This is an absolute must-do! We went on a Sunday morning and there was a long line that wrapped around the building, but we were in the aquarium within ten to fifteen minutes. The exhibits are so informational and beautiful. The staff/volunteers are SO friendly and fun to chat with! Definitely ask them about the exhibits because they have lots of information to share! We started the day off with the 11am feeding which was so fun because we got to see lots of fish right at the start. With the exhibits, you can really get up close, which is awesome! Their Into the Deep exhibit is fascinating.

A beautiful aquarium with majestic views of Monterey Bay. There are several exhibits throughout the whole area encompassing 3 floors. The Kelp forest and otters are the two main attractions. I took the time to sit in on one of the free 15 min videos presented in their auditorium. This is a great place for little children. Many special exhibits are designed especially for kids to play with and adventure around in. Some exhibits made me wish I was a little kid because I was much too tall to fit in some of these. There are a couple of places where one is allowed to reach in to touch and feel the animals. They have a large cafe with excellent choices for grabbing lunch at a reasonable cost. There is also a coffee bar where one can buy coffee or espresso drinks for under $5. Keep in mind parking will come at a premium with many all day spots nearby for $15. I really enjoyed myself and glad for all they do there for the preservation of ocean life. It is a great place to build awareness of the wonders of the marine world and our need to conserve them.

The visit to the aquarium is worth it, every time you visit. This time was special as I was spending a daddy daughter day special visit on my birthday. 😊 The weekend crowd required a 15 minute wait in the queue which moved at a reasonable pace. There is a faster queue if you have the vaccine details uploaded to the Clear App. Once inside, it's a wonderful world of marine life. The jelly fish exhibits are mesmerizing and don't forget to visit the penguins and the otters. The shows in the auditorium are short, informative and entertaining.

Always love this aquarium! Been going here ever since I was a kid and it always is a fun place to be. The aquarium is rescue and rehab focused and is also promoting conservation efforts for the local area (which is great!). Even as an adult the touch pools are fun to see and learn at, as the jellies are always a joy to watch pulse around the calming waters. If you can, I would always recommend that you try to check the aquarium out! It's also not too big, so if you only have a couple hours you could still manage to see everything quickly.

While the aquarium can seem small according to the map, it's filled with activities that can fill up a single day from opening to closing. Numerous feeding sessions and auditorium shows will have something for everyone. The large open sea exhibit included a school of tuna, a school of sardines, some dolphin fish, a few rays, a sea turtle, and a hammerhead shark. The outside tide pools were rather empty but we saw 2 sea cucumbers and possibly 2 sea perch.

I absolutely love coming here!! Buy your tickets in advance. I'm so glad we had our vaccine info on the Clear Pass because we were able to skip the long line that stretched up the sidewalk. Instead, we walked up to the separate Clear pass line, showed our pass, and then our tickets, and we were in. A mask is currently required. The cafe food is very good for a cafe. I had the butter fish that was in a burrito bowl, and it was fresh. I love how sustainable everything is packaged. We loved all of the aquarium. I wish I lived closer so I could go more often.

They are taking good precautions for COVID due to requirements of proof of vaccination and masks. They have over 1500 volunteers. The shows were very informative and enjoyable. I just didn't feel the layout of exhibits was too organized, maybe comparing it to other aquariums. Perhaps because they have tried to keep them connected to the bay to maintain a semi natural habitat. Overall it's worth a visit.

Some how feel is very over rated. Max it may take 2 hours to see entire aquarium. It's small.. ticket cost is too high. Otherwise its good. Kids enjoyed. Very clean exhibits. Nice play area. Very good precautionary measures.

We love the Kids Under The Sea Adventure at the Aquarium. Ripley's Aquarium Of The Smokies has the best under the sea quest for kid's of all ages. Its so much fun, to explore, the beautiful ocean life up close and very personal. This is my son favorite place to visit in Gatlinburg Tennessee all Year long. We love this huge amusement park, under the sea. The entire staff at the cafe and gift shop was very kind and friendly.

We drove down here after our trip in wine country (about 3 hours) and it was DEFINITELY worth it! Initially I thought $50 was expensive, but once I entered, I understood why. It is beautiful! Here, I discovered my newfound love for otters! I truly enjoyed learning so much about marine life and gained a new understanding and appreciation for it. The jellyfish exhibit is jaw dropping and there are just so many cool features in this aquarium/conservatory. I went back to see the otters 3 times that day. I will definitely go back to bring my kids one day. I was so moved I wanted to support the aquarium so I donated and also purchased a sea otter plush (all proceeds help the aquarium and conservation of the ocean!)

Important: you do need to purchase a ticket in advance! You can buy them same day but can't buy them at the aquarium itself. We also found it better to go in the morning around opening. The email I got suggested that later in the day would be less busy, but our experience was that 10am on a weekday was pretty reasonable, while when we left by 12:30 it was almost too crowded to see some exhibits. We loved our visit here! The staff were really friendly and helpful, and there's so much to see. The Into the Deep exhibit is a must-see, and there are little viewing areas where you can go outside to see the ocean as well. The gift shop is about average price for a souvenir shop, and includes some really fun pieces like unique dishware and seaweed chocolate bars. When you arrive they'll give you a map with feeding times if you want to see anything specific.

I liked the sea otters and the fish, and kelp and seeing the skin divers. But when it got too crowded I did not like it. It was hard being there by myself and not with anyone but me. For my husband and his friend we're at the golf tournament.

A fun experience for the entire family! We went on a weekday so it was really quick to get inside. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, the exhibits are beautiful to watch. There are three floors in total, with exhibits on each floor, an auditorium, a cafe with reasonably priced food options, clean restrooms and lots of kid focused activities. You’ll need at least a couple of hours to go through all the exhibits. I definitely recommend the aquarium as a fun family activity to do in Monterey. They’re rescue focused and big on preserving ocean life, which is just amazing!

Such a wonderful experience! The deep sea exhibit and the kelp forest are must sees!!! If you have time, the penguin feeding and sea otter feeding are also really worthy to go. The schedules are all available online so definitely check it out and plan accordingly before you go. The aquarium is not large in size, but it has so many good things to explore. You can buy tickets online. Parking is a little bit hard to find near the aquarium, but there are a few public parking garages a few blocks away

We (my family and I) love the aquarium. It's always a pleasure to visit, we wish we could visit more but the prices are somewhat out of the ordinary to visit more frequently. In the times we are living, it was surprising to see that many people inside. Proof of vaccination is asked at the entrance, which we loved! Going back to my previous line; we were surprised to see so many people inside the aquarium and just like in many other places, once inside, many people removed their face coverings and no one tells them anything.

I don’t usually like aquariums, so i was expecting to be bored on a family trip here but wow… this was one of the coolest places I’ve ever been! I tend to be a very stressed and anxious person but I sat and watched the deep ocean tank for about half an hour because it was so calming. The deep ocean tank and jellyfish were my favorite! I also loved the sea otters. Go check out my main man Gerry in the penguin area.

Very nice aquarium, with a great reputation! May look small from the outside, but inside, it is filled with many exhibitions and tanks with a good variety of fish. Come around the afternoon for presentations/speeches and feeding! The ticket prices are very worth it. One of the best places to visit for a family!

This is the perfect place for kids between 3 and 12. It is great for all others too, but the younger crowd really enjoy it. The displays have something of interest for all ages. Unfortunately, the feedings are not scheduled for certain times as they were in the past. Maybe after COVID is over, that will change. Especially the penguins, respond to feeding time as a happy occasion. They are so entertaining it's worth the wait. The only problem is it is so big the kids get tired. If you plan to visit for at least 2 days it's worth purchasing a family membership. Well worth the cost!!

Definitely a must visit if you are in the area. This place is massive and you should plan on 2 to 3 hours if you want to see everything. Don't miss the open sea feeding at 11 and the kelp forest feeding at 1130, plus the sea otter feedings! It's especially family friendly, as there are plenty of activities aimed at kids. Almost to a fault - as an adult, I was hoping to learn just a little more from the plaques next to each tank. Timed entry for now - buy tickets in advance and plan on arriving around your entry slot. There is no designated aquarium parking so find a lot or street parking a few blocks away and walk over. We did not have a line to get in when we visited on a Sunday in December.

On the famous Cannery Row, this place is always busy. Get your tickets in advance. Various exhibits, including the newest one, Into The Deep, are fascinating and wonderful. There is something for everyone here. Bring binoculars to watch the sea otters in the kelp bed, or attend one of the otter feedings. It's easy to spend half a day or more in the Aquarium. Whimsical place to bring kids.

Great place for the family. Lots of exhibits to see such as the jellyfish, sea otters, penguins, exotic fishes, crabs, small sharks, tuna, sea ray. You can sit in the auditorium and catch an educational show. They have different activities during the day. The cafe has good food. Clean bathrooms. Parking is fairly easy.

