#1 Aquarium

Named the #1 Aquarium in the United States by the Zagat Survey and voted “#1 Aquarium for Kids” by Parent Magazine, a visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must for both young and old alike.

Most Popular Exibits

One of the most popular sites is the Outer Bay Waters Exhibit, a one-million-gallon tank containing giant tuna, sharks, sunfish, and sea turtles. Other award-winning exhibits include a three-story living kelp forest, a two-story sea otter exhibit.

Splash Zone

The newly re-imagined Splash Zone: Ocean Homes family galleries feature blackfooted penguins, seahorses and sea dragons, moray eels, tropical fishes and more. Wild About Otters features seven African spotted-necked otters and four Asian small-clawed otters in exhibits that represent their native lake and river habitats.

Other Attractions

Other highlights include exciting “Aquarium Adventures” programs, lively auditorium presentations, feeding shows in major exhibits and special weekend events, plus a self-service cafeteria, full-service restaurant and bar, and four gift stores.

Much to See

With 550 different species of animals and plants on site, and about 1.8 million people visiting yearly, it takes 420 employees and almost 900 volunteers to maintain this pristine aquarium. An average visit to the aquarium takes 2-3 hours, but an entire day can easily be spent there.

Research Program

With an active research program, there are groups working on sea otter conservation and tuna conservation biology. Their sister institution, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, conducts deep-sea research in the Monterey submarine canyon. A new exhibit at the aquarium, Mission to the Deep, puts virtual deep-sea exploration at the visitor’s fingertips in three different missions: mapping underwater mountains, monitoring the rich and varied sea life around a sunken whale carcass, and photographing deep sea animals. Here one will learn the ways in which deep-sea science is changing what is known about the ocean and what is still needed to protect our ocean life.