Tom Monterey Bay Aquarium is probably the top attraction in Monterey California! Having been to the SEA Aquarium in Singapore, we know what a top notch aquarium is like and Monterey Bay Aquarium doesn’t disappoint!
About Monterey Bay Aquarium
 |
 Monterey Bay Aquarium |
 Monterey Bay Aquarium |
There are so many things to do and see at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. For instance, there’s the Kelp Zone, Sea Otters, Tentacles, Vanishing Wild Life, Jellies, Open Sea and Splash Zone. Kids will also enjoy the visit due to the educational zones, touch pools and engaging exhibits!
Address: Monterey Bay Aquarium is located at 886 Cannery Row Monterey, CA 93940
Opening Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
What we did at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Sea Otters
 Monterey Bay Aquarium |
 Monterey Bay Aquarium |
 |
The sea otters are the cutest creatures at the Monterey Bay Aquarium! You’ll be able to come up close to them at the sea otters zone. During feeding times, you’ll also see them chewing furiously at the mix of clams and squid. It is also great to know that the aquarium spends alot of effort to make sure that their guests (such as the sea otters) are well taken care of, particularly for their diet.
Tentacles
 |
 |
 |
 Monterey Bay Aquarium |
 edging even closer |
 tentacles towards us! |
Do you know about the difference between squids, cuttlefish and octopus? Find out at the Tentacles zone! Caution: if you lean too close to the exhibits, they may turn colour, squirt ink or reach their tentacles towards you!
Jellies
 Monterey Bay Aquarium |
 |
 |
According to the expert of the Jellies zone, there are 20 species of jellies but only 14 display windows. This means that you can be assured that each exhibit is carefully chosen so that the best is always on display at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Enchanted Kelp Forest
 Monterey Bay Aquarium |
 |
 Monterey Bay Aquarium |
Touch Pools
 |
 |
 |
Kelp (also known as seaweed to most people) helps to regulate the marine cycle as depicted at the “Enchanted Kelp Forest” zone at Monterey Bay Aquarium. The kids will also have a blast enjoying views from the 2 storey high tanks or having an educational tour at one of the many touch pools in the aquarium!
Life in the Open Sea
 |
 hammerhead sharks stingrays |
 |
One of our favourite part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium has got to be the “Open Sea”. It is just so enchanting to view these majestic creatures up close. During feeding time, you’ll be able to see the sardines going frantic at their food while the rest of the larger fish (ie blue fin tuna and mahi mahi) teases the sardines. As a result, a majestic, 3 dimensional piece of visual art is formed by the sardines. Beautiful! Check out this video during feeding time!
Outdoors of Monterey Bay Aquarium
 |
 Monterey Bay Aquarium |
 |
The Great Tide Pool outdoors of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a great example of how the aquarium integrates with its surrounding. As the tides rise, you’ll be able to see some “visitors” drop by at the tide pool. During this visit, we saw urchins and star fish in the tide pool…
Monterey Bay Aquarium Cafe
 |
 |
 |
After a day of walking about the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a good place to take a break would be at the cafe. This time, we tried the California Clam Chowder and Cannery Row Chicken Enchilada. The Enchilada was slightly spicy and was a big portion, good for 2 to share. Water is also complimentary at the drinks fountain.
If you ask us how the Monterey Bay Aquarium compares with the SEA Aquarium in Singapore, we would say that they’re a tie. Both had some world class exhibits and their own merits. What we love about the Monterey Bay Aquarium is the space and open concept. If you’d like to visit another zone, just feel free to do so. Plus, there are so many kids friendly zones, parents would be able to kick back a little while the kids get tonnes of education from the many exhibits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium!
A famous place to visit.
Yes, indeed! Let us know how was your visit to MBA Vikas!
Tom,
2bearbear.com