When we visited the small town of Seward on the Kenai peninsula, we made sure to include a half day to explore the Alaska SeaLife Center. Its reviews were excellent, and the SeaLife Center did not disappoint us. The center does a great job highlighting sea life off the Alaskan coast.
The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) opened in 1998. It’s a public aquarium affiliated with a non-profit research institution. It educates the public and shelters and rehabilitates injured wildlife (e. g. seals and sea otters). It’s a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.
(The Alaska SeaLife Center)
The ASLC is a beautiful modern facility covering a total of 115,000 square feet, built at a cost of $56 million. It was constructed largely with funds derived from the 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill — one of the better things to emerge from that mess.
The photo below is taken of a large salmon statue on the seven-acre ASLC property; it was featured as last weekend’s One Clue Photo Mystery. The site was only recognized by George G — excellent work as always, George!
There are lot of great exhibits and features at the ASLC. An incomplete list includes:
Lobby:
The glass wall encompassing the lobby introduces you to the site. Light floods in from Resurrection Bay and highlights exhibits, like those suspended from the ceiling.
(the lobby of the Alaska SeaLife Center)
Touch Tanks:
One of the most popular attractions is a hands-on one. These tanks are open so you can touch any of the creatures inside, including sea stars, anemones, sea cucumbers and hermit crabs. (Some of the photos below are taken not only from the open tank, but also adjoining enclosed tanks). All of the water used ASLC comes from Resurrection Bay.
There are a number of additional tank displays, including rays….
….flatfish (halibut)….
….Alaska King Crab…..
….and the highly intelligent Giant Pacific Octopus….
There is a huge tank containing the larger fish, like rockfish….
Lives of Pacific Salmon:
Alaska is home to five species of salmon. The display covers the lives of salmon, starting as fingerlings, their migration to the ocean, growth to adult size, then the upstream swim from the ocean to spawn and die in the very streams where they were born. There are handy graphics, like the timing of each species migration.
(Coho Salmon fingerlings)
Seabird Aviary:
Home to ten different species of seabirds. The aviary’s saltwater tank provides a deep diving habitat (21‑½ feet deep) which most of the birds utilize to catch fish. Several species are shown below…
(Red-legged Kittiwake)
(Tufted Puffin)There is a Sea Lion exhibit…
…..so cute!!
Jellyfish are always fun to see, and the ASLC has some nice displays….
One of the best views in the Alaska is from the ASLC Resurrection Bay Overlook.
My favorite aquarium remains the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, but this facility holds its own and is well worth visiting. Especially recommended for families and those with an interest in science.