Beautiful aquarium with great accessibility. We went with my 8 month old and we absolutely loved it. Everything was clean with beautiful scenery and many learning opportunities. Animals seemed well taken care of. Loved the many benches they had for observation. Bathrooms were clean and they even have a nursing lounge. Everything was stroller and wheelchair accessible! Only thing is I do think they should limit their capacity since it was overcrowded and many areas had a waiting queue to see. Some were too much, so we decided to skip altogether.

We drove up to Monterey for the long weekend so we could visit the aquarium. The line to enter was snaking but because we had the membership passes we bypassed most of the line and got in. The place was packed but we were still able to see all the exhibits and interactive displays. The exhibits were very well planned and designed to engage kids but at the same time still be interesting for adults. Our nephews loved the variety of animals - otters, rays, sharks, penguins, turtles, octopus, and so much more! It was honestly one of the best exhibitions I’ve ever visited.

I took my 9 month old on her first Monterey Bay Aquarium visit, and it was such a success! I walked in with her in the stroller but became quickly grateful that I had also brought the carrier, which we used the rest of the visit. Bringing the stroller was still necessary to hold the diaper bag and our jackets, and also change her diaper without having to leave exhibits - thank you bassinet mode! Don't worry, the restrooms did have a diaper changing table. Better yet, the stalls have a seat to sit your child in while you do your business (video of seat attached). Later in the day, she inevitably became hungry. Feeding her was not an issue thanks to the nursing lounges found near every restroom. The video attached is of the one on the second floor near the Deep Ocean. It was so beautiful with a bottle warmer, calming music, books to read to your little one, and most importantly, comfortable rocking chairs. There were 3 rocking chairs and privacy walls large enough to not see the person next to you. When the rest of us became hungry, we left the aquarium. We made sure to get a stamp before exiting so that we could easily return. Oh and parking! We parked near Carl's Jr and First Awakenings since they were free for 2 hours. Shout out to my amazing fiance, who went out to move the car multiple times. She really enjoyed the baby part of the Splash zone, while my favorite part was the jellyfish.

World-famous aquarium and marine research facility. The jellyfish exhibit is particularly beautiful and mesmerizing. There are two story high aquariums showing fish and turtles. Hands-on activities for children. Changing exhibits. Short lectures by naturalists. Great giftshop.

I love Aquariums and have managed to visit quite a few as I've traveled the world and this is one of my favorites I have ever seen. It's huge, it has tons of interactive areas and it has a beautiful overlook that allows fresh seawater to flow in and out of a protected area where sea wildlife is thriving. I loved the kelp forest inside teaming with fish life. I loved the cafe and gift shop. We spent hours here roaming and I still didn't see close to half of everything. It's well worth the price of admission if you love aquariums at all. Note: Currently closed for COVID - my husband and I visited in 2019.

Hands down the best aquarium I’ve ever been to. It feels authentic and purposeful, rather than trying to be some kind of theme park-esque entertainment venue (looking at you sea world). So many beautiful exhibits with good environmental education incorporated in. I’ve been to a dozen or more aquariums, and this one is just very special.

There’s a reason why the line can get so long to this aquarium, it’s 100% worth the cost. Some of the exhibits are truly mind blowing in that you feel so immersed into the marine life in a way that you can’t anywhere else. Definitely try to plan going on a weekday, if possible even later in the day (1 pm or later). Realistically you’ll only need 1-2 hours (more if you stay for the free film screenings) but at least you’ll avoid the crowds and have more space to yourself.

Five stars! Not to be missed! Get yourself passes for as early in the day as possible. Ours were for 10am and the place was already packed. If you are stressed or nervous about covid, this is NOT the place for you. I know the aquarium staff are doing their best to keep everyone safe. It’s just that their facility is simply not designed to suit social distancing amongst the amount of people admitted. Monterey as a general area seems to be understaffed right now too - we did see and hear employees explaining the sea life in 2 exhibits, but not once did I see a staff member sanitize surfaces. This to me was a big issue, since parents were letting their kids lick the aquarium glass in each exhibit (not kidding!) The jelly & tentacles exhibits were my favorite. Be sure to head outside to escape the crowds and take in the view! I made it through the entire museum (including the gift shop) in just over 3 hours.

Absolutely stunning aquarium. The exhibits are incredible and diverse. Spacious enough to accommodate the crowds (which are huge). The Kelp Forest, Open Ocean, Tentacles, and Jellyfish displays were my favorites. I really can't wait to go back. Some downsides: Tickets must be purchased in advanced, and entrances are timed every half hour, you can't just walk in. We didn't know this ahead of time, but that's really on me for not checking beforehand. The aquarium is in a fun touristy place in Monterey, so we had plenty of stuff to do while waiting for our entrance time. Also, the price! $50 for an adult ticket - ouch!! But I would go again, so I can't detract from the rating.

Absolutely stunning! If you’re thinking of coming here do it. The aquariums are stunning and the staff is friendly and informative. Definitely check out the birds and the Cephalopod exhibit those are a must see! I could have easily spent all day in there so plan accordingly!

Wonderful aquarium!! The price is definitely worth going to see it once. I wouldn’t go back again, though. We wanted to see the ocean sunfish really badly, and they didn’t have it available to the public which was a huge bummer. We spent about 4 hours there (2 adults, no children). Very interactive, educational exhibits. For those concerned with how many people are there - we went there on a weekday immediately when they opened at 10 am and honestly it wasn’t that busy. Weekends and afternoons are certainly going to be busier.

Love love this place! From the gift shop to the exhibition you definitely get your moneys worth. Admission is 50 dollars and if you decide to eat at the aquarium it’s going to be about another 50. Masks are required and proof of vaccination or negative test is also required upon entering. Parking is 20 dollars.

Outstanding experience! This place is amazing! Great family activity. Lots of hands on which is especially important for kids. It's not cheap but worth admission for sure. Everything inside is super expensive also so plan to eat elsewhere. Expect to stand in line to get in. Plan 4-5 hours at least if you want to see most of the exhibits. Membership is even better if you live close enough to visit more than once. It's hard to see all of it in one day.

This Aquarium is always fun. It's probably by 7th visit in my life and I've brought my children twice. There is lots to see and even small children will enjoy. My kids are between the ages of 7 and 12. We spent 4 hours. Smaller children, plan to between 2 and 3 hours.

In town for the day and went to the aquarium. Purchased general admission tickets online in advance, which made getting in easier. Arrived at opening, and there was a line already formed, but the line moved pretty quickly. Once inside, I enjoyed the Kelp Forest and Sea Otters. Grab a seat or space early if you want to see the different feedings. Definitely recommend visiting.

If you are going to make your way to Monterey, definitely do the Aquarium. One of the finer ones I have seen and very well managed and maintained. The displays and exhibits are well designed and the variety of aqua life is mesmerizing. Great for families and kids and something to do and learn from all the variety. A few options touch pool like experiences. It is located on the historic Cannery Row area so lots to do around there as well. Definite place to visit and take in.

A must visit place! It took nearly 3 hours to explore the whole aquarium. Ticket price - $60 per person, need to purchase tickets through their website before entering. Recommend buying tickets in advance. Parking - No parking available in the aquarium. Paid parking available in streets/municipal lot.

The aquarium is definitely a hallmark attraction for Monterey and I love their conservation philosophy. They’re definitely going for quality more than quantity of exhibits. I would highly recommend looking up the feeding schedule and planning your day accordingly. I give it only 4 stars because as well staffed as they were, they wouldn’t let you enter the building and buy tickets even though they had people and cashier stands available. They require you to buy tickets on your phone, which involves registering for an account and then waiting for emailed tickets. That, along with charging $60 per adult (as of time of writing) seems like poor customer service.

We like aquarium displays. Been to several around the country and this is one of the best we've seen. Lots of interactive displays, brilliant designs, handicap accessible, tours available too. Well stocked gift shop and cafe. The only complaint I'd have is parking. There is only street parking in the cannery row area - good luck with that - or nearby garage parking which is a bit steep in cost. But don't let that deter you from going. You won't be sorry.

Our family has been visiting this extraordinary aquarium for years, and each visit leaves us in awe of the immense dedication and passion behind this institution. While some may complain about the ticket prices, they fail to grasp the profound mission this aquarium is on—a mission to conserve the ocean and its precious inhabitants. The stories shared within the walls of this aquatic wonderland go beyond mere entertainment; they are tales of tireless efforts to protect and preserve our oceans. This isn't just a place for attractions; it's a powerful platform conveying a crucial message to the public about the urgent need for ocean conservation. As a family, we wholeheartedly support and appreciate the meaningful work undertaken by this aquarium. Yes, the tickets may be on the higher side, but we see it as a small contribution towards a cause we deeply care about. The experience here is not just about viewing marine life; it's about understanding the challenges our oceans face and learning how each of us can play a role in their preservation. In a world where our oceans are under constant threat, this aquarium stands as a beacon of hope and education. We gladly embrace the opportunity to be a part of this collective effort for a healthier and more sustainable marine environment. Our visits here aren't just outings; they are a testament to our commitment to the future of our oceans.

