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    Home » California

    Published: Apr 20, 2019 · Modified: Aug 19, 2022 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 41 Comments

    Monterey Bay Aquarium - A Guide to Exhibits, Shows and All You Need to Know From our Member Family to Yours

    The Monterey Bay Aquarium has been a top tourist attraction and family favorite for decades. There is no guessing as to why.  The amazing location as it sits on the edge of the Pacific Ocean with waves crashing along the cliffs and walls below should draw a crowd in itself.  But to top that, its home is a former sardine factory on the historic Monterey Cannery Row and houses many one of a kind exhibits.

     

    Cannery Row

    Historic Cannery Row in Monterey

     

    It first opened in October 1984 and will celebrate 35 years this fall.  My parents bought a family membership all those years ago so we could visit as much as we wanted in a given year. I won’t tell you how old I was at the time. Let’s all just pretend I was an infant that happened to have a really well-developed memory and can now share my decades of knowledge with you.

    I recall waiting in a long line and pushing through a crowd to see the Great White Shark on exhibit back in 2004.  The Monterey Bay Aquarium is the only aquarium that has successfully had a great white shark on exhibit for longer than 5 days and they did it twice.  In 2004 and in 2011. These were impressive to see up close for sure but there are plenty of other things to see including plenty of other sharks like the leopard and hammerhead sharks that still swim at the aquarium.

     

    8 Must-See Exhibits

    There were some must-see exhibits when I was a kid and as I matured, those same exhibits remained my favorites. Now as a mother, I am delighting in bringing my kids a couple of times a year as well. I am amazed how they too have the same favorites. With so much to see and do, the must-see animals, fish, and interactive exhibits will excite and educate all ages.

     

    Monterey Bay Aquarium

     

    Below are all the attractions our family loves each and every time we visit.  I highly suggest any visit you make should include these stops and to spend plenty of time at each of them.  The beauty of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is that it is small enough to not feel rushed but has so much to offer that you are never bored with always more to see and do.

    Here are the top 8 exhibits we recommend. Below you will find more details about each include some facts and viewing secrets we wanted to share.

    1. Kelp Forest
    2. The Open Sea
    3. Sea Otters
    4. Penguins
    5. Bat Ray Touch Pool
    6. Wave Crash Tunnel
    7. Jellies
    8. Giant Pacific Octopus

    KELP FOREST

    This was the first exhibit with living kelp when it opened up back in 1984.  I remember how large the kelp forest tank looked to me and how it towered over me and kept going up like it was reaching from the sea floor to the clouds.  Who am I kidding, it still towers over lil ole me!

    It is 28 feet tall and holds 335,000 gallons of water.  The king of this exhibit seems to be the giant sea bass.  I swear he likes to pose for pictures with guests and often swims close to the glass right next to guests.  The crowds in this area are large on busy days and when it is feeding time you do not want to miss this.  Here is my secret, watch from the second floor.  If you get a spot on the railing it is a great view of the entire tank and the scuba diver that does the feeding while talking to the crowd.

     

    Kelp forest at Monterey Bay Aquarium

    Kelp Forest

    THE OPEN SEA

    This is Ian’s favorite. This enormous exhibit holds 1.2million gallons of water.  Yes, more than a million gallons!   We are always on the lookout in this huge tank for the green sea turtles and my favorite, the sunfish. There is also a swarm of sardines that circle together that reminds us of all of the ones in Finding Nemo.  They shimmer as they swim around thanks to the daylight that streams down from above. It creates a soothing whirl across the exhibit that I find very relaxing.

     

    Shimmering sardines

     

    The Open Sea Monterey Bay Aquarium

    Sunfish, turtles, and other fish in The Open Sea

     

    SEA OTTERS, OH THE CUTE SEA OTTERS

    The otters are always on the move, playing with toys, diving, and swimming right up against the glass. People are often surprised at how large they are. My kids associate cuteness often times with tiny things, like puppies and kittens.  And who am I as a petite mom to argue with smallest = cutest, right?  But the average size/weight of these female sea otters are up to 4 feet and 50 pounds

    All the aquarium's sea otters are female and all are rescued, often found abandoned.  The feeding time is a great time to visit this exhibit.  We have seen so many different feeding methods that it is fun to see every time we go or even go more than once on the same visit. In a recent visit, they were fed scallops, shrimp, clams, and squid inside clear tubing to help the sea otters keep up their skill of working for their food. Here is my secret - the best spot to stand for some reason is the upstairs viewing deck on the far right of the tank closest to the restaurant.  We do not know why but the sea otters love to hang in this corner a lot and dive and play with toys.

    Sea Otters Monterey Bay Aquarium

    Sea Otters love to play with toys

    PENGUINS - SAY HI TO MONTY FOR US!

