santa monica pier aquarium

815staceyh

We were lucky to go when they were feeding the sharks and the girls were able to feed them a fish! This was a trip highlight!!! They feed the sharks once a week so call ahead to find out when. The biologist there was so nice. When she saw how interested the girls were she even took out some stuff that wasn't on display and let them touch it. She explained so many things to them in simple language. This place is small and run by volunteers but my 7 and 12 year old girls thought it was great!

Palomared

This aquarium is pretty good for being a small aquarium, they have baby sharks, starfish, moray eels, fish, jelly fish, and other cool sea creatures. They also have a little kids area.

TiffanyH447

This was included in our Go Pass but we likely would have paid the $5 to go in. The place is tiny but the staff is great. They took the time to talk about many of the local species and we spent a lot of time in the touch tank. Tiny rays and sharks were fun to see up close and they were sharks about to hatch.

CindyLeighCohn

Always fun to see these colorful fish up close and personal. Clean and birght setting. Easy access and fun for all ages.

hikingdude

Yes it is nowhere the size and scope of the Long Beach aquarium. However, if you are at the pier and you have kids, it is a good place to come to see local sea life. If you join Heal the Bay, then you get in free, so we visit quite a bit. They have small sharks you can see up close. In fact, you can see some in their birth egg sacs. There are also some touch tanks and other tanks of sea jellies, eels and other life. Does not take long to see but kids seem to like it.

TheTravelingKitchen

This aquarium is very small and not really what you would think of when you normally go to an aquarium. There are some touching tanks that allow you to check out some of the ocean life that you would find around the area. Most of the aquarium is filled with conservation information and teaches you on how to do your part to keep the ocean great. The hours are Friday: 2-5pm, and Weekends: 12:30-5pm. The cost is $5 for adults, kids 12 and under are free. If you have kids you might be there for awhile looking through all of the displays and playing with the different "hands on" items. If you don't have any kids you could see everything in about 30 minutes.

Flhappy

Really needs work. Creepy looking and dirty.Day I was there a line of 50 kids were waiting. Hope they had fun but I thought it looked dirty.

AprylDL

This is a small aquarium under the Santa Monica Pier. It's run by Heal the Bay, a non-profit and it has a large volunteer base. If you're expecting marine mammal shows with over-the-top trainers then this isn't your place. Come here to learn what is in the water just off our coast and take the time to soak in all of the exhibits.Highly recommend. Children will love it and learn from it. Adults will learn quite a bit also.

zaz936

Good little aquarium made excellent by staff that supervise it.We learned about the areas biology. My daughters could touch star fish, crabs, sponge,and many other little sea creatures.You can observe the fauna that lives under the pier, a sea horse and a jelly fish. Kids can play and read and color.A nice break from the heat and from walking while learning about the sea.I would recommend for families with very small children and to get coupons before you go for the adults. You can find the aquarium at the entrance of pier, below it.

dinerdon

A great intro into Marine Biology for young children. Its small, but interesting. Lots of touch tanks and the staff are friendly, informative, and helpful. I think they are volunteers. Most of the exhibits are local specimens, not a lot of exotic species. Small but again, great for a young persons attention span. Adults who have had limited exposure to marine life will find it interesting and worth the $5 fee. A must for kids when visiting the pier.

dahliag2014

I took my grand-daughter to the Santa Monica Pier for 1 on 1 time for her 3rd birthday. I've been there several times before and it's always beautiful. We went to the aquarium (tiny, so not overwhelming) We then rode the carousel and finally the Pacific Ferris Wheel. All in all, it was a perfect way to spend time with my little one on her special day. The weather as always, was gorgeous!

christinecO7889FG

Our second visit to the pier saw it with different eyes, a trip back in time. The walk ways have been replaced which was a step towards a facelift. School holidays, very busy, however was good to see the kids enjoying themselves. Love that wheel and its illuminations.

janejets0n

It has a lot of variety, but it is not overwhelming for young children. You can visit in less than an hour. The volunteers and staff are knowledgeable and friendly.

CAChristy

Super small but still cute. 12 and under area free and I think it was a couple of bucks for the rest of our family. I wouldn't race down there to do that for the day because the whole place will take 30 min. But we still enjoyed ourselves.

Ernani94

very well maintained and clean. i love aquariums but this one is one of the best i've ever been to. dont miss it