Underwater Parks Day, Saturday, January 20, 2024, 12:00pm-4:00pm at Heal the Bay Aquarium.

Come to Heal the Bay Aquarium to celebrate the amazing animals and habitats of the Santa Monica Bay and learn more about the important conservation of the underwater treasures just off our coast!

Enjoy crafts, explore our virtual exhibit “Underwater Treasure”, and experience wet and wild hands-on education with Heal the Bay and our fishy friends as we celebrate Marine Protected Areas, better known as underwater parks, that preserve the biodiversity and abundance of the amazing ocean right here in Santa Monica.

Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of our big beautiful Pacific Ocean? Ever pondered what animals lurk in the deep, both big and small?

Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of our big beautiful Pacific Ocean? Ever pondered what animals lurk in the deep, both big and small? You don’t need a SCUBA suit to discover the magical world beyond the sands of Santa Monica beach.

Explore our “Underwater Treasure”

Our scientists will reveal the wonders of our local underwater paradises through a 360-degree VR experience. Don our fishy-vision goggles and to dive into the Catalina Island Long Point Marine Protected Area to explore its vibrant marine life without getting wet.

Underwater Parks Day Schedule

1:15 Under the Pier Tank feeding (Presentation by Staff + Crystal B) 

1:30 MPA short film screening with Q+A with MPA expert Crystal B 

2:00 PM Touch tank abalone feed and conservation presentation by staff member **(if kelp available)** 

3:00 PM Sea Star feeding and presentation by staff member 

The History of MPA’s

In 2011, a network of marine protected areas, or underwater parks, became effective in Southern California, providing safe haven for ocean wildlife. Heal the Bay spent years working with partners and the State of California to identify areas for these special places to be strategically located for enhancement of marine life populations. Marine protected areas are present in the waters off of Point Dume in Malibu, Catalina Island, and Palos Verdes’ Abalone Cove and Point Vicente. We have continued on as guardians of our local marine protected areas through research, education, and monitoring programs.

Celebrate Anywhere

Although Heal the Bay will be focusing on the Marine Protected areas off the coast of California you can learn about and celebrate our Underwater Parks anywhere. Can’t make it to the Aquarium or to our special Underwater Parks Day Beach Cleanup? Download crafts to have fun at home and check out specially curated videos! 

Watch Videos:

• Heal the Bay Aquarium Tide Pool 101
• CDFW MPAs video
• Check out More Video Resources on California Marine Protected Areas

Download Activity PDFs

• What Do Our Oceans Look Like With and With Out MPAs
• I Love Underwater Parks
• Heal the Bay Aquarium Coloring and Activity Book 

Learn More About MPAs from Heal the Bay

Read Our Blog On MPAs