Seaside Aquarium, Seaside

Happened to be in the area and decided to check out the aquarium with a couple of friends, as we're always interested in seeing what aquariums, zoos, etc have to offer. While there was some really neat information regarding the animals in their care, all of the exhibits seemed exceedingly small with too many in each tank. And while it was very fun to see the seals, watch them be fed, and even throw fish to them ourselves, seeing that there are a dozen plus seals in such a small area is very, very heartbreaking, especially as they know nothing other than clapping and slapping for food. There's hardly room for them to swim around one another. There may very well be a hidden 'room' for them but from what we saw it was way too small for the number of animals, honestly too small of a pen for even just one or two. There was nothing to provide enrichment to them at all. Just tourists throwing them fish. The aquarium itself is really small. The main portion is essentially one big room lined with tanks, a touch-tank, and a couple of tanks in the middle. The seals are near the entrance/exit and their enclosure is smaller than the room of tanks. For the $8.50 that's charged I'd expect to see a little bit more, or at least animals in better/bigger enclosures. The people who work there seemed to really genuinely care about the animals and enjoy their jobs, but it was just unfortunate to see the state of the animals in the aquarium, and the state of the enclosures.

So on our mid winter trip to Seaside we meandered down the Prom and stumbled into the aquarium. To the left are a bunch of seals you can feed and to the right is a small gift shop. For a very small fee you can go in and tour the very small aquarium. We were the only people in there. The staff were so friendly and informative. They talked to my daughter while my husband and I walked around taking pictures. They have a neat coloring station for little ones and a touch and feel tank where you can hold starfish and snails. Overall for how limited the experience is I was impressed. While looking at all the sea life was very neat our whole family's favorite part was feeding those adorable seals. They are such great actors. Very sneaky. Get several trays of food. Will absolutely go back again and again.