Seems like a "must see" but don't bother or expect too much.
Written: Sep 25 '03 (Updated Sep 25 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Almost a historic feeling, Harbor seals, Doesn't take much time out to see it all.
Cons: Very Small, dark, dank, pricey for what's there. Can't accommodate crowds.
The Bottom Line: A one time novelty but you won't miss anything if you don't go. Kids 5 and over may be interested. Overpriced, under whelming. CAN NOT accommodate crowds.
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| imaginetr's Full Review: Seaside Aquarium |
Location = A, Price = D, Content = C
If you're a savy beach goer/vacationer and not the a classic tourist, you can skip this. If you are a tourist and you've NEVER been to this Beach front Aquarium in this tourist locale you almost have to go. After you've gone once, you never have to go back unless they completely rebuild or expand significantly. But it's right on the beach, has a big yellow sign "AQUARIUM" that just screams "tourist attraction".
Established circa 1937 My mom and dad remember visiting this aquarium as a 10 and 12 year old respectively and they are in their mid 60's. We visited just this Sept 2003 with our 2 1/2 year old daughter.
So, if you have an infant to I'd say 3 year old, you can probably skip this aquarium if you're attempting to interest them in it. Slightly older kids and youths might have more of an interest. For one thing, most of the tanks and exhibits are just too tall for young children. Now, our daughter is "off the charts" in height often mistaken for 3 1/2 + years old and the exhibits are still just too tall. Kids over 2 or so you know want to do everything "BY MYSELF!" and can resist being held. Plus holding a toddler or youth up to see exhibits can be a workout.
Now, there are benches along the base of the wall that kids can stand on but it can be awkward and even unsafe.
I would estimate the interior of the main aquarium exhibit to be maybe 25ft. X 30ft. or about the size of a 2 to 3 car garage. Really very modest. The inside of the aquarium is very dark with a moist floor and walls. It feels very much like being in a cave where the walls seep water. There are many tanks set into the walls. These tanks hold the various marine life. In the center of the room are additional exhibits including a "touch tank" where you can put your hands into the water and feel minor marine life (starfish, sea urchins, sea anemones). Other exhibits include a preserved squid and enormous (28lbs) stuffed lobster among a few other exhibits.
They boast a "Discovery Center" here with some educational opportunities and activities such as viewing slides through a microscope. Younger kids can make color "rubbings" using paper and crayons (provided) over plates of marine life scenes. Our 2 1/2 year old wasn't interested. Again, slightly older kids might be.
Harbor Seals! By far the biggest attraction in the aquarium. There are some 7 or 8 seals here. The customers view them in a narrow tank. There is a heavy wire screen and plexi-glass barrier between the viewers and the tank. Adults can see over the top however toddlers and most youths will simply not be able to see the seals without being held up. It is not very customer friendly for viewing.
The tank has a couple large/flat rocks where one or two seals can hop up on while others swim around. There is also a sloped landing where a seal can land and walk/hop up into a flat area.
Small area, limited viewing aside, the seals are definitely a fun show and very cute. Personality galore!
Seal food is $1.00 per bag. These are small wax bags with a very, very small amount of 1 inch slices of herring. I suppose the bags must be small in order that the seals don't fill up quickly and easily. The seals put on quite a show for this food.
Be advised the viewing area will NOT accommodate much of a crowd. We were there off peak season and there were about 8 adults + 3 kids in the viewing area and it was crowded. I would imagine peak season could be very frustrating.
There is a small fountain of running water to rinse your fingers when done but this fountain is easily 4.5 - 5 foot high and kids will need help. Also there's no soap here, just cold running water. So, don't really expect to "wash" any fish food/smell off.
There is a small gift shop but we did not enter.
On our visit Sept. 2003 prices were: $6.50 per teen/adult, kids under 3 were free. I believe kids 3-14 are $4.00 and a senior rate of $5.00 over 60.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
imaginetr
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Location: Pacific Northwest, Washington
Reviews written: 32
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Husband and father, born in Washington 1961, military brat and college grad.
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