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Location
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible; exterior elevator currently out-of-service; alternative access via PIER 39's elevator (exit level 2, proceed through PIER 39 gift shop to main entrance)
Best time
Visit on weekday mornings when the aquarium opens to experience the tunnels and exhibits with minimal crowds. Reviewers specifically noted having the entire place to themselves on a weekday opening, making it possible to enjoy the popular shark and fish tunnels without congestion.
Visitor tip
Don't miss the interactive Touch the Bay exhibit where you can pet juvenile bat rays, skates, sharks, and tidepool inhabitants—this hands-on experience is consistently highlighted as a family favorite and educational highlight.
About Aquarium of the Bay
Waterfront museum with aquatic animals. Aquarium with creatures from local waters, including otters, sharks & jellyfish, plus a touch tank.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Aquarium
- Location
- PIER 39, San Francisco
- Highlights
- 300-foot underwater tunnels, 20,000+ local marine animals, shark tunnel, touch tanks, river otters
- Hours
- Daily 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
What visitors say
We had a blast. Was a short tour but got to see alot of fish and sea life Loved the tunnel. Great place to take kids. They have some fun interaction stuff too. Can pet a stingray. We will for sure be back. Wasn't a crazy line to get…
Cool aquarium with the best part being the walk-thru tunnel downstairs. It's a bit crowded with a lot of kids--they'll love it the most. Traffic flow is inefficient with a slow small elevator with lines. It just doesn't make sense to…
We really enjoyed our visit to Aquarium of the Bay. You can genuinely feel the intention behind the space — from the exhibits to the overall experience. It was educational, relaxing, and thoughtfully done, especially for visitors who…
From 6,226 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- The underwater tunnels span 300 feet with over 750,000 gallons of water and contain 200+ species, making the tunnel walk-through the most frequently mentioned highlight across visitor reviews
- The aquarium will celebrate its 30th Anniversary on April 18, 2026, with special programs and family activities
- The Draper Startup Shark Tunnel features seven different shark and ray species including sevengill sharks, leopard sharks, soupfin sharks, and sturgeons in a single exhibit
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