Under the Narrows - Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Rockfish dart between “rusty” girders. Anemones bloom and wave. A wolf eel thrusts out its enormous jaw, staring silently.
Welcome to life Under the Narrows, rich and complex.

Dive under the Narrows

A tale of three bridges

and the animals underneath.

From Tacoma to Gig Harbor, two sweeping bridges extend over the swirling Tacoma Narrows. But a third – the infamous “Galloping Gertie” – lies buried, collapsed in 1940 and now home to fish, eels and other marine life. We recreate that rich habitat here.

Meet Our Animals

Lingcod

Quillback rockfish

Painted anemone

Brown rockfish

Keep the Sound clean

It takes everyone.

THE THREAT: Marine life under the Narrows bridges have adapted and thrived in human-made debris – like a fallen bridge. But human trash also pollutes Puget Sound, harming animals.

TAKE ACTION: Take care of our Sound: clean up a beach, pick up trash and dog poop. Go straw-free and ask your favorite restaurant to go ocean-friendly.

Go Straw-Free Ocean-Friendly Restaurants

Aquarium Stories

Eagle Ray Pup Born at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Birth marks major milestone for zoos and aquariums worldwide A spotted eagle ray pup is flourishing off-exhibit at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Born in April, the male pup marks … Continued