Since it first opened in 1984, this facility has quickly evolved into one of the most unique and most popular attractions in America. It features many award-winning exhibits that are rich in information about the many animals, plants and natural habitats of our oceans with a special emphasis on the Pacific Ocean.

The Aquarium hosts many exhibits and research projects that are designed to help us better manager our precious ocean resources. Bookstores, live web cams, feeding shows and many other special programs are available.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940;
831-648-4800; Aquarium Website;
Open Daily : 10AM - 6PM (Exc: Dec 25); Summer Open : 9:30AM- 6PM;
Live Web Cam - 7AM-7PM PST - See Live Action from five different WebCams
The Aquarium is located in Monterey's historic Cannery Row.
CNN Video - Travel Video - CNN Travel Guide tour of the Aquarium [Oct-2009].

Aquarium Exhibits

• Kelp Forest Exhibit - The Kelp Forest exhibit, an aquarium centerpiece, looks so natural many visitors believe they're looking through a window to the bay.The kelp provides habitat for hundreds of species ranging from small crabs to giant whales. A skylight, high power pumps and surge machine help this exhibit to thrive.
• Sea Otter Exhibit - This facility specializes in the rescue of orphaned pups and in returning them to the wild. These are some of the most famous ambassadors of the Aquarium.
• Drifters Gallery - Largest scale jellyfish exhibit in the world. These delicate creaters are major ocean predators.

Outer Bay Exhibits
Look through one of the largest windows on the planet—54 feet long and 15 feet tall—into the tallest aquarium exhibit in the world. Inside you'll find some of the largest and amazing denizens of the Eastern Pacific Ocean swimming in a million-gallon saltwater tank. Includes shark, schools of tuna, bonita, barracuda, sea turtles, and ocean sunfish.

Ocean's Edge Exhibit

• Rocky Shore Gallery - Mechanical waves help to bring this shoreline tidepool exhibit to life. Animal life includes eels, barnacles, sea stars, crabs, limpets and snails. There is also a Touch Pool exhibit.
• The Aviary - journey through the tidal channel to eelgrass, from mudflats to marsh and over the sand beaches to the wave-swept shores.
• Octopus Gallery - See the Giant Pacific Octopus and related cousins such as Cuttlefish and Nautilus.
• Monterey Bay Habitat - Exploring Monterey Canyon auditorium program where a live video beams in from a robot submersible working in Monterey Bay's deep-sea canyon.

Restaurant Bay Patio
Other than the Sea Otters, no marine mammals live at the Aquarium. However, an abundance of creatures can be viewed from the restaurant patio deck overlooking the Monterey Bay. Frequent visitors include wild sea otters, harbor seals, and sea lions. Rarer visitors include California Gray Whales, dolphins, and orcas (killer whales).

Splash Zone
A different type of children's playground.

Aquarium Shows

• Daily Kelp Forest feeding show.
• Daily Sea Otter Feeding - Sea Otter feedings and demonstrations.

Aquarium Special Programs

• Underwater Explorers - Summer Program for Pre-Teens (Ages 8-13) to surface Scuba dive in the Tide Pool exhibit.
• Sea Squirts - Saturday PreSchool Program Meets at the SplashZone play area with organized activities one hour before opening to the General Public.
• Science Under Sail - Summer Program - Join the marine biologists research crew of a 65-foot sailboat on expeditions across Monterey Bay.
• Kayak Monterey Bay - Daily Explore - Kayaking is the best way to experience the varied marine life of Monterey Bay. Over 30 different species of marine mammals reside or traverse this area including the California Gray Whale.
• Morning Rounds - Daily Program - Special behind the scenes adventure where you accompany the staff of aquarists on their morning rounds to count, inspect, feed and otherwise interact with the animals.

Cannery Row Tour
Fishing Through History
Co-sponsored guided tour of Historic Cannery Row that use to be the Sardine Capital of the World.

Student Oceanography Club
This science club (Ages 11-18) meets twice a month to learn about marine biology, oceanography and the conservation of our local marine environment. Club events include cool talks at the Monterey Bay Aquarium by scientists and marine professionals and awesome field experiences exploring the diverse habitats of Monterey Bay.

Family Camp-Ins - Overnight Stay
You and your family to explore the aquarium after hours, and then bed down to sleep next to your favorite exhibit.

Aquarium Special Events

• Jazz at the Aquarium - June - A blend of great jazz and beautiful exhibits makes for an unforgettable evening.
• Evening Picnic by the Bay - July
• Halloween Dance - October
• New Years Eve - December

California Aquarium Tour

California is home to several major world class aquarium exhibits and a number of lessor ones with a major emphasis on exploring life and habitat in the great Pacific Ocean.