The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must-see for fish and animal lovers. It is home to more than 35,000 animals and plants that represent more than 550 species worldwide. Approximately two million people visit the aquarium each year. Permanent exhibits include those devoted to the giant Pacific octopus, kelp forests, sea otters, and penguins. There are also exhibits devoted to different ecosystems, including Mission to the Deep, which shows high-definition video of amazing deep-sea animals, and Monterey Bay Habitats. Be sure to check out the kelp forest, a 28-foot-high, 335,000-gallon exhibit that is the first and largest living kelp-forest community ever created at an aquarium. A surge machine at the top creates the constant water movement that giant kelp needs to survive. The aquarium's proximity to Monterey Bay allows for the circulation of ocean water through many of the aquarium's tanks, making it a "living extension" of Monterey Bay.

Visitor Information

Contact Away