Accessibility & inclusion guide

Hours and location

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is located at 886 Cannery Row in Monterey, California.

Our hours of operation vary. Please check our schedule to verify when we’ll be open on your intended date of visit and to view what programs, tours, and feedings will be available. 

We recommend budgeting three to four hours to visit.

Tip: The Aquarium is quietest one to two hours before closing, especially in fall and winter. School groups generally visit until 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday throughout the school year. We experience our most popular visitation during the summer, holidays, and on weekends.

If you have questions about a specific day or time of year, call our Concierge Team at 831.648.4800, option 3, or reach out through our Accessibility contact form.

Visitor guide

Our Aquarium map provides the layout of our exhibits, restrooms, elevators, and other important areas for your visit. Paper visitor guides, which include a map as well as the program schedule for the day, are available at the Aquarium entrance.

View Aquarium maps

Ticket considerations

Admission tickets are only available online. While tickets are generally available day-of, we strongly recommend purchasing your tickets prior to arrival.  

For general questions and customer service, please contact us at 831.648.4800, option 3. We are available Monday through Sunday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pacific Time.

Tip: Consider a membership

• Members can visit as often as they would like, for as long as they want—a great option for people to explore the Aquarium at their own pace.
• No reservations needed. Named members only need to bring their valid membership card and photo identification to enter the Aquarium.
• Members can skip the queue and enter through our express entry.
• Early entry provides opportunities to visit without becoming overstimulated by the sights, sounds, smells, and crowds present during normal operating hours.

Caregivers and companions

Any caregiver required to assist a guest with a disability during their visit to the Aquarium can receive complimentary admission. The individual requiring assistance, and any additional guests, will need to purchase admission to enter the Aquarium.

Please call our Concierge Team at 831.648.4800, option 3, to set up arrangements, or reach out through our Accessibility contact form.

Service animals

• 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.
• If a service dog becomes disruptive (jumping, barking, growling, biting, attempting to bite, or relieving itself), you’ll be asked to remove the dog from the Aquarium.
• A card with this information will be provided by Security staff for each guest with a service dog upon entry.
• If a service dog 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 to the Aquarium.

Parking

There are several parking options nearby, including street parking and city lots. While we don’t offer public parking on-site, guests with disabilities may park for free on surrounding streets at any metered parking space (except for meters with a yellow top) by displaying a disabled veteran or disabled person placard or license plate.

Tip: On popular days, the nearest available parking may be several blocks away. We have clearly marked passenger drop-off and pick-up zones available for your use near the Aquarium’s entrance on Cannery Row.

• See directions & parking
• See City of Monterey’s Disabled Parking page

Public transportation

There are a number of public transportation options available, depending on where you are visiting from:

• Monterey-Salinas Transit
• Greyhound Bus
• Monterey Salinas Airbus
• Amtrak

Summer free trolley

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Monterey-Salinas Transit operates a free, wheelchair-accessible trolley with stops throughout the city of Monterey. It departs every 10–15 minutes with a stop just outside the Aquarium’s entrance.

• See MST Trolley page

Entering the Aquarium

• Our entrance is located at the corner of Cannery Row and David Avenue.
• All guests will enter through a queue to have their tickets scanned. Please ensure everyone in your party has a ticket before joining the entry queue. Members can skip the queue by joining the member express entry lane.
• Depending on the day, the general admission queue may extend outdoors and up a slight incline. If you or someone in your party is unable to wait and/or stand in the queue, you’re welcome to join our express entry lane.

Security checkpoint

• Our touchless security screening system at the entrance is fully accessible. People with implanted electronic medical devices can walk through, but please note that low frequency radio wave systems are in use.

Staff and volunteers

• Guest Experience staff and volunteer guides are here to assist! If you have any questions or concerns before or during your visit, anyone with a Monterey Bay Aquarium name badge will be happy to assist you.

Restrooms

• All of our restrooms have accessible stalls and lowered sinks, and electronic-assist doors for entry.
• An all-gender and barrier-free restroom is located on the second floor of the Open Sea, near Soaring with Seabirds.
• Less-frequented restrooms are located on the first and second floor of the Open Sea wing.
• We don't currently have universal changing tables in our restrooms.

