- Ready, steady, NOM! Seahorses are syngnathids—meaning “fused jaw.' Instead of gulping their food, they attack it with a sudden slurping strike.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium: The Feeding Frenzy Tour - See 14,115 traveler reviews, 8,802 candid photos, and great deals for Monterey, CA, at Tripadvisor.
Get the most out of your visit by adding a tour. Our knowledgeable guides give you an insider's look that goes above, beyond and sometimes even below the surface! Hear fun stories and learn fascinating details about your favorite ocean animals.
Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Adventure Aquarium commits to help improve and preserve the health of the world's oceans. The Marketplace will implement the following: Seafood Watch –The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Ⓡ program empowers consumers and businesses to make choices for a healthy ocean, helping to support diverse marine ecosystems for the future.
- Ages: 6 to adult
- When: Daily
- Length: 1 hour
What does it take to run a world-class aquarium? Unlock the secrets with this special behind-the-scenes tour and follow our guides through staff-only doors. Learn more
Family Tour
- Ages: All ages
- When: Weekends year-round; Daily during the summer
- Length: 45 minutes
Do your kids dream about getting closer to ocean animals? Designed with our youngest visitors in mind, this group tour takes you behind the scenes with Aquarium naturalists. Learn more and book tickets
Feeding Frenzy
- Ages: 8 to adult
- When: Most Thursdays and Sundays
- Length: 2 hours
Our most in-depth tour starts before we open the doors to the public. You'll get a new view of the Aquarium in this behind-the-scenes adventure—and help us serve breakfast to many of our favorite fishes! Learn more and book tickets
Jellies and Open Sea Tour
- Ages: 6 to adult
- When: Daily
- Length: 1 hour
Ever wonder what a jelly feels like? Experience it firsthand on this fun exploration of our Open Sea wing, home to our largest exhibit and special exhibitions. Our guides highlight their favorite spots—plus a few sneak peeks behind the scenes. Learn more and book tickets
Shark Tour
- Ages: 8 to adult
- When: Most Wednesdays and Saturdays year-round; Wednesdays and Fridays during the summer
- Length: 75 minutes
Love sharks? Join us just before we open our doors to the public and discover over a dozen species of sharks, skates and rays that call the Aquarium home! Learn more and book tickets
Sea Otter Conservation Tour
- Ages: 6 to adult
- When: Daily
- Length: 1 hour
Are sea otters your favorite animal? You aren't alone! This tour offers a close-up look at our Sea Otter Program, which has been studying and trying to save the threatened southern sea otter for more than 30 years. Learn more and book tickets
Special Access Group Tour
Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch
- Ages: 6 to adult
- When: By appointment only
- Length: 45 minutes
How do we care for creatures from abalones to zebra morays? In this action-packed VIP tour for groups of up to 48 people, you'll get an exclusive look at exhibits and behind-the-scenes areas in just 45 minutes. Learn more
Personal Guided Tour
- Ages: 6 to adult
- When: By appointment only
- Length: 1 hour
Have a question you've always wanted to ask about our animals and exhibits? This is your chance to get answers! Welcome to the ultimate insider's view of the Aquarium. Learn more
Romance Tours
- Ages: Adult only
- When: By appointment only
- Length: varies
Looking to share a once-in-a-lifetime experience with your special someone? Our Romance Tours will leave you with treasured memories. We’ll work with you to create a remarkable moment for you and your loved one. Rates vary. Learn more
Feeding Frenzy Monterey Bay Aquarium Free Admission
Underwater Explorers
- Ages: 8–13
- When: June 15–September 2
- Length: 90 minutes
Come dive with us! Meet amazing animals while getting a fish's-eye view of the wonders of the bay. No experience is necessary, only a sense of adventure! Learn more
A 'private viewing of a sea otter feeding' is just one wonder you'll behold.
THE STOMACH KNOWS ALL: It seems as though there are about 37 different aphorisms and wink-wink sayings that end with the words 'through the stomach.' As for the implication of each and every one of these tried-and-true, oft-repeated chestnuts? That to know a person, an animal, a being, through and through, you have to be schooled in what they prefer to sup upon. If you want to bargain with them, have their favorite food ready. If you want them to sit up and speak, keep their treats near. And if you want to know what keeps that being ticking, talking, swimming, squeaking, barking, or some combination of all of the above, get educated in their eats. Turns out that decades-old sayings do have some footing, now and then, or, if you prefer in this case, finning. (We imagine 'finning' is to fishes what 'footing' is to we humans.) The Monterey Bay Aquarium wants to give devotees of The Deep a closer view as to what is fed to the denizens of the world-famous Cannery Row institution. Not just what is fed -- you can probably guess mollusks and critters of the sea are on the menu for many residents -- but how often those beasties dine, the nutrition, the crunch (or non-crunch -- slimey, to our human eyes, seems to be one of the most-sought-after consistencies), the everything. Food and fish -- and non-fish, like otters -- is a fascinating topic, one that is delved into during the Feeding Frenzy tour.
IT'S A SPECIAL TOUR... with a special time: before the aquarium opens to the general public on 'most' Thursdays and Sundays. This means you'll be on 'morning rounds' with staffers, who will take guests ages 8 and older around the building, and outside, to for a 'private viewing of a sea otter feeding and training session.' You'll also see the food prep area, which 'rivals any restaurant,' says the aquarium. Last of all? You'll feed those breakfasters that boast fins (they will be so happy to see you, and whatever goodies the bucket next to you contains). Again, this is all before opening, so you and your party will feel mighty special indeed as you see later guests stream in. Telling them about what you've done may halt the flow of their aquarium day, but bet that you'll regale your foodie friends, and nature-loving friends, with stories of your food-themed visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for a long time. Cost? It's sixty five dollars, plus admission.
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