Plan your field trip

Field trip programs are designed for PK-12 and college classes at public, private, or charter schools. Each individual class is eligible for one free trip per school year. 

Our programs are available for PK-12 classes. Each of our programs are tailored to specific grade bands and designed to complement relevant NGSS milestones. 

PK/TK-2: Rocky Shore Explorations, Busy Sea Otters

3-5: Kelp Forest Connections, Intertidal Survival, Sharks: The Real Story

6-8: STEM at Sea, Dive into the Deep

9-12: Oasis in the Deep Sea, Tracking Ocean Animals

Special day classes of all grades can book our accessible lab, Habitat Hunters.
Self-guided programs are available for all grades, including college. 

Homeschool days are currently on pause while we revise our curriculum and will return in the near future. We appreciate your patience.

Questions? Contact the team at schoolprograms@mbayaq.org.

Want to be notified when programs go live? Sign up for education notifications to keep up-to-date with all of our programs.

A typical field trip will last three to four hours, but visit length varies. In-person groups are welcome to stay and explore until we close for the day. You’re welcome to exit and re-enter the Aquarium with your group–your chaperone stickers will act as your tickets for the day.

Virtual field trip programs run for approximately 35 minutes, including log in and set up time.

The Aquarium strives to be fully accessible to all, including guests with mobility devices such as wheelchairs and motorized scooters. Wheelchairs, sensory kits, and red light flashlights are available free of charge and on a first-come, first-served basis at the Membership and Tours Center. Learn more about our accessibility options.

Each class is eligible for one free visit per school year.

Eligible groups include:

• Pre-K through 12th grade classes from public, private, and charter schools.
• College classes.

Homeschool days are currently on pause while we revise our curriculum and will return in the near future. We appreciate your patience.

Questions? Contact the team at schoolprograms@mbayaq.org.

Want to be notified when programs go live? Sign up for education notifications to keep up-to-date with all of our programs.

Homeschool days are currently on pause while we revise our curriculum and will be available again in the near future. We appreciate your patience.

If your homeschool or nontraditional school is affiliated with a public, private, or charter school, you may book a field trip using your parent school’s information. If your homeschool or nontraditional school is part of a PSP, please book via our homeschool program.

Questions? Contact the team at mailt:schoolprograms@mbayaq.org.

Want to be notified when programs go live? Sign up for education notifications to keep up-to-date with all of our programs.

Spanish and bilingual programs are available by request and depend on staff availability. Spanish language written materials are available in all labs.

Follow these steps to book a field trip:

• Select Book your field trip on our field trips webpage.
• Create an account or log into an existing account.
• Enter your group size and select your grade band to view our availability. Optionally, you can select your preferred date(s) and/or program type(s) to further filter the results.
• Select your preferred program and date from the listed options. Our programs fill up quickly, and availability is not guaranteed. If you do not see any results, then all options for your requested group size/grade band are fully booked. We encourage all educators to check our calendar frequently, as closed time slots may reopen.
• Complete the requested information and submit your booking. You will receive a confirmation email containing your tickets. Your trip is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email.
• Visit our Educator account FAQs for more specific information about booking

Facilitated field trip reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Self-guided field trip reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. You may book several months in advance.

PreK-12 field trip programs are offered at set times Tuesday through Friday during the school year. If you would like to visit on a Monday, a weekend, a holiday, or at a different time, you may purchase tickets. We do not offer group discounts at this time.

Classroom capacity varies. Please refer to the key below:

Rocky Shore Explorations: 15–70

Habitat Hunters: 5–15

Bechtel Learning Labs (Kelp Forest Connections, Intertidal Survival, STEM at Sea, Oasis in the Deep Sea): 15–140

Tide Talks: 60–140

Virtual Tide Talks: 15–96

Self-guided: 10–140

You will receive a confirmation email shortly after booking. If you do not receive an email, please reach out to schoolprograms@mbayaq.org immediately.

If you need to update any of the information on your booking, please reach out to schoolprograms@mbayaq.org as soon as possible. Changes to class size or trip type may not be possible.

Each classroom is eligible for one free field trip per school year.

Our field trip programs are free of charge! For in-person programs, this includes complimentary entry into the Aquarium for all participating students, teachers, and chaperones. Your whole group must be present at check-in to qualify. Any additional group members who arrive after your entry time will need to purchase a ticket to enter the Aquarium.

Virtual Tide Talks are free as well, but take place fully remotely and do not include entry into the Aquarium.

We’re a proud participant in Museums for All, a national access program that encourages people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly. Museums for All is part of our commitment to providing more people an opportunity to experience the joy and wonders of the ocean. Anyone who receives SNAP benefits is eligible. Admission is free for the cardholder and up to three of their guests. To read more, visit our access programs information page.

• You may cancel your field trip up to two weeks in advance. To cancel, log in to your field trips account and search for the “Cancel” button next to your trip.
• If you need to cancel within two weeks of your field trip, reach out to schoolprograms@mbayaq.org immediately.
• Our field trip programs are free of charge. You will not be invoiced.