Interesting place to visit if you are in the area. This was lot of fun for both adults and kids. There are multiple feedings throughout the day so super fun to see the fishes, penguins, otters get fed. I have been to other aquariums before and even though this is quite large, it’s slightly smaller than the others and in terms of experiences it provides. It’s heavily catered towards kids which is a great family day out. They have a splash zone where kids play with water and enjoy that area well. There is lots of areas to run around here. My experience was that it was very very crowded and it was super tough to go from one spot to another (and today was not even a weekend). We saw hammersharks and lots of Tuna, octopus, penguins and other sea animals.

So worth a visit, decent size place. With plenty to see. Tons for kids to look at and play with and explore. The aquarium is beautiful overlooking the water with tons of nice observation areas for you to go and watch the waves come in. There was even a touch a sting ray area. They also have a little theatre that plays small movies for you to watch that the aquarium made. There were two gift shops which seemed pretty pricey but not too bad for a tourist attraction. They also have little cafes and spots to buy drinks and snacks while you’re inside. I think the otters were my favorite fun to stay and watch for a while. The aquarium can be quite busy with kids. But was manageable on the holiday yesterday I think. The staff are also super kind and knowledgeable

Probably one of the best aquariums I’ve visited. It is quite big and there are a lot to see and do. Food was decent. I suggest to come early to really be able to see everything. I like that it has an outdoor open area where you can get a view of the ocean and take pictures too. Only downside is parking but if you don’t mind walking a bit, its okay. Its a bit of a walk from the parking and it is a pay parking. Not sure if there are free parking in the area. But overall, it was quite a nice experience since there are also many shops and restaurants near the aquarium where you can take a brief stroll to the parking area.

This is one of my favorite places in the entire world. It's $50 to get in, but it's more than worth it, and I've been several times. They're closed right now, but I will be going again as soon as they open to take my son.

Great Aquarium

This is a great aquarium that focuses on the local sea life of Monterey Bay. There is an otter 🦦 exhibit as well as a kelp forest. It houses approximately 35,000 animals. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is temporarily closed due to Covid 19, but when it reopens, I highly recommend going!

Been a constant adventure visiting the world renown aquarium since my early childhood. Thank you for all the memories, we hope you open soon <3

Ot was amazing to see the sharks! Just thought it was WAY BIGGER. Deff wanna bring the kids just pricey we paid $120 for 3 attractions.

This is the best $25 you will spend in Vegas! And yes it is open during the pandemic. We’re not much into gambling or night clubs. But we still love going to Vegas for its many attractions and shows. This time when we went we stayed at the Luxor. And across the street was this famed Aquarium. TIP - tickets are $50 at the entrance, but they often have Groupons and other discounts. There’s also additional discounts if you stay in one of their properties including Luxor. We paid $25 each for the tickets. After being to the aquariums in Los Angeles, we were expecting this to be something small. After all, it’s in the middle of a desert.. But we were pleasantly mistaken. They have so many different species here. And everyone is hosted in their habitat complete with decorations! They say it takes about an hour walk around the area, but it totally took us like 4 hours. Highly recommend you go check it out :)

Children and adults with a penchant for sea life will love seeing all the ocean’s most beautiful creatures in an up-close view. The Monterey Aquarium has over 600 species of aquatic life on display and sea water is pumped into the exhibits from Monterey Bay. Spend at least two to three hours admiring all the colorful and interesting creatures that call the aquarium home. The main exhibit, Ocean’s Edge Wing, is a 28-foot-high exhibit that has a plethora of marine life living inside. You can learn about regional fish and see one of the only sunfish kept in captivity. There are also tide pool tanks, sea otters, tuna, and more incredible creatures to meet. Get there when kids are: Ages 3 to 18 years old.

I thought it would be a one-hour tour, but I stayed at the Aquarium for five hours, so interesting it is. The Aquarium has different floors and countless species of marine beings and birds, including species that live in the depths of the ocean. In addition, during the day there are presentations and feeding the animals, which make the visit even more interesting. Highlight for feeding schools of fish, penguins and sea lions, which is very fun to watch. I was impressed with everything I saw at the Aquarium!

The admission price is expensive-almost $40 for adult tickets. There are lots of things to do here, however and there are free tickets through local library's discoverandgo programs. The aquarium is beautiful and you can sit down on a bench and watch the fish swim above your head in the tunnels. The albino alligator is really cool to see. I was impressed with the kids room. It has a treehouse to play in, puppets, crafts and legos. My 3 year old spent a lot of time here. If you are lucky, you can sometimes find street parking in golden gate park, or you park in the music concourse parking, which charges a fee.

Really a great family stop. The exhibits are well done, lots to see and learn. The staff is friendly and helpful. And of course, Star Trek The Voyage Home was filmed here, if you're a fan. We did the behind the scenes tour, which was okay. This was during Covid, so some of the normal tour was excluded. Hopefully they will be able to start the full tour when we are through this. A new exhibit is opening soon, should be a really cool one. Looking forward to coming back to see it.

It was very good to show fishes for my baby. She sang non-stop baby shark with dancing and very much enjoyed it. There were placed sanitizer each spot. Required mask on. So we fell safe.

Clean, inviting and full of beautiful employees ready to help, chat or guide you throughout the visit. One thing I did notice, the Killer Whales and dolphins hanging from ceilings were quite dusty. 🤭 Long day was all worth it, we drove 2+ hours to spend a few hours enjoying ourselves very much. Surprised how crowded it was on a Wed early afternoon, but it wasn't too bad. The exhibits are informative and the Main Aquarium was a delight.

Beautiful exhibits. So much to see, I only got half way through. Very handicapped friendly and kid friendly exhibits. Some hands on for the kids. Parking is a distance away, there is a disability drop off right by the aquarium though. The parking garage is $20. Which is reasonable for a tourist area and garage parking. Closes at 5 pm so get there early.

One of my favorite places as a kid when I lived in California and wanted my child to experience it. Fantastic still. Lots of old exhibits from back in my day and lots of new ones. Very interactive for the kids. A tad pricey but for a good cause. Very educational and the staff/volunteers are very knowledgeable, engaging and pleasant. Had a wonderful time and hope to continue visiting for decades to come!

Aquarium might just not be my wife's and my jam. Overall we were a little disappointed for what you pay for. We appreciated the penguins, the octopus, Jellyfishes, and some other water animals. You can touch stingrays, have a few outdoor areas and while we didn't have anything from the cafe, it seemed to have a decent selection. People with kids do have a good opportunity to show them live animals, take a tour (17$ additionally) and a well sized kids section for further education and fun.

This is an amazing aquarium! So much wildlife to see and you can get some fantastic photos too if you're a little patient. Crowded earlier in the day but thins out mid afternoon. You might get lucky and see the animals/fish being fed, that was fun! Lots of exhibits with so much sea life. Otters, penguins, jellyfish, hammerhead sharks, green turtles, rays, shellfish and all sorts of fish. The anemones and aquatic plants are cool too. It's a beautiful and very interesting place.

The price tag seems hefty, but it is a beautiful facility, and bigger than it seems! We were there for 3 hours, and I still didn't feel ready to leave. The presenters are charismatic and funny, as well as knowledgeable about the animals. I loved the otters and the penguins the most, but the sardines were also oddly mesmerizing. I definitely would recommend spending an afternoon here! Especially if it's rainy and a perfect day to be indoors like it was for us.

Having lived in Chicago my entire life, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from another aquarium. I wouldn’t call this a full blown aquarium, but more of a kids educational space relating to the ocean and all it has to offer. The setting was really cool as it was built into an old canning warehouse. It clearly didn’t look like an aquarium when you walked in and around the facility. There are plenty of small aquariums that highlight specific species, however most of the fish are small. When I go to an aquarium I expect to see maybe a few sharks and larger species may be even a few mammals. A large part of the section that appeared to have whales, is mostly artwork and educational kiosks. All in all, it felt mostly like a children’s museum with a few aquariums around. The facility was well-maintained and when we went it was fairly crowded. If you’ve got little kids, great place to go. As an adult, I probably would’ve opted out for a local winery instead.

