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Aquarium of the Pacific - A Non-profit Organization
Today's Hours: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Tidepool Animal Exploration

Investigate and observe local tidepool animals with our Educators. Aquarium on Wheels Tidepool Animal Exploration can serve up to 100 students per hour.

Kids at a tidepool touch tank
Program Information
Availability Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Cost

$1,500 includes 2 hours of active programming time*

Additional hours are $750/hr with a maximum of 5 hours per day, dependent on location.

Capacity 80-100 participants per hour.
Accessibility Aquarium on Wheels vehicle is wheelchair accessible.
*Actual visit duration will be longer. The Aquarium on Wheels requires a 30 minute closure to allow for staff rest periods. This break time will not be deducted from the active programming time.

Frequently Asked Questions

I booked a Tidepool Animal Exploration program… now what happens?

After calling to make a reservation, please fill out the Tidepool Animal Exploration Pre-Visit Form which will help us gather details for your event. We ask that you complete this form 4-6 weeks prior to your event date. After the form is completed, you will be contacted via email or phone to finalize the booking.

Do we need to supply anything for a Tidepool Animal Exploration program?

You do not need to supply anything other than a suitable parking space for our truck. The truck requires a parking space with the minimum dimensions of 50’ L x 25’ W x 15’ H. The parking space must be a hard (no grass/dirt), flat, level surface, and must be safely accessible for the participants. This vehicle will be used in the touch portion of the program. Parking must be easily accessible, allowing for entry and exit without obstruction. The vehicle cannot be parked in designated pathways such as alleyways, fire lanes, or bike lanes. In the event of an animal or system emergency, we must ensure a quick and safe exit from the event site.

Why is there a 100 participant limit for each hour?

The Aquarium on Wheels truck features three touch pools, each exhibiting a unique selection of tidepool animals for guests to explore. Due to the limited space inside the truck, it typically takes each guest a few minutes to engage with all three pools. The 100 participants per hour limit helps ensure that all guests have an enjoyable experience while maintaining the safety of both the visitors and the animals.

I am booking for a school site, how can I schedule 100 students per hour?

For school visits with set class times, we ask that 15-20 minute time slots are designated for individual classes of 15-35 students to visit. The total number of students that visit the truck within an hour should not exceed 100. Guidelines to create your schedule are specified in the Tidepool Exploration Pre-Visit form.

I am booking for a public event, how can I schedule 100 participants per hour?

At public events, where guests are not following a set schedule, a queue will be organized outside the truck. Aquarium staff will manage the flow of visitors to ensure an orderly and engaging experience. We typically see 80-100 guests per hour.

Field Trips to the Aquarium

Reservations & Info • (562) 590-3100, ext. 0

  • Provide opportunities to touch animals including sharks, sea stars, anemones, and more
  • Engage and excite students
  • Inspire awe in the Pacific Ocean and the animals that live there
  • Connect to classroom curriculum
  • Require advanced reservation