My Visit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Between wine tasting and dining at restaurants, one of the destinations during my visit to Monterey was the Monterey Bay Aquarium. How could I stay in Monterey without visiting one of the largest aquariums in the world?

During my visit, I was hoping to get a glimpse of the first great white shark in captivity, but I found out that the most recent shark was only a temporary resident for a period of one month. It was released in September of 2008, because the shark was not eating regularly.

For many travelers like myself, there is much to see at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, especially for travelers accompanied with children and young adults. Inside is a world of wonder are exhibits of sea creatures and animals only seen in the depths in the oceans and from outward lands indigenous to us. These exhibits display sea otters, the large Blue Fin Tuna, sharks, sea turtles, jelly fish, and one of the newest attractions, the seahorse exhibit and the penguin exhibit.


The absolute must see is the “Jellies of the World” exhibit. It’s an awe-inspiring experience that all must experience as is the seahorse exhibit, which was recently opened in April. Hundreds of people flocked to see the seahorse aquarium, so it was a difficult task to get an up close and personal look.

I was amazed at the renovation of the Outer Bay exhibit. Originally built in 1996, this unbelievable exhibit houses a whooping 1.2 million gallons of sea water is the largest aquarium of open ocean animals is the largest aquarium in Northern America. Here you will see scores of tuna zipping by the gigantic acrylic viewing windows. Only at Monterey Bay Aquarium can you see wild life as it can only be seen 60 miles off the shores of California. More impressive is the entrance to the Outer bay exhibit, where you will see the ocean in a 360 degree view of inside the ocean. Above you see thousands of anchovies circling the overview of the aquarium.

During one of the many activities available to do at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, I saw “Tagging Predators” which is a 15 minute movie about the lives of tuna, sea turtles, and sharks and how scientists tag and study animals of the sea. These 15 minute movies change on a daily basis for tourists to experience if they happen to come on a different day.




There was literally too much to see in one day. I know I missed a few exhibits, due to the huge weekend crowd. If you happen to come to Monterey Bay Aquarium, come early and plan on staying all day and don’t miss a thing. With a price tag of $29.95 for adults, $27.95 for students and seniors, and $17.95 for children, it is worth the ticket price. With all its awe and splendor, you will feel like a kid again, as did I.