    Ok, it isn’t PC to say you have a favorite penguin. Much like you cannot say you have a favorite child.  But my kids will be the first to tell you that they are Monty fans.  You can find him easily and say Hi for us during your next visit. All the penguins have a name tag on their flippers.  During one visit we heard that his 1st birthday was going to be the next day.  The kids were excited about that news but bummed that I was not allowing a return trip the next day.  So we wished him a happy last day of being zero?!   Penguin feedings are also a highlight and they occur 2x a day.

    Proud Penguin

    BAT RAY TOUCH POOL

    Roll up your sleeves and take a chance at touching a bat ray.  I will not divulge how they feel and keep that a surprise for your visit.  I will tell you that watching first-timers in shock as they pull back their arm after the first touch is very funny.  (do not worry it is not a bad thing  - I promise!)  Here is my Secret - Most of the time the bat rays tend to hang out along the back wall where visitors cannot touch and along the left side of the tank. This is where we always stand and catch a quick pet along their backs as they glide by. Make sure to hit up one of the hand sanitizers when you are done in the touch area.

    Bat Ray Touch Pool Monterey Bay Aquarium

    Bat Ray Touch Pool

    WAVE CRASH TUNNEL

    This tunnel is upstairs near the Bay Ray Touch Pool.  You will know you are near it when you hear the combined sounds of squeals of delights and the crashing waves rushing over the tunnel and into the pools outside.  I would say this is a highlight for kids in the 3-6-year-old range for sure. But if you are 96, I bet you like it too.  It is fun to be under a rushing wave and not get wet.  This is a great photo and video spot so get your cameras ready.

    wave tunnel at monterey bay aquarium

    Wave tunnel with Grandma!

    JELLIES

    My favorite place in the entire aquarium is the Jellies exhibit!  There is something about the dark lighting that showcases the glowing jellies in their tanks.  They are so graceful as they float along and illuminate the exhibit.  It is almost like watching an underwater ballet.   If I were to ever fall into an involuntary trance, I am sure this is where it will happen.  As a member, certain evenings are open for sleepovers and if our family ever does this, my sleeping bag and pillow will be right in front of the sea nettles for some sweet dreams.

    Moon JellyFish Monterey Bay Aquarium

    Moon Jellyfish

     

    sea nettles Monterey Bay Aquarium

    Sea Nettles

    GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUS

    Near the Kelp Forest is a colossus wonder, the Giant Pacific Octopus.  They can weigh up to 50 pounds and reach 6 feet across tentacle to tentacle.   Often times the light in the exhibit is out but if you are lucky enough to come by when it is on, expect to be engrossed. As the octopus moves rhythmically in the tank, the tentacles seem to be doing a hustle across the glass and floor of the enclosure. The suckers are too numerous to count, though we give it a try each visit.

     

    Giant Pacific Octopus Monterey Bay Aquarium

    Giant Pacific Octopus

    FEEDING TIMES YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS

    Must See Feeding Times, ranked in our order of Favorites:

    Sea Otters 3x a day

    Penguins 2x a day

    Kelp Forest 2x a day

    Open Sea 1x a day

    Sea Otter Feeding Time at Monterey Bay Aquarium

    Sea Otter feeding time

    FAVORITE SHOWS IN THE AUDITORIUM

    Luna: A Sea Otter's Story 3x a day

    Project White Shark 3x a day

     

    I have no doubt you and your family will love a day visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Whether you come from near like us, or far, this is a necessary part of any visit to Monterey. For the latest prices, hours, feeding times and all other information visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s official site at https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/

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    1. Joanne says

      May 02, 2019 at 1:41 pm

      I love these photos! Thanks for sharing your trip!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        May 02, 2019 at 5:08 pm

        You are welcome. There are so many wonderful things to see and take photos of that I hope you get a chance to visit someday.

        Reply
      • Katie says

        May 03, 2019 at 7:55 pm

        Love that aquarium but I haven’t been in years. It’s definitely time to go back. Thanks!

        Reply
        • Angela says

          May 06, 2019 at 5:18 pm

          Yes, go back. They have one section that rotates the exhibit and right now it is a Baja California theme with lizards and snakes too.

          Reply
    2. Kyndall Bennett says

      May 02, 2019 at 4:30 pm

      If I go missing, just go to the otter exhibit! I can almost guarantee that's where I will return back to!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        May 02, 2019 at 5:07 pm

        You can hang with my kids, they are happy to talk about the otters for hours.

        Reply
    3. Lisa Manderino says

      May 02, 2019 at 6:38 pm

      We have not been, but it looks awesome and worth a visit next time we are in town!

      Reply
    4. Michelle says

      May 02, 2019 at 7:12 pm

      It's been so long since I have visited an aquarium - your pictures made me want to visit one! We have a big one down here in Corpus, and I've never been despite living in South Texas for more than 12 years now!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        May 02, 2019 at 8:26 pm

        I am so happy to inspire you to get to that local aquarium. Go for it Michelle and please share your adventure when you do.

        Reply
    5. Malia says

      May 02, 2019 at 7:34 pm

      Between watching the otters and touching a bat ray, I'd be in heaven! And I'd love to see a great white if they ever get one again...