Nursing lounge

• Please feel free to nurse anywhere you are comfortable.
• A nursing lounge is available on the second floor of the Open Sea wing with three recliners, a bottle-warming station, a sink, and a collection of board books for siblings.

Restrooms

• All of our restrooms have changing tables for your convenience and sinks at a lower height for children to access.
• The restrooms on the second floor of the Open Sea wing also have children’s seats in the stalls to comfortably secure a child in while using the restroom.
• There is an all-gender, single-stall restroom located across from the Nursing Lounge on the second floor of the Open Sea wing which may be used as a family restroom.

Stroller access

• Strollers and wagons are permitted everywhere except inside the Aviary, on the mezzanine of the Sea Otters exhibit, and inside the Auditorium. ADA strollers are allowed in all public spaces.
• Some of our galleries may be dark or difficult to navigate with a stroller, especially on popular days. We have designated stroller parking areas throughout the Aquarium for your convenience. Please take your valuables with you—the Aquarium is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

Complimentary wheelchairs

• We have manual wheelchairs available to borrow for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ask any staff member at the entrance, Information Center, or Membership and Tours Center for assistance.
• We don't have electric/powered mobility devices available to borrow.
• Borrowed wheelchairs must remain on Aquarium property. They can be returned to the Information Center, the Membership and Tours Center, or to any staff member near the exit.
• Wheelchairs are cleaned and sanitized after each use.

Ramps and elevators

• We provide ADA-compliant ramps and elevators to all of our exhibits, including the Sea Otter and Open Sea mezzanines.

Electronic-assist doors

• Electronic-assist doors are located throughout the Aquarium. They can be activated by round metal buttons with a blue wheelchair symbol.
• Please give yourself space between you and the door - some open outward and some open inward.

Seating

• There are benches and other seating located throughout the Aquarium and our outdoor viewing areas.

Auditorium seating

• There is reserved seating for guests in wheelchairs and their companions inside the Auditorium, closest to the entrance. Please contact the staff at the Auditorium for assistance. There are also four aisle seats with movable armrests.

Touch pools

• Both of our touch pools in the Ocean’s Edge have lower sections accessible to guests in wheelchairs.
• We also have trays available to bring certain touch pool animals closer to guests; please ask a volunteer guide for assistance. Due to the welfare of the animals, this isn’t possible at the Bat Ray Touch Pool or Giant Isopod Touch Pool.

Auditorium

• Our Auditorium is outfitted with a hearing loop assistive listening system. Switch over to ‘T’/telecoil mode on your hearing aid or cochlear implant to take advantage of the amplified sound during Auditorium programs.
• Written transcriptions of auditorium programs are available in English and Spanish upon request from the program presenter, or at the Membership and Tours Center.

American Sign Language Interpretation

• Any interpreter accompanying a visitor who is deaf or hard of hearing is admitted free of charge.
• American Sign Language for tours can be arranged at no cost for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing. Two weeks' advance notice is needed to make arrangements.
• Please call our Concierge Team at 831.648.4800, option 3, to set up arrangements, or contact us through our Accessibility contact form.

Exhibit labels

• Descriptive labels in English and Spanish are featured at each exhibit throughout the Aquarium to provide guests with information about the animals and habitats.
• These panels include habitat descriptions, species identification, discussions of conservation issues, photographs, illustrations, diagrams, and much more.

Closed captions

• All videos in our exhibit galleries have closed captions in English and Spanish.

Languages

• Many of our staff and volunteers are bilingual or multilingual. Look for their badges!
• We currently have visitor programs available in eight different languages, including English, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. Find them at our Information Center.
• Our Auditorium Presentations and Live Feeding Programs are offered in English, or bilingual using a technique called Blended Language Programming. This technique uses both English and Spanish, curating the narration with the help of cognates and visual clues that allows people that only speak either English or Spanish to enjoy the program, and those who speak both languages do not hear the information twice. Presenters will let you know at the beginning of the program so you can enjoy this unique experience.

Tactile sculptures

Tactile bronze models of plants and animals are featured at several exhibits throughout the Aquarium. There are also sculptures of jellies on the walls as you enter the Open Sea galleries. 

Interpretive staff and volunteers

Staff members and volunteer guides are stationed throughout the galleries to provide detailed descriptions of the animals and exhibits.

