Monterey Bay Aquarium

Sarah Houston | Writer

April 18, 2025

Along the coast of California, hidden between Santa Cruz and Carmel-by-the-Sea, you will find the Monterey Bay Aquarium. With just over 100 exhibits, it is known for its research and conservation efforts. This facility works closely with Seaworld in rehabilitation and it has made a great effort in spreading awareness for things such as pollution, over-fishing, climate change, and ocean education. Some of the larger exhibits within the aquarium are the kelp forest, sea otters, open ocean tank, and other smaller creatures that are normally hidden beneath darkness. 

The Kelp Forest showcases a variety of animals and helps educate the public on how each species plays its own major role in keeping its ecosystem alive and thriving. Even things as small as plankton are a major reason why our ocean is able to sustain itself. To add to this amazing display of a kelp forest, Monterey was the first aquarium to successfully design an ecosystem of this sort in an exhibit. Standing at 28 feet tall, this exhibit is one of the world’s largest Kelp Forest displays in the world. It is a big tourist attraction and helps educate the public on the differing parts of a thriving ecosystem.

Sea Otters are one of the world’s many adorable creatures. At Monterey, there are two older sea otters who help nurture baby sea otters so they can be released healthy into the wild. They spend their days playing with toys and doing somersaults. This facility’s goal is to rehabilitate these animals and to help their populations grow. Sea Otters are, and have been, on the endangered species lists for many years. This program is helping to make the public aware and bring attention to this continuing issue. A fun fact about Sea Otters is their survival tactic called rafting! This is when a group of otters hold hands while sleeping, to keep from getting lost and drifting from one another. The otters that are kept at the aquarium are unable to be released either due to an injury or genetic problem. Their attraction helps bring awareness to increasing ocean issues. Emily Racine, a junior at San Clemente High school, said she “hopes to go [to the aquarium] one day and see all of its beauty” so that she too can help educate the public.

If ever given the opportunity, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must see in one’s life. Junior Arie Acuna preached the “life changing experience” that it was. It brings awareness to growing ocean problems in a hands-on and exciting way, and is something everyone should see.