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Regular hours: 9:30 am – 6 pm
Last entry at 5 pm

Pier 59

A white wave shape.

Discover Pier 59 at the Seattle Aquarium

The building where it all began! Pier 59, a designated City of Seattle landmark and testament to the central waterfront’s rich and varied history, is home to some of our most popular habitats and experiences. Plus, no visit to the Seattle Aquarium is complete without stops at our café and gift shop, which are housed within Pier 59 as well.

The ring of Life

You can literally step through this habitat—it’s a beautifully lit, ever-changing, 12-foot high acrylic ring filled with luminous moon jellies. Watch in wonder as they gently drift through the water, floating up, down and around the ring, and learn about their fascinating life cycle via the adjacent signage. (This is also one of the Aquarium’s most popular selfie spots!)

Giant Pacific octopus

Come eye to eye with the world’s largest octopus species and one of the most elusive and interesting creatures found in the Salish Sea: the giant Pacific octopus. The circular habitat offers ample opportunities to observe this intelligent cephalopod up close—along with neighbors including sea stars, anemones and other invertebrates.

A Closer Look table 

There’s always something new to discover in this rotating habitat space, highlighting a changing variety of plankton, fish and invertebrates species—with Aquarium interpreters on hand to help you explore. Come take a deeper dive and learn some fascinating animal facts with us!

Virtual reality experience

Get ready to be mesmerized by our virtual reality (VR) experience! With state-of-the-art motion seats and VR dive goggles that provide a full 360-degree view, you’ll feel like you’re really part of the action. Learn about the current experience on our daily activities page.

Check ticket availability when you arrive for your Aquarium visit. Tickets are $7 per person for Aquarium members and $9 per person for non-members. Space for our virtual reality experiences is limited, with sessions offered every 15 minutes. Seats and goggles are cleaned between sessions.

A child and other individuals sitting inside large pod shaped chairs while wearing virtual reality headsets while taking part of the VR experience at the Seattle Aquarium.

Shopping and dining

Seattle Aquarium gift shop

Be sure to circle back through the gift shop after exploring the many captivating habitats and animals found in Pier 60. A portion of the proceeds from your purchases helps advance the nonprofit Aquarium’s mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment.

You can also shop online! The Aquarium exit is also located through the gift shop.

Seattle Aquarium café

Enjoy a delicious snack or meal in our indoor café! Vegetarian and vegan options are available. Also offering an espresso bar, full-service coffee, beer, wine and cocktails.

The café is located on the second level, above the Ackerley Foundation Puget Sound Hall. You can access it via the stairs in Puget Sound Hall, or the stairs/elevator between the Window on Washington Waters and Crashing Waves habitats. Signs throughout the Aquarium will help direct you there. 

Souvenir photos

Remember your Seattle Aquarium experience with a souvenir photo!

We’ve partnered with Showtime Pictures to offer this service. You can have your photo taken near the Aquarium’s entrance, then purchase and pick it up before you head home.

If you forget your photo—or decide later that you’d like one—you can still purchase and order at ShowtimePictures.com.

To contact Showtime Pictures please email customersupport@showtimepictures.com or call 1-954-449-8840.

Additional amenities

Stroller parking

Located in the hallway between the Window on Washington Waters and Crashing Waves habitats. When needed, changing tables are available in all restrooms—please see our map for locations.

Group entrance

For school and community groups. Located on the south side of the pier, about midway down the outdoor walkway.

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Website maintenance

Please note: Our ticketing and membership systems will be offline for approximately two hours starting at 9pm Pacific on Tuesday, February 20. During the maintenance window, online ticketing and membership will not be available.

Thank you for understanding.

Support the Seattle Aquarium

Two sea otters at the Seattle Aquarium floating on the water in their habitat, holding onto each other demonstrating a rafting behavior.

With your help, the Seattle Aquarium builds connections with our community to inspire conservation and curiosity for marine life. When you make an end-of-year gift by December 31, you'll be joining us in protecting our shared marine environment—now and for generations to come. Thank you!

An adult sea otter at the Seattle Aquarium looking upwards with its front paws resting on its front.

Giving Tuesday

Make a tax-deductible donation to the non-profit Seattle Aquarium

Your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 thanks to a very generous anonymous donor!

Sea otter at the Seattle Aquarium laying on its back, raising its head and front paws.

Cyber weekend

Get 15% OFF all memberships!