theatre, all of these aimed at informing the children about the animals.
Beyond this are the pools for the dolphins and sea lions. The shows the park puts on are great fun to watch and the dolphins are fed daily at 12.00, 2.00 and 5.00 There is plenty of seating, remember though, you will get wet if sat right at the front!
You will be able to watch the seals and sea-lions play and watch them as they race underwater.
The whole site, even though compact in the centre of Benalmadena, has very good facilities for eating with a couple of restaurant and snack bars to tempt you and is well worth a day to visit.
Other feeding times within the park: (hours may change without notice)
| Sea Lions | 12.45pm | 3.45pm | |
| Dolphins | 12.00pm | 2.00pm | 5.00pm |
| Exotic Birds | 11.00pm | 1.15pm | 4.30pm |
| Penguins | 11.30pm | 3.30pm |
Selwo Marina can be found next to Parque de la Paloma, Benalmadena.
Telephone: 902 19 04 82Website: www.selwomarina.com