Love this place! The Otters, the Jellies, Kelp Forest and Open Ocean are the best. Get there as early as you can, like first in line. It gets crowded. Take the kids to the interactive kids parts. Don't be surprised if the penguins get a little frisky .. they don't care if you watch! Just a wonderful place. Buy tickets online and in advance. Bring masks! Proof of vaccination.

Great place to visit! Been to lot of aquariums but this is one of the best! Loved the variety and huge collection of fishes! Saw so many sea life creatures which I have never seen before! Had been with my family with kids and we all really had good time and enjoyed the visit. Would definitely visit again and recommend for others:)

The ticket and the parking are expensive but it is worth it. I haven’t visited the aquarium for a few years. Some areas are still the same and impressive but I do notice some improvement. During COVID 19 period, you need to buy tickets from the website ahead of time. And you need to bring ID and proof of vaccination. There are a lot of people even though they restrict the number of people. It will take about 2 hours for the entire tour.

Not COVID safe! They allow too many people in a small area. Furthermore beautiful fish tanks (after you pushed yourself through the crowds to get in front of the glass). Really impressive jellyfish and stunning seaweed forest impression). Also good place for toddlers (if forgetting about COVID restrictions)

Still one of my favorites. The last time I was here was 20 years ago. Its a great aquarium, but still has a lot of empty space they could fill with more fish tanks. The center of attraction is obviously the shark tank. Its a great place to take the family as a day trip.

Two seconds about getting in. They need to make it a little more obvious online when buying tickets that you must produce a vaccine card or negative test. Once inside the stupidity of all that fades away. Very large, attractive and laid out nicely. Plenty of staff to answer questions. Exhibits were well marked. Plenty of sea creatures to view and learn about. There was a touching area that you could reach in and gently touch some of the creatures. To me, the best part was an indoor, no cage birds exhibit. They were just sitting and running around on a contrived beach. Very nice! There is a restaurant inside and of course, touristy shop for the previously unknown but now badly needed stuffed otter toy and coffee cup!

I've been in some aquariums and be honest; the scale and the quality of this place don't match up with the ticket price. Of course I totally love the diversity of sea creatures here but everything felt like a little fish tank. You will love it if you have kids since it has more places for your kids to discover new things in the ocean and also playground. It wasn't really satisfy but still deserve a chance to be visited.

We spent almost a day in this aquarium and it’s simply amazing! There are so many to see, to touch, to discover, to learn, to feel. I love the sea otters 🦦 they are absolutely adorable! And the story of the aquarium rescuing sea otter babies was very impressive. We’ll definitely come back again and discover more. By the way, to support the aquarium and their effort of protecting the bay and the ocean, you could consider become a member. We found the membership a great deal actually. One time ticket is $60, and individual membership is $95 and members can access the aquarium free in a year. So as long as you plan to visit the second time, it’s worth the price.

Always a nice spot to take the kids and have a family day. If it gets too crowded, get you a stamp and head to the Row and enjoy some lunch and shopping. The crowds typically pack in the first few hours while the last few hours are smooth. This is if you aren't on a time crunch or have private tours and stuff booked.

We went for my granddaughter's birthday. We all enjoyed ourselves. Ages 16 to 71. We ate at the restaurant inside the aquarium. It was pricey but good. Cheeseburgers, shepherds pie, mac & cheese, coffee. The exhibits were so informative and impressive. My favorite part is the petting pools. The jellyfish were amazing and so many different varieties.

This is my childhood and one of the places I never fail to visit whenever I go home. Each time there is a new exhibit, while staying true to the original design. The show that talks about the history of the the Monterey Bay was one of the best parts for my son When he was younger. If you aren’t from the Bay Area, a day at the Aquarium won’t just give you and education, it will give you an entertaining history lesson while surrounded by the most beautiful view in the area.

So glad to have made the visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium. Went on a weekday and I think that was helpful in avoiding large crowds. The exhibits are wonderful and leave you in awe of this vast world under the surface we know so little about. Being right next to the bay makes the experience that much more relevant as you look out over the water. Logistics: There is paid street parking and also paid parking lots and garages nearby. I would highly suggest buying tickets in advance if you aren’t already a member. There is a cafe and cafeteria with a nice range of food and drink options (including beer) but rather pricey. I admire their commitment to sustainability and conservation so you will find no single use plastics here. If you plan on buying souvenirs you may want to bring your own reusable bag or purchase one. Enjoy seeing the otters and all the other amazing animals during your visit!

A majestic must see when visiting the Central Coast or Monterey Peninsula area. I will start with the parking situation, if you are arriving on a weekend expect to park in the paid parking structure if you're lucky you'll find free parking on the streets nearby wave Street Prescott and David Street are close by if you can find free parking. We pay $20 for all day parking and it was worth it not having to circle around the busy streets. It was a bit of a walk to the aquarium from our parking structure but it wasn't terrible. We bought our tickets Advance which I highly recommend because we did not have to wait in line even on a busy sunday. The staff was so kind and helpful. The facilities are clean well organized and well maintained. There's so much to explore from different exhibits Hands-On experiences and beautiful floor to ceiling aquariums where you get to gaze into what looks like the depths of the ocean. A great place to bring children very educational they have so many exhibits and activities for the kids. I will say it was a little overcrowded for my liking so it was difficult to take a moment to enjoy the beautiful aquariums because so many people were rushing in and out. I will definitely recommend coming during a weekday where you can sit take some time to really appreciate the Beautiful views. There are so many observation decks overlooking the Pacific Ocean where you can escape out to for some alone time. You get beautiful views of the Bay and the sea otters on the nearby rocks. The cafe was overpriced. So I would highly recommend grabbing a meal before coming in. We paid almost $8 for a basic coffee. Expect to spend between 3 and 4 hours if you really want to get the most out of your experience. I would recommend getting there after 3:00 p.m. where the crowds start to die down.

Pricey but lots to do and see. We all enjoyed our time at the aquarium, all ages. I like how tranquil it was, the music is a great touch. Exhibits were clean and well taken care of. Could definitely spend all day there. If you have little ones, the splash zone is a great place for them.

It’s way bigger and nicer than what I had remembered 15 years ago. There are way more exhibitions and great sitting and outdoor viewing areas. Coming here with kids the very first time in 15 years and we all had a very good time.

This place has never been changed, same great atmosphere, lovely sea creatures, and people with good vibe. Streets and buildings are well managed. I loved to be here with my babies when all three of them in stroller, and now they are teens and on their own feet. I want this place stay forever!

the tickets to go in was 60 dollars but my family bought it from online seller for 25 dollars each person. The aquarium was beautiful though it was very crowded so you can't take much pictures so I recommend going on weekdays and not weekends which when my family went and it was too crowded. The staffs were so nice and welcoming so I would recommend going here but beware that it's very crowded probably most of the time also recommend buying tickets online before coming because the line for the people to buy tickets was sooooo long

Incredible experience. New exhibits allow more interactive learning with touch scenes. If you have little ones, they will LOVE the kid size playground and 'splash zone' on the second floor. I don't have kids, but they were adorable to watch!

It was a nice large aquarium but I really didn't understand what all the hype was about. Perhaps my expectations were set too high. It had a nice view of the beach and coast, good but pricey cafeteria, lots of wildlife to interact with, play areas, a lactation room, and lots of exhibits. Parking was expensive and so was the museum...

My partner and I came here for the first time ever and for his birthday, he got a very cute birthday pin with art of an otter and it's pup. The staff are super cool, knowledgeable, and friendly, the exhibits were amazing, and of course the otters were so cute. They have 10-15min auditorium showings about different kinds of knowledge and info about our beautiful oceans and earth, we definitely recommend to just sit and relax and learn and educate oneself! We had a really great time and will definitely come again in the future!

The staff seem so passionate there. All the exhibits are truly astounding. Thank you for inspiring so many people to help the ocean and save the environment. Will be back!

One of the top tourist attractions in Monterrey. Lots of ocean species can be seen here. Excelent maintenance of building and preservation of the wildlife.

The premiere aquarium to visit on the west coast, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a force of nature folded into a space that anyone can come enjoy on a day trip. Fun for young and old, there is something for everyone to see. From the sharks to the penguins, everything is there to spark the imagination and educate on the beauty, vastness and diversity of both the Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon region and abroad. The ability to hold such a breadth of knowledge in one place makes this as important a place to visit as the best libraries on Earth. Beyond that, it's personable. What you see can blow the mind, but may also create a love for the amazing resources on this Earth that if not looked after, may start to disappear. Enjoy the aquarium for a day, keep the love for a lifetime.

We visit weekly and it never gets old ! We have a membership because it makes life so much easier with having kids and a big family. We love the science and education behind the aquarium. The steps this aquarium takes for ocean conservation is incredible! We are so lucky to be part of such an incredible place. Plus having the membership has some seriously amazing perks ! Highly recommend! Just avoid holiday season.

