The Aquarium of the Pacific opened on June 20, 1998, on a 6-acre site along Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, California. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, it was built to showcase the biodiversity of the Pacific Ocean, from the cold waters off Alaska to the tropical reefs of the South Pacific.
Today the aquarium is home to more than 12,000 animals representing nearly 500 species, housed across galleries themed around Southern California/Baja, the Northern Pacific, and the Tropical Pacific. Its largest tank holds roughly 350,000 gallons, while the three-story Honda Blue Cavern tank in the Southern California/Baja Gallery holds about 142,000 gallons and is filled with real ocean water pumped in from Long Beach Harbor.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Long Beach, California
- Opened: June 20, 1998
- Size: 6 acres
- Species/Animal count: About 12,000 animals, nearly 500 species
- Largest tank: About 350,000 gallons
- Annual visitors: About 1.7 million (2018)
- Famous for: Blue Cavern tank and Shark Lagoon
Exhibits and Galleries
The aquarium’s main galleries are organized by region of the Pacific: the Southern California/Baja Gallery, the Northern Pacific Gallery, and the Tropical Pacific Gallery. Standout exhibits include the June Keyes Penguin Habitat, Shark Lagoon, and the Sea Otter Habitat, each designed to give visitors close encounters with species drawn from across the ocean’s varied climates.
The centerpiece Blue Cavern tank rises three stories and is stocked with animals native to the kelp forests and rocky reefs found just offshore of Southern California, reflecting the aquarium’s focus on the Pacific rather than a generic global collection.
A Nonprofit Dedicated to Conservation
Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Aquarium of the Pacific pairs its exhibits with conservation and education programming, and it holds accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. As of 2024 the organization was supported by roughly 485 staff members and nearly 2,000 volunteers.
Since opening in 1998, it has grown into one of the most visited aquariums in the United States, drawing about 1.7 million guests in 2018 to its Long Beach waterfront location at Rainbow Harbor.
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Cold water for the whole loop around the zoo, with a straw lid that doesn't leak in the bag.
A stick means no greasy hands. Reapply quickly between the penguins and the giraffes.
Let them photograph their own favorite animals — and keep your phone in your pocket.
Aquarium of the Pacific FAQs
When did the Aquarium of the Pacific open?
It opened on June 20, 1998, in Long Beach, California.
How many animals live at the Aquarium of the Pacific?
The aquarium is home to more than 12,000 animals representing nearly 500 species.
How big is the largest tank at the aquarium?
Its largest tank holds about 350,000 gallons of water.
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Photo: Jengod / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.