World Aquariums – Monterey Bay Aquarium, California
One of the largest aquariums in the world, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, has an annual attendance of 1.8 million and holds 35,000 plants and animals representing 623 species. Incidentally, this is the site of a former cannery.
One specially fantastic exhibit, is the Kelp Forest Aquarium – a 33-foot (10-m) high tank for viewing California coastal marine life.
This aquarium was the first in the world to grow live California Giant Kelp using a wave machine at the top of the tank (water movement is a necessary precondition for keeping Giant Kelp, which absorbs nutrients from surrounding water and requires turbidity), allowing sunlight in through the open tank top, and pumping in raw seawater.
Another first includes the distinction of being the first aquarium to have a Great White Shark on exhibit, way back in 2004.
The 1.2-million-gallon Outer Bay tank houses open-ocean life, including yellowfin tuna, large green sea turtles, barracuda, sharks, giant ocean sunfish, and schools of bonito.
Other exhibits of note include the jellyfish, the sea otters, stingrays, etc. For displaying jellyfish, the aquarium uses a Kreisel tank which creates a circular flow to support and suspend the jellies.
Where to go
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, California 93940
Driving Directions and Parking
Must reads:
Aquariums Of The World – Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta
Which Are The Best Aquariums In America?
Macduff Aquarium – Scotland’s Best Visitor Experience
