Open Sea
Out to sea and on the go—life's in constant motion in the open ocean.
Drift into a mesmerizing hall of pulsing, twirling jellies then dive into the Open Sea, where sea turtles cruise, sardines school, and tuna dart past the 90-foot window of our largest exhibit. Enjoy the colorful antics of puffins and the elegance of common murres as our diving seabirds perch, preen, and play.
- Location
- Second floor
- Ecosystem
- Open ocean
- Live cam
- Open Sea Cam
- Feedings
- Seabirds Feeding, Open Sea Feeding
Featured animals
Dolphinfish
Dolphinfish
The beautiful dolphinfish sports iridescent body colors—metallic blues and greens on the back and sides, with white and yellow underneath.
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Green turtle
Green turtle
A green turtle is always on the move. It starts life as an egg on a beach, then sets off to travel the open ocean.
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Pelagic stingray
Pelagic stingray
This ray prefers cruising open ocean waters to spending time on the sandy seafloor.
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Scalloped hammerhead shark
Scalloped hammerhead shark
With that wide, thick head shaped like a double-headed hammer, it's easy to identify a hammerhead shark.
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Exhibit highlights
Immerse yourself in the wonder of ocean life before the magnificent 90-foot windows of the million-gallon Open Sea exhibit.
Programs
Feedings
Open Sea Feeding
Witness shimmering sardines, darting tuna, and agile hammerhead sharks chow down during the daily feeding.
Feedings
Seabirds Feeding
Join puffins, common murres, and oystercatchers for a meal and learn more about these feathered friends.
Sea turtles
Sea turtles rid themselves of excess salt through a salt gland near each eye, making them appear to be crying.
Tuna
A streamlined, torpedo-shaped body and crescent-moon-shaped tail fin help tuna swim fast and efficiently.
Puffins
Puffins know how to pack: they often carry 10 fish in their mouths, but have been known to hold more than 60!
Anchovies
Anchovies frequently seem to be "yawning"—that's how you know it's mealtime. They're opening wide, straining tiny plant and animal plankton from the water.
Live cam
Open Sea Cam
View open-ocean animals, from tuna to turtles, sharks and sardines.
Keep exploring the open sea
Animals & the ocean
Deep sea animals A to Z
From football-sized giant isopods to transparent jellies that glow, the deep sea is brimming with life.