Seehundbecken

The Seal Pool (Seehundbecken) is a unique outdoor enclosure that has become one of the most heartwarming attractions Kiel has to offer. It is part of the public aquarium at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research and is located right on the lively Kiellinie promenade. This is a place where science meets nature, allowing any passerby to encounter Germany's charming marine inhabitants completely for free.

Seal Pool. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The enclosure is designed so that the animals feel comfortable while visitors can observe them from different angles. The promenade offers a view of the surface area, where the seals often rest on sun platforms. However, the most interesting part is hidden just below: through special glass panels, you can see how gracefully these mammals glide underwater. The water in the pools is supplied directly from the Kiel Fjord, passing through a filtration system to create the most natural environment possible for the residents.

Today, four seals live in the pool—a male named Findus and three females: Krümel, Sally, and Luna. Each has their own story and a recognizable personality. The site is complemented by information stands that explain the biology of the Phoca vitulina species and the researchers' efforts to preserve marine ecosystems, making a walk here not only pleasant but also educational.

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The main reason to visit the Seehundbecken is the chance to observe the lives of harbor seals in real-time. You can stand at the edge of the pool and watch them play or head down to the underwater windows to see their incredible agility and speed. The animals are very curious and often swim right up to the glass to inspect the visitors.

Be sure to time your visit for the seal feeding, which takes place daily at 10:00 and 14:30 (except Fridays). This is not just a fish handout but a full interactive session where aquarium staff train the animals and talk about their habits. The seals enjoy eating fish, crabs, and squid, demonstrating an impressive appetite and intelligence.

After meeting the residents of the outdoor pool, it is highly recommended to go inside Aquarium GEOMAR. There you will find an impressive circular exhibit with a school of herring numbering hundreds of fish, as well as dozens of tanks with jellyfish, seahorses, and inhabitants of tropical coral reefs. For children, there are special zones where exhibits are placed at their eye level, making the visit exciting for the whole family.

Getting to this attraction is easy, as it is located on the famous Kiellinie promenade. If you are in the city center or arriving at the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof), a pleasant walk along the fjord shore will take about 20–25 minutes. This is a great way to enjoy the sea air and harbor views.

For those who prefer public transport, buses run regularly to the Aquarium or Düsternbrook stops. From the stop, it is only a few hundred meters to the enclosure. If you are traveling by bicycle, there are comfortable paths along the promenade with easy access right to the pool.

Travelers who prefer comfort can take a taxi from the central square or the station—the ride will take only a few minutes. For those with their own cars, there are parking zones near the GEOMAR institute building and in the adjacent blocks of the city center.

The history of this place began in 1972, when the Kiel Public Aquarium introduced its new Seehundbecken enclosure. Its first residents were two seals named Kyrius and Olympia. Their names were chosen in honor of a significant event—the sailing competitions of the Summer Olympic Games, part of which took place right here.

Over the decades, the pool has witnessed generations of marine mammals. Nine pups have been born here, confirming the comfort of their environment. Notably, the seals in this enclosure often live much longer than they do in the wild. For example, a legendary seal named Jimmy lived here until the age of 37 (he passed away in 2015), whereas in the wild, their lifespan rarely exceeds 25 years.

In 2008, the enclosure underwent a major modernization, transforming into a modern complex of three interconnected pools. The work was carried out in accordance with the strict environmental standards of the state of Schleswig-Holstein. During the reconstruction, the seals lived temporarily in special pens right in the harbor, remaining public favorites. Today, Findus, Krümel, Sally, and Luna live here, closely monitored by specialists from the GEOMAR research center.

To see only the outdoor pool and watch the seals through the viewing windows, you will need very little time—about 20–30 minutes. This is quite enough to take some beautiful photos and read the information about the current residents of the enclosure.

If you plan to attend a feeding session and go inside the GEOMAR Aquarium to see the other exhibits, you should set aside 1 to 2 hours for your visit. This will allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the deep sea and explore all the interactive stands without rushing.

The outdoor "Seal Pool" enclosure is accessible 24 hours a day. This means you can see the animals at any time while walking along the promenade, even early in the morning or late in the evening.

If you plan to visit the indoor GEOMAR Aquarium exhibits or watch the feeding process, please note the following schedule:

• Aquarium building: daily from 09:00 to 17:00 (winter) or until 19:00 (summer).
• Seal feeding: daily at 10:00 and 14:30 (except Fridays).

The enclosure's location on the promenade makes it easy to combine seal watching with visits to other iconic city landmarks. Exploring the surrounding area will offer plenty of impressions of maritime architecture and cozy squares.

Below are interesting sites located within walking or driving distance of the pool: