Well hello there, and thank you for visiting.

This exhibit, one of our most popular and action-packed, is home to a fabulous assortment of charming and entertaining marine mammals. Plan to stay for a while as you get to know our gregarious sea otters, river otters, harbor seals and fur seals – and learn how to tell the difference between them all!

Choose your view – you can watch animals swimming and diving underwater, on the surface from a spot at the edge of the exhibit, or from a comfortable perch in our new seating area. No matter where you are, you’ll be entranced by the antics of these wonderful creatures as they play, eat, groom, lounge, interact and more. And if you join us at 11:30am, 2pm or 5pm, you’ll enjoy one of our daily talks and animal feedings.

While you’re here, learn about the Seattle Aquarium’s long history with marine mammals. Our research and work impacts not only the animals in our care, but captive and wild populations around the globe as well. We are proud to have the distinction of being the first facility in the world to have a sea otter conceived and born in captivity – and subsequently live to adulthood. We are actively involved in captive fur seal breeding efforts, and were the first to have a northern fur seal conceived and born in captivity.

Construction Alert - Harbor Seal Exhibit

Proposed harbor seal viewing.

We’re embarking on an exciting transformation of our harbor seal exhibit—which means that Barney and Q need to make their homes elsewhere for the time being. Until our construction is complete, they’re residing at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma.

While we’ll definitely miss Barney and Q, we’re also very excited about the new home we’re creating for them. The renovated exhibit will feature increased water depth; more dry resting area (or haul-out space) for the seals to enjoy; acrylic viewing panels on three sides so you’ll be able to see even more of these popular, playful marine mammals; and seating for up to 100 visitors (or three entire classrooms of school children!). Plus, the improved space will allow us to increase our harbor seal collection from two animals to three or even four. We anticipate the new exhibit will open to the public in June of 2013.

You can help bring the vision to life and build a new home for our harbor seals! Click here for more information and to make a donation.