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.

A guest feeds a seahorse behind the scenes.
Behind the Scenes Tours

Behind-the-Scenes: Seahorse

Su, Wed. 11:30 a.m. | Tu, Th, Sat at 1:30 p.m.

$80 Members | $95 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.

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 - 4:15pm

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

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays | 4 - 4:10pm

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.

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.

an orange sunset looking out from Scripps Pier
Outdoor Adventures, Seasonal, Members, All Ages

Sunset Scripps Pier Walk

Select Saturdays and Sundays through April 2026

Experience Scripps Pier like never before on this exclusive walking tour led by Birch Aquarium! Advanced reservations are required. Participants must be ages 9 and up.

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.

guests look for animals in tide pools
Outdoor Adventures, Seasonal, Members

Tidepooling Adventure

Select Saturdays and Sundays through April 2026

Explore a local tide pool with Birch Aquarium educators and get up close to animals that make their homes in this ever-changing environment! Advanced Registration Required.