Discover The Monterey Bay Aquarium
Dive into summer with a trip to the Central Coasts very own Monterey Bay Aquarium located at the ocean’s edge near Monterey’s scenic Cannery Row.
About The Monterey Bay Aquarium
Today, more than 30 years after opening, the Monterey Bay Aquarium still remains a window to the habitats and sea life of one of the world’s richest marine regions. The non-profit aquarium opened its doors in October 1984 and continues to inspire ocean conservation to this day. Each year the world-class aquarium attracts as many as 2 million visitors who eagerly tread the 322,000 square foot facility containing almost 2.3 million gallons of tank volume.
With over 35,000 animals and plants representing over 550 species filling over 34 major galleries, there is no shortage of marine life to experience at this massive facility with its mesmerizing tanks and educational exhibits. Experience a giant octopus as it expands its tentacles, a hammerhead shark swimming towards you, or a school of sardines swirling all around you.
A host of daily activities include penguin, sea otter, open sea, and kelp forest feeding programs along with 15-minute lineups which include Project White Shark, Luna: A Sea Otter Story, Journey to Baja: A Tale of Three Travelers, Mysteries of the Deep, and Behind the Glass.
The two-story facility also houses four main gift shops (Aquarium Store, Ocean Discovery Store, Splash Zone Store, and Open Sea Store) where you can purchase souvenirs, unique jewelry, housewares, books, apparel, puzzles and toys, plush animals, and other gift items.
If you are in need of something to eat or snack on during your visit the facility offers a wide range of dining options from quick bites and casual meals to full-service dining at their coffee bar, café, and restaurant.
Visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium
General Admission: Children: $29.95, Adult: $49.95, Senior: $39.95, Student: $39.95 Tours: $15
Insider Tip: Purchase your tickets online or through a hotel partner (two-day tickets for the price of one-day) to avoid the long ticket waiting lines.
Visitors may also experience special activities that include custom romance tours, touring the food room, feeding the fish, touching a moon jelly, or spending a night at the aquarium (sleepovers).
Visit: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org for more information regarding hours of operation, maps of the facility, directions & parking, events and daily schedules, image galleries of sea life and exhibits, special offers on ticket admissions and memberships, member benefits, or if you wish to make a donation.
Dive into summer and start planning your next visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for a spectacular under-the-sea aquarium experience the whole family will enjoy.
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
831.648.4800
Visit: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org
Quick Links
- Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
- Cannery Row
- Central Coast Tourism
- City of Monterey
- GuestLife Monterey Bay
- Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Monterey Wine Country
- Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce
- Salinas Valley Welcome Center
- Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Visit Santa Cruz
7 Quick Tips
- Prioritize what you want to see during your visit. The aquarium is quite large. It may take more than one visit to fully experience everything. Remember – some marine wildlife (like otters and birds) can be seen in Monterey Bay without purchasing a ticket at the aquarium.
- Expect crowds and lots of children during your visit.
- Don’t skip out on the gift shops. They are quite spectacular!
- Take a breather during your visit and sit down with one of their many daily shows in the auditorium.
- Don’t miss the Jelly Fish, Open Sea, and Monterey Bay Habitats exhibits.
- Visit the Cannery Row History Exhibit to learn more about the history of Monterey’s sardine canning industry which started in 1916.
- Have Fun! (That’s a given).