• We require a minimum of one chaperone for every ten students. Chaperones should be actively supporting student learning.
• All attending teachers, chaperones, and 1:1 support aides will receive complimentary entry into the Aquarium. Chaperones must arrive with your group at your designated check-in time, or they will not be able to enter the Aquarium without purchasing a ticket.
• While we no longer have a maximum chaperone count, individual classrooms do still have limited capacities:
• Aquarium Learning Labs (Rocky Shore Explorations and Habitat Hunters): one teacher and five chaperones
• Bechtel Center Labs (Kelp Forest Connections, Intertidal Survival, STEM at Sea, and Oasis in the Deep Sea): one teacher and four chaperones
• 1:1 support aides do not count against this total and are always accepted into the classroom with their students.
• All attending teachers, chaperones, and 1:1 support aides will receive complimentary entry into the Aquarium. Chaperones must arrive with your group at your designated check-in time, or they will not be able to enter the Aquarium without purchasing a ticket.

Yes, if they are participating as a chaperone. Chaperones must be adults 21 years of age or older who are not students in the participating class.

Please refer to our behavior guidelines and Visitor FAQs to view our guidelines.

Please bring what you will need to be comfortable for the day. Any bags or backpacks may be inspected by security upon entry. Outside food and drink cannot be consumed in the Aquarium, but water bottles are permitted and refill stations are available. Your group will have access to our free, day-use lockers during your visit.

• Attire should be appropriate for a family environment. Clothing that exposes excessive portions of the skin or contains offensive language or graphics may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment. Shoes with wheels may not be used on Aquarium property.
• Costumes may only be worn by guests 12 years of age or younger. Costumes must be family-friendly and may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon. Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects, or materials that may accidentally injure another guest, staff, volunteer, or exhibit animals. Costume masks/face coverings cannot be worn by any guest, regardless of age, during their visit.

At registration, you will be assigned a reserved time slot in our picnic area. This time slot cannot be changed. Outside food and drink cannot be consumed in the Aquarium, but water bottles are permitted and refill stations are available.

Yes! To help prepare for your upcoming visit, here are some helpful resources:

• Behavior Contract found on Book a Field Trip page: Please complete this form and bring it with you on the day of your field trip.
• Our orientation videos (available in English and Spanish) are designed to get your class ready and excited for their visit.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled entry time.

Bus pick-up and drop-off zones are available outside the Aquarium and the Bechtel Center. Check out our directions and instructions for bus drivers here.

• For Rocky Shore Explorations, Habitat Hunters, Tide Talks, and self-guided visits, please check in at the Hovden Way entrance at the main Aquarium.
• For Kelp Forest Connections, Intertidal Survival, STEM at Sea, or Oasis in the Deep Sea, please check in at the Bechtel Family Center.

We have a 10-minute grace period for late arrivals. If you arrive more than 10 minutes after your scheduled check-in time, your program may need to be abbreviated or cancelled. Please contact us as soon as possible by calling 831.648.4800 if you are delayed.

• You are welcome to explore the Aquarium at your own pace. Students must be accompanied by a chaperone at all times.
• Our amazing staff and volunteers are available throughout the Aquarium for questions and guidance. Maps, accessibility tools, and show information are available at our Membership and Information Desk, located by the main entrance.

• Our labs and auditorium programs are led by Aquarium educators, but your time in the Aquarium is self-guided. You will be able to explore at your own pace.
• Looking for day-of activities? Check out our educator resources for free printables and activities that your group can enjoy at the Aquarium.

The Aquarium strives to be fully accessible to all, including guests with mobility devices such as wheelchairs and motorized scooters. Wheelchairs, sensory kits, and red light flashlights are available free of charge and on a first-come, first-served basis at the Membership and Tours Center. Learn more about our accessibility options.

• We welcome trained service dogs that meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standard, including service dogs in training. For the safety and welfare of the animals in our care, pets and emotional support or companion animals aren’t allowed inside the Aquarium.
• Service dogs must be under control at all times—either harnessed or leashed—unless these devices interfere with the service dog'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 dog.
• Service dogs aren’t allowed in the Aviary or during Albatross Encounters at the Kelp Forest.
• Please review our full service animal guidelines here.

Accessibility requests can be made at booking. To update your request or make a new request, follow these steps:

• For Ocean Connection Lab and Tide Talk programs: Your Aquarium educator will reach out to you two weeks prior to your visit. At that time, you may contact them directly with any questions. Prior to this, you may contact our team at schoolprograms@mbayaq.org
• For self-guided programs: Please contact us at schoolprograms@mbayaq.org

Spanish and bilingual programs are available by request and depend on staff availability. Spanish language written materials are available in each lab, and presentation text is provided bilingually where possible.

Our Security team is on-site 24/7. In the event of an emergency, please notify the nearest staff member. For more information, review our guest behavior guidelines or contact us at 831.648.4800.

Please review our guest behavior guidelines.

The Aquarium, the Bechtel Center, and our covered picnic area are open rain or shine. You will still be able to attend your lab and explore the Aquarium in inclement weather. 

Yes! Please reach out to us at schoolprograms@mbayaq.org, or call 831.648.4800.

The best way to stay up-to-date with our programs is to sign up for education notifications!

• You may reach out to your Aquarium educator directly, or contact the team by emailing schoolprograms@mbayaq.org or calling 831.648.4800.
• Every query is important to us. A member of our team will reach out to you within 72 hours, unless it is a holiday.