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Terms & conditions for admission

Definitions

  • "Aquarium" or "we" refers to the Monterey Bay Aquarium or any of their officers, agents, servants or employees, or any entity controlled by them.
  • "You" refers to the purchaser or bearer of tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium or your heirs, executors or administrators, and any accompanying minors.

Your responsibilities

By using a ticket to the Aquarium you:

  • Relieve the Aquarium from liability for personal injury, illness, permanent disability, property damage or death, whether caused by negligence, omissions or action of the Aquarium or otherwise.
  • Agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Aquarium against claims, suits, damages and liabilities of any nature including all costs, expenses and attorney’s fees which in any manner result from your attendance or actions during your visit to the Aquarium.
  • Understand the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the increased risk of becoming exposed or infected with COVID-19 by visiting the Aquarium.
  • Agree to follow our guest behavior guidelines, which outline prohibited conduct and items.

If you do not agree to be bound by these terms and conditions, do not reserve a ticket.

Changes to your order

No refunds

  • All tickets are non-refundable.
  • Membership fees are considered donations and therefore non-refundable.

Exchanges

  • General admission tickets: If you can't come on the day of your scheduled visit, you have until 4 p.m. PT that day to exchange your tickets, subject to availability.
  • Tour tickets: Tour tickets can be exchanged up until 60 minutes before the scheduled start time.
  • If the price of the tickets on the new date is higher, you are responsible for paying the difference. The Aquarium does not refund the difference for exchanges to lower-priced tickets.

How to exchange

  • You must log in to the account associated with the email address you used to purchase your ticket.
  • If you checked out as a guest when purchasing your ticket, you can log in by using the “forgot password” button.
  • Once logged in to your account, select the "My tickets" button, scroll down to “My tickets and events” and select the "Exchange" link next to your tickets. There, you will be able to choose a new date for your tickets. If the price for the tickets on the new date you select is higher, you’ll be prompted to pay the difference. The Aquarium does not refund the difference for exchanges to lower-priced tickets. If you need to exchange some but not all of the tickets on your order, please call us at 831.648.4800.
  • Underwater Explorers tickets cannot be exchanged online. Please call 831.648.4800 for assistance. 

Policy details

Please carefully review the cancelation and no-refund policy for each of the below.

General admission tickets

  • A ticket is good for one admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
  • All tickets are non-refundable.
  • Tickets may not be copied, transferred, or resold.
  • Unauthorized duplication or sale of any ticket may prevent your admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
  • The Monterey Bay Aquarium is not responsible for any inconvenience caused by unauthorized duplication of any ticket.
  • Tickets cannot be replaced if lost, stolen, or destroyed.
  • Tickets obtained from unauthorized sources may be lost, stolen or counterfeit, and, therefore, such tickets are void.

Memberships and donations

  • Membership fees are considered donations and therefore non-refundable.
  • The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 94-2487469). Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law. You'll receive an acknowledgment stating the value of any tangible benefits received.
  • Guest passes are a benefit at certain membership and donor circle levels.
  • Guest passes are intended for use by family and friends. They may not be re-sold on third-party websites or used with vacation rentals and businesses.
  • The misuse of member guest passes will result in the loss of this benefit.

Changes to these terms

  • The Aquarium has the right to revise these terms and conditions without advanced notice. We will post any updates here.