There’s so much to do and see when you visit us!
Learn From Our Experts
You'll find friendly and helpful staff and volunteers throughout the Aquarium who are happy to answer your questions and help you learn more about our many amazing animals and habitats. Just look for the folks in blue!
Daily presentations
Join Aquarium staff for presentations happening daily throughout the Aquarium!
Please Note: Presentation times are subject to change
All About Our Washington Waters
Window on Washington Waters
Times:
10am, 11:45am, 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 3pm
Come experience the Window on Washington Waters habitat, devoted to marine life found in our local waters. You’ll meet the inhabitants of the rocky reef and kelp forest ecosystem found in the Salish Sea.
All About Our Harbor Seals
Harbor seal habitat
Times:
10:45am
Get to know the harbor seals that call Seattle Aquarium home! Learn how we care for them, and hear amazing facts about the most common marine mammals in the Salish Sea.
Marine Mammal Feeding
Marine mammal habitats
Times:
11:30am
Join us for a feeding at one of our marine mammal habitats: harbor seals, sea otters or northern fur seals. The location changes daily—ask a Seattle Aquarium representative about which animals are scheduled to be fed when you arrive for your visit.
All About Our Northern Fur Seals
Northern fur seal habitat
Times:
1pm
Come learn more about Chiidax and Flaherty, the northern fur seals living at the Seattle Aquarium.
All About Our Sea Otters
Sea otter habitat
Times:
2:15pm
Join us for an introduction to our sea otters! Get to know more about this iconic endangered species and learn how we care for the individuals that call the Seattle Aquarium home.
All About Our Marine Mammals
Marine mammal habitats
Times:
4pm
Learn about the amazing harbor seals, sea otters and northern fur seals who call the Aquarium home. The location of this event varies daily. Check with a Seattle Aquarium representative when you arrive for your visit.
Sea Otter Feeding
Sea otter habitat
Times:
4:45pm
Join Mishka and Seiku, our delightful sea otter duo, for a feeding in their habitat.
Virtual reality experience: swim with humpback whales
Who: Aquarium visitors (must be at least 42” tall)
Where: Family Activity Center, adjacent to the Underwater Dome habitat.
When: 10–11:45am and 1–5:15pm daily; last session at 5:15pm. Schedule subject to change.
Cost: $7 per person for Aquarium members; $9 per person for non-members.
Tickets: Available from the Guest Services counter at the Aquarium’s main entrance and in the Family Activity Center
Be mesmerized by our new virtual reality experience! With state-of-the-art motion seats and VR dive goggles that provide a full 360° view, you’ll feel like you’re really below the surface, swimming alongside majestic humpback whales.
This immersive, six-minute experience, guided by a marine scientist who studies humpback whales, focuses on behavior patterns of mothers and their calves—and also features inspiring stories of recent humpback conservation efforts.
Check ticket availability when you arrive for your Aquarium visit! Space for these virtual reality experiences is limited to four people per session, with sessions offered every 15 minutes. Seats and goggles are fully cleaned between sessions.
In many places around the world, including here in the U.S., only professionals with legal permits are allowed to approach marine mammals on boats, in the water or on beaches. For your safety and the safety of the whales, please delight in the behaviors of our marine mammal friends from a distance.
Here in Washington, please stay 400 yards/366 meters from orcas—and give them more space whenever possible. You can learn more about our work in advocating to hasten orca recovery on our Ocean Policy and Advocacy page. We also encourage you to explore Be Whale Wise, a partnership of governmental agencies, nonprofits and other stakeholders in British Columbia and Washington state to research, implement and educate regarding laws and best vessel practices to protect the unique and fragile marine resources found in the area.
Thank you to our virtual reality experience partner, Immotion.
More to see and do
Animals
Get to know the amazing fish, invertebrates, birds and mammals that make their homes with us! As you explore the Aquarium, you may have the opportunity to see animal feedings or even animals being trained to voluntarily participate in their own health care. And our friendly staff and volunteers are always at the ready to answer questions and help you learn more.
Caring Cove
Discover Caring Cove, an open play space where kids can deepen their connections to marine animals and their habitats by play-acting a variety of animal care activities. Caring Cove features six different areas—many stocked with toy instruments based on the equipment used by our animal care staff—that encourage and support imaginative play for toddlers through children ages 8–10.
Life On The Edge Tide Pools
Step up, lean over and reach in! Staff and volunteers are always nearby to identify the animals in the tide pools, answer questions and deepen your knowledge about Puget Sound. Even if you opt not to get your hands wet, you’ll still be enriched by the beautiful sights, smells and sounds of this habitat.
Catastrophe by the Sea
A musical, empathy-themed puppet show
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
10:30am, 11am and 1:45pm
In the Ackerley Foundation Puget Sound Hall
Come join Catastrophe the cat’s misadventure through the intertidal flats: Sing along to the groovy tunes of the Barnacle Band, dance to the rhythmic harmonizing of Anemone and more during our fun, 20-minute puppet show!
Catastrophe by the Sea is based on the children’s book of the same name, which was written by Brenda Peterson and illustrated by Ed Young, and developed in partnership to support our work on empathy for wildlife.
Scuba Divers
Be on the lookout for our scuba divers, who take to the water at different times throughout the day in our Window on Washington Waters habitat!
Wearing specialized masks, the divers are able to talk back and forth with Aquarium interpreters on the outside (or “dry side”) of the habitat and answer your questions. You'll have the chance to learn more about the various fish that you can find in our Washington waters during these unique encounters.
Stay tuned for new special engagements coming soon!