A lot of people want to know where the Aquarium from the Film Finding Dory actually is, or even if it is real. Well, it’s not quite a real place but the Film draws HUGE inspiration from a very real and very popular West Coast Aquarium, Namely The Monterey Bay Aquarium. So is this Aquarium really the Jewel of Morro Bay, California?
Finding the Aquarium from Finding Dory
Ok, First up, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is not in Morro Bay. But it is the Inspiration for the Marine Life Institute featured in Finding Dory. As its Name Suggests, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is in the heart of Monterey, one of our favorite towns in California. The Aquarium is touted as one of the best in the country and as we just LOVE aquariums, we needed a little excuse to head to Monterey to check it out in our Monterey Bay Aquarium Review. This trip was just the latest of several trips we made to the Jewel over the years
While the Real Aquarium lacks the Whale Shark (Destiny) and the Beluga Whale (Bailey), Most of the other exhibits are real and actually in a few cases, far more spectacular than the Films. In fact, even the Marine Life Institute lacks Destiny and Bailey after they escaped to the wall-less Ocean at the end! But enough of the Disney stuff, let’s take a look at the REAL aquarium.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Location – Monterey, California
- Entry Fee – Adult: $49.95
- Entry Fee – Chile: $29.95
- Entry Fee – Senior/Student: $39.95
- Opening Hours – 10 Am – 5 Pm
- Buy Now
Right in the heart of Monterey, the Aquarium is one of the biggest draws in town. Set right on the coast the outdoor viewing areas showcase the Bay’s incredible and diverse marine life while the huge indoor exhibits house a very impressive array of sea creatures from around the world.
The Aquarium houses over 35,000 creatures from 550 different species in over 2.3 million Gallons of Sea Water that are taken directly from the Bay. It is a genuine world-class aquarium and is on just about any list of top aquariums in the world It is only pipped to the best Aquarium in America by the stunning Georgia Aquarium, and even then probably only due to their Whale sharks.
Monterey Bay
The most stunning thing about the Aquarium is its actual location. There is no need to visit the aquarium at all! The Bay itself is a true wonder of the world. Absolutely teeming with marine life. And not the sort of life you expect. We are talking about Giant Whales, Rare Sea Otters, Seals, Sea Lions, and a million sea birds. It is probably the most alive place we have been.
This is due to the Monterey Submarine Canyon. This giant undersea rift funnels nutrients up from the deep Pacific drawing in a huge array of sea creatures.
Take a look at our recent Whale Watching trip out of Moss Landing, just a few miles down the road.
Destruction
It all could have been very different, as this abundance of life drew in the worst of all predators. Humans. We plundered the oceans and all but exhausted the vast stocks of sardines that supported the Marine E
However, Today Monterey Bay is a good news story. It’s a shining example of what we can do when we try and protect an Ecosystem. after the introduction of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the entire bay has hugely recovered and today plays host to feeding Humpback Whales in astonishing numbers. Herds of gigantic blue whales feast in the water of Monterey during the summer and the stunning kelp forests support a variety of Marine Mammals including the previously almost-extinct Giant Sea Otters. Along with a huge array of undersea critters that are less obvious from the surface.
With all this one offer for free is it really worth visiting the aquarium…
We think so, pretty resoundingly too. We are guessing if the thought of seeing all this marine life is appealing to you, then you are likely the type who loves nature in all its forms. The Monterey Bay Aquarium while showcasing the best the bay has to offer also has some pretty staggering displays that you can’t witness from the pier at Fisherman’s Wharf.
We see it entirely as complementary to the wonder of the bay, rather than in competition. So let’s take a look at what you can expect from this world-class aquarium.
Exhibits:
With over 200 Exhibits ranging from small single tanks to a staggering 1.2 million Gallon Open Ocean Tank with its 90ft window, the Aquarium has a host of staggering exhibits filled with enchanting and incredible creatures of all kinds.
We love that most of the Exhibits are found directly in the waters surrounding the Aquarium. The Bay has such a diverse range of ecosystems, from kelp forests, sandy and rocky shorelines, access to the open ocean, and huge pelagic species and even plunging to the depth of the abyssal plane in the Submarine Canyon. it’s all on the Aqaurium doorstep and it’s showcased here in the stunning facility.
Ok, there are a few exhibits that are not found locally, there are no Dory’s or Nemo’s in the bay, but you have to give the audience what they want, and younger audiences really only want to find Nemo! And they will definitely be able to do this.
