Monterey Bay

Kelp forests sway in underwater cathedrals where sunlight filters through golden fronds reaching 175 feet tall. Monterey Bay's underwater canyon plunges deeper than the Grand Canyon, creating upwelling currents that transform the Pacific into one of Earth's most productive marine ecosystems. Sea otters wrapped in kelp fronds sleep on the surface while below, wolf eels lurk in rocky crevices. Gray whales migrate past on the longest journey of any mammal while blue whales - Earth's largest animals - feast on tiny krill in the nutrient-rich waters. The bay hosts 36 marine mammal species, from playful sea lions to great white sharks patrolling the depths. Tide pools reveal miniature worlds where hermit crabs joust for shells and anemones wave tentacles in the current. The Monterey Bay Aquarium pioneered sustainable seafood advocacy through its Seafood Watch program, transforming how Americans eat fish. Research submarines explore the mysterious canyon while rehabilitation centers nurse injured seals back to health. Local fishers work with scientists to maintain healthy populations, proving that conservation and commerce can coexist in the sea.

Water Features

Pacific Ocean, kelp forests, submarine canyon

Ecosystem

This destination features a coastal & marine ecosystem.