When the San Diego Zoo’s newly reimagined Conrad Prebys Polar Bear Plunge debuts on February 6, 2026, guests will gain a new perspective on polar bears. With so much more to see and discover, there’s a tundra adventure around every turn!
Learn why polar bears rely on the ocean to thrive.
Hello There, Polar Bear!
The youngest Arctic explorers can get up close to a polar bear pair in this interactive area. Touch-and-feel signs let little ones trace the texture of fur and see how their own small paws look next to a full-size polar bear print.
You can safely say hello to these two polar bears!
Who Goes Bear?
See how you measure up against a life-size polar bear statue, standing an impressive 10.5 feet tall, and find out more about the adaptations that help polar bears thrive in their unique environment.
Stand tall next to life-size polar bear statues.
Welcome to the Tundra
Ready to learn even more about polar bears? Head into a rocky passage and emerge alongside glowing blue water. There may be a polar bear out there, but look around—there’s an entire Arctic ecosystem to experience!
See a polar bear testing the sea ice.
Polar Bear Plunge reflects Churchill, Manitoba, on the western shore of Hudson Bay. This is one of the southernmost areas polar bears live. Beautiful artwork and engaging signage will guide you through a full year in the life of a polar bear in Churchill’s tundra environment, from summering on the shore to heading to the ocean in spring. See a polar bear test the sea ice forming on Hudson Bay in the late fall, and snuggle in with a mother and her two cubs denning through the winter. Explore the connections between polar bears, plants, people, and the ocean they all depend on.
This mother and her cubs are cozy in their den.
Look high, low, and everywhere in between for fascinating facts about polar bears, both in native habitats and thriving at the Zoo. Find out how their environment is evolving and get to know Chinook and Tatqiq, the polar bears we have the honor of caring for. It’s a polar bear lover’s paradise.
Discover the incredible work San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is doing through our Oceans Conservation Hub.
Be an Arctic Ally
No trip to the Zoo would be complete without learning about the incredible conservation work San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance does around the world through our eight Conservation Hubs. See how San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is committed to protecting marine wildlife and ecosystems as part of our Oceans Conservation Hub, and how caring for polar bears is essential for discovering and refining innovative conservation solutions.
By visiting the San Diego Zoo, you’re helping us contribute to conservation efforts that benefit polar bears and other wildlife globally. Our most important ally is you.
Immerse yourself in Polar Bear Plunge at the San Diego Zoo when it opens on February 6, 2026. You can also experience the polar bears we have the honor of caring for online with our Polar Bear Cam.
