Member early openings
Sunday, January 15
Members can enter at 9am so you can experience the Aquarium as it’s just waking up! You’ll have the whole Aquarium to explore with just a handful of other members.
As an extra bonus, kids can enjoy a free cocoa or lemonade from our café. Drink vouchers will be available at the front desk between 9am and 9:30am and will be redeemable anytime that day, starting at 9:30am when the café opens.
Reservations for early openings aren’t required but are strongly encouraged to expedite your entry.
We’re also excited to announce that a new empathy-centered play space, Caring Cove, will be opening that weekend! Caring Cove will be a permanent exhibit near our Life on the Edge tide pools. Geared toward ages three to eight, it will invite children (and their caregivers) to engage with plush versions of our animals. Based on the animal they pick up, children will select food for meal preparations, perform veterinary checkups and choose enrichment toys.
Pacific coral reef and Salish Sea activity backpacks: available exclusively to members
Check out our activity backpacks, filled with games, activities and books that provide family fun and offer engaging ways to learn more about the Pacific coral reef, the Salish Sea and the animals that live there. Detailed instructions for each activity are included as well as an adult guide to provide you with additional information and ideas while exploring our habitats. Activities are perfect for kids between ages 4 and 6.
Activity backpacks are available for member use every day* from October 1 through March 31 with the exception of all federal holidays and the following blackout dates:
November 23–25
December 26–January 1
*There may be unplanned days when activity backpacks are not available due to high visitation and/or staffing constraints.
You can check out a backpack at the front desk on a first-come, first-served basis. A credit card number is required to check out a backpack and will be given back to you at the end of checkout. Please note: backpacks are for use only while you're in the Aquarium and cannot be taken home.
You will be asked to complete a short survey when you return the backpack so we can learn from your experience. Your participation and feedback are greatly appreciated and will help guide us in future activity plans. Plus, all survey respondents will be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to our gift shop!
Our survey prize winner will be contacted by April 21, 2023.
