Oskar Dolphinarium, Truskavets

Oskar Dolphinarium is an entertainment and wellness complex in Truskavets at 18 Horodyshche Street, opened on 31 October 2015. According to the venue itself, it is the only dolphinarium of its kind in western Ukraine. Black Sea dolphins and fur seals live in its indoor pool, and a separate room houses the EkZoterra terrarium with exotic animals. For spa guests who come to Truskavets for treatment it is one of the town's most popular family outings: on Google Maps the dolphinarium has more than four thousand reviews.

What the show is like

The main programme is a show with dolphins and fur seals lasting about 50–60 minutes. Visitors describe a performance with several dolphins, fur seals and three trainers: the animals jump, bat balls into the audience, “sing” and pull trainers through the water while a host accompanies everything with commentary and music. During the show there is an auction of a picture “painted” by a dolphin, and the winner gets a boat ride pulled by the dolphins — some spectators find this pause too long, so be prepared, especially with small children.

Extra services

• Swimming with dolphins with a free photo — 5 or 10 minutes in the water next to a trainer.
• Photos with dolphins on your own device plus a printed photo.
• One lap with the dolphins in the water and a boat ride pulled by dolphins.
• Diving with dolphins — scuba diving supervised by a certified instructor, up to 30 minutes underwater (from age 10, by appointment).
• EkZoterra terrarium — separate ticket.
• Dolphin-assisted therapy, gift vouchers and marriage-proposal packages.

An honest note on the format

Shows with marine animals divide opinion. Most families leave delighted, but some guests find the tricks painful to watch, and a few consider the terrarium conditions inadequate for exotic animals. If animal welfare matters to you, read recent reviews beforehand and decide whether this format suits you.

Practical information

• Address: 18 Horodyshche Street, Truskavets (western part of town, near the road to Boryslav); own car park.
• Hours: Tuesday–Friday 10:00–18:00, Saturday–Sunday 10:00–19:00, closed on Monday. According to the website, shows on weekdays are at 12:00 and 16:00, at weekends at 11:00, 14:00 and 17:00; the schedule may change, so check before you go.
• Tickets: a standard show ticket costs 450 UAH (website price list; 2026 visitors quote the same price). Children under 4 go free on a parent's lap (birth certificate required); a 350 UAH reduced ticket applies to pensioners, war veterans, people with group I disability and birthday guests within a week of their birthday; children with disabilities enter free; groups of 20+ get a discount.
• Extras (per website): 5-minute swim — 3,000 UAH, 10 minutes — 5,000 UAH; photo with dolphins — 450 UAH; one lap in the water — 2,000 UAH; boat ride — 800 UAH; diving — 6,500 UAH; terrarium — 150 UAH.
• Phone: +380 50 033 03 39; diving — +380 68 433 26 28.

Getting there: from the central pump room it is about a 15–20-minute walk west or a few minutes by taxi. By car, take the Truskavets–Boryslav road. Trains and buses run to Truskavets from Lviv (about 100 km), and minibuses from Drohobych and Boryslav. Tickets can be bought on site before the show, but in season and at weekends it is better to arrive early.

At a glance

• Address: Truskavets
• Opening hours: Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–19:00, closed Mon; shows weekdays 12:00 & 16:00, weekends 11:00, 14:00, 17:00 (per website, check ahead)
• Season: All year round (indoor pool)
• Prices: Show ticket 450 UAH; under-4s free; reduced 350 UAH; swimming with dolphins 3,000–5,000 UAH; terrarium 150 UAH (website price list).
• Phone: +380500330339, +380684332628

Website and social media: truskavets.oskar.org.ua · instagram.com · facebook.com

Photos: lh3.googleusercontent.com.