Monterey Bay Aquarium Review - 3.5 hours (Zoo/Aquarium #28 on the trip)
I had visited Monterey Bay in 2006, and so going back and seeing some new additions was a pleasant and rewarding experience. I believe that Monterey is one of the big three aquariums in North America, although I'd place Chicago's Shedd Aquarium in the #1 position and Atlanta's Georgia Aquarium in the #2 position. Monterey lacks whale sharks, beluga whales, seals and sea lions (at least in captivity) but still pulls off utter brilliance with many outstanding exhibits.
The Best:
Location & Local Wildlife - the aquarium is literally built right on Monterey Bay, and to see the Pacific Ocean wash up literally right next to the building is fantastic. There is a tidal pool of ocean water that contained 4 different groups of scuba-diving visitors on the day that I was there, as it appears that many people pay extra to go into the ocean in an attempt to learn how to scuba dive. I saw one California sea lion and at least 10-12 harbour seals either swimming near kayaking vacationers or perched on half-submerged rocks. There are also numerous sea gulls and cormorants that fly around the harbour seals, and so the marvellous wildlife simply adds to the experience. There is even a large plastic board outside that lists all of the killer whales, humpback whales, dolphins, sea otters, etc, that have been seen cruising past the aquarium in the past month.
Wild About Otters - previously in this gallery there were multiple shark tanks and a huge shark theme that stretched through two different corridors. There was something like 20-30 different species in a variety of tanks, and I was disappointed to learn that about a year and a half ago it was renovated and the sharks were removed. However, the new section is devoted to otters and is top-notch. There are at least 3 spotted-necked otters in two different habitats (that look like they could possibly be joined together somewhere) and 4 Asian small-clawed otters in another large habitat. This kid-friendly section of the aquarium also has large placards with details on every single otter species, drawings of every species along the walls, and even a full-size statue of a giant otter. There are also a number of other tanks that exhibit otter prey, and the entire section is excellent.
Kelp Forest - awesome, 3-story, 2-level, enormous kelp forest that literally sways back and forth with the motion of the waves in the massive tank. Leopard sharks and a number of other fish species swim around in this gorgeous, first-class tank that dwarfs the visitors who gaze up at this underwater forest. Much bigger and better than any other kelp tanks at any other aquariums, and there is even a kid-sized kelp forest in another area of the building.
Monterey Bay Habitats - another massive tank, complete with a bewildering variety of fish. There are loads of other tanks and interactive exhibits all around this huge central tank, including eels, crayfish, lobsters, crabs, fish, giant pacific octopus, touch tanks and everything else that anyone would want to see in an aquarium. One of the best features are the concave viewing holes that curve into the aquarium...so little kids can climb into these holes and see the fish swimming around them.
Coastal Birds - beautiful exhibit with a small wading pool, a sandy beach, and a deeper pool that has wave motions in it. Across from this walk-through, open-air habitat is a huge tank with small sharks and bat rays that can be touched by visitors.
Jellyfish - probably more jellyfish than any other aquarium, as two areas of the aquarium are devoted to all types of species of these bizarre and yet pretty creatures.
Outer Bay - million gallon tank with hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, tuna, barracudas, ocean sunfish and the occasional great white shark (no shark at the moment). In 2006 I was blown away by the immense size of the tank, even though it is devoid of any plant life or rocks whatsoever. But that's the open ocean, right? Now after seeing the 6 million gallon tank full of 4 whale sharks, thousands of fish of all sizes, plants and rocks everywhere at the Georgia Aquarium...this million gallon tank at Monterey isn't nearly as impressive. If you don't go to Georgia then Monterey's huge tank is amazing, but Georgia's whale shark tank that is over 6 million gallons is the best single tank exhibit in all of North America. Who can compete with that?
Sea Otters - 5 otters in a 2-level exhibit that is always crowded because it is centrally located in the building. The only downfall here is that a visitor can't look down on the otters, but seeing them in their deep pool is a treat.
Splash Zone & Flippers Zone - two large children's areas, with loads of small tanks, interactive activities, toys, costumes, and spongey floors and play areas for small kids. The African black-footed penguins can be found here, and even though the aquarium has had 3 and sometimes 4 different penguin species at various times...only the black-footed are here now.
The Worst:
I skipped my usual "average" section because everything in Monterey is extremely well done, but my only beef is that it is too popular! It is actually a complaint that I have with all the aquariums that I've visited, as they aren't spacious like zoos where the crowds can sometimes thin out to nothing. In aquariums thousands of people are visiting an area that is only a few acres in size, and so inevitably there are line-ups at every single tank.
Overall:
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a fantastic place for visitors of all ages, and is especially kid friendly for young children. Even the gift shop (with an informative $10 history book), cafe, entrance foyer, life-size killer and humpback whale models hanging from the ceiling and everything else is brilliantly organized. Re-visiting after only two years was never a problem, as the new otter habitats and renovated splash zone led to a brand new experience.
I think that Shedd Aquarium has only a few smallish exhibits but is otherwise a flawless aquarium that is the best in North America and possibly the world. The Georgia Aquarium is the largest on the planet, and has a stunning whale shark tank that is absolutely awesome, but its larger animal tanks are disappointingly average in quality. Monterey Bay is basically a flawless aquarium, but lacks the visitor favourites like whale sharks, beluga whales, dolphins and seals/sea lions. However, when some of those animals can be found directly outside it's tough to quibble with what is found swimming around in tanks indoors.
