The Seattle Aquarium has expanded its offerings with the impressive Ocean Pavilion, connecting you to marine ecosystems from around the world. This groundbreaking addition to Seattle's waterfront brings the Coral Triangle — a biodiverse marine region in the western Pacific Ocean — right to Puget Sound. Since 1977, the Seattle Aquarium has brought the magic and mystery of the oceans to the public as a non-profit focused on conservation education. The new Ocean Pavilion represents a major expansion project announced in 2019, designed in partnership with LMN Architects. While the main aquarium has traditionally focused on local marine life, the Ocean Pavilion broadens this scope with exhibits featuring tropical species from distant waters, creating connections between our local ecosystem and global ocean health.
Exploring the Ocean Pavilion
The Ocean Pavilion offers you a journey into marine environments beyond the Pacific Northwest. As you approach the Pavilion, you're greeted by the Coral Triangle exhibit, serving as the Seattle Aquarium's shark tank. This recreated Southeast Asian marine environment houses sharks, rays, various fish species, and nearly 30 different types of coral. Through large acrylic windows, you can observe these creatures up close, fostering a deeper appreciation for marine life and the importance of healthy ocean ecosystems.
The Reef Exhibit: A Glimpse into the Coral Triangle
The centerpiece of the Ocean Pavilion is The Reef, a 325,000-gallon habitat showcasing the incredible biodiversity of the Coral Triangle region. Visitors can marvel at Indo-Pacific leopard sharks gliding through the water alongside spotted eagle rays and hundreds of colorful reef fish. The exhibit highlights the importance of coral reefs as nurseries for marine life and their critical role in ocean health. Through careful habitat recreation, the aquarium demonstrates how these complex ecosystems function and why their preservation matters to waters worldwide.
One Ocean Hall: Understanding Marine Connections
One Ocean Hall demonstrates how all of Earth's waters are interconnected, regardless of geographic location. Through immersive living exhibits and digital storytelling, visitors learn about marine life cycles and ecological relationships. Knowledgeable volunteer staff circulate throughout the space to share information and answer questions. This exhibit emphasizes how actions in Seattle can affect marine environments across the globe, reinforcing the message that ocean conservation requires global cooperation and local action.
Interactive Learning Stations: Hands-on Ocean Exploration
Throughout the Ocean Pavilion, interactive learning stations engage visitors of all ages. These stations feature touchable models, digital displays, and hands-on activities that explain ocean acidification, plastic pollution, and climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. Each station connects these global challenges to everyday decisions, empowering visitors with knowledge about how their choices affect ocean health and providing practical steps they can take to make a difference.
Immersive Visitor Experiences
The Ocean Pavilion transforms traditional aquarium visits into multisensory experiences that forge emotional connections with marine ecosystems. Beyond simply viewing animals, you can engage with conservation concepts through multiple learning channels designed for different ages and interests.
Interactive Exhibits and Animal Encounters
The Ocean Pavilion's design encourages active participation rather than passive observation. Volunteer staff from the Seattle Aquarium share their expertise with guests, enhancing the experience with personal insights and answering questions about the exhibits. Daily presentations at The Reef provide opportunities to learn about shark and ray behavior, while interactive touchscreens throughout the facility allow you to dive deeper into topics that interest you most.
Educational Opportunities for Families and Youth
Families visiting the Ocean Pavilion can take advantage of specially designed programs that make marine science accessible and exciting for children. Kid-friendly interpretation stations feature height-appropriate viewing windows and simplified explanations of complex concepts. School programs align with curriculum standards while inspiring the next generation of ocean advocates. The Pavilion's design incorporates spaces specifically for educational programming, allowing for more extensive youth engagement than was previously possible.
Conservation in Action: The Aquarium's Role in Wildlife Preservation
The Ocean Pavilion serves as more than an educational facility — it's an active participant in global conservation efforts. The off-site Animal Care Center supports the Pavilion's conservation mission by providing specialized care for the exhibited animals. Before joining the main exhibits, animals spend time at this facility, where experts monitor their health and ensure they're adapting well to their new environment. The aquarium also participates in the ReShark program, the world's first rewilding initiative focused on threatened shark and ray species, demonstrating how modern aquariums contribute directly to species preservation.
Make a Difference: Visit and Support Marine Conservation
Visiting the Ocean Pavilion supports vital conservation efforts at the Seattle Aquarium. The “Saving Species” program works to recover threatened shark and ray populations through breeding and research, while scientists study sea star wasting disease and ocean acidification impacts on Puget Sound ecosystems.
Your admission fee funds research expeditions, conservation programs, and community science initiatives. Visitor support helps maintain specialized breeding programs for endangered marine species and develop new ecosystem protection strategies. Educational programs funded by admissions reach thousands of students across the Pacific Northwest, promoting ocean advocacy.
Plan Your Visit With CityPASS® Tickets
Visiting the Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion with CityPASS® tickets is easy and affordable. It includes admission to both the main aquarium facilities and the new Ocean Pavilion, with no additional fees required. Simply present your CityPASS® ticket at the main entrance, and you'll receive full access to all exhibits.
For travelers visiting Seattle on a budget, CityPASS® tickets offer exceptional value while ensuring you don't miss this remarkable new addition to the city's cultural landscape. The aquarium is open daily, with the Ocean Pavilion accessible during regular operating hours. Plan to spend at least two to three hours to experience both the traditional aquarium spaces and the new Ocean Pavilion exhibits.
Other Attractions To Explore Nearby With Your CityPASS® Tickets
The Seattle Aquarium's prime waterfront location makes it an ideal starting point for exploring Seattle's top attractions. After you visit the Seattle Aquarium, take advantage of the Ocean Pavilion's connection to the Overlook Walk for stunning views of Puget Sound. The Pavilion enhances accessibility to popular destinations like Pike Place Market and the waterfront area. Its location expands from the aquarium's original position on Pier 59 to include Pier 60, creating new vantage points for enjoying Seattle's beautiful waterfront.
With your CityPASS® ticket, you can visit other nearby attractions like the Space Needle or the Museum of Pop Culture. The Ocean Pavilion's central position on Seattle's revitalized waterfront puts you within walking distance of numerous dining, shopping, and entertainment options, making it simple to create a full day of memorable experiences without extensive travel between venues.
Purchase your Seattle CityPASS® tickets today and prepare for a wonderful adventure that's as educational as it is enjoyable!
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Header Image Courtesy of Seattle Aquarium