Monterey Bay Aquarium – Jellyfish, Otters & Sharks, Oh My!

Monterey Bay Aquarium is perhaps the most celebrated aquarium in the U.S. and for good reason. Not only are there rare animals and other sea life on display, but all you have to do is walk outside and look out on Monterey Bay to see an area that is teeming with life because it’s a protected sanctuary.

Inside, you’ll see rare comb jellyfish that light up in rainbow colors from within, squid, and a giant Pacific octopus. There’s a wonderful kelp forest exhibit, as well as sea otters that you could watch playing for hours without a moment of getting bored.

Take a look at my photos below from my visit to the Aquarium, and you’ll see why you need to go there the next time you’re in this part of California.

Models of whales hang from the ceiling at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Photo by Melanie Votaw.

Comb jellies must be the most fascinating animal on the planet. I had always wanted to see one of these animals that generates its own inner light, and I finally got my chance at Monterey Bay Aquarium. The rainbow lights moved up and down within the animals and changed colors. Truly miraculous.

Comb jellies that light up. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Watching jellyfish swim is a meditative experience. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
The aquarium has several different species of jellyfish on display. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
A shark swims in a kelp forest at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
After watching the happy little crab for a while, I saw the food chain in action, as this gull swooped in and turned the crab into a meal. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
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Melanie Votaw is the Publisher and Executive Travel Writer of LuxuryWeb Magazine. She has visited more than 50 countries on 6 continents and written for such magazines as Executive Travel, Just Luxe, Business Insider, South China Morning Post, Travel Mindset, and more. She is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association, New York Travel Writers Association, and International Travel Writers Alliance. Melanie's photography has won awards, and she has also written 43 nonfiction books as either the author or ghostwriter.

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