TROPICAL REEF AQUARIUM
opening spring 2024
The Tropical Reef Aquarium, previously known as the South Pacific Aquarium, will reopen this spring after undergoing restoration and repair of critical animal-care structures, habitats, and life support systems.
The Tropical Reef Aquarium is an oasis of warm-water marine beauty, with vibrant fish, inspiring sharks and invertebrates. Look for more shark species than ever and exciting new animals in a refreshed space.
DISCOVER THE TROPICAL REEF
OUTER REEF
SEE MASSIVE SHARKS.
See many species of sharks, including blacktip reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, gray reef sharks, nurse sharks, and zebra sharks. All are surrounded by colorful tropical fish, large stingrays, and a very charismatic potato grouper.
THE LAGOON
bask in the warmth.
Watch a variety of tropical fish and stingrays dart around the Lagoon habitat, using the coral reefs around them for protection.
BLUE HOLE
Be mesmerized.
Stare into the mesmerizing Blue Hole, representative of deep caverns or “holes” inhabited by tropical marine reef fishes and invertebrates that use these deeper and darker areas for shelter and feeding.
Meet Our Animals
OUTER REEF
THE LAGOON
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Feeding sharks
(Carefully)
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Feeding time in the Outer Reef is a complex dance.
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Above the surface are half-a-dozen aquarists, each with a different kind of feeding pole and fish.
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Cleaning
underwater
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How do you clean a shark tank? You get trained divers on your team and set them to work.
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While one diver watches the sharks around them, the other scrubs windows and rockwork. And aquarium visitors get to watch it all!
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Science
behind-the-scenes
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Behind the scenes at the Tropical Reef Aquarium is a complex network of pipes, filters, temporary habitats and more.
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Water is pumped up from Puget Sound, filtered and warmed, then treated again after it leaves the aquarium so it’s clean for the local environment.
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Protecting the Ocean
It takes everyones.
THE THREAT: Our oceans are beautiful – but they face many threats, from plastic pollution to chemicals, oil, overfishing and acidification. Many of the animals in our aquarium are threatened in the wild.
TAKE ACTION: But we can help – the ocean is in our hands. Find out what you can do by exploring our Protecting Wildlife pages.
Aquarium Stories
Our Other Aquarium
Looking for more ocean animals? Come visit green sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, spotted eagle rays and more in our Pacific Seas Aquarium!