The Aquarium of the Pacific is a great family oriented destination where you can have fun while learning. The Aquarium is home to more than 11,000 ocean animals, representing nearly 500 species, the Aquarium celebrates the planet’s largest and most diverse body of water: the Pacific Ocean. Featuring 19 major habitats and 32 focus exhibits, the Aquarium of the Pacific is a world-class aquarium, exploring the waters of Southern California and Baja, the Northern Pacific, and the Tropical Pacific.
Aquarium Exhibits
Arctic & Antarctic: Our Polar Regions in Peril:
The Arctic and Antarctica are very cold and dry. Despite these inhospitable conditions, a variety of plants and animals have adapted to thrive in these regions of our planet. Journey to the icy edges of the Earth in this new exhibit. Touch sea jellies. View king crabs. And meet a real live Arctic fox.
Learn about climate change, which is causing warmer ocean temperatures, melting ice, rising seas, and more, is posing a serious threat to these fragile ecosystems and ultimately people and animals across the globe.
Travel across the planet in the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Science on a Sphere and learn about our rising sea and ports and maritime trade. This is a one-of-a-kind virtual learning center.
The Aquarium’s Ocean Science Center uses a Science on a Sphere from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to explore our planet and tell stories about ocean phenomena and their impacts. Currently, the center is featuring daily shows on sea level rise and ports.
Southern California/Baja Gallery:
Extending 800 miles from Oregon to Mexico, California’s coastal waters include a variety of ecosystems, animals, and temperatures. Beyond the most southwestern point of the United States, extending along the coast of Mexico to the Sea of Cortez, is the Baja Peninsula. See sea lions and other life up close and personal.
The Baja coast includes warm bays and lagoons, mangrove forests, and giant kelp forests. Because of the diversity of habitats found along the coast, a large variety of species are found within California and Baja California waters, many of which are featured in the Aquarium’s Southern California/Baja Gallery.
The Aquarium’s Northern Pacific Gallery represents the northernmost region of the Pacific Ocean, specifically habitats in and around the Bering Sea. Covering over 800,000 square miles between Alaska, Siberia, the Bering Strait, and the Aleutian Islands, the Bering Sea has an upwelling of cold water that replaces the warmer surface water, with temperatures staying below 54 degrees. See these cold water animals through the enormous Aquarium.
The Bering Sea is home to over 450 species of fish and invertebrates, 50 bird species, and 25 species of marine mammals. At the Aquarium, you can join on a journey through the Northern Pacific—home to the adorable otter and the mysterious giant Pacific octopus.
The warm, 80-degree waters of Micronesia contain an astounding 2,100 islands. Palau, the westernmost section of the Micronesian islands, runs north to south, covering approximately 125 miles. Considered by many to be among the most beautiful in the world, Palau’s waters contain an incredible diversity of coral, fish, and other colorful marine life. The 16 exhibits in the Aquarium’s Tropical Pacific Gallery represent the beautiful marine life you would find off the coast of Palau.
The Tropical Reef Habitat, which can be viewed from three locations in the gallery, is the Aquarium’s largest exhibit. Holding 350,000 gallons of water, this exhibit features over a thousand colorful fish and beautiful coral, including sea turtles, zebra and blacktip reef sharks, porcupine puffers, and a large blue Napoleon or humphead wrasse.
Dining
If you’d like to have lunch at the Aquarium, Café Scuba is the perfect place to grab a meal or a quick snack. They serve a variety of sandwiches, salads, burgers, pizza, and more, providing a relaxed atmosphere overlooking the Seals & Sea Lions exhibit. Additional food can be found at Bamboo Bistro, the Coffee Cart, and the Jamba Juice hut. For hours and menu click here.
In addition to the three main galleries highlighting the major regions of the Pacific, the Aquarium features three major exhibitions. Shark Lagoon and the Lorikeet Forest aviary offer an outdoor adventure in Explorer’s Cove. Their special exhibits gallery features changing exhibits.
These are just a few of the exhibits and galleries the Aquarium has to offer. Check out the visitors guide and calendar of events for more information.
WHAT: Aquarium of the Pacific
WHEN: Daily 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
WHERE: 100 Aquarium Way | Long Beach, CA 90802
CONTACT INFO: (562) 590-3100
DETAILS:
- Ticket prices: Adult $24.95, Child $13.95, Senior $21.95
- Parking: $8
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Thank you! If you decide to camp there let me know, I’ll join you : )
I like this post and the photos so much, I’d like camp there over night one night.