Be an ocean champion—become a Seattle Aquarium member
Seattle Aquarium Membership
Join us to help protect marine animals and Earth’s one ocean. Your membership helps ensure that current generations and those to come can learn about and marvel at the connected waters that sustain us all.
EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS
Visit any day of the year
- 365 days of access to the Aquarium— there’s always something new to SEA!
- Reserved, member-only tickets for each daily entry time.
- Bring two guests at half price, per membership, every time you visit.
- Access to our members-only portal to reserve tickets and view benefits.
- Visit on the days that work best for your schedule—getting to know the animals in our care and our dedicated team of staff and volunteers.
Enjoy discounts
- $30 off tickets to our behind-the-scenes Above The Reef experience.
- 20% off tickets to our After Hours events.
- 10% off your purchases at our Gift Shops and Café (excluding alcoholic beverages).
- 10% off souvenir photos (annual photo pass available for an additional cost).
- 20% off marine summer camps.
- $2 off our virtual reality experiences.
Be an Aquarium VIP
- Join us for members-only early openings.
- Be among the first to know about our events.
- Special/early access to public and members-only Aquarium camps and programs.
- Month-long March is for Members celebration with unique perks and events each year.
Take advantage of additional perks
- Memberships to our nonprofit Aquarium are fully tax-deductible.
- Digital membership card.
- Monthly e-newsletter detailing the latest Aquarium news, events and savings.
- Dedicated membership team to assist with any questions.
YOUR MEMBERSHIP MAKES A DIFFERENCE
As a Seattle Aquarium member, you have a positive impact on the ocean every day. Your membership directly advances our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment by supporting care for the animals at the Aquarium, education and community outreach, animal and ecosystem conservation, and more.
Your membership is also a statement about your values and commitment to a healthy ocean for all. When you join us, you become part of a broad, inclusive coalition for conservation—by learning about what we do, participating in our programs, and sharing your experiences with your friends and family.
Current members
Reserve tickets, manage your current membership, renew your membership, and access exclusive member benefits by logging into the member portal.
Note:
Memberships are non-refundable, non-transferable and not for use by schools, daycares or other organizations.
Questions? View our membership FAQs.
REDUCED-PRICE MEMBERSHIP
Washington state residents with EBT, WIC or ProviderOne services cards qualify for a discounted membership. Please visit our hours, discounts, groups page for more information, and see our FAQs below for other membership discounts.
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
Explore our different membership levels and options—then choose the one that’s right for you.
Plus memberships
All membership benefits plus one free guest admission per visit.
Family Plus
$299 per year
x6
Up to two adults and six children + one free guest per visit
Standard memberships
All membership benefits
Give the gift of membership
Join a Donor Circle
When you join our community of supporters with a donation of $350 or more, you’re having an even deeper impact on ocean health—and playing a vital role in fulfilling our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment.
All donor circle levels include a Family Plus Membership with all associated benefits. By joining a donor circle, you’ll also receive access to unique opportunities and experiences to see your contribution in action.
Frequently asked questions
General membership FAQs
Can I use my Seattle Aquarium admission receipt toward a membership?
Yes! You can stop at the front desk at the end of your visit to upgrade to a membership. After that purchase, we’ll refund the general admission tickets that would have been free under the membership level you choose.
Example: If you have two admission tickets on one receipt and buy an Individual-level membership, one of the admission tickets will be refunded.
You can also contact the membership department within two weeks of your visit to take advantage of this offer. Simply purchase a membership online and then email us at membership@seattleaquarium.org to request a refund on your ticket(s).
How many children can I have on my membership?
With the Aquarium Family and Family Plus levels, you may have up to six of your children and/or grandchildren (ages 18 and under) visit with you through your membership. Because children ages 3 and under are always admitted free, a membership that includes children is not necessary for individuals or families with children under age 4.
What’s the best membership option for a family with a nanny and/or a grandparent who lives nearby?
