SeaWorld San Diego to Reopen Bayside Aquarium With Refreshed Exhibit
SAN DIEGO (Aug. 5, 2025) — SeaWorld San Diego announced Tuesday that it will reopen Bayside Aquarium on Aug. 8, unveiling a refreshed exhibit located beneath the park’s Bayside Amphitheater.
Formerly known as the Marine Aquarium, the space originally opened in 1965. It has since been redesigned to give guests close-up views of a variety of ocean species, including some of the most vulnerable in the world.
The exhibit will feature both freshwater and saltwater animals, including the critically endangered axolotl, camouflaged wobbegong sharks, California two-spot octopuses, brown-banded bamboo sharks, coral catsharks and colorful reef fish. A centerpiece of the space is a glass hexagon tank, part of a series of jewel-like enclosures that allow for up-close viewing.
“This space is about giving guests a closer look at some of the incredible species they may not usually encounter,” said Danielle Castillo, curator of zoological operations at SeaWorld San Diego. “We are excited to offer a new opportunity to come face-to-face with these unique animals. It’s also a way SeaWorld is continuing to invest in both the park and the animals in our care.”
Many of the species featured in Bayside Aquarium face increasing threats in the wild from habitat loss, climate change and human activity. SeaWorld hopes the exhibit will spark curiosity and inspire conservation efforts among guests.
The updated aquarium also highlights the Wildlife Confiscation Network, a pilot program led by the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The program ensures animals seized at U.S. ports due to wildlife trafficking receive immediate and expert care. SeaWorld San Diego is one of several participating institutions that temporarily house species such as clams, corals and other aquatic animals.
Among the animals now on display are two axolotls, amphibians native to Mexico known for their striking appearance and ability to regenerate limbs. The critically endangered species is part of SeaWorld’s effort to raise awareness about freshwater conservation and the global need to protect fragile aquatic ecosystems.
For more information on SeaWorld San Diego’s conservation initiatives, park hours or ticketing, visit www.seaworldsandiego.com. Follow the park on Facebook and Instagram for updates.