Trip Planner: USA / California / Monterey County / Monterey / Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey

4.5

Must see · Aquarium · Zoo / Aquarium

Located on the site of a former sardine cannery on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Monterey Bay Aquarium features an 8.5 m (28 ft) viewing tank that was the first in the world to grow giant kelp. The aquarium also holds thousands of plants and animals representing more than 600 different species. You can inspect the creatures of the kelp forest from several levels in the building. Visit the largest tank in the aquarium--with one of the biggest single-paned windows in the world--for a rare chance to observe a population of ocean sunfish in captivity. Other highlights include exhibits of stingrays, bluefin tuna, jellyfish, and sea otters, viewable from above and below the waterline. For Monterey Bay Aquarium and beyond, use our Monterey driving holiday planner to get the most from your Monterey vacation.

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Tours to Monterey Bay Aquarium

FROM $79 BOOK WITH VIATOR 3-Hour Electric Bike Tour Along 17 Mile Drive of Coastal Monterey

5.0

Duration: 150 to 210 minutes

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FROM $274 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Photo Session with a Local Photographer in Monterey Bay

Duration: 30 minutes

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FROM $274 BOOK WITH VIATOR Vacation Photographer in Monterey Bay

Duration: 30 minutes

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Monterey Bay Aquarium reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating

14,129 reviews

Google

4.7

By Thomas V

This is the gem of this area and the place that we return to each time we take a trip to Monterey. The brilliance is that the aquarium is dedicated to the marine life of Monterey Bay and the ocean... more »
By Mr_AK_82

Definitely must go on your visit. Very knowledgable for kids and for adults :) It is closed currently due to COVID-19 though. more »

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Google

By Eduardo Martinez

Such a great experience! Would definitely come again. Their aquarium is the best in California hands down, there are a lot of different sea animals big and small, there are different exhibits for each type of critter. Our favorite was the kids area call splash zone. This area had costumes for the kids to use and different activities for all ages. There is an area for toddlers to play and use their imagination. The bird exhibit is also great since their is an area for kids to explore and play with the exhibits.

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By S Bee

A lovely time! Very accessible, not very affordable. The animals look very well tended and there was a lot to learn. Information is presented in several different ways at once which can be either incredibly helpful or overwhelming, depending on what works for you. Going on a weekday is better because there are fewer people, though it's still crowded. If eating out after visiting the aquarium, consider choosing where you'll have dinner first so you can just go without having to decide while you're tired from walking through the aquarium.

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