Seattle Aquarium

Seattle Aquarium, nestled on Pier 59 along the stunning Elliott Bay waterfront, is a vibrant marine sanctuary that has been enchanting visitors since its opening in 1977. This remarkable institution is not just an aquarium but a gateway to the mesmerizing underwater world of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Seattle Aquarium is a beacon of marine conservation and education, drawing over 800,000 visitors annually, including 50,000 students who come to learn about the vital importance of our oceans.

The History of Seattle Aquarium

The journey of the Seattle Aquarium began with a vision to replace an existing private aquarium and create a public space dedicated to marine life. This vision was realized through the 1968 Forward Thrust ballot initiative, which led to the selection of a site on the north side of Pier 59. Construction commenced in early 1975, and the aquarium opened its doors to the public on May 20, 1977. The opening was celebrated with great fanfare, including the release of salmon fingerlings into Elliott Bay and a three-day waterfront festival. The initial construction cost was $5.4 million, and the facility was designed in consultation with local scientists to ensure an authentic and educational experience.

Exploring Seattle Aquarium

The Seattle Aquarium is a treasure trove of marine wonders, housed in three distinct buildings: Pier 59, Pier 60, and the newly opened Ocean Pavilion. Each building offers unique exhibits that transport visitors into the depths of the ocean, showcasing the diverse and vibrant marine life of the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Pier 59: A Dive into Local Waters

At Pier 59, visitors are greeted by the Window on Washington Waters, a 120,000-gallon tank that replicates the coastal waters of Washington state. This exhibit features native marine life, including salmon, rockfish, and sea anemones. Dive shows are a highlight here, where divers interact with visitors through special masks, providing a captivating and educational experience.

Next, the Life on the Edge exhibit invites visitors to get hands-on with marine life in touch tanks. Here, you can feel the textures of sea stars, urchins, and sea cucumbers, and learn about the tide pool ecosystems of Washington's outer coast and Seattle's inland sea.

The Pacific Coral Reef exhibit transports you to a man-made coral reef habitat in a 25,000-gallon tank. This exhibit showcases the vibrant and diverse life of coral reefs, home to a quarter of all marine species despite covering only 0.5% of the Earth's surface.

The Crashing Waves exhibit is a 40-foot wave tank that simulates the dynamic intertidal zones of Washington's shores. Here, you can observe sea cucumbers, snails, and limpets thriving in their natural, wave-swept habitat.

Don't miss the Ring of Life, a 12-foot-high glass donut where visitors are surrounded by the ethereal glow of moon jellies. The Giant Pacific Octopus exhibit offers a mesmerizing view of one of the ocean's most intelligent and elusive creatures, native to the Puget Sound.

For younger visitors, the Caring Cove Play Space provides a child-friendly area where kids can dress up, play with plush marine animals, and explore faux tide pools. The Virtual Reality Experience offers an immersive dive into the underwater world every 15 minutes.

Pier 60: Underwater Wonders

The centerpiece of Pier 60 is the Underwater Dome, a 260-degree exhibit viewed from a transparent spherical room submerged in a 400,000-gallon tank. This exhibit features hundreds of species found in Puget Sound, including salmon, lingcod, sharks, and sturgeon, offering a breathtaking undersea panorama.

The Birds and Shores exhibit is an open-air habitat that houses native coastal birds like tufted puffins, rhinoceros auklets, and black oystercatchers. The habitat replicates their natural environment, complete with tidal pools and rocky cliffs.

The Marine Mammals area is a favorite among visitors, featuring harbor seals, Northern fur seals, sea otters, and river otters. This exhibit provides a glimpse into the lives of these fascinating creatures, both above and below the water.

The Puget Sound Fish exhibit is divided into three sections, showcasing the diverse fish communities of the Puget Sound, from eelgrass beds to deep sandy bottoms and rocky areas. Highlights include grunt sculpins, Pacific spiny lumpsuckers, and armored sturgeon poachers.

The Salmon Life Cycle exhibit educates visitors on the crucial role of salmon in the Pacific Northwest ecosystem and their significance to Native American cultures. The exhibit traces the salmon's journey from egg to adult, highlighting the challenges they face along the way.

A unique feature of the aquarium is the Veterinary Care Center, where visitors can observe marine life examinations and treatments by the veterinary staff, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the care and conservation efforts.

Ocean Pavilion: A New Frontier

The newly opened Ocean Pavilion is a state-of-the-art facility that focuses on the tropical Coral Triangle region of the Pacific Ocean near Indonesia. The pavilion features a 325,000-gallon tank for sharks and stingrays and showcases the diverse marine life of this vibrant ecosystem. Designed with sustainability in mind, the Ocean Pavilion recirculates 96% of its saltwater and uses innovative temperature management systems to maintain optimal conditions for its inhabitants.

Conservation and Education

The Seattle Aquarium is deeply committed to marine conservation and education. It participates in various conservation efforts, such as the ReShark initiative, which aims to restore zebra shark populations in Indonesia. The aquarium also works on the recovery of endangered pinto abalones around the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Educational programs at the aquarium cater to students of all ages, offering self-guided tours, educational clinics, digital learning options, and hands-on activities. During the pandemic, the aquarium supported distance learning by providing educational packages and online content, ensuring that the mission of marine education continued uninterrupted.

The Seattle Aquarium is more than just a place to observe marine life; it's a hub of learning, conservation, and inspiration. Whether you're a local or a visitor, a trip to the Seattle Aquarium promises an unforgettable journey into the wonders of the ocean, leaving you with a deeper appreciation for the marine world and the importance of protecting it.