Located beneath the Santa Monica Pier, just below the Carousel, Heal the Bay Aquarium is a compact marine education center focused on animals and habitats from Santa Monica Bay. Operated by the nonprofit Heal the Bay, the aquarium features more than 100 local species, touch tanks, and educational programming. It attracts nearly 100,000 visitors per year.
What Makes It Different
The aquarium focuses on local marine life rather than global species. Exhibits include Touch Tanks, Rocky Reef, Kelp Forest, Shark Nursery, Sea Jellies, Under the Pier, and Sharks.common animals include horn sharks, swell sharks, halibut, moray eels, sea stars, and other species found off the Southern California coast.
This makes it a good fit for families, school groups, and visitors who want a shorter, more affordable outing that still feels meaningful.
History
Heal the Bay acquired the aquarium from UCLA in 2003. Before that, it was known as the Ocean Discovery Center. The aquarium was also previously called the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. Heal the Bay says the facility has been in operation for 20 years, has welcomed more than one million visitors during public hours, and has reached close to 200,000 students through education programs.
Heal the Bay was founded in 1985 and works to make coastal waters and watersheds in Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy, and clean through science, education, community action, and advocacy.
Exhibits
Visitors can explore exhibits centered on local habitats:
- Touch Tanks
- Rocky Reef
- Kelp Forest
- Shark Nursery
- Sea Jellies
- Under the Pier
- Sharks
Expect to see horn sharks, swell sharks, leopard sharks, halibut, moray eels, sea cucumbers, urchins, hermit crabs, and various fish and invertebrates native to the region.
Parking
The closest parking is in Lot 1 North and Lot 1 South near the Santa Monica Pier. Aquarium parking materials also direct drivers to nearby beach and pier lots from Appian Way, Ocean Avenue, Seaside Terrace, and Pacific Coast Highway.
Note: As of June 2026, there is active construction at the Santa Monica Pier. As a result, guests may experience congestion-related blockages.
Tickets
- Adults and Teens 13+: $12
- Kids (4–12): $5
- Kids 3 and under: FREE with an adult ticket
- Students and Adults 65+: $10
- EBT cardholders: $6
- Active-duty military, retired military, veterans: FREE
- Groups of 5+ adults: $10 per adult
- Groups of 10+ children: $3 per child
Know Before You Go
- Heal the Bay Aquarium is open Saturdays and Sundays, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- The aquarium is compact, so it works well as part of a visit to the Pier, beach, or downtown Santa Monica rather than as a full-day destination. It is especially useful for families looking for a short, educational stop that can be done alongside other activities.
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