The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a one-of-a-kind destination for animal lovers visiting the Central California Coast. This famous aquarium welcomes over two million visitors every year, inspiring each guest with their unique oceanfront location and commitment to ocean conservation. Stay at Seascape Beach Resort, just 35 miles from the aquarium, and spend an afternoon exploring over 200 exhibits devoted to the diverse habitats of Monterey Bay. Purchase tickets online and see all types of animals at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, like sea otters, penguins, sharks, octopus, jellyfish, and much more!
Exhibits
With over 200 exhibits and 80,000 plants and animals, it would be impossible to include all the wildlife at the aquarium. Today, we will highlight their exhibits and a few types of animals you can see at each one:
Into the Deep
Into the Deep is the aquarium's newest exhibit, home to North America's largest collection of deep-sea animals. This includes bloody-belly comb jelly, sea angels, giant isopods, and Japanese spider crabs.
Splash Zone and Penguins
The Splash Zone is home to the aquarium’s colony of African penguins. Watch them waddle and swim around while looking for other species like zebra morays, swell sharks, and clownfish.
Sandy Shore & Aviary
If you are a bird-lover, the Sandy Shore & Aviary is a must-visit exhibit at the aquarium. See long-legged birds like ruddy turnstone, black oystercatchers, and snowy plovers as they forage for insects.
Sea Otters
As the epicenter of sea otter recovery, this exhibit will surely be a highlight of your visit. Watch adorable sea otters as they frolic and swim around the water together.
Rocky Shore
The Rocky Shore exhibit features the animals of the intertidal zone, the area where the ocean meets the land between high and low tides. See species like acorn barnacles, purple sea urchins, and California mussels.
Open Sea
Open Sea is the aquarium's largest exhibit, where you can see everything from swarms of sardines to tufted puffins and hammerhead sharks.
Monterey Bay Habitats
See the creatures that call Monterey Bay home at this impressive exhibit featuring rockfish, white sturgeons, bat rays, and broadnose sevengill sharks.
Life on the Bay
Head outside and find a spot on the ocean-view deck to spot wildlife in their natural habitat. See harbor seals, seabirds, and even the occasional humpback whale.
Kelp Forest
Kelp Forest is one of the tallest aquarium exhibits in the world, home to an impressive collection of sardines, leopard sharks, wolf-eels, and fish.
Giant Pacific Octopus
One of the most unique residents of the aquarium is the Giant Pacific Octopus. Visit the exhibit and look closely for this incredible creature that can change its skin color and blend in with its surroundings.
Stay at Our Hotel near the Monterey Bay Aquarium
See all these types of animals at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and more during your stay at Seascape Beach Resort. Our hotel is located right on Monterey Bay, offering an incredible vantage point for wildlife viewing along our 40-acre property. Dine at our on-site restaurant, relax on our private stretch of beach, explore the walking trails, cool down at the pools, and enjoy free access to our sports club. These fantastic amenities, combined with our oceanfront rooms, provide the perfect escape for everyone visiting Monterey!