Red light flashlights

Some areas of the Aquarium are dimly lit for the welfare of our animals, including the Open Sea wing and the Into the Deep exhibit. Red light flashlights can help visitors navigate these low-light environments without disturbing the exhibit animals. 

Red light flashlights can be checked out, free of charge, at the Membership and Tours Center after entering the Aquarium. For additional information, please contact us at 831.648.4800, option 3.

Sensory bag and noise-reducing headphones

• The Aquarium offers sensory bags for guests in need of extra sensory support during their visit. Each bag, as well as the bag itself, includes items that serve various tactile needs, such as a smooth or pointy surface and a hard or soft squeeze.
• We also offer noise-reduction headphones to reduce (not cancel) the amount of sound you hear.
• Sensory bags and headphones can be checked out, free of charge, at the Membership and Tours Center after entering the Aquarium. For additional information, please contact us at 831.648.4800, option 3.

Sensory cards

Sensory cards give a brief look at the sensory aspects of most areas of the Aquarium so guests can know what to expect. It rates each exhibit based on the strength of four kinds of stimuli: noise, visual, touch, and smell.

View exhibit sensory guide

Tips

Take breaks

• While we don't currently have a sensory room, quieter areas can be found throughout the Aquarium. Options include the seating area near the Ocean’s Edge stairwell and the observation decks overlooking Monterey Bay on the third floor of the Ocean’s Edge and second floor of the Open Sea by Soaring with Seabirds.
• Guests can leave and re-enter the Aquarium throughout the day by getting a handstamp at the exit.

Be mindful of transitions

• There are noise, temperature, and lighting changes when traveling throughout the Aquarium galleries. The first floor Ocean’s Edge, Open Sea, and Into the Deep exhibits feature darker galleries to navigate.
• Take advantage of seating areas for time to adjust to the new environment.

Medical and emergency assistance

Aquarium security staff are trained first responders and are available at all times. Please contact the nearest Aquarium staff or volunteer in the event of an emergency. 

AEDs

Portable automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are located throughout the Aquarium. Security and other staff have been trained in their use.

Hand sanitizer

For your convenience, we have several hand sanitizer stations located throughout the Aquarium.

Food allergies and dietary needs

• Our Cafe features fresh, seasonal entrees for the entire family. We have vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available.
• Food served in the Cafe is not prepared in an allergen-free kitchen. For allergen information or if you have specific dietary questions, please contact Cafe staff when you arrive.
• No outside food or drink may be consumed inside the Aquarium. Guests with medical conditions that require access to food are exempt from this policy.

Tip: Guests can get a hand stamp near the exit to leave and come back later if you would prefer to try one of several dining options nearby.

Water bottles

Refillable water bottles are allowed. We have water-fill stations and water fountains available throughout the Aquarium.

Gift shops

• All Aquarium gift stores are wheelchair accessible. They are located on the:
  • First floor near the entrance
  • First floor near the Sea Otters exhibit
  • Second floor near the entrance to the Open Sea wing
  • Second floor near the entrance to the Ocean's Edge wing
• For a quieter experience, you can visit the Aquarium Store located just down the street at 585 Cannery Row or shop our online store.

Return borrowed items

If you or someone in your party borrowed a sensory bag and/or wheelchair, please return them to the Membership and Tours Center near the entrance.

Re-entry

You're welcome to exit and re-enter the Aquarium throughout your visit. Should you need to leave and come back, you can stamp your hand at our main exit. When you return, join the re-entry queue at the entrance.

Exit

You may exit the Aquarium adjacent to our entrance on Cannery Row.

Pick-up options

There is a passenger loading zone located in front of the Aquarium on Cannery Row. The turnaround located directly across the street from the Aquarium is also a convenient pick-up location.

WCAG standards

Accessibility is a key value in our digital creation practices at the Aquarium. We aim for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) AA standards for all digital output, including our websites, multimedia files like videos and PDFs, and on social media. 

Our practices include (but are not limited to): providing alternative text for images, captioning and providing transcript files for video, ensuring high color contrast ratios, creating buttons and controls that are usable across a diversity of abilities, avoiding animations that can cause adverse reactions, and writing clear and approachable copy.