Preguntas frecuentes de Waves of Learning

The Waves of Learning program is designed for students who do not attend a traditional seat-based school and might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in a field trip. It’s intended for individual families seeking educational experiences that enrich and complement their children's at-home learning. 

The PreK-12 field trips are designed for PreK-12 classes at public, private, or charter schools that meet the following minimum student and grade band requirements:

• Discovery Lab Programs
  • Minimum of 15 students
  • Grade bands: K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12
• Tide Talk programs
  • Minimum of 60 students
  • Grade bands: PreK–TK, K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12
• Self-Guided programs
  • Minimum of 10 students
  • Mixed grades

If your group meets the minimum student requirements and matches the grade band for the program selected, you are eligible to book one of our PreK-12 field trip programs. 

Waves of Learning field trips reservations are opening soon.

If your family can no longer attend, please refer to your original confirmation email and select the cancel button under cancelations.

In addition to Aquarium admission, the Waves of Learning program offers several different activities to enhance your student’s learning. These activities are staff-led and designed to meet a variety of learning objectives, interests, and Next Generation Science Standards.

Find descriptions of the optional activities. Each activity has a recommended age group that it was designed for, but all are welcome to attend.

No. The Aquarium entry and all optional activities are free of charge.

The Aquarium does not have designated parking. Review our public parking options and instructions, including bike parking, public transportation options, and electric vehicle charging.

• Ensure that your travel time to the Aquarium allows for traffic, parking, and any stops that might be necessary.
• Dress in layers as the weather in Monterey can be cold and warm on the same day.
• Familiarize yourself with the Aquarium map and make a plan for what exhibits you want to visit.
• For visitors with sensory sensitivities, consider reviewing our exhibit sensory guides and sensory map.

The Bechtel Education Center is the Aquarium’s educational building. It is located at 625 Cannery Row, 2 blocks from the Main Aquarium.

We're committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment where individual differences are accepted, respected, appreciated, and valued. Review our Accessibility and Inclusion guide to ensure you’re best prepared for your visit.

Visit the Information desk inside the Main Aquarium to pick up a sensory map. Our sensory map identifies high and low sensory stimulation. It’s labeled with  information on light, noise, smell, and opportunities for free play within the Aquarium. 

You can check out sensory bags and noise cancelling/reducing headphones free of charge at the Membership and Tours Center. 

If the activity you want is full, you can drop in at the activity location before the start time to see if there are any cancellations or no-shows. Keep in mind that this may mean walking 2 blocks with no guarantee of a spot in the activity.

The activities do have limited capacities, so we recommend that you sign up ahead of time. 

You are welcome to drop in to the activity location before the session starts and wait to see if there are any cancellations or no-shows. Keep in mind that this may mean walking 2 blocks with no guarantee of a spot in the activity.

No, your whole family does not need to attend the activity. We understand that some of your children might not be interested in certain activities and it is ok to have only some family members attend activities based on student interest. 

Yes. Upon check-in, all adults will receive a chaperone sticker that will serve as their ticket for the day. Just make sure that sticker is visible and you can exit and re-enter as needed throughout the day.

No outside food or drink may be consumed inside the Aquarium or the Bechtel Education Center, except for guests with medical conditions that require access to food. Small snacks for children are OK.

Refillable water bottles or other resealable containers are allowed. 

Yes. Our Cafe is open from 10 a.m. to 30 minutes before closing and will be open for dine-in meals during your visit. Cafe seating is available to patrons of the Cafe in the dining area. 

Yes. There's a picnic area located on the Recreation Trail just behind the bus turnaround. A staff member will be happy to point you in the right direction.

There are also a number of great picnic sites within walking distance from the Aquarium, including Lovers Point, Berwick Park, and San Carlos Beach.

Please follow posted signs, be mindful of wildlife, and dispose of all waste in the proper receptacles.

Strollers and wagons are permitted throughout the Aquarium, except in the Aviary, the mezzanine of the Sea Otters exhibit, and the Auditorium. We have designated stroller parking areas throughout the Aquarium. We ask that you be considerate of other visitors as they navigate dark galleries to see the exhibits.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium welcomes trained service animals that meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standard. 

Service animals must be under control at all times—either harnessed or leashed—unless these devices interfere with the service animal's work or your disability prevents the use of these devices. In these cases, you must use voice, signal, or other effective methods to maintain control of the service animal.

Service animals aren't allowed in the Aviary, the All About the Animals Tour, the Family Adventures in the Animal Care Tour, or during the Albatross Encounters at the Kelp Forest exhibit.

If a service animal becomes disruptive (jumping, barking, growling, biting, attempting to bite, or relieving itself), you'll be asked to remove the animal from the Aquarium.

A card with this information will be provided by Security staff for each guest with a service animal upon entry.

If a service animal needs to relieve itself during your visit, there are outdoor spaces nearby the Aquarium along the Recreation Trail and by the bus turnaround. Remember to get a handstamp before exiting to re-enter the Aquarium.

For the safety and welfare of our animals, we don't allow pets or emotional support animals inside the Aquarium. However, we do offer reentry, so you can leave during your visit to spend time with your emotional support animals and return after. Remember to grab a hand stamp at the exit before you leave.

There are several pet boarding facilities and pet-sitting services available in the Monterey area. Call the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 831.657.6400 for recommendations.

Refer to our Aquarium Behavior Guidelines for more information.

Have a different question? Check out our Kelp Desk by selecting the blue and white chat bubble in the lower right-hand corner of your screen.

Still need help? Please email schoolprograms@mbayaq.org or call us at 831.648.4800 and leave a message. A member of our team will reach out to you within 72 hours, excluding holidays.