Visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach CA

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Native to the California coastline, the Southern Sea Otters are the “stars” at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California and their perpetual “grins” and crowd pleasing antics can be found in Sea Otter Habitat. In this aquarium emphasis is on California and Pacific region aquatic life but wildly colorful tropical fish have not been excluded nor have sharks, seals and some of the oddest and ugliest looking inhabitants of the deep. The Aquarium of the Pacific is a large facility with exhibits laid out on two floors and an outside area. Visitors enter the Great Hall of the Pacific which features the gift shop, theater, Starbucks and snack area with a Tropical Pacific preview to gaze at. Oceans on the Edge Gallery concerns pollution and man’s ill effects on the ocean. Blue Cavern is a floor to ceiling aquarium recreating a kelp forest off Santa Catalina Island and filled with a variety of native species including California Moray Eels. The largest exhibit is the Southern California/Baja Gallery on both floors further exploring kelp beds and wetlands of the region. Large and small aquariums team with an array of species (there are identification photos) as well as plant life, mussels and starfish. Abalone and Purple Sea Urchins are highlighted because they were once commonly found along the California coast and now endangered because people like to eat them and have cleaned them out. There are weird spiny lobsters and various types of the eerily fascinating jellies who are among many creatures seemingly from another world. The Gulf of California Gallery presents angelfish, eels and wildly colored species. The main attraction are the seals and sea lions with an underwater viewing tunnel. On the second floor, the Northern Pacific Gallery covers life up to the Bering Sea and home to the sea otters. In this area are even more sea jellies ranging from small to large in size, a giant Pacific Octopus and spiny crabs. The most unnerving looking jellies are Moon Jelly that are translucent milky appearing as opposed to orange colored jellies. The gallery has live diving birds called puffin. The Tropical Pacific Gallery presents life from Micronesia and visual feast for the eyes. Tropical reefs are replicated with a rainbow of coral growth and brightly colored little fish to sharks and sea turtles. There are giant clams, clownfish, anemone and sea snakes. An exhibit depicts the ill effects of coral bleaching. Everyone loves sea horses and all varieties are swimming around and one aquarium is devoted to the pot bellied variety. The wildest looking are Leafy Sea Dragons that look like science fiction monster plants. An outstanding and unique exhibit is an aquarium containing baby bamboo sharks and egg cases. An explanation is provided on how egg cases are fixed so visitors can watch embryos develop and hatch. Soon to hatch egg cases are lined up while baby sharks swim around. Outside in Explorer’s Cove is Shark Lagoon and Lorikeet Bird Forest where visitors can walk through. Shorebird Sanctuary and Tidepool Treasures allow touching. The aquarium boasts a healthy population of gliding rays including big stingrays. The Ray Touchpool provides visitors the opportunity to touch the slimy feeling creatures. There are live shows and movies shown throughout the day. The exhibits are very well presented and realistic appearing and number of species bountiful from the beautiful to fascinating ugly. The Aquarium of the Pacific has a costly admission but it is obvious high maintenance required to present this comprehensive glimpse into the sea.