Zoos

Rocky Shores

Name: Rocky Shores
Address: Tacoma, WA 98407, Tacoma, WA, US
Telephone: (253) 404-3800
Rating: 5

★★★★★ 5 (3 reviews)

📍 Tacoma, WA 98407

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🕐 Hours

Quick Facts

Type: Zoo
Best For: All ages
Highlights: Walrus, sea otters, seals, sea lions, seabirds, penguins with daily keeper chats
Setting: Coastal Pacific Northwest habitat featuring land and ocean ecosystems

⭐Rocky Shores features a diverse collection of marine mammals including walrus, California sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters, along with multiple seabird species including both tufted and horned puffins, murres, and Magellanic penguins
⭐Sea lion pups are born at Rocky Shores with an expected birth in June, and newly born pups undergo a behind-the-scenes bonding period before joining the main pool habitat
⭐Rocky Shores hosts an annual Sea Otter Awareness Week celebration in late September, indicating a dedicated conservation and education focus on sea otters
⭐The exhibit features daily keeper chats and presentations about marine animals, making it consistently one of the most active areas of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

💡Don't miss the daily keeper presentations and chats about marine animals - they provide valuable context about the walrus, sea lions, sea otters, and seabirds, and help you understand behaviors you'll observe in the exhibits.
💡The sea lion viewing area has bleachers overlooking the main pool - a great spot to sit, rest, and observe the pinnipeds' natural behaviors without rushing. Plan to spend time here as the sea lions are nearly always active and visible.
💬Follow the arrows past Pacific Seas Aquarium to locate the winding path to Rocky Shores - this venue can be easy to miss. Combining a visit to the nearby Pacific Seas Aquarium extends your marine animal experience.
🕐Plan a visit during Sea Otter Awareness Week in late September or around June when sea lion pups are expected to join the main pool habitat - these are special times to observe animal behavior and family bonding in action.