The Alaska Sealife Center in Seward is an absolutely incredible place to explore sea life and learn about the science of the ocean. This celebration of aquatic creatures in Alaska houses ocean mammals, fish, and invertebrates. You can feel, touch, and learn all about the creatures that live along Alaska’s coast. The aquarium is a rescue center for marine mammals that have been abandoned, stranded, or injured. They help them recuperate and study marine wildlife and ecosystems, doing their best to return animals to the wild if they will survive on their own.
An Alaska Sealife Center visit is a wonderful experience for families, classes, or any group wanting to experience the wonder of the ocean. It makes for an excellent romantic setting as well, basking in the blue glow of the underwater tanks and imagining what life is like under the sea. If you are anywhere near Seward, don’t miss this peek into the life of the water in Alaska.
The Alaska Sealife Center lies at "Mile 0" of the Seward Highway, right on the shore of Resurrection Bay. This location is right on the ocean and allows the animal tank to be open air so they to live in their natural habitat, as close as possible to how they would in the wild.
The Alaska SeaLife Center is the only facility in Alaska that combines a public aquarium with a marine research facility, educational programming, and wildlife rescue response. They rescue injured animals and rehabilitate them to eventually be released back into the wild, if at all possible.
Visitors to the aquarium have close encounters with puffins, octopus, harbor seals, sea lions, and other marine life! The research they do on animal populations and ecosystems helps Alaska take care of sea life in thoughtful ways.
In the "windows to the sea," you can get a good look at the fascintaing creatures that live in Alaska's oceans. Moon jellyfish are common in the Gulf of Alaska and fluctuations in their populations can tell a lot about the state of the ocean. It is mesmerizing to watch the jellies float and swim in the large, tubular tanks.
Spot prawns used to be abundant in all Alaskan waters, but numbers have fallen off in recent years. Scientific research done at the center is used to manage populations of sea life.
In the tidepools exhibit, visitors can see and touch some of the safe animals and plants that live in the tidepools on the Alaskan shore. Guides are on hand to answer questions. A super fun interactive journey that everyone will enjoy!
This cool Shortraker rockfish is in one of the tanks for your visiting pleasure. There are 12 species of rockfish at the Alaska SeaLife Center. Rockfish are one of the longest lived fish species and can survive up to 120 years!
This Giant Pacific Octopus is one of the species you can examine. These creatures live in the waters around Alaska and there is much to learn, and learn from, these mercurial giants. Special tours can be requested to join a professional at feeding time.
Threatened Steller's Eider (Polysticta stelleri) are one of the many species that are protected at the Sealife Center. These exquisite creatures live in an outdoor pool and are comfortably housed for safe breeding and preservation of the species. They are trying an innovative research project that reintroduces captive bred birds back into the wild!
If you are a real underwater fan, you can arrange a special "Night in the Aquarium" where you and your group can sleep by the tanks for a real under sea experience. Don't miss a visit to this amazing aquarium in Alaska!
Have you visited the Alaska Sealife Center? Share your story in the comments below.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