Our Family Plus membership with a one free guest admission per visit is the best way to go if you have a nanny and/or a local grandparent.
Do you offer a membership for foster families?
The Seattle Aquarium is pleased to offer free admission to foster/kinship families during the Aquarium’s regular business hours. Foster/kinship families can also register for a $50 membership. To learn more, please visit our hours, discounts, groups page.
Do you offer memberships to schools, daycares, etc.?
No, our memberships are for household use only: individuals, couples (dual membership) and families .
Does the Aquarium offer any discounts on membership?
Yes!
- Employees of our corporate partners may qualify to receive a membership discount. Please check with your employer to see if you qualify.
- Washington State EBT, WIC or ProviderOne Services cardholders are eligible for a $50 membership. Details are provided on our hours, discounts, groups page.
How do I join a donor circle? And what are the benefits of doing so?
As a donor circle member, you deepen your impact on ocean health and play a vital role in advancing our nonprofit aquarium’s mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment.
In addition to the Family Plus Membership, and all associated benefits, that comes with every donor circle level, you’ll also receive access to unique opportunities and experiences to see your contribution in action.
Please call us at (206) 693-6236 if you have questions, or visit our support the Aquarium page.
Are Seattle Aquarium memberships tax deductible?
Yes, memberships are fully tax deductible. The Seattle Aquarium is a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, #91-1189249, registered in Washington state.
How do I purchase a membership gift certificate?
It’s easy! You can purchase here on our website or by calling us at (206) 838-3900.
How do I redeem a membership gift certificate?
Before the membership can become active, gift certificates must be redeemed in person at the Aquarium or via phone or email. Regardless of method, the gift certificate order number is required for activation.
To redeem in person at the Aquarium, simply come to one of our admissions gates and show the representative the email with the digital certificate, or a printout of the digital certificate/printed gift certificate received via USPS.
To redeem physical or digital gift certificates via phone or email, call us at (206) 838-3900, Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm or email us at membership@seattleaquarium.org.
Can I purchase a general gift certificate in the dollar amount of my choosing?
We offer gift certificates for memberships only—not for regular admission tickets or in custom dollar amounts
Does the Seattle Aquarium have reciprocity with other zoos/aquariums?
No, our memberships allow entry to the Seattle Aquarium only.
Current member FAQs
How do I visit the Aquarium as a member?
To expedite entry, we recommend that members reserve tickets online before visiting. Log in to your membership account to access member tickets.
The number of free tickets you may reserve is based on your membership level. Additional tickets for those not covered under your membership must be purchased online separately.
Please arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your scheduled time and no later than 15 minutes after your scheduled time. Come prepared to show your digital ticket for scanning.
Log in to reserve your tickets.
- Note: If you’re a new member and haven’t yet received your digital or physical membership card, we can look you up in our system, although it may take some time. Just bring your photo ID to one of our admissions gates.
Where can I find my membership login information?
To view your membership and reserve member tickets, log in using the primary account holder’s last name and membership ID. This information will be listed on your membership card and in the confirmation email you’ll receive when you purchase your membership.
If you don’t know your information, on the member login page, you can click “I don’t remember my member ID.” You can also email us at membership@seattleaquarium.org for assistance.
As a member, what do I need to have with me when entering the Aquarium?
- Your digital or physical membership card (if you don’t have either one, we can look you up in our system but it may take some time).
- You may also be asked to provide identification for each adult member listed on your membership who is visiting that day.
How does the “one free guest admission” benefit work?
If you purchased an Individual Plus, Dual Plus or Family Plus membership or have a Friends of the Aquarium membership, one of your benefits is the option to bring one free guest with you when you visit.
The guest must be accompanied by a member, who can be one of the listed adults on the membership, or the listed member’s child (if you have a Family Plus membership).
Only one free guest admission is allowed per visit, per member family.
How do I bring a half-price guest with me to the Aquarium?
All Aquarium membership levels include the benefit of bringing up to two guests per membership, per visit, at half the admission price.
