Sunlit Seas, the first area, includes a ceiling-high cylindrical display of moon jellyfish. The centerpiece on the first floor is a 30,000-gallon Atlantic coral reef display. Playful beluga whales and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins swirl underwater with graceful leaps above it and entertain on the hour in the renovated 1200-seat Marine Theater. At the entrance to the World of the Dolphin, a mezzanine extends over the top of the coral reef exhibit and affords a look down at the top of the reef, and portions of the flanking galleries. Also in this building are 500 brilliantly colored exotic fish, including bonnethead sharks, Australian mudskipper, spotted eagle ray, and four-eyed fish.
Major exhibits focus on the planet's productive ecosystems and how they work.
Other attractions are a breeding colony of northern fur seals and the only exhibit in North America of the endangered Steller's'sea lions. An on-board camera displays views from the vehicle to onlookers. The aquarium is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Regular hours are 9 to 5. Visitors may remain in the Aquarium until 6.