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.

This is a really cool place to go visit! Our kids ages are from 3 to 8 and there were things that all of them enjoyed! The touch pools were fun the jellyfish were mesmerizing!! There is a lot to see and lots to do so hopefully you are able to spend a full day there. The movies were very educational about the steps we can help do to protect the wildlife so our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy these creatures in the years to come!

A must-see for nature lovers and families as well. Countless sea creatures on display in easy to see habitats. Many species not found in most other aquariums or zoos, easily a 5-6 hour visit if you want to traverse the entire facility. Definitely check the daily schedule of free events, otter and penguin feedings entertaining and informative. Highly impressed with the many friendly and knowledgeable volunteers willing to engage with visitors. Food court limited in options and quite pricey.

Wished we lived closer to visit more often. The otter exhibit and tours were great. Easy to spend the majority of a day here. Informative and educational. Looking forward to our next trip back.

We brought our baby girl here when she was just 3 months old. What a beautiful trip and memory for her and for us! The Monterey coastline is a beauty itself. The Aquarium isn't huge, but all of the beautiful creatures and the atmosphere is amazing. We especially love the jellyfish. A must see if possible for families and anybody really.

Well curated exhibits, interactive educational displays, and a diverse array of living creatures. Great for people of any age. Young children will enjoy the many activities geared to them. Amazing jellyfish section, two-story exhibit tanks, and much more. Dining available inside, but plenty of restaurants nearby as well. Re-entry with a hand stamp.

An amazing aquarium!

Best aquarium in the game. It doesn’t get any better, the views that they have each exhibit, the amount of fish and marine life there, the interactive Ness of the stations that they have there, everything is great here. Waiting for all this Covid stuff to end so I can take a trip back.

Massive!!! If you have gone to any other aquariums this one will be massive. If you go to this one first you probably don’t need to go to any other aquarium (except maybe the Georgia Aquarium). Too bad CA is stupid during covid. Go when California wakes up and you are able to enjoy the museum.

I just adore their live daily web cams. Their staff are taking such great care of the critters living there. It’s truly been keeping me going during these quarantine months to watch the penguin feedings and the otter cam...and I love the coral reef cam as well. Thank you Monterey Bay Aquarium..hopefully, when we all come out of this on the other side...I am making a special trip to see you in person...please keep up the good work you are doing and know that someone in Yorktown, Virginia...on the ‘other’ coast..truly appreciates all you are doing. You have very precious residents and your exceptional care does not go unnoticed.

Grew up going to this aquarium. We used to go every couple of years, and it’s always been fantastic. Absolutely stunning, plenty of beautifully well made exhibits - the staff are always friendly and helpful, and it’s definitely worth the ticket price. I wish I could go now but it’s pandemic time - once it’s over, though, I hope I can come visit.

(Translated by Google) Very cool. A visit is definitely worth it. (Original) Sehr cool. Ein Besuch lohnt sich auf jeden Fall.

Beyond my greatest expectations!!! A must see for the entire family! One can easily spend a minimum of 4 hours there if not more! The entire exhibit was well planned and thought out, very instructive and enjoyable. How refreshing! Thank you all who work there to make the Monterey Bay Aquarium a place of heaven on earth. The incredible experience will remain with me for the rest of my life.

I have been going here for years and this is by far the most amazing aquarium. Lots to see for kiddos and adults. Beautiful exhibits, hands on classes you can sign up for, and set in a gorgeous area. I love the jellyfish exhibit, but also the whole experience. It may be busy like others say on here but that’s because people like it. If it wasn’t busy, people would likely complain that it was lackluster. I do not see how anyone could rate it less than 5 stars. The entrance fee goes to a good cause if you care about wildlife, education, and conservation. Otherwise, if you’re into complaining about the fee, I hope you’re not one of those people who blow your money on Starbucks everyday and just complain. Personally, I enjoy this aquarium and will for years to come.

Was a wonderful day had a wonderful time with my family.

“Destiny may be a clumsy swimmer, but she has a big heart. She has a big everything, actually... whale sharks are the biggest fish in the sea. Destiny resides in the Marine life institute where one day an oddly familiar blue tang fish named Dory falls into her pool. Destiny is admittedly embarrassed by her obvious lack of grace, a product of poor eyesight (very near-sighted), but Dory thinks she she swims beautifully. And Dory is delighted to learn that her super-sized friend speaks whale, too. Destiny and Dory used to talk through the pipes when they were little.”

Had a great time here in December. A perfect place and a wonderful place to see and learn about our oceans.

That have so many animals that are very fascinating

Beautiful blend of natural coastal scenery, education, and beautiful exhibits. The sea otter show was very crowded when we went (pre-Covid) but all other attractions were well staffed and absolutely beautiful. The surrounding area is great for biking, dining, and shopping. We stayed overnight and had an amazing weekend. As an avid museum, aquarium, zoo goers; this was really top of my list. Excellent experience and the money spent was for a worthy cause.

Definitely worth a detour to visit this place.

Love it here! My daughter has a blast every time! Due to Covid, we miss it so much!

Fantastic experience!

Awesome experience

Love this place..

Fun place, especially for families

(Translated by Google) It is the coolest aquarium I know. Starting with history and location. Some environments open to the outside world allowing wild animals to enter and leave the aquarium, such as birds and otters. I love this place. (Original) É o aquário mais legal que conheço. Começando pela história e pela localização. Alguns ambientes abertos para o mundo externo possibilitando que animais silvestres entrem e saiam do aquário, a exemplo de pássaros e lontras. Adoro este lugar.

Breathtaking views amazing place to visit 5 stars hands down!

Kid loves it. Especially the water tables for kids by the kelp forest second floor

Take the children , it’s a hub of knowledge

Fun

It's the best aquarium in the world 1st best of all in history and right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Translated by Google) The place should appeal to children. (Original) Miejsce powinno się spodobać dzieciom.

The open tank is the spot

So much fun!

Pictorial place

Best Day Ever! Beautiful inside and outside as well! Unique tanks that fill the space that they have to work with. Definitely my favorite aquarium!

It's the fricken aquarium!

Great place would definitely come again!!

It was a fun experience; however, it is very young person oriented and they're everywhere in mass without the social skills or parental management to function without seriously impairing the enjoyment of the adults. I particularly like their advocacy programs and Guide to Buying Fish, which is a must-have.

Absolutely Amazing!!!??

Best Aquarium i've ever been to!

(Translated by Google) Okay Hihhhh 1234 (Original) Ok Hihhhh 1234

(Translated by Google) Was interesting! (Original) War interessant!

It was my 1st time here I've been wanting to come visit this aquarium for years finally got the chance to go sense it was about 4 and a 1/2 hours away from me it was well worth it they closed at 8:00 p.m. the day I visited they had live music and they were also serving alcohol with food inside as well aquarium was awesome they had all types of fish some I have never seen before the cool thing about it was also that the actual Bay or ocean is actually part of the aquarium itself that's pretty neat they had animals there that they released back into the Bay after they are of age I highly recommend that you come and visit the aquarium and bring her children they will absolutely love it they have a floor that's especially for the children to play and see fish can wait to come back and visit again

Arguably one the biggest and best aquariums/research facilities out there, Monterey Bay Aquarium does not disappoint and the displays are absolutely beautiful. Very informative too, you learn a lot here and you can great views to the bay. Great to come back here after all these years!

Loved our trip to Monterrey bay Aquarium. We got free passes from our friend who works in Santa Cruz. We took our kids for Underwater Explorers program (ages 8-13yo). My girls loved the experience. They were thrilled and had fun. They went to into tide pool with trainers which is on the back of aquarium. Cafeteria was super expensive. Kids got free hot cocoa card with their explorer program. We got coffee(not very hot) and super small size cup with double the price. It was okay. The staff was very helpful, kind, and polite. I was impressed with the detailed program they crafted for kids. Definitely recommend going there. It's quite expensive.

Ive been to large aquariums in 8 states. Every single one leaves something to be desired except this one. I have been here 5 or more times and had an absolute amazing and fun experience everytime.

Superb aquarium, the best I've been to. You can easily spend all day here. Lots of great hands on areas and shows. We did the scuba diving for kids and had a blast. The jellyfish were amazing. Nice dinners and lots of shops to buy stuff.

Best aquarium I've been to. A must visit place for tourist. Can be a little pricey. Best to get a membership if you live close by.

It’s the best aquarium I have been to.

Perfect

Awesome

walk the area it’s worth it

My children's favorite place.

Cannery row , one of very best places to visit in the world

I love this Aquarium. It's so well done. When living near here you can hear the animals on the rocks in the morning and throughout the day barking.

Amazin’

Really a shame that it can’t be partially open during the pandemic. My opinion of course, but shame on the state administration.

