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United States/Things to Do in San Francisco, couple trip

Aquarium of the Bay (couple trip)

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How Couple-Friendly is Aquarium of the Bay?

80%Couple-Friendly
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What makes it 80% Couple-Friendly: Couples can walk hand in hand under circling sharks, share touch-pool moments, or book a yoga or VIP tour, yet dense Pier 39 crowds and limited quiet seating slightly reduce intimacy.

Google
Reviews4.1/ 5
(from 6,013 reviews)
The Ultimate Aquarium of the Bay Tour: Not Worth The Cost!
26 min
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The Ultimate Aquarium of the Bay Tour: Not Worth The Cost!
3.9K views • 1 year ago
Visit at the Aquarium of The Bay, San Francisco- CA, 2023
7 min
Start from:
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Visit at the Aquarium of The Bay, San Francisco- CA, 2023
1.7K views • 2 years ago

Positives:

  • Central Spot: Located on Pier 39, it’s easy to combine with waterfront dining and shopping.
  • Interactive Exhibits: Hands-on touch pools and glass tunnels make shared memories.

Challenges:

  • Peak Crowds: Late mornings and weekends can be busy, especially at main attractions.
  • Limited Seating: Few benches inside; plan for standing during demos and shows.
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🏖️ Explore Aquarium of the Bay with a local guide: GetYourGuide's 10 BEST Activities and Tours around Aquarium of the Bay. Local guides know the hidden gems you'd otherwise miss, read what other travelers experienced, and book easily.

What is Aquarium of the Bay?

  • An aquarium devoted to the marine environments of the San Francisco Bay, located on Pier 39 and the Embarcadero
  • Home to over 20,000 aquatic animals, including local species such as sharks, bat rays, jellyfish and river otters, displayed in underwater tunnels and dedicated galleries
  • A science and conservation facility featuring live exhibits, touch tanks and research presentations focused on regional aquatic biodiversity

What is so special about Aquarium of the Bay for couple trip?

  1. Unique underwater tunnels with sharks and rays.
  2. Up-close touch pools featuring local sea life.
  3. Daily otter shows add playful fun.
  4. Optional yoga in the shark tunnel.

Recommended visit duration: 2-4 hours

Why 2-4 hours visit duration is ideal for couple trip: Couples can explore exhibits and share touch-pool moments at a relaxed pace.

(View Aquarium of the Bay on Map)

Couple-Friendly Activities in Aquarium of the Bay

Under the Bay Tunnels:

Walk side by side through two clear acrylic tunnels with sharks and rays overhead.

Tip: Start here at opening to avoid crowds and capture photos under soft lighting.

Touch the Bay Pools:

Hold bat rays, sea stars, and small sharks together.

Tip: Visit early or late to avoid peak wait times at the touch pools.

River Otter Presentation:

Watch otters play and learn from keepers during feeding demos.

Tip: Check the daily schedule on arrival to catch the next demo.

Yoga Under the Sea:

Practice one-hour yoga inside the shark tunnel on select Thursdays.

Tip: Book in advance when sessions open in spring; bring a towel and water.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Aquarium of the Bay

  1. Buy Tickets Online: Skip the ticket line by purchasing timed-entry tickets on the website.
  2. Visit Off-Peak: Arrive at opening or after 2 PM to avoid the largest crowds.
🏖️ Tour Aquarium of the Bay like a local: GetYourGuide's Top 10 Activities and Tours in Aquarium of the Bay. Local experts uncover hidden treasures you'd never find alone, browse authentic traveler reviews, and book your perfect adventure hassle-free.

Reviews of Aquarium of the Bay

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Sam Smith

Sam Smith

Sep 2025

We went when they open on a weekday and had the entire place to ourselves. We loved the fish and shark tunnels, especially seeing the stingrays. The otters and jellyfish were lovely too. The only criticism I have is take several pictures in the beginning versus one, as the option we had wasn’t a great photo of either of us, so we weren’t interested in purchasing any of the nice options available a...

Douglas Aberdeen

Douglas Aberdeen

Aug 2025

Small bit nice aquarium with two large tanks you take tunnels through. Nice jellyfish and otter section as well. A couple of hands on pools. At less than half the price of the Monterey aquarium I can see aquarium of the bay becoming more popular.

Sai Datta Mikkilineni

Sai Datta Mikkilineni

Jul 2025

To be honest, this place is more suited for kids. The aquarium is quite small — it took us about 30 minutes to go through the entire exhibit, even with kids. Unless you’re already nearby and have children with you, I wouldn’t go out of the way to visit. This was my first time visiting any aquarium, so this was pretty underwhelming. The main highlight here is definitely the walk-in tunnel — as exp...

Tim W.

Tim W.

May 2025

This was a great spot to visit while in San Francisco. We had seen the videos online of the friendly stingrays and it was one of the major draws. Great for families and aquarium enthusiasts like myself! The staff were lovely, the aquarium was relaxing, and it offered great educational opportunities on the local wildlife. Special mention goes to the river otters and the stingrays they keep there....

Sandeep Baskaran

Sandeep Baskaran

May 2025

If u like aquariums, this one’s def worth a visit. Can easily spend an hour or more here. They click ur pic at the start n add fun effects so u can grab it as a souvenir later. U even get to touch baby rays n sharks—kinda cool. The underwater tunnel’s the best part, feels like walking through the ocean. Sharks n jellyfish steal the show. Fun n chill spot to check out.

When is the best time to visit Aquarium of the Bay (San Francisco, United States)?

Summer weekends get busy; go on weekday mornings. In May, reserve your spot early for Yoga Under the Sea.

✈️ Ready to go? Check the latest flight deals to San Francisco on Trip.com

Explore These Activities

Typical Budget for a Couple (2 Adults)

ItemCost (Approx.)
2 Adult AdmissionUSD 61.4
Yoga Under the Sea (optional)USD 86
Total EstimatedUSD 61.4

Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve

Map of Aquarium of the Bay

Address: PIER 39 The Embarcadero &, Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA

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About Aquarium of the Bay

Opening Hours

Monday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.

Website

Official Website

Phone Number

+1 415-623-5300

Average price

US$ 27.98
Book on GetYourGuide

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Average price

US$ 27.98
Book on GetYourGuide
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