When reserving your member tickets online, you’ll see an option to add one or two half-price guests to your order. Payment will be collected during checkout. Half-price guests cannot visit the Aquarium without a member present.
Can I change a name on my membership?
Members with Dual or Family level memberships may update the second adult listed on their account once per membership term. To request a name change, please email membership@seattleaquarium.org.
Can I upgrade my membership to a higher level during my membership year—from Individual to Dual, for example?
If a higher-level membership will better fit your needs, we can upgrade you within your membership year. You will be asked to pay the difference between how much you paid for your membership level and the level you would like to upgrade to—your expiration date will stay the same. You will be asked to use your temporary membership until new cards arrive.
When does my membership expire?
One year from the end of the month in which you purchased it in. Example: If you purchased on May 20, 2026, your expiration date would be May 31, 2027.
Is my membership transferable to another family?
No, memberships are not transferable.
Are memberships refundable?
Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please reach out to membership@seattleaquarium.org with questions.
How will you inform me about member events?
To conserve resources and increase sustainability, we send our member event invites via our monthly e-newsletter, not USPS. If you are an active member and not receiving these emails, please call the membership office at (206) 838-3900 or email us at membership@seattleaquarium.org.
Digital membership cards
I’m a new member. When will I receive my digital membership card?
Thanks for joining us! Your digital membership card will be emailed to you within five to 10 business days of signup.
Note: If you’d like to visit before receiving your membership card, we can look you up in our system, although it may take some time. Just bring your photo ID to one of our admissions gates.
I’m a renewing member. Will I receive a new digital membership card?
If you already have your membership card installed on your phone, the card will automatically update within five to 10 business days with your new expiration date and any name changes that you may have made when you renewed. You will only receive a new card to download if you have not previously downloaded your card, or if your preferred email address, membership level, or membership ID changes.
Please contact us at membership@seattleaquarium.org at any time if you need us to resend the email containing your digital membership card.
How do I add my digital membership card to my smartphone?
iPhone users:
iPhone users can use their pre-installed Wallet app or the Google Wallet app.
Access the email we sent from your smartphone and click the “download membership card” button. Then select “add to wallet” or “Add to Google Wallet.” The card will be saved to your iPhone’s Apple Wallet or Google Wallet app, depending on which option you chose. It can be accessed at any time.
Android users:
Android users can use Google Wallet.
Access the email we sent from your smartphone and click the “Download membership card” button. Then select “Add to Google Wallet.” The card will be saved to your Google Wallet app and can be accessed at any time.
I don’t have a smartphone/I’d prefer not to use a digital membership card. What should I do?
Please be ready to show your ID at the front gate so our guest services representatives can look up your membership for entry. If you have an older physical membership card, you can continue to use that as well.
My name is wrong/the membership level is incorrect on my digital membership card.
Please call our membership team at (206) 838-3900 or email us at membership@seattleaquarium.org.
How can I share the digital membership card with another person covered on my membership?
For iPhone users using the Apple Wallet app:
Search for a three-dot icon (…) at the top right of your card. Once you tap on the icon, search for an icon that looks like an arrow over a square on the top right of your screen. You will see sharing options like Airdrop, Mail, etc. Use one of those options to share your card (the Mail option is recommended).
For Android or iPhone users using the Google Wallet app:
The email recipient can download the card and then forward the original email to the other adult member. That person can then also download the card using either Google Wallet or Apple Wallet.
Google Wallet allows the same download link to be used for both members, unlike Apple Wallet, which can only be downloaded to one device and then must be shared directly from the card.
I downloaded my digital membership card but I can’t find it.
Check the Apple Wallet or Google Wallet apps on your phone. You may have to scroll through any cards that are already there—your card could be among them.
How long does it take for information to be updated on my digital membership card?
Any changes to the information stored on your membership card will be updated within five to 10 business days of requesting/initiating the change. If you’ve disabled automatic updates, you may need to manually refresh your card by pulling down the screen.
