Press Room

Media will have the opportunity to tour and capture photos and video clips of the Seattle Aquarium as it reopens its doors to visitors following a temporary closure due to COVID-19. 

SEATTLE, WA —The Seattle Aquarium will open its doors to visitors on Tuesday, February 9, following a temporary closure to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Visitors will once again be able to visit fan favorites like the Aquarium’s sea otters and giant Pacific octopuses. The Aquarium will be open from 9:30am to 6pm seven days a week.

Make a difference for the temporarily closed Seattle Aquarium and our marine environment by participating in Giving Tuesday! This year, your gift will benefit the Seattle Aquarium’s 2020 Resilience Fund and our continued service to the community after being closed for 16 weeks last spring and reopening at only 15% of our total capacity, and our current temporary closure to the public.

In accordance with the new restrictions set forth by Governor Inslee yesterday reflecting the recent and rapid spread of COVID-19 throughout the state and across the country, the Aquarium will temporarily close effective tomorrow, November 17.

The Seattle Aquarium is excited to announce the launch of Sea Color, a new, ocean-themed coloring app with proceeds supporting the Aquarium’s mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, developed in collaboration with Tangible, an art and design studio based in Vancouver, B.C. 

Local Lummi artist Daniel Friday brings traditional Coast Salish perspective, honoring Seattle Aquarium’s location on Native land.

Sharks are so important to the ecosystem that the Seattle Aquarium is celebrating them for a whole month! Whether you visit the Aquarium in person or connect virtually, you’ll be able to learn about the diverse and important lives of sharks.

Why are Pacific salmon and the endangered southern resident orca population so critically important, and what are the connections between them? Join the Seattle Aquarium in October to learn more about salmon and our local orcas as we celebrate these amazing animals and the connections between them.

This year’s fundraiser is free and open to the public. Donations will support the Aquarium’s Resilience Fund.

Seattle, Wash. — The Seattle Aquarium and Honorary Chairs Ellen and Tom Gonser announce the virtual version of the annual splash! gala, taking place on Friday, September 25, at 7pm.

Everyone is encouraged to register for the event and spend the evening celebrating Puget Sound and our world’s one ocean while helping to ensure the Seattle Aquarium’s important work continues. With no ticket cost to register, the Aquarium hopes the community will join together for this online fundraiser in support of its mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment.

SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle Aquarium is deeply saddened to announce that Leu, one of our beloved northern fur seals, has passed away. He was one of just 10 northern fur seals living in zoos and aquariums in the United States.

Seattle Aquarium animal care staff discovered Leu unresponsive in his habitat early in the morning on August 26. A rescue protocol was quickly initiated and CPR applied. “The Aquarium’s professional animal care team were vigorous in their response, following the established protocol for just this type of event,” said Seattle Aquarium Director of Life Sciences Grant Abel. Despite their best efforts, Leu couldn’t be revived.

Watch our COO, Brad Rutherford, describe some of the changes visitors will encounter in the reopened Seattle Aquarium in this clip from KIRO 7.