Kelp Forest – Monterey’s Most Iconic Habitat
The coastline all around Monterey is littered with some incredible and pristine kelp forests. These incredible plants support a huge array of life that is unique, varied, and beautiful in its own way. So we find the Kelp Forest exhibit very fitting.
The day before we visited I had just dived the actual Kelp forests at San Carlos Beach Park. While the real forests were even more spectacular, it was still a very accurate representation of what I saw out in the ocean. The main difference is the size and abundance of the fish. Out in the real world, things were a little more sparse and petite.
Monterey Bay Aquarium was the first in the world to have a Living kelp forest on display and to this day it’s one of their most spectacular exhibits.
Here you will see Leopard sharks, Kelp Bass, rockfish, kelp fish, California Sheep Heads, and the amazing Giant Sea Bass, all cruising around the swaying towers of giant kelp.
Open Sea – Entering the Pelagic Zones
This is the Big Tomolae. This humongous tank, 1.2 million gallons, holds over half of the aquarium’s seawater. It has the largest viewing window at over 90ft of reinforced glass it was the largest viewing window in the world in its time.
Inside the tank are some truly epic inhabitants of the open ocean. Scalloped hammerheads, Giant Tuna, and stunning Mahi-Mahi cruise the tank chasing shoals of Anchovy and Sardines. While Green Sea Turtles, Palegic Rays, and Monster Ocean Sunfish bumble around doing their thing.
It is a really mesmerizing view where you can get lost in the endless movement of these majestic ocean giants as they make their way around the exhibit. This is one tank we really have to heave ourselves away from, as we can spend hours hypnotized by the swirling mass of sardines and the giant predators just picking them off.
There are also some great exhibits before you get to the Open Sea’s Tanks, such as the amazing Jellyfish Display or shoaling Makerel and Anchovies. Take your time and don’t just rush to the main event, no matter how tempting.
Sea Otters – Monterey’s Cutest
The Sea Otter exhibit is everyone’s favorite. These cuddly critters known for their “Cuddle Parties” can be impossibly cute. They are energetic and playful in their exhibit and are wonderfully tame and interactive come feeding time.
Sea Otters in California, which numbered nearly 16,000 were hunted to presumed extinction for their fur. By pure chance, a tiny population of around 50 had survived in a remote corner of the Big Sur coastline. Breeding from this population has helped them rebound to almost safe numbers. But they still face multiple threats and despite appearances are not out of the woods yet.
It’s reassuring to know these Mammals are all rescue animals and not ones taken from the wild. The Aquarium does a lot for the recovery of the otters in the wild and now partly due to these efforts the nearly extinct critters have rebounded massively and can be seen all around the bay in quite spectacular numbers. It really is great to see. But the Exhibit gives rescued animals a home when they may not have survived in the wild and lets you see them up close…really up close.
It is also clear the great lengths the Aquarium goes to in order to keep the Otters entertained and engaged and how they promote natural behavior such as foraging by littering the display with toys and games for them. They clearly love their otters even more than we do!
These are the only Mammals on exhibit in the Aquarium, with no room or space for larger mammals or Cetaceans (Dolphins/Orca/Whales). We love this as we know many people have a problem with supporting institutes that hold Marine Mammals in captivity. So nature lovers really can visit here with a clean conscience. The Aquarium is cruelty-free. And remember all of the otters housed here would almost certainly not made it if they were left in the wild!
Life On The Bay – Outdoor Viewing Decks
The Aquarium is built right on the coast and is built in a U shape around a natural bay. Surrounding this are a series of outdoor viewing decks where you can witness the natural beauty and abundance of life in the Bay Area.
On a good day, you can see anything from whales, dolphins, sea lions, sea otters, and a huge array of sea birds all living naturally in the bay. The giant floor-to-ceiling windows that lead out to the decks are there to blur the lines between Aquarium and Nature. It’s a great design that makes the whole place bright airy and wonderful.
This is one of the things that makes the Aquarium so special as the whole facility is woven into the very nature of the Bay. You really can see all the habitats visible from the decks actually inside the aquarium. It really helps build the connections between nature and yourself.
Monterey Bay Habitats
This area is designed to mimic the natural and manmade area around the piers, pilings, and moorings along the town’s coastline and the creatures that live among them.
This is another large habitat exhibit that is bright and filled with some impressive large species. Seven Gill Sharks, Big Skate, Californian Halibut, and white Sturgeon cruise around while the 200lb Giant Sea Bass sits amongst the Pilings.
