Life Support Mission
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s long-held mission is “to engage all visitors in education, recreation, and research to promote knowledge, appreciation, and conservation of the marine life of Southern California”.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium: Open for Adventure During Construction!
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is excited to announce a major renovation of our Life Support System. This is a crucial step in modernizing the care we provide for our aquatic animals, ensuring they thrive in an optimal environment for years to come. Additionally, we will use this opportunity to refresh some of our exhibits in the main exhibit hall, creating an even more engaging and educational experience for our visitors.
During construction, the main exhibit hall will temporarily be closed. However, the aquarium will remain open and continue to offer a variety of enriching activities. Guests can enjoy tours, classes, field trips, and unique visitor experiences throughout the rest of the aquarium and our beautiful coastal park. Dive into research and aquaculture at the Aquatic Nursery, or explore the tactile offerings in the Exploration Center. Our courtyard will feature engaging stations with fun marine-based themes, ensuring there's always something exciting to discover. Furthermore, our newly renovated auditorium will be showing videos and educational content. Community science programs, tide pool walks, beach cleanups, and other impactful activities will continue to be available, allowing visitors to connect with marine life and conservation efforts.
The temporary closure of the main exhibit hall is just a part of our journey towards a brighter future for both our animals and our guests!
Animal Wellbeing
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium places the highest priority on the care of our animals. The Animal Care Team has a long and proud history of assuring our animals are provided the highest level of care. The renovation of our Life Support System is a testament to our commitment to our facility, our community, and our animals. The renovation is not just an upgrade; it is an investment in our future. This project will enhance our standards of animal care, improve our operational efficiency, and provide a safer, more sustainable environment for our staff and the marine life we care for.
We have partnered with other accredited aquariums, such as Monterey Bay Aquarium and Aquarium of the Pacific, to find homes for many of our animals. These institutions are known for having excellent care standards, just like Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. The animals transferred to these accredited aquariums will continue to receive the same high level of care they are accustomed to.
Many of the animals from the Exhibit hall will be safely housed in the Aquatic Nursery, Exploration Center, and in the Classroom where you can come visit them! Additionally, new holding tanks have been installed throughout the aquarium in the back of the house for many of our animals. When renovation is complete, we look forward to welcoming these animals back to their newly improved Exhibit Hall habitats.
At the Aquarium, we believe that it is our responsibility to give back to these creatures that bring us joy and our own sense of wellbeing.