Sea Center
The Sea Center is the Museum's sister campus, and Members visit for free. Located on historic Stearns Wharf, this highly interactive regional aquarium offers you close encounters with marine animals from the Santa Barbara Channel. Discover the wonders of ocean life in our permanent exhibits, at unique events, and during school field trips and other educational programs.
Plan your visit to Stearns Wharf by checking out the Sea Center's location and hours.
Explore the underwater world of the Santa Barbara Channel in our upstairs exhibit Dive In: Our Changing Channel. Encounter Moon Jellies, a California Moray Eel, and more. Learn about the channel’s unique habitats from rocky reefs to kelp forests and see the animals that live there.
Get to know the most popular species at the Sea Center: the Two-spot Octopus!
Visit the Wet Deck to try out classic tools for studying the ocean, and discover all the life beneath the Sea Center. Every day is different, since we're observing a constantly changing environment.
On the Marine Mammal Mezzanine, Sea Center guests can get up close with a life-sized model of a Gray Whale mother and calf, and learn about many more marine mammals, including a remarkable number that live in or migrate through the Santa Barbara Channel.
The Sea Center is proud to be part of the White Abalone Restoration Consortium, which is working to bring this endangered marine snail back from the brink of extinction.
Learn about the Sea Center's long history of supporting marine science education and inspiring conservation.
Celebrate our latest release of Swell Sharks into appropriate local habitat!
One visit is not enough
The ocean is dynamic and each day is different. Come back to discover more! Members receive free admission all year long to the Sea Center and our sister campus the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
Plan your visit to Stearns Wharf; check out Sea Center Location and Hours.
Want to get involved?
Check out our Sea Center Volunteer Opportunities! Read the first-hand story of a young volunteer on our blog. Inspired by the Sea Center's ocean advocacy? Check out our page of ways to help marine wildlife in our local region.
Celebrating a special event?
Learn how you can book the Sea Center for weddings, receptions, and private parties.
Dive In: Our Changing Channel 
