At Birch Aquarium you will be amazed by the colourful and diverse Pacific Ocean life on show. You will be able to get right up close to many of these creatures with interactive exhibits and even hands-on animal encounters. This attraction is the perfect mix of wonder and education to satisfy the most curious of minds.
At just under 6,000 square metres, this is not a large aquarium, but it certainly makes up for it in the quality of its exhibits. For the past 110 years it has been devoted to bringing to life the research and discoveries of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography while educating the public about the importance of ocean conservation.
One of the major exhibits is the Hall of Fishes, where you’ll discover marine life from more than 60 different habitats from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico. The centrepiece is a 320,000-litre kelp forest tank full of beautiful sea creatures, with a specially designed viewing gallery.
The Coral Displays will introduce you to the valuable role of these spectacular reefs, along with all of the colourful residents, including elaborate venomous lionfish, the ethereal chambered nautilus and giant clams. Learn about how corals can reveal the earth’s historic climate, as well as potentially supply many new chemicals that may help in the fight against cancer.
The exhibits Feeling the Heat and Boundless Energy also examine the ocean’s influence beyond its shoreline boundary, looking particularly at regulation of global temperatures and energy independence.
Head to the Preuss Tide-Pool Plaza, with three living tide-pool displays, to discover the meaning of life on the edge, as the creatures you will find here are subject to wildly changing temperatures and water levels as the sea waters rise and fall. Look out for starfish, hermit crabs, willowy anemones and even lobsters.
For spectacular views of the ocean, step out on the museum’s back patio. Over the summer season this is the venue for the Green Flash concert series.
The Birch Aquarium is easily accessible by public transport, or if travelling by car you’ll have three hours’ free parking. It is open every day except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
