It’s time for sharks! And green sea turtles, eagle rays and jellies too. The Pacific Seas Aquarium and South Pacific Aquarium are reopening Friday, March 5, at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium — with protocols in place to keep guests safe and healthy.
The Pacific Seas Aquarium showcases marine animals from around the Pacific Ocean. In the massive Baja Bay habitat, 23-year-old green sea turtle Bruno joined green sea turtle siblings Sunny and Azul last year. Hammerhead sharks, eagle rays and warm-water fish glide serenely, recreating the feel of Baja California. In the Northwest Waters habitat, Puget Sound species like ratfish and rockfish swim around enormous pink plumose anemones. Nearby are Puget Sound king crabs and favorite fish like Buddy the California sheephead.
The South Pacific Aquarium is home to massive warm water sharks: nurse sharks, blacktip reef shark, sandbar and sand tiger sharks cruise around the deep blue Outer Reef habitat alongside a silvery school of crevalle jack. Tropical fish dart around the Lagoon and mesmerizing Blue Hole. There’s even a shy moray eel.
Limited capacity and one-way paths, required face coverings, social distancing guidelines and extra sanitary measures all help reduce congestion and contact. Advance-purchase, timed-entry tickets required.
Image credit: Katie Cotterill/PDZA