I ate a sand dollar

Gorgeous aquarium! My only favorite out if the dozens I have visited. The staff are so friendly. I hope to one day call Monterey my home and visit this aquarium more often. Open soon!!

When the juvenile great white was on display it boosted views by 30%. Are aquariums rolling in money or just struggling to get by? Zoos and Aquariums struggle in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. Great white juveniles 4 feet long , the longest was 67 months, for younger ages, the juvenile great whites could eat fish, over Adults eating marine mammals. smaller white sharks being smaller could be looked after and cared for easier, metaphorically speaking.

Was here in 2016 Very expensive, think adult prizes were 40 ish dollars. The aquarium was OK, nothing special... BUT: the penguin room was a sad sight. A tiny indoor room, filled with penguins that looked so depressed, with boring blue walls. They were all stood gazing out the little window in the corner, you could clearly see that they were not happy. I've seen what happy penguins look like in other parks, and this wasnt it. Shame on you, Monterey Bay aquarium. Would not recommend

First time there and my family loved it. Lots to see and watch.

A beautiful aquarium. I love the variety of ocean life they provide on exhibit and the upkeep to the facilities.

Great place to visit!! Probably one of my top favorite attractions.They have sharks, piranhas, jelly fish, stingrays, penguins and more! And Your able to read about each animal you see. My favorite part of the aquarium is going beneath the shark tank in a glass viewing tunnel where you ride a conveyor belt the whole way through.

Such a delight! From the cleanliness of the aquarium, to the exhibits.. we have never been to an aquarium as well done as this one. The staff from the person checking tickets, the manager who answered questions (Lacey I believe) to the extremely kind woman at the snack stand... each was so kind, polite and wearing their masks properly.. it is a must do if you come to Gatlinburg...

This is a very nice aquarium and the tunnel underneath the sharks is perfect. There were a lot of things for kids to enjoy. If you've been to bigger aquariums like Boston just keep in mind this would be a smaller experience. We do recommend.

Really enjoyed the aquarium. I do wish they would of had the interactive parts opened up. A more hands on experience would make the $$ worth it.

We had a wonderful visit to Ripley's Aquarium. Their underwater tunnel was so long and the tank was full of large, very active creatures. Our children were beyond thrilled to find a play structure that is open! It was clear that their standards for cleanliness were excellent and made us feel very comfortable. Their snack bar had a nice selection as well. Highly recommend you visit!

Family of three (4yo son) thoroughly enjoyed our visit here today. Friendly staff and plenty to do and see. The shark exhibit was amazing with plenty of sharks to see. The moving walkway moved at just the right speed in order to take it all in. They had a large play area for the little ones that our son really enjoyed. Highly recommend everyone stopping in here.

This is still my all time favorite aquarium. It may not be the largest in the country, but it has character. I love how you slowly work your way under the water, it's just so comfy! I've been here twice now, and each time has been an experience I won't forget. I can't wait to return.

This was the best place for our little ones to play. Enjoyed by all our kids , age range 2 years old to 14 years old. PLUS They have a huge inside playground! Awesome for this cold misty day. I've been to Atlanta Aquarium and this one ranks a little higher in my book. 😉👍

This was our first time visiting Gatlinburg Tennessee and my daughter loves visiting different aquariums. This place was awesome. So many sharks. We had a great day visiting

Staff was wonderful! We had a wonderful time! We didn’t have to wait at all for tickets, which was great as it started raining as we arrived. The food area was clean and had a wonderful view of the ray exhibit! Everyone agreed this was the highlight of our trip!

Absolute must see! We had so much fun and had plenty to do! Lasted more then 2 hours! Well worth it!

LOVE THIS PLACE!! Everyone should go at least once!! The penguins, sea turtles, sharks, did I mention the penguins?? I LOVED the penguin parade and got to touch a shark fin TWICE 😮 & The stingrays ( I was told AFTER I touched the shark not to ) This was such a GREAT day! We will be going again and again for ❤🐧❤🦑🦞🐋

It was very nice,kids enjoyed very much

Awesome day! I loved it

Very cool and a lot of marine life I never seen or even heard of before

Such a great aquarium, it's a Gatlinburg gem!

They charge you 5 dollars for two breadsticks that were stale

Very interesting love it

Go early, and beat the crowds

A really nice place to take the kids. They have a LOT of sharks and rays. They penguin experience was ok.

Much more to see Than first expected. Great experience

Took 4 kids, 2 of which were in strollers and it was great for all ages! Not overly crowded and plenty of walking space.The shark tunnel is awesome. Pleasant staff as well.

Alot of different exhibits. Wasn't crowded at all on a monday

It was great. They required masks and even did mask checks in the building. Also the exhibits and were amazing. I look forward to going again.

Very big place plenty to see and do a couple of feeding shows you can watch for free overall probably about 4 hours to all the way threw the price was around $40 a person which was a little high in my opinion but overall a great time.

Always love going to the aquarium

Loved it, not just for kids

Unique and interactive

Loved it

Great place! Looks to do and look at. Super friendly staff.

Went with the grandbabies was a wonderful experience to see all the different fishes

It was a good experience overall however I feel like it needed more hand sanitizer stations. There were hand sanitizer stations in the play ground area at the lower level however none in the other viewing areas and kids tend to touch the glass when looking at the exhibits. I also wish there had been more hands on experiences for the kids.

Sharks. I love the sharks.

A must see?

Kids loved it us (Supposed) adults did too lol

Great aquarium my little girl loved the penguins. And stingray bay with popcorn.

Never been 1st time. Absolutely loved it.

Really nice place... great for kids and adults

(Translated by Google) Very nice (Original) Muy agradable

To crowded

My children love the exhibit where you touch the jellyfish. The penguin parade was soooo cute.

Pretty pricey for what's there but it was fun for the kids.

I strongly believe this aquarium is over priced for what you get. It’s almost always packed, and full of people that stand around and block your way of seeing anything. There is no flow, which their should be during Covid, so people cut infront of you and cluster up. Also, if you’re hungry while there, you will pay quite a bit for the food court snacks. I got a small bag of popcorn, two soft drinks, and a pretzel and paid $24. The only way I could see you really get your time and moneys worth is if you have children that are allowed/old enough to play on the playground area. If not, you’ll find yourself doing what we did which was skipping half the fish due to not being able to see thru crowds of people, and just to get away from a crowds.

Nice place to visit with family and kids, little bit overpriced.

(Translated by Google) Great lived experience💜💙💚🙏 (Original) Gran experiencia vivida💜💙💚🙏

Great place for both kids and adults. I took my friends’ kids over few times. They loved it. I’ve visited many aquariums in the past, but this one is the most charming one. It’s not super big, so it’s perfect for a half day outing. Very well worth the ticket and time.

Just sad that it is closed and can’t even try doing safe Covid precautions to sell tickets and open up a little. Do reservations. I want my baby to see all the fishes he is loving fishes right now.

Very neat place. Their docents are knowledgeable and entertaining. There are many levels and things to see, even on the roof! The surrounding park is beautiful. Will definitely go back when we're in the area again

I stayed for about 5 hours.The building is open and connected to the sea. Sea otters were very adorable and jellyfish were fantastic. The world is beautiful. I wanted genuine souvenirs made in Monterey, but it was a pity that many of the original products were tagged with imported products from Asia. In a place to educate the environment, I was also made to think about the strength of capitalism in the principle of comparative advantage.

Reached there on a Saturday. Clear skies, brisk weather, neat town were the pluses. On the downside expected a lot more in the aquarium... Anyways the efforts by the aquarium authorities are to be appreciated. Quiet place for the birds is really beautiful. A day is not enough to cover all aspects, scuba diving is worthwhile but need to do in quiet open waters.

The last time I was here was on my elementary school trip and I came back a couple years ago and I almost wanted to cry it’s still how I imagined it when I was a child I love it here!!!

I like Monterey this a beautiful and clean beach, goodand nice Aquarium for children. Here you can see different types of sharks and fishs....

I've been going to Monterey ever since I was little and it still educational and fun. Still the best aquarium I've been to

Its a well taken care aquarium with lots of helpful staff. The fish and animals seem well for. Got a little crowded but it was summer soooo. Heres my only complaint the food cafe is pricey (expected) but both me and my wife didnt feel great after eating. I think the frying oil isnt changed often enough. I commend the staff. They ask if they can help and will answer all your questions.

Have been there several times, when u are there, u can loose yourself in the otter tank, the penguin tank, and the jellyfish tank, Etc, there is so much to see. All have to see the aquarium

Not bad, but I have seen better ones.

Amazing place

THE SEA OTTERS ARE SOOO CUTEE😊😊😊😊😊

(Translated by Google) Beautiful, the most beautiful aquarium I have ever visited. (Original) Lindo, o mais belo Aquário que visitei.