I had visited Monterey Bay in 2006, and so going back and seeing some new additions was a pleasant and rewarding experience. I believe that Monterey is one of the big three aquariums in North America, although I'd place Chicago's Shedd Aquarium in the #1 position and Atlanta's Georgia Aquarium in the #2 position. Monterey lacks whale sharks, beluga whales, seals and sea lions (at least in captivity) but still pulls off utter brilliance with many outstanding exhibits.
The Best:
Location & Local Wildlife - the aquarium is literally built right on Monterey Bay, and to see the Pacific Ocean wash up literally right next to the building is fantastic. There is a tidal pool of ocean water that contained 4 different groups of scuba-diving visitors on the day that I was there, as it appears that many people pay extra to go into the ocean in an attempt to learn how to scuba dive. I saw one California sea lion and at least 10-12 harbour seals either swimming near kayaking vacationers or perched on half-submerged rocks. There are also numerous sea gulls and cormorants that fly around the harbour seals, and so the marvellous wildlife simply adds to the experience. There is even a large plastic board outside that lists all of the killer whales, humpback whales, dolphins, sea otters, etc, that have been seen cruising past the aquarium in the past month.
Wild About Otters - previously in this gallery there were multiple shark tanks and a huge shark theme that stretched through two different corridors. There was something like 20-30 different species in a variety of tanks, and I was disappointed to learn that about a year and a half ago it was renovated and the sharks were removed. However, the new section is devoted to otters and is top-notch. There are at least 3 spotted-necked otters in two different habitats (that look like they could possibly be joined together somewhere) and 4 Asian small-clawed otters in another large habitat. This kid-friendly section of the aquarium also has large placards with details on every single otter species, drawings of every species along the walls, and even a full-size statue of a giant otter. There are also a number of other tanks that exhibit otter prey, and the entire section is excellent.
Kelp Forest - awesome, 3-story, 2-level, enormous kelp forest that literally sways back and forth with the motion of the waves in the massive tank. Leopard sharks and a number of other fish species swim around in this gorgeous, first-class tank that dwarfs the visitors who gaze up at this underwater forest. Much bigger and better than any other kelp tanks at any other aquariums, and there is even a kid-sized kelp forest in another area of the building.
Monterey Bay Habitats - another massive tank, complete with a bewildering variety of fish. There are loads of other tanks and interactive exhibits all around this huge central tank, including eels, crayfish, lobsters, crabs, fish, giant pacific octopus, touch tanks and everything else that anyone would want to see in an aquarium. One of the best features are the concave viewing holes that curve into the aquarium...so little kids can climb into these holes and see the fish swimming around them.
Coastal Birds - beautiful exhibit with a small wading pool, a sandy beach, and a deeper pool that has wave motions in it. Across from this walk-through, open-air habitat is a huge tank with small sharks and bat rays that can be touched by visitors.
Jellyfish - probably more jellyfish than any other aquarium, as two areas of the aquarium are devoted to all types of species of these bizarre and yet pretty creatures.
Outer Bay - million gallon tank with hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, tuna, barracudas, ocean sunfish and the occasional great white shark (no shark at the moment). In 2006 I was blown away by the immense size of the tank, even though it is devoid of any plant life or rocks whatsoever. But that's the open ocean, right? Now after seeing the 6 million gallon tank full of 4 whale sharks, thousands of fish of all sizes, plants and rocks everywhere at the Georgia Aquarium...this million gallon tank at Monterey isn't nearly as impressive. If you don't go to Georgia then Monterey's huge tank is amazing, but Georgia's whale shark tank that is over 6 million gallons is the best single tank exhibit in all of North America. Who can compete with that?
Sea Otters - 5 otters in a 2-level exhibit that is always crowded because it is centrally located in the building. The only downfall here is that a visitor can't look down on the otters, but seeing them in their deep pool is a treat.
Splash Zone & Flippers Zone - two large children's areas, with loads of small tanks, interactive activities, toys, costumes, and spongey floors and play areas for small kids. The African black-footed penguins can be found here, and even though the aquarium has had 3 and sometimes 4 different penguin species at various times...only the black-footed are here now.
The Worst:
I skipped my usual "average" section because everything in Monterey is extremely well done, but my only beef is that it is too popular! It is actually a complaint that I have with all the aquariums that I've visited, as they aren't spacious like zoos where the crowds can sometimes thin out to nothing. In aquariums thousands of people are visiting an area that is only a few acres in size, and so inevitably there are line-ups at every single tank.
Overall:
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a fantastic place for visitors of all ages, and is especially kid friendly for young children. Even the gift shop (with an informative $10 history book), cafe, entrance foyer, life-size killer and humpback whale models hanging from the ceiling and everything else is brilliantly organized. Re-visiting after only two years was never a problem, as the new otter habitats and renovated splash zone led to a brand new experience.
I think that Shedd Aquarium has only a few smallish exhibits but is otherwise a flawless aquarium that is the best in North America and possibly the world. The Georgia Aquarium is the largest on the planet, and has a stunning whale shark tank that is absolutely awesome, but its larger animal tanks are disappointingly average in quality. Monterey Bay is basically a flawless aquarium, but lacks the visitor favourites like whale sharks, beluga whales, dolphins and seals/sea lions. However, when some of those animals can be found directly outside it's tough to quibble with what is found swimming around in tanks indoors.
