AquariumWashington, US

Seattle Aquarium

The Seattle Aquarium is a premier destination for marine life exploration and conservation on the Emerald City's waterfront.

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About

The Seattle Aquarium is a premier destination for marine life exploration and conservation on the Emerald City's waterfront.

Discover the vibrant marine ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest and beyond, housed across three dynamic buildings: Piers 59, 60, and the newly opened Ocean Pavilion. From the immersive Window on Washington Waters and the 360-degree Underwater Dome showcasing local species like salmon and wolf eels, to the playful marine mammals including sea otters and harbor seals, there's a world of wonder to explore. The interactive Life on the Edge exhibit allows visitors to touch sea stars and anemones, while the Ocean Pavilion transports you to the biodiverse Coral Triangle with its stunning collection of sharks, rays, and tropical fish.

A visit to the Seattle Aquarium offers not just entertainment, but a profound connection to our world's oceans through engaging exhibits, daily animal feedings, and educational presentations. Its commitment to marine conservation, combined with its prime location on the scenic Seattle waterfront, makes it an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages, inspiring a deeper understanding and appreciation for marine life and environmental stewardship. Take the ultimate field guide with you: use the Snappit app to identify birds, plants, and animals on your trip.

The Seattle Aquarium first opened its doors on May 20, 1977, on Pier 59 of the Elliott Bay waterfront, replacing an earlier private aquarium. Initially owned and operated by the City of Seattle's Department of Parks and Recreation, its management transitioned in 2010 to the nonprofit Seattle Aquarium Society under a long-term operating agreement. Over the years, the aquarium has undergone significant expansions, including an 18,000-square-foot addition in 2007 that introduced the Window on Washington Waters and Crashing Waves exhibits. The most recent major addition, the Ocean Pavilion, opened in August 2024, further expanding its focus to include the rich biodiversity of the Coral Triangle, solidifying its role as a leading marine conservation and education center.

What to do here

Check the daily schedule upon arrival for animal feedings, diver presentations in the Window on Washington Waters, and puppet shows. Kids will love the **Caring Cove** play space, and a virtual reality experience is also available. Enjoy the stunning waterfront views from the cafe balcony.

Seasonal info

The Aquarium features both indoor and outdoor spaces. During cooler or rainy seasons, dress warmly, especially for the outdoor marine mammal habitats.

Accessibility

The Seattle Aquarium is wheelchair-accessible throughout its habitats and restrooms. Wheelchairs are available for checkout at Guest Services desks in both Pier 59 and the Ocean Pavilion on a first-come, first-served basis. The facility is also certified as sensory-inclusive, and sensory bags are available.

Don't miss

Don't miss the **Window on Washington Waters** tank, the immersive **Underwater Dome**, and the interactive **Life on the Edge** tide pools where you can touch sea stars. The **Marine Mammals** area offers engaging views of sea otters, harbor seals, and northern fur seals. The new **Ocean Pavilion** is a must-see for its tropical Coral Triangle ecosystem, featuring sharks, rays, and a vast array of colorful fish.

Wildlife you might spot

Each card links to a full Explore page with photos, traits, and fun facts.

Great Blue Heron

House Sparrow

Rock Pigeon

Snap map for this place

Start with the big picture, then zoom in to explore individual wildlife observations around this place.

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Good to know before you go

Purchase tickets online in advance

This helps secure your preferred entry time and can often save you money compared to walk-up rates.

Check the daily activity schedule

Plan your visit around scheduled animal feedings and diver talks to see marine life at their most active and engage with educators.

Dress in layers

The Aquarium has both indoor and outdoor areas, including open-air exhibits for marine mammals. Dressing in layers ensures comfort regardless of the Seattle weather.

Consider public transport or pre-booked parking: The Aquarium is located on the busy downtown waterfront. Using public transportation or booking parking ahead of time via services like SpotHero can save time and hassle.

Utilize the interactive exhibits

Don't shy away from the touch pools in the "Life on the Edge" exhibit, where staff can guide you to safely interact with sea stars and other invertebrates. For younger children, the "Caring Cove" play space offers hands-on learning.

Bring a reusable water bottle

The Aquarium provides touchless water-bottle-filling stations throughout, promoting sustainability.

Frequently asked questions

: The Seattle Aquarium is home to a diverse array of marine life from the Pacific Northwest and the tropical Coral Triangle. Visitors can see iconic creatures such as Giant Pacific Octopuses, playful sea otters, harbor seals, northern fur seals, and various seabirds like tufted puffins. Exhibits also feature numerous fish species including salmon, rockfish, and wolf eels, along with invertebrates like sea stars, anemones, and moon jellies. The new Ocean Pavilion introduces tropical species like blacktip reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, and a vibrant collection of tropical fish and corals.
: Most visitors find that 1 to 2 hours is a good amount of time to explore the Seattle Aquarium's main exhibits. However, if you wish to attend animal feedings, educational presentations, or spend more time at interactive displays like the touch pools and the new Ocean Pavilion, you may want to allocate more time, up to half a day.
: Yes, the Seattle Aquarium is committed to being accessible to all guests. All habitats and restrooms are wheelchair-accessible, and wheelchairs can be borrowed from Guest Services desks in Pier 59 and the Ocean Pavilion. The aquarium is also a certified sensory-inclusive facility and offers sensory bags to assist visitors with sensory sensitivities.