Our family-friendly aquarium is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm.See Central Coast Aquarium and all Avila Beach has to offer by arranging your trip with our Avila Beach trip planner.
During public hours, visitors have the opportunity to engage in hands-on exploration at the touch tanks - which are home to dozens of species of marine animals - from the commonly seen purple sea urchins, hermit crabs, sea stars and sea cucumbers to the unique gumboot chiton, abalone and kelp crabs. Our other exhibits include the red octopus, decorator crabs, flat bottom fish, rock fish, jellies and much more! And don’t miss the chance to get up close and personal with our local shark species during our shark talk and shark touch tank, offered every hour on the half hour! Staff, trained volunteers, and interns are stationed throughout the aquarium, ready to help identify animals on display, answer questions, and engage in conversation about the ocean environment.
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Central Coast Aquarium reviews
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This aquarium is in the perfect location (the beach), perfect size (small), perfect number of interesting species (like at least one of everything, perfect staff (welcoming and pleasant) and perfect..... more
This aquarium is in the perfect location (the beach), perfect size (small), perfect number of interesting species (like at least one of everything, perfect staff (welcoming and pleasant) and perfect..... more »
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Cute and small. It has been open for 14 years and is apart of the museums for all program. Which if you were not aware of this program it is where card holders of Medi-cal or Ebt can have low cost discounted admission to these places. It is a program that gives those in poverty the chance to learn just like everyone else. Definitely donate to this aquarium. their staff is lovely and so are their marine family. We all should help small places like these grow. I am so glad to have included this Aquarium in my itinerary. My mother, sister and two children loved it as well. Small in size but everything inside leaves the greatest memory.
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This wondrous gem of the Central Coast offers magical interactive experiences with living local Sealife. Nature lovers of all ages will learn about ocean stewardship through education, engagement and interaction with the animals ~ like petting a young swell shark! Come visit, and leave inspired. Donations always welcomed!
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