Celebrate the Ocean at S.M. Pier Aquarium

The habitats and inhabitants of the Santa Monica Bay will be explored on August 3 and 4 during Ocean Appreciation weekend at Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk. The marine education center will be open from 12:30 to 6 p.m. both days.
The annual tribute to the ocean focuses on the four habitats of the Santa Monica Bay: the sandy bottom, the kelp forest, the rocky shore and the open ocean. Through games, arts and crafts projects and naturalist’s presentations, visitors can explore each of these unique environments while gathering fun facts about the animals that inhabit them.
Visitors are invited to make and race their own plankton in  “Great Plankton Race;” go on a scavenger hunt or play a fishing game; create marine-themed arts and crafts; and paint a sea creature at the face painting station before snapping a photo at the photo backdrop. A puppet show will open on stage at 1:30 p.m. and a naturalists’ presentation at 2:30 p.m., scheduled for both days of the weekend.
Displays, presentations and activities focusing on environmental hot topics will give visitors the opportunity to increase their marine science knowledge.
Visitors might spy dolphins, sea lions and sea birds just off the west end of the Pier at the marine wildlife observation station. Equipped with binoculars and field guides, Aquarium naturalists will be available to answer questions about the two habitats visible from the end of the Pier—the sandy bottom and the open ocean.
The weekend will also include regular features: Saturday storytime with tales at 3:30 p.m. and the Sunday feeding at the shark exhibit at 3:30 p.m., which includes an informational talk about these often-misunderstood creatures. Admission is free for children 12 and under. For all others, there is a suggested $5 donation or a $3 minimum admission.
For groups of 10 or more, admission is $2 per person, regardless of age. For more information, visit: healthebay.org/smpa or call or call (310) 393-6149.
The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium acquired in 2003 from UCLA, is Heal the Bay’s marine education facility located beach-level, just below the Carousel, at the Santa Monica Pier. The Aquarium is open to the general public.