SeatacSeatac Connection
Things to do in Seattle

Seattle Aquarium

Salish Sea wildlife, sea otters and seals on Pier 59, plus a tropical reef in the Ocean Pavilion, all on the downtown waterfront.

Get a ride therePlan a Seattle trip with itTickets and tours
Illustration of the Seattle Aquarium on the waterfront with a sea otter and a harbor seal swimming in front

The useful answer

Should this fit your day?

Best for
Families, rainy days, and anyone who wants to meet the Salish Sea's own wildlife without leaving the waterfront.
Time to protect
Allow two to three hours to see both buildings and catch a feeding talk; a quicker loop works if you skip the talks.
Cruise-day fit
Pier 59 sits on the same downtown waterfront as Pier 66, so it pairs well with a Pier 66 sailing and Pike Place Market up the hill. The Aquarium can't hold luggage, so sort out your bags first. Pier 91 needs a separate ride.
From the terminals
Pier 66 is a waterfront walk to the north. Pier 91 is a road trip away, so plan a ride each way and a bigger return buffer.
Before a flight
An entry time only sets when you go in, so the Aquarium is a flexible flight-day stop. Leave the waterfront early enough for the drive to SEA and your airline's bag-drop cutoff.

What to know before you go

  1. 01

    One ticket covers both buildings: Pier 59, with the Window on Washington Waters and the seals and sea otters out on Pier 60, and the Ocean Pavilion, home to The Reef and The Archipelago.

  2. 02

    Buying online lets you pick your entry time. You can also buy at the door, but the walk-up line can take up to 30 minutes on busy days.

  3. 03

    Your ticket is scanned at each building, and you can go in and out as many times as you like during your visit.

  4. 04

    The Aquarium can't store luggage or strollers. Guest Services at Pier 59 can hold one small item or a coat, so cruise bags need another plan.

  5. 05

    Habitats and restrooms are wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs can be borrowed at Guest Services, first come, first served. Flash and phone flashlights aren't allowed near the animals.

Check the Aquarium's official site for current hours, tickets, entry times and any habitat closures before you go.

Tours and activities

Tours and tickets for the Seattle Aquarium

Well-reviewed tours and tickets, with current prices. Check a date to see open start times, then book with Viator.

Tours are sold and run through Viator; booking opens viator.com in a new tab, and Viator confirms the final price and time. Seatac may earn a commission.

Book tickets and tours

Pick a ticket time that leaves room for the ride back. Timed entry, guided tours and city passes all work; check the live price and times for your date.

  • Multi-attraction pass

    Seattle CityPASS

    Space Needle and Seattle Aquarium, plus three of Chihuly Garden and Glass, MoPOP, the harbor cruise, the zoo or Pacific Science Center.

    Valid 9 days · Includes the Seattle Aquarium

    See the pass

  • Tours and activities

    Seattle tours and tickets

    Guided tours, attraction tickets and day trips around Seattle, including options near the Seattle Aquarium.

    See tours and tickets

Opens a booking partner in a new tab; Seatac Connection may earn a commission. You can also buy direct on the Seattle Aquarium visit page.

Get a ride there

Drop-off: Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way

Starting from

Your fare is worked out for the exact trip on the next step, before you pay. Want the car to wait while you visit? Book by the hour.

Cruise day: the Seattle Aquarium between the ship and your flight

Off the ship with a few hours before your flight? Book the ride from the pier and the ride on to the airport now, so each driver knows where you are going.

  1. Step 1

    Ride from the pier

    Pier 66 is a waterfront walk to the north. Pier 91 is a road trip away, so plan a ride each way and a bigger return buffer.

    From Pier 66From Pier 91

  2. Step 2

    Visit the Seattle Aquarium

    Allow two to three hours to see both buildings and catch a feeding talk; a quicker loop works if you skip the talks.

    Tickets and tours

  3. Step 3

    Ride on to Seatac Airport

    An entry time only sets when you go in, so the Aquarium is a flexible flight-day stop. Leave the waterfront early enough for the drive to SEA and your airline's bag-drop cutoff.

    Seattle Aquarium to the airport

Big bags

  • Pier 66: Same-day bag storage is available. Pick bags up by 3 pm to avoid a late fee.
  • Pier 91: Same-day bag storage in the Crew Center, north of the Ground Transportation Center. Pick bags up by 3 pm to avoid a late fee.

Stored bags mean a stop back at the pier before the airport. To keep them with you instead, book a car by the hour and the driver waits with your luggage.

Planning the whole cruise trip? Keep the Seattle Aquarium on it with the rides around it.

Plan the whole cruise trip

Not sure which pier? Find your ship and pier or compare Pier 66 and Pier 91.

Compare another stop