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Ocean Pavilion

A white wave shape.

A NEW VISION FOR THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM

From Puget Sound to the tropics, we share one ocean. Today, threats to those waters — from human activities like overfishing, plastic pollution and fossil fuel consumption — continue to cause marine life to vanish at astonishing rates. And damage the ocean’s ability to sustain life on Earth. The good news? Together, we can regenerate the ocean’s health so that it can sustain life today and beyond.

re·gen·er·ate (verb)

To restore what has been lost or damaged so that all living things can thrive

Our actions — whether regenerative or damaging — are felt across Earth’s connected waters. Even parts of the ocean we might never otherwise see. The ocean’s story is a global story that includes all of us. We’re committed to telling that story.

A GATEWAY CONNECTING YOU TO OUR OCEAN

As the first of several planned steps in transforming our campus, our Ocean Pavilion — scheduled to open in 2024 — will enable people of all abilities and backgrounds to discover new corners of our one-world ocean.

When you visit, you’ll witness the exquisite biodiversity of a reef ecosystem in the Coral Triangle, a region far from our local waters but facing strikingly similar problems. You’ll come face-to-face with sharks, rays, schooling fish, mangroves, seagrasses and nearly 30 species of coral. These exceptional plants and animals will draw you into their world to deliver a profound message: by working to regenerate their homes, we’ll save our own.

As a complement to in-person connections, you’ll be able to explore the depths and wonder of our ocean virtually through state-of-the-art immersive digital storytelling. Throughout the Ocean Pavilion, you’ll come to understand how our fate and the ocean’s are bound together.

3,500 amazing animals and plants enable you to experience Coral Triangle ecosystems

NEW SPACE TO CARE FOR NEW RESIDENTS

The Aquarium’s new, offsite Animal Care Center — led by a passionate, expert team — is the hub for our animal care and rehabilitation efforts. For animals who’ll live in the Ocean Pavilion, the Animal Care Center serves as their first stop to gently acclimate to their new environment. Here, we’ll get to know these creatures as individuals and make sure they’re ready to thrive in their new Ocean Pavilion habitats.

GO BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE ANIMAL CARE CENTER TO MEET OUR DEDICATED TEAM

DESIGNED TO BENEFIT PEOPLE AND PLANET

The Ocean Pavilion — adjacent and just to the east of the current Seattle Aquarium — will create new public space and increase accessibility between Pike Place Market and the waterfront by connecting to Seattle’s new Overlook Walk.

The Ocean Pavilion’s public plaza will provide a view into its largest habitat, so anyone who passes through the park can witness a reef ecosystem without purchasing a ticket. In the public plaza, you’ll encounter Aquarium staff and volunteers sharing knowledge. And you’ll discover public art created by and honoring the Coast Salish people on whose traditional and contemporary territories the Aquarium resides. We’ll continue to partner with more than 400 non-profit organizations to extend access to the Aquarium for the communities they serve.

We’re working toward next-generation global sustainability standards — known as Living Building Challenge Petal Certification — for the Ocean Pavilion’s climate impact and water use. Our goal is to become the first building owned by the City of Seattle, and the first of many aquariums, to earn this certification.

Our expanded facilities will give us the resources to help restore more endangered marine species at home and across the ocean.

Rendering of the front exterior of the future Ocean Pavilion viewed from the waterfront walkway.

EXCITED ABOUT THE OCEAN PAVILION? OTHERS ARE, TOO.

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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.

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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.

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