Aquarium of the Pacific Tours and Tickets

There are several different ways to visit, see, or learn about the Aquarium of the Pacific at Long Beach, California. Looking at the ratings and reviews already given by customers, these are your best options available right now:

• Guided Whale Watching Tour from Long Beach

• Private Helicopter Tour Over Long Beach: See Catalina and Queen Mary

• Long Beach Harbor 45-Minute Boat Tour

• Skip the Ticketing Line: Aquarium of the Pacific General Admission Ticket

• Long Beach Self-Guided Bike Tour

General admission tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific start at US$44.95 for adults, with discounts available for kids and seniors. If you want to make it more of an occasion, there are upgrade options such as whale-watching cruises and harbor tours, which add another US$30-40 to your entry.

Yes, the Aquarium of the Pacific is worth visiting, especially if you're exploring the Long Beach area with the kids in tow. It's Southern California's largest aquarium, so expect a visit to last around three hours, covering highlights such as the sting ray pool, shark lagoon, and the penguin habitat.

Per one customer who booked the Skip the Ticketing Line: Aquarium of the Pacific General Admission Ticket, "All of the staff were super friendly and informative. Very enjoyable experience. The shark exhibit was nice and the giant manta ray was incredible. We also enjoyed the Olive Ridley turtles and the jellies."

Plan to spend about 3 hours exploring the Aquarium—perhaps less if you have young children with short attention spans. If you would like to attend shows or special programs, allow for more time. You can plan your visit with a daily schedule that you can pick up at the entrance.

It costs US$8 to park at the Aquarium of the Pacific, with the Aquarium's validation. Guests can pay with a credit card when leaving the parking lot—on Shoreline Drive, between Chestnut Place and Aquarium Way—or at one of the kiosks near the elevators.

The use of cameras and video cameras are allowed at the Aquarium of the Pacific as long as the images and footage is for personal use. Commercial photographers must obtain permission. Tripods are not allowed, except during Photographer’s Night events, for which a special ticket must be obtained.

Yes, guests are allowed re-entry into the Aquarium of the Pacific for same day visits. Just be sure to get your hand stamped at the exit door, as valid stamps serve as re-entry tickets if you want to come back later that same day.

Yes, a reservation for timed entry is required for any visitor over age 3 to the Aquarium of the Pacific. This applies to online and in-person ticket purchases, as well as for members. Reservations are free and can be made on the Aquarium website. You must present this reservation with your ticket.

Yes, though bags will be subject to search for the safety of other guests and staff. Weapons, drugs, alcoholic beverages, animals, and coolors or ice chests are not allowed at the Aquarium. Outside food is also not allowed inside the Aquarium, but it may be eaten at picnic tables in the plaza area.

When you're done visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach has several other visitor attractions to check out. Per other travelers, here are some of the top attractions in Long Beach:

• The Queen Mary

• Pacific Battleship Center - Battleship IOWA Museum

• Naples

• Rainbow Harbor

• Museum of Latin American Art

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Long Beach.