Aquarium of the Bay VIP Experience

San Francisco, USA

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Go behind the scenes at San Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay with this VIP experience. Enjoy special access to the aquarium before it opens to the public and a personalized tour led by an aquarium expert. See first-hand how the Animal Care team prepares exhibits for the day and get up close to animals like sharks, rays, and otters

VIP experience at the Aquarium of the Bay
Go inside before the aquarium opens to the public
Unique opportunity to ask questions and go behind the scenes
Includes special video presentation on aquarium’s river otter training

What's Included

Admission to the Aquarium of the Bay
Watch biologists prepare animal habitats

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Meeting and Pickup

Operating hours
.9:15 am

Departure Point

Aquarium of the Bay, Embarcadero & Beach St Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133

What To Expect

Aquarium of the Bay

Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Stroller accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Most travelers can participate
Wheelchair accessible
The aquarium is open every day except Christmas Day
Free admission for children ages 3 and under
Wheelchair and stroller accessible

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8

based on 9 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

VIP with Connor Price was so worth it.

Nicola_H, Dec 2024

I would recommend doing this VIP as you get early access and an educational adviser which we had Connor Price. This was so worth doing as he showed us much more than we would of seen with out him, Connor also had a lot of information on everything that we asked him, so yes I would recommend this to anyone go early and learn and see more doing the VIP option.

The VIP Aquarium Adventure

Antje_S, Nov 2024

Our Guide Mayra was great and had very Good knowledges , we enjoyed it very much , thank you Mayra, we had a wonderfull time

Learned so much!

Jocelyn_T, Oct 2024

Claire was such a brilliant tour guide. She knew so many interesting facts about the Bay Area and make our tour informative and interactive!

VIP tickets for Birthday Grand daughters

RebeccaA_P, Aug 2024

This was a special trip for me, because it was to celebrate my 3 grand daughters August birthdays. They wanted to revist the Aquarium as adults with me. The VIP tour I thought would be a special way to do this. The info said it would be special access to the aquarium before it opens to the public and a personalized tour led by an aquarium expert. Claire was great, we could tell she loved the creatures great and small. Then the info said see first-hand how the Animal Care team prepares exhibits for the day and get up close to animals like sharks, rays, and otters. Unique opportunity to ask questions and go behind the scenes. When I asked Claire about the behind the scenes things mentioned she said that wasn't possible. We were very disappointed since that was what the info had said. We did enjoy the info shared by Claire, and her expertise was very much appreciated. However, I suggest the tour start earlier, we didn't get to the first tunnel before being over run with auarium vistors. And ither change the info given when purchasing VIP tickets , or even better include the behind the scenes experiences. All in all, I was with my grand daughters and it was a special and memorable time.

Next time in San Francisco I‘ll do it again

Birgit_H, Mar 2024

It was a really awsome experience! Our guide was very friendly and told us so many things and stories about the Aquarium. We also had enough time for everything.

Great expereince

Rebecca_A, Apr 2023

Granted the aquarium is small, but they have done an amazing job with the exhibits they have. The two tunnels are well worth the visit alone. The number of rays and sharks are impressive. Our guide Conner was knowledgeable, relatable and made the excursion very enjoyable. Definitely a must done if you are in the area.

Good

Erin_B, Jan 2023

Strai got forward guided tour of the exhibits. Nice to have the whole place to our small tour group before the aquarium opened. Guide was friendly. Wish that there was animal feeding or care to watch, that would have made it really special. Small aquarium so the hour long tour covered the whole thing. Kids loved being able to ask the knowledgeable guide lots of questions. River otters were the clear favorite attraction.

Fun & Educational Experience!

Joanna_S, Sep 2022

The Aquarium of the Bay "Behind the Scenes" tour was the best way to utilize our time and gain the most knowledge of these aquatic animals. We learned so much from our guide. She was very upbeat & positive. You could tell she absolutely loves what she does, and she will be so successful in her career as a Marine Biologist when she finishes school. She is very educated about the animals at the aquarium and beyond. We learned so much from her, and there wasnt any question she couldnt answer. We had so much fun visiting here on our last day in SF. Im so happy to support what you do & keep up the good work!