      Reply
    6. Leigh Ann says

      May 02, 2019 at 7:59 pm

      Aquariums are do interesting to me. So many beautiful plants and animals to see.

      Reply
    7. Tricia Snow says

      May 02, 2019 at 8:07 pm

      This looks like an amazing aquarium! Great photos too!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        May 02, 2019 at 8:25 pm

        Thank you. It is a stunning aquarium and the view outside is just as wonderful. The California coast has so much to offer.

        Reply
    8. Lora says

      May 02, 2019 at 9:26 pm

      Looks like a wonderful place to visit! Thanks for sharing

      Reply
    9. Karla says

      May 02, 2019 at 10:24 pm

      The jelly fish are ALWAYS my favorite. Any aquarium we ever visit HAS to include sufficient time at the jellies.

      Reply
    10. Jen says

      May 03, 2019 at 5:57 am

      Looks amazing! I love the aquarium. Thanks for the beautiful pics!

      Reply
    11. Brittany says

      May 03, 2019 at 9:47 am

      I love a good aquarium! You took some amazing pictures =)

      Reply
    12. Suzan Ferreira says

      May 03, 2019 at 10:28 am

      Love the kelp forest! Wonderful images!!

      Reply
    13. jen says

      May 03, 2019 at 11:48 am

      Great post! I loved it!

      Reply
    14. Stacey says

      May 03, 2019 at 1:32 pm

      I love aquariums, and this one looks great! I've also always wanted to go to Monterey. My sophomores study John Steinbeck every year, and I've always wanted to see the area he wrote about and see the museum. Now I know there's a great aquarium there, too!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        May 06, 2019 at 5:20 pm

        Oh, you must go. It is for sure Steinbeck country and so much beauty all around.

        Reply
    15. Anna says

      May 03, 2019 at 6:00 pm

      This looks like an amazing adventure! Thank you for sharing your experience!

      Reply
    16. Heather says

      May 03, 2019 at 6:09 pm

      This looks like a great place. I bet seeing the great white was fascinating. I am curious as to the story behind it. Were they nursing them back to health?

      Reply
    17. Ramae Hamrin says

      May 03, 2019 at 6:57 pm

      Wow, your photos are wonderful! I've never been there, but it looks like a great place!

      Reply
    18. Lina says

      May 04, 2019 at 5:03 am

      Great photos! My family would enjoy it. We love aquariums.

      Reply
    19. Michele says

      May 04, 2019 at 9:14 am

      What an amazing place! And your pictures are beautiful.

      Reply
    20. Carolina says

      May 05, 2019 at 5:12 pm

      Wow, I love the picture of the kelp forest, it looks so beautiful!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        May 06, 2019 at 5:17 pm

        Thank you, the sway of the kelp forest is soothing and mesmerizing. The photos do not do it justice but I appreciate the compliment.

        Reply
    21. Nissa says

      May 06, 2019 at 10:07 am

      I love visiting aquariums and zoos alike! Great place for family days!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        May 06, 2019 at 5:16 pm

        They are such a great place for kids of all ages which makes them perfect for all families. This one is special for sure.

        Reply
    22. Sharon says

      May 06, 2019 at 5:20 pm

      Wow! That aquarium looks AMAZING!!!! I'll definitely have to check it out when we go to California.

      Reply
    23. Pauline says

      May 07, 2019 at 2:02 pm

      I love aquariums. I usually go visit the one in Salt Lake when I visit, but I'm opting for the rodeo this time because it's a NO KIDS trip 🙂

      Reply
    24. Tonya | the Writer Mom says

      May 08, 2019 at 12:58 pm

      My daughter would love the aquarium! Someday....

      Reply
    25. Cindy says

      May 08, 2019 at 10:22 pm

      What a great place to visit! I love sea life. And those otters! I could watch them all day. This place is definitely on my must visit list.

      Reply
    26. Angela Greven | Mean Green Chef says

      May 15, 2019 at 2:18 pm

      Looks like such a fun trip would love to visit one day, thanks so much for sharing. Love your photos too! 🤗

      Reply
    27. T.M. Brown says

      May 16, 2019 at 12:39 pm

      I love places like this ~ otters, penguins, sting-rays......yes, even octupus. So much fun to watch them move around and interact. This place looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    28. Alx says

      October 07, 2019 at 12:44 pm

      Love your photos! Looks like you had such a fun day out!

      Reply
    29. Shirley says

      October 07, 2019 at 4:31 pm

      I've never been there, yet, but this article makes me want to pack my bags right now! I love your photos!

      Reply
    30. Tricia Snow says

      October 07, 2019 at 10:00 pm

      Looks like an awesome trip! I can't wait to go!

      Reply
    31. Nomads RTW says

      October 08, 2019 at 2:06 am

      It looks like a great place where to spend a day with a huge variety of species.

      Reply
    32. King says

      October 08, 2019 at 4:53 am

      I really love those scenes... Thanks for sharing those experience...

      Reply

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