Love the various types of creatures they have. From jellyfish and sharks, to penguins and rays. I absolutely love their Open Sea enclosure. It's super calming and relaxing. Food is pricey, but overall a must go destination in Monterey.

We love going there

Cute fish and sea creature attract you. This aquarium is good maintained and cozy.

This aquarium is my most favorite place I have been to and it is just great. There is everything you could ask for in the aquarium and I hope to visit again after quarantine!

We have been members for years. Fantastic if you are a member and staying a couple of days. But problematic if you are only in town for one day. The aquarium has a huge number of amazing exhibits and as members we have done every back stage tour. However the relatively fair charge for family membership means that it is often used as a an alternative to a trip to the park or walk along the coastline by the local mummy and stroller brigade who push often huge strollers around the semi darkness with bored toddlers who can’t see anything anyway. We were told that local (family) groups take this opportunity multiple times in a week. There are at least two places to voluntarily park strollers but these over flow earl.As out of town members on a long weekend break we had the option of choosing to leave and return the next day if it is too crowded. It is a lovely amenity for the locals who can afford the family membership. But really an issue if you are a family buying tickets for 4 ( two under 12) for a day, it is close to $200 and if you happen on to arrive on a day that multiple groups of local moms are gathered for an informal get together. Then it can just it becomes a miserable experience. The second biggest problem is the truly amazing exhibits means that naturally visitors want to take photos. Flash photography is forbidden, but no actual regulation of this. Visitor and animals are frequently blinded by quite professional flashes, and now every one aged 4 and up has video capability which means visitors are trapped in heaving masses around some-one spending time waiting for a perfect moment or filming lengthy clips. I do wonder if videos and Instagram etc takes precedence over actual observation. Again it does depend on the day. We have been members for about 15 years. In 2019 when membership went up again we seriously debated, given that we only get to Monterey once or twice a year for a long weekend whether we would renew again. We renewed because we strongly support the foundation and the important work it does. However in the current climate even the bonus two months is not enough to persuade us to renew today.The day entry costs or joining as members is prohibitively expensive. The aquarium really needs to overhaul its ticket prices.For example give a reasonable discount to out of town visitors and limit their visits to certain number of visits over a year. The best deal is if you are a relatively well off local family that can take advantage of the facility a couple times a month on family membership. Or if you can find a a hotel deal that offers discounts on tickets. We are terribly sad to say good bye.

Love this place!!! Can't wait to possibly move up there and work there!

(Translated by Google) Beautiful aquarium by American standards. Beautiful, spacious containers with impressive varieties. You can see wild sea otters, seals and seabirds from outside vantage points. (Original) Prachtig aquarium volgens de Amerikaanse standaarden. Mooie, ruime bakken met indrukwekkende soorten. Vanaf de uitkijkpunten buiten kun je wilde zeeotters, zeehonden en zeevogels zien.

A MUSUEM IN A PARK! This little musuem of science has a little bit of everything and everything for something! Like animals they got them! Like FISH! THEY GOT THEM, WANNA LEARN ABOUT SPACE AND DARK MATTER! THEY GOT IT TO! Come stay explore and have fun! Also they have night time events on Thurdays where you can drink... which im a fan of!

(Translated by Google) Very nice and modern. (Original) Veľmi pekné a moderné.

A great experience.

Great place to experience a little bit of the sea.

(Translated by Google) Fantastic marine environment with exciting fish and other mammals. (Original) Fantastisk marinmiljö med spännande fiskar och andra däggdjur.

A day well spent

(Translated by Google) Super cool. I want to go back. Unfortunately Corana is. (Original) Super geil. Will wieder hin. Leider ist Corana.

I'm calling it, we're in a drought here in the #Monterey California region. The 0.01'' rains (when they happen) are barely coating the sidewalks. Hopefully we'll get something in early spring but this is feeling droughty right now.

West coast's best aquarium! Fun for the kids. Got a good collection of Sea animals. Been there multiple times and have already got used to their food 😂... Clam chowder is yummy 😋

It's cool I been there and it's cool

My wife had a blast

Great place for the family! Osher Rain forest walk thru (butterflies all over the place), aquariums galore (arapaimas bigger than your kids), snakes, lizards, the albino alligator.... this place has it all. Check out the planetarium to kill some time.

Awesome and educational place but it is just too expensive.

Amazing time spent learning. I enjoyed the earthquake simulator and the Dark Universe show. Awesome technology, knowledgeable staff, great location and terrific cafeteria.

There was something for every age group. The staff was very friendly and interactive when exploring through the live and inanimate exhibits. If I lived close I would get a year membership to come back to explore more. The "rainforest" was my favorite exhibit with butterflies and a nice view of the aquarium below.

I haven't actually been there yet but am obsessed with their YouTube channel. Currently planning a trip once Covid is behind us.

Fantastic!!!! Its nice to see the aquarium was maintained throughout the pandemic. It was a wonderful experience for the whole family. My daughter is still going on about touching the crabs, seeing the sharks, penguins, and otters. The cannery exhibit is a nice splash of history, and the ocean cleanup exhibits are touching. You could easily spend a whole 8 hour day here.

Excellent Aquarium and feels more like Oceanarium. All the exhibits are eye popping. There is a lot of information available for those interested in understanding these animals. The best is the sardine school that goes around the kelp. You can easily spend half a day here if you want to patiently read everything and see all the exhibits. There is also an outdoor deck looking at the ocean where you can do bird watching.

It was the first time my girlfriend had ever been here and the first time I'd been there in over 15 years. Tourist trap prices for souvenirs, but that's to be expected. They have such a wide variety of sea life there. My only disappointment is that they didn't have the enormous starfish this time around. This is by far my favorite aquarium. Can't wait to go back.

With timed tickets for COVID, I expected thinner crowds - although it was still not super crowded. I liked the free access to sea-looking telescopes and the variety of exhibits available. Favorites were the (active) octopus, the jellyfish, and the touch tide-pool creatures areas.

Monterey Bag aquarium is a really neat experience if you love learning about the ocean, marine life and more. The Kelp forest and Jellyfish exhibit we're wonderful. However, it's best to pay a visit on a weekday morning as the crowds can be absolutely horrendous. Please don't tap on the glass to get the sea critters to pay attention to you. It's not very nice. Parking is also a challenge if you get there late. It's either street parking or figuring out the parking garage situation. Some meters allow up to 2-4 hours.

The aquarium was super big and didn't have enough time to explore it all. The aquarium closes at 5 and they mean 5. They start to kick you out and show you the door. The gift shop closed at5 too. We didn't get to buy anything for the kids. I was very bummed about that. There's no physical maps and the online version is very inconvenient and it tooks a while to download. There's a lot of cool things to see and the kids love the place but it can be better.

Excellent tidbits of information. Hands on exhibits. Cafeteria if feeling hungry. Outdoors have excellent views. A must see for out area visitors. Reservations only during pandemic. Makes it less crowded.

Huge aquarium with a lot to see. Expect to spend several hours here to fully enjoy. The otter feeding is something kids and adults will love the outdoor viewing is simply stunning.

The aquarium is a must see for anyone with school age children!! The place is amazing... Sea life on full display!! Now, the cafeteria in the aquarium does not get high praises.. The food is extremely over priced and that's one thing.. But, the temperature of the plates waiting to be served is not monitored .. My wife got a big chicken plate and was literally sick to her stomach 30 minutes after eating it... She took no less than 5 trips to the bathroom in less than 4 hours... WOW...

What a great place to take the kids! So many exhibits and super educational! The Sea Otters are a must see, but really, all the creatures here get their moments to shine! You have to buy tickets ahead of time. You must wear a mask. There are plenty of city run parking decks nearby for you to park.

Great exhibits! Lots of different areas, very educational, and interactive. Seeing the tanks from above, and learning how they support the captive kelp forest was all very interesting to me. We didn't have any children with us, but it was great seeing how excited all the kids around us were; they all seemed to be enjoying the many interactive activities. Check out their website to get lots of sneak peeks on their various live webcams.

Amazing experience just pick up days that are not vacation or summer days when it's packed during these covid times

Amazing experience. The open sea and jelly fish section is therapeutic. Gives you peace of mind. My daughter lived it.

As always an amazing, relaxing and invigorating experience. I have come for 20yrs and this was my first trip as an adult unaccompanied by at least 4 children. It was lovely, educational and peaceful. A beautiful day chilly breezes, with warm sun and waves to watch from the decks.

