Aquarium of the Pacific

The Aquarium of the Pacific on the Long Beach coast is so vast that its interior could accommodate three football pitches. Its three storeys are designed to showcase life below the surface of the Pacific, the largest body of water in the world. Displays are themed within three geographical areas: Southern California and Baja, the Northern Pacific and the Tropical Pacific.The aquarium is home to almost 500 species and more than 11,000 animals, from colourful tropical fish and sea cucumbers to graceful rays and jellyfish. Get within touching distance of sharks that live in the temperate waters off the Californian coast, and watch close-ups of penguins diving through the icy waters of their northerly home from the relative comfort of the Penguin Habitat’s specially designed “crawl-in” spaces. Feeding time for these amusing characters is always a popular attraction.Wander around at your own pace to marvel at a world which is usually off-limits to humans. For an even closer look, take a behind-the-scenes tour, which offers a bird’s-eye view of one of the aquarium’s star attractions, the huge Tropical Reef, and a chance to feed the fish. The tour also explains more about the work of the aquarium and its pioneering programme of animal care.Undersea creatures are not the only residents the aquarium also houses many tropical birds in Lorikeet Forest, a 300-square-metre outdoor aviary. It’s easy to become mesmerised by the bright plumage of over 100 lorikeets as they swoop through the air. These friendly birds will even land on your hands or shoulders to sip nectar buy a tub from the aviary entrance to see them enjoy their favourite food at astonishingly close quarters.The Aquarium of the Pacific is in Long Beach, 40 kilometres south of central Los Angeles. Pay parking is provided nearby. The aquarium is open every day except Christmas Day check the website for opening times.