Best Aquariums in Washington

Des Moines (1 listing)

4.8 (198)

MaST Center Aquarium

The MaST Center Aquarium, located at Highline College in Des Moines, Washington, is a dedicated marine biology facility focused on Puget Sound's ecosystem. Established in the 1960s as an undersea diving program, it evolved into a public learning center by 2008 after renovations. The aquarium features over 15 tanks holding approximately 3,000 gallons of seawater, showcasing more than 250 native Puget Sound species, including fish, invertebrates, and jellyfish. Key attractions include interactive touch tanks, a 38-foot gray whale skeleton, and educational programs like plankton exploration and marine mammal investigations. Its commitment to marine stewardship is evident through hands-on research, community events, and volunteer opportunities, making it a vital resource for education and conservation in the region.

Pricing Details

Education programs cost $75 for a 45-minute facility tour, $150 for a 1.5-hour program, $300 for a 3-hour program, and $225 for bringing the MaST to you. Programs are free for schools with 60% or more students on free or reduced lunch.

Largest Water Tank

The aquarium's largest setup holds approximately 3,000 gallons of seawater across multiple tanks, displaying over 250 native Puget Sound species.

Kid-Friendly Features

The aquarium offers kid-friendly experiences such as summer camps for grades 1-7, hands-on education programs, touch tanks, and events like Discovery Days on Saturdays.

Weekly Events Schedule

Discovery Days are held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for free public viewing.

Marine Life Species

Jellyfish

Coral Reef

Octopuses

Saltwater Fish

Invertebrates

Clownfish - No

Sharks - No

Sea Turtles - No

Stingrays - No

Dolphins - No

Penguins - No

Freshwater Fish - No

Aquatic Plants - No

Rare Species - No

Exhibits & Displays

Saltwater Exhibit

Freshwater Exhibit - No

Reef Exhibit - No

Deep Sea Exhibit - No

Oceanarium - No

Underwater Tunnels - No

Interactive Features & Activities

Touch Tank

Educational Talks

Live Streaming

Virtual Reality Experience - No

Feeding Sessions - No

Interactive Apps - No

Diver Shows - No

Amenities & Facilities

Wheelchair Accessible

Research Facilities

Café - No

Gift Shop - No

Parking Available - No

Programs & Services

Guided Tours

School Programs

Conservation Programs

Volunteer Opportunities

Behind-the-Scenes Tours - No

Breeding Programs - No

Events & Special Features

Night Tours - No

Special Exhibitions - No

28203 Redondo Beach Dr S , Des Moines , Washington 98198 206-592-4000

Rating Breakdown

5 stars

166 (84%)

4 stars

23 (12%)

3 stars

7 (4%)

2 stars

1 (1%)

1 star

1 (1%)

Opening Hours

Monday-Friday, Sunday: Closed

Saturday: 10:00 - 14:00

Visit Website

Spokane (1 listing)

4.4 (2351)

Blue Zoo Aquarium Spokane

Blue Zoo in Spokane is an interactive aquarium dedicated to educating and inspiring visitors through hands-on experiences with marine life. Established as a family-friendly destination, it features exhibits where guests can touch and feed stingrays, birds, and reptiles, while observing sharks, clownfish, seahorses, and angelfish. The aquarium includes a Saltwater Center and Fresh Water Center, along with interactive play areas like water tables and a pirate ship. Unique attractions include live pirate shows, mermaid meet-and-greets, and educational programs such as field trips and animal shows. Committed to fun learning, Blue Zoo offers annual passes, birthday parties, and special events, making it a popular spot for families and schools to engage with aquatic ecosystems in an engaging environment.

Pricing Details

Blue Zoo offers day passes with standard admission, group rates at $13.95 per person for groups of 30 or more, and annual passes for individuals aged 3-12 at one price and 13+ at another. Birthday packages range from $149.95 to $599.95 depending on the day and inclusions, with discounts for additional guests.

Shark Information

Blue Zoo features sharks in their exhibits, including a dive show where visitors can learn about different shark species and interact with divers in the shark tank.

Kid-Friendly Features

Blue Zoo provides kid-friendly experiences such as touching and feeding stingrays, birds, and reptiles, playing on water tables and a pirate ship, attending live pirate shows, and participating in mermaid meet-and-greets.

Feeding Schedule

Feeding opportunities are available with tokens for stingrays, birds, reptiles, archer fish, and the River Giant Exhibit, though specific daily times are not detailed.

Weekly Events Schedule

Weekly events include Pirate Shows on Saturdays at 3:00 pm and Sundays at 1:00 pm, Mermaid Shows on Tuesdays at 4:00 pm, Thursdays at 4:00 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm, and Sundays at 4:00 pm, with Mermaid Storytime on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00 pm, and a Mermaid and Pirate Dual Show on Fridays at 5:00 pm.