So exceeded our already high expectations! What an amazing & informative place. Somehow we seem to end up at all the places where there was something extra going on - like the trout being fed, or divers feeding in-tank. The multi-colored tropical fish, the constantly moving mackerel, octopus playing hide and seek, amazing displays of jellyfish. We spent almost the whole day enthralled - didn’t expect to. Nice add on - don’t miss the short behind the scenes video regarding how the aquarium operates.

The aquarium is a great place to take the family. We met up with friends for my daughter's birthday. They gave her a birthday pin that had her name on it so that people working would acknowledge her birthday. That made her feel extra special all day.

Absolutely stunning! Everyone can enjoy this amazing place! Only time in your life you will be up close with so many types of jellyfish. It's wonderful!

Excellent place and definitely recommend everyone to visit the aquarium. It's very clean and well maintained. Display is fantastic and number of fishes and sea mammal you see is unreal. Something kids would love to go to. Recommend going before 2 pm to spend maximum time there.

The $50 entry is totally worth it. They have varieties of sea animal. There are places where you can touch different kinds of sea animals. The guides help you with any question related to the sea animal, aquarium or ongoing lessons. You can easily spend 3-4 hours here if you check out the entire place. Penguins, sharks and sea otters were the highlight for me.

Great place to take the kids for a few hours and explore. Online reservation are required, you need to wear a mask and proof of vaccine or negative COVID test. It was still pretty crowded with online time reservations but its pretty big and lots to see. The staff is ALL super nice and helpful! The food is a little pricey but not too bad for what you get. The penguin area looked a little depressing but the fish look to have a decent size tank to swim in 🌊🦈

One of the coolest places to visit in the US, hands down. The staff and volunteers are all super nice and knowledgeable. The aquarium does a lot of great environmental work.

The otters were cute and they have a lot of educational things. There are also a lot of staff around to ask questions about the exhibits. The price was just a bit high for the size of the aquarium but it is really nice and well staffed

The place is clean and staff members are well organized. No one knows what social distance (it includes visitors and staff members) is but everyone had mask on. The place is full of fun things for children and a learning experiences for adults. bathrooms are clean. I recommended 100%, bring water. If you arrive very early in the morning you can park near the aquarium for $20 for the entire day.

The most fun you'll have learning. Everything is so well done including the cafe where you won't find much sea food to choose from. I recommend booking a behind the scenes tour.

4.5 Stars. This is one of the best Aquariums we've been to. They have a Kelp Forest that welcomes you when you enter. Their "Deep Sea" exhibition is the best, though this time I felt it needed more animals, for instance we missed the Sundial Fish, or at least we couldn't find it. The big glass wall and the blue water, along with the darkness and the comforting sounds in the exhibition makes it one of the best places to relax and just let your mind go and relax. In 1 word it is "Peaceful". The exhibition made out of plastic is also a great spot, it makes you think about our consumption and perhaps motivates you to take action. The Splash Zone and Touch pools are Ok, nornally you will find a lot of kids here and rightfully so, this areas are for them but you can still enjoy touching the Sting Rays or Crabs. The Otters are fun to watch, they are almost always active and they are rightfully called "The Puppies of the Sea", because they are darn cute. They also have a couple of souvenir stores inside, a restaurant, an auditorium and decks overseeing the city and the sea as well as other smaller areas that I don't recall their names. My actual rating is 4.5 because I wish it was bigger or had more variety of sea animals, but the experience is close to 5 than 4. Due to Covid, there are no tickets at the entrance, you have to purchase them online and when you go there you have to bring your vaccination card otherwise you cannot go in.

Love this aquarium! Jellyfish exhibit is so cool! Staff was great and gave lots of info. Was super busy as we were there over Christmas break.

Always one of our favorite places to visit. We have been here at least 5 or 6 times. We even had a sleep over in front of the deep ocean tank as part of a school field trip - it was amazing - we had most of the aquarium open to our group after hours. The jellies are always fun to watch, they are memorizing and I could get lost in the Jelly room for hours. A few years ago we went and they had a beautiful seahorse exhibit. They also has a baby White shark in the deep ocean tank, he has since been released and I hear doing great in the actual ocean. From the sea otters, to the touch pools, to the open viewing area outside. It's a beautiful day to spend with family or all by yourself. I love to walk through alone and really be able to capture all the little things going on - not always easy to do when your with a group. The last time the family went we did just that - all went our separate ways and had designated meeting times / spots so we could all enjoy at our leisure. Photos attached :) Thank you Monterey Bay Aquarium for always being on point.

Well-organized with many different species. The sea otters and the open sea area are must-see spots. Highly recommend you to buy annual member pass if you live nearby; the aquarium is an excellent place to walk around during the weekends.

So much to learn and see! It has beautiful animals, a bunch of creatures I had never heard of. The people who were working did not hesitate to share their experiences and what they knew. Would recommend to anyone who is coming to Monterey.

This was our first time at this aquarium. This is definitely a lot smaller than Long Beach, Atlanta, Chicago and other ones I have seen. But I was impressed by the awesome species I haven’t seen in other aquariums. Please check out some of the cool pictures. I will be uploading a lot of videos as well.

We visited here with our granddaughter. It was a Tuesday and was pretty busy. There was a long line to get in. However, the line moved quickly and the staff was very efficient checking visitors tickets and vaccination cards. Lots of tanks to observe all the sea life. Some opportunities to touch corral or other small creatures. The small rays were being very shy during our visit. We had a good time. It took us a couple hours to wander through.

Very nice aquarium. Good collection of Sea animals. Honestly little overpriced though. With kids we can cover entire aquarium in 2-3 hours. Aquarium location is really good. It’s right over the beach. Nice views from outdoor patios.

this place is genuinely gorgeous. I loved all the interactive exhibits. seeing the moray eels and the octopi were definitely a highlight. I wish the adult tickets were a bit less pricey ($60) but it was worth it for the experience. we spent about 3 hours here. would definitely come back again!!

Absolutely loved this place interactive exhibits and gorgeous displays of marine life. Purchase you're tickets in advance as they do not have a ticket window but a scan Qr code for ticket Purchases. There's a few eateries and coffee shops available on site and gorgeous views of the bay to enjoy.

Really cool aquarium with all types of fish and wildlife. It's quite large so keep in mind this place will take some time to be able to see everything. The cost is a little pricey for adults but worth checking out if you haven't been. If you haven't purchased tickets, they have a QR code link on the wall at the aquarium where you can purchase your tickets online.

Lovely place! The tickets are pricey but the space and staff are wonderful and the animals seem so well treated. The otters are so adorable and look so happy! A complete joy to visit, interact with animals and learn so much. My only critique is that charging 10 dollars for a cappuccino is totally ridiculous.

Loads of fun. Great interactive exhibits. Jellyfish were super. Orders hilarious. Try to see a feeding. The behind the scene tour is worth the money. The cafeteria had extreme ly interesting and well done meals I never would have expected. Top quality. I gave it 4 stars bc it is very expensive and a family of four could easily spend $300+ just on tickets and food. (Soft pretzel was $10!). But everyone is so nice and you learn a lot. Lots to do and touch for the kiddies. Movies were good too

We visit weekend and it is crowded! But thanks to other reviewers, we reached early and right at the opening so entry queue was not that long. I highly recommend checking out the feeding times/shows at the aquarium. They are worth seeing! Highly recommend for kids 😊😊 the place were full of them and it was lovely to see them enjoy! Now price : I find the aquarium a bit pricey compared to others but still it is definitely worth visiting (May be one time for couples ☺️) The Monterey is beautiful! You could see the beautiful ocean from the aquarium deck. Cost approx $60/adult. The aquarium also has a caffe and restaurant but by afternoon it is bit crowded as expected with families with young kids. We chose to eat outside ! Last but not the least a big shout out to all the volunteers and the staff working there. They were all amazing! Thank you

One of the best aquariums in America, and it lives up to the hype. A plethora of exhibits - open ocean, kelp forest, deep ocean, tide pools! Knowledgeable guides to guide interested guests in learning more about each creature! A zone for kids from toddlers to teens (and a scuba program)! And importantly, information on conservation and being conscious of the environmental impact our our choices. We brought our two year old and he was fascinated by everything there was to see and do.

Wow, wow, WOW!! I love this aquarium, I learn sm when I’m here and it’s just so peaceful and beautiful, we actually saw wild otters floating out in the water when we were here. I also took around my little guy and he enjoyed the exhibits too. Also highly recommend watching one of the shows they have in the theater there, watched one about their otter program and it was awesome. Staff are so cool and friendly.

The aquarium was just as amazing as I remembered it being when I was a kid. It was super crowded the day we went with a lot of rude people which tend to be the norm post Covid, this want the aquariums fault though. I took 2 teenagers and my mother and we all enjoyed ourselves. The jelly fish were my families favorite but they also loved the touch pools, the wave crash passageway, and searching for the sea turtle in the open sea exhibit.