All Events

Three smiling people look through a clear barrier at a small penguin standing in a behind-the-scenes animal care area. The Little Blue Penguin wears identification bands on its flippers and is surrounded by a few pieces of greenery.
Behind the Scenes Tours

Behind-the-Scenes: Penguin

Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays | 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

$100 Members | $115 General Public — Aquarium admission is included in the price. Tickets must be purchased at least 1 hour prior to start time.

Guests of all ages gather at Birch Aquarium to admire a brightly lit coral reef habitat teeming with colorful tropical fish and vibrant corals. A staff member stands nearby and gives a Coral Feeding talk.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Coral Feeding

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays | 10:30 - 10:45am

Discover our reef residents while an educator reveals the hidden lives of corals!

A Giant Sea Bass swims through an underwater kelp forest, surrounded by tall strands of giant kelp reaching toward the sunlight above.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Kelp Forest 101

Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays | 10:30 - 11 am

Discover how we care for a variety of animals in our Giant Kelp Forest like Moray Eels, Horn Sharks and even a Giant Sea Bass!

Little Blue Penguins 101
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Little Blue Penguins 101

Daily | 3:15 - 3:30pm

Immerse yourself in the world of Little Blue Penguins and find out what makes this species of penguins so unique! Learn all about our colony and how our husbandry team cares for them during this daily presentation.

While each Leopard Shark is in tonic immobility, we’ll measure their weight and length and examined their eyes, gills, fins, and skin to make sure everything is looking good.
Included with Admission, All Ages

Meet the Shark Specialists

July 12, 13 and 14, 2024 | 12:30 to 12:30 p.m.

Wonder how we care for our sharks and rays? Meet and ask questions to the specialists who care for them 365 days a year!

Aerial view of a water park featuring a lazy river, a simulated wave surfing area, and shaded lounge areas with purple cabanas and palm trees. People are floating in inner tubes, swimming, and relaxing on poolside chairs under colorful umbrellas. The park is surrounded by trees and includes several pool areas and shaded seating.
Members Only

Member Summer Perk

Offer valid from July 1 to Aug. 31, 2025

Birch Aquarium members receive free admission to The Wave Waterpark in Vista from July 1 to Aug. 31. Show your aquarium membership card at the waterpark ticket booth to receive the offer — please be sure to check their hours and events before you visit.

A large school of silvery sardines swimming closely together in deep blue water, their streamlined bodies catching the light as they move in unison.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Open Ocean Feeding

Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays | 2:45 - 3 pm

Join us for a feeding of our Open Ocean habitat and discover how unique adaptations help these animals survive in this diverse and dynamic environment.

Little Blue Penguins getting fed some fish.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Penguin Feeding

Daily | 10 - 10:15am

Watch our penguins waddle, swim and eat and find out how our husbandry team cares for them during this daily feeding event.

A California spiny lobster walks across the sandy seafloor, its long antennae extended forward. In the background, a small ray lies partially buried in the sand against a deep blue backdrop.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Pier Habitat 101

Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays | 4:30 - 4:45pm

Discover how scientists at Scripps Pier uncover clues about the climate and study the fascinating ocean animals living on its pilings.

A Birch Aquarium staff member wearing a blue shirt holds a snake during a reptile meet and greet as a group of children and adults watch attentively.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Reptile Meet and Greet

Daily | 12:30 - 12:45pm

Meet one of our Animal Ambassadors up close and discover how these incredible animals help inspire conservation action!

Two Weedy Seadragons swim in their habitat in Seadragons & Seahorses.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Seadragon 101

Daily | 5:30 - 5:45 p.m.

Join an educator to explore more about these nearly mythical creatures and learn about the discoveries we've made about such unique and remarkable animals.

Weedy seadragon swims among some kelp.

Seadragon Feeding

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays | 2:45 - 3 pm

Join us for a Weedy Seadragon feeding and discover how these masters of disguise become ultimate predators. Learn what makes these extraordinary fish some of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures.

Guests learned how sharks get a check-up during an interactive station at the aquarium.

Shark and Ray Exploration Station

July 5 to August 10 | 2 - 6 p.m.

Dive into the world of sharks and rays through hands-on experiences that explore how these incredible animals grow, sense the world around them and stay healthy. Activities may vary depending on the day

Shark Summer Logo
All Ages

Shark Summer

July 5 to August 10, 2025

Get ready to dive into a summer packed with fin-tastic fun! Shark Summer celebrates sharks’ vital role in our ecosystem while spotlighting the important conservation efforts and research dedicated to protecting these amazing creatures.

A shark scientist in a yellow dress holds a jar with a preserved marine specimen at an outdoor science education table. She is speaking to an aquarium guest across the table, which also displays shark jaws and other preserved specimens.
Included with Admission, All Ages

Shark Summer Pop-up Science

Thursday, July 10, 2025 | 5 - 8pm

Sip, snack and science! Enjoy shark-themed drinks and bites, stunning ocean views and jaw-some shark science during select Thursday nights. It’s a fin-tastic evening you won’t want to miss!

a Gray Smoothhound Shark swims above a sandy floor. it is silvery gray with a long narrow snout.
Included with Admission, All Ages

Shark Summer Pop-up Science

Thursday, July 24, 2025 | 5 - 8pm

Sip, snack and science! Enjoy shark-themed drinks and bites, stunning ocean views and jaw-some shark science during select Thursday nights. It’s a fin-tastic evening you won’t want to miss!

shark
Included with Admission, All Ages

Shark Summer Pop-up Science

Thursday, August 07, 2025 | 8:48 - 9:48 AM

Sip, snack and science! Enjoy shark-themed drinks and bites, stunning ocean views and jaw-some shark science during select Thursday nights. It’s a fin-tastic evening you won’t want to miss!

A panoramic view of the aquarium hosting Shark Trivia Night, with the ocean visible in the background.
Included with Admission, For Adults

Shark Trivia Night

Thursday, July 17, 2025 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Put your shark smarts to the test at Shark Trivia Night in collaboration with Geeks Who Drink. Trivia Night is included with admission but advanced registration is required. Walk-up spots cannot be guaranteed.

Guests participate in Shark Trivia on Blue Beach at Birch Aquarium, with sweeping ocean views in the background.
Included with Admission, All Ages

Shark Trivia Night

Thursday, July 31, 2025 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Put your shark smarts to the test at Shark Trivia Night in collaboration with Geeks Who Drink! Trivia Night is included with aquarium admission but advanced registration is required. Walk-up spots cannot be guaranteed.

Close-up of a leopard shark swimming, showcasing its distinctive spotted pattern and streamlined body
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Sharks & Rays 101

Sundays | 12 - 12:15pm

Join an educator to learn more about our Sharks and Rays residents! Discover the diversity in our local San Diego waters and find out what makes our sharks and rays so special.

A Leopard Shark interacts with a puzzle feeder to retrieve a food item.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Sharks and Rays Feeding

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays | 12 - 12:15pm

Join an educator to learn more about our Sharks and Rays residents during their feeding session! Discover the diversity in our local San Diego waters and find out what makes our sharks and rays so special.

Children enjoying storytime in the seadragon nook
Included with Admission, All Ages

Storytime with Seadragons

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays | 9:30 - 9:40am

Join us for storytime in our seadragon nook, perfect for young ocean enthusiasts! Enjoy an enchanting storybook tale about ocean creatures from around the world.

Guest observe a tidepool feeding.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Tide Pool Feeding

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays | 12 - 12:15pm

Get to know the fascinating creatures that call the intertidal zone home and learn how they survive in such a dynamic and unpredictable environment.