A great Exhibit that will really make you think next time you are walking the Pier at F
Giant Pacific Octopus – Tentacles
Tucked away in a dark corner of the Aquarium is another Disney favorite from Finding Dory. Hank the Giant Pacific Octopus. These Stunning Cephalopods are fairly nocturnal so spend a lot of the time in a ball hiding, but when they do come out to play they are seriously stunning.
Make sure you find time to hint out Hank the master of disguise…
Mission to the Deep
The Deep Sea Exhibit is one of our favorites.
It may not feel like the deepest reaches of the ocean are very local to Monterey, however, the plunging depths of the marine canyon mean many of the crazy, alien creatures of the deep can be found right off the coast of the Aquarium. With the Monterey Submarine Canyon dropping down to over 2.5 miles and linking up with the vast Abyssal plain of the Pacific Ocean.
Fluorescent Jellies, Ghostly giant Spider crabs feeding on Whale Carcases along with Hag Fish and Elephant Fish and Crazy looking critters such as the basket star.
There is even a Touch pool with Giant Isopods brought up from the depths, living fossils of giant underwater Woodlice
It is a seriously impressive exhibit, one of the aquarium’s newest, and a really unique addition. It’s just a shame they no longer have Nautilis on display like the previous time we visited.
Jellyfish
Jellyfish are not very popular in the ocean critter world. Their tendency to sting and their natural un-cuddliness mean they are universally hated. Look at them in the right way however and they are quite beautiful.
The Aquarium has several exhibits showcasing the un-noticed beauty of these ancient and simple creatures. Their colors and beauty can really come to life as they float around in the gentle currents of their exhibits. With no fear of being stung, they can be mesmerizingly peaceful. From the bouncy sea nettles to stunning Lionsmain Jellies, tiny killer Box Jellies, and even a selection of stunning Bio-luminescent deep sea Jellyfish.
There are a lot of Squishies on display here.
Coral Reefs – Finding Nemo and Dory
So far we have focused on a lot of local and cold water exhibits, but we know you want to find Nemo…
The Monterey Bay Aquarium really focuses on the Life in and around Monterey, and this means there is very little in the way of Coral Reef. However, most younger visitors only REALLY want to see Dory and Nemo, Thanks Disney, so the Aqaurium balks slightly here and does allow a couple of beautiful reef tanks to be on display, you have to give the audience what they want after all.
These tanks are filled with colorful fish, stunning Corals, and of course Dory and Nemo, or Regal Tangs and Clownfish to the more scientifically inclined,
Penguins
The Penguin Exhibit is a really fun and action-packed area of the Aquarium. The Playful and energetic little birds really do have an awful lot of energy and just seem to spend the whole time playing, in and out of the water.
Seeing the contrast between the graceful underwater gliding and the awkward wobble on land is great. We really love these little guys and it’s clear from the excitement all around this exhibit just how popular they are.
Obviously these are not local to the Aquarium but are a great addition.
Rocky and Sandy Shores – Touch Pools, Interaction, and Aviaries
Another of the Monterey Bay habitats are the shallow tides pools and sandy shores that surround much of the bay. This is home to numerous creatures and the exhibits showcase these as a series of touch pools and even a walk in Aivary with a display of plovers, turnstones, and Oystercatchers.
The shallow pools are filled with a variety of Bat Rays, Guitarfish, crabs, and starfish many of which can be touched in the touch pools.
Kids love a good touch pool. These shallow pools allow you to get up close and personal with a variety of sea creatures found in the shallows and tide pools around the coastline. The Monterey Bay Aquarium takes things further with its Bat Ray touch pools where you can get hands-on with large rays and other larger sea animals.
The regular crab’s anemones and starfish are also available but the Ray pool is a bit different.
Overall
We had an utterly fantastic stay in Monterey, and the aquarium was right up there as one of the highlights. Sure it didn’t quite beat seeing 20+ Blue Whales surrounding our boat, but it’s still a wonderful experience. The Pacific Coast Highway is the quintessential US Road Trip and we implore anyone embarking it to make a stop at Monterey. And while here, it really is a crime to avoid the Aquarium.
There really are few aquariums worldwide that rival Monterey Bay and the fact it is a non-profit organization that does so much to help the natural surroundings of the Bay make it an absolute MUST-see attraction.
Have Your Say
Let us know what you think of the aquarium. Were you as enthralled and in love as us? Or did you come away feeling short-changed? We struggle to see why you would not love it but we all have different opinions. Let us know in the comments below. And fire away if you have any questions relating to the Aquarium.
