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Tours, Independent Visits, Whalewatch for Schools and Groups
- Something for everyone!

The aquarium offers a wide variety of field trips to suit your needs -- Docent-led Exhibit Tours, Outdoor Classroom for pre-K through grade 12, and Summer Visits led by our Junior and Senior High docents. Independent self-conducted visits are also available year-round after 1 pm Tuesday through Friday, and on weekends. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium co-sponsors with the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Cetacean Society, narrated Whalewatch boat trips during the gray whales' migration. During the months of March through July evening grunion programs are also available. Details on all field trips are featured here.

Reservation Policy for Exhibit Tours and Spring Outdoor Classroom, school year 2007-2008:
Reservations are required! LAUSD and most public schools must make tour reservations through their district office. Private and other schools must submit the reservation request form. No phone reservations will be taken.

ATTENTION LAUSD TEACHERS: Your group tour must be reserved through the School Journeys office. Check your school's office for the supplemental trip forms.

Aquarium Tours

Students receive an introductory tour of the aquaria and surrounding exhibits that detail the natural history of the animals. Each 50-minute tour is conducted by an aquarium docent at 10 and 11 am.
Fee: One large bag of aluminum cans per class.
Supervision: No more than one adult per every 5 students.

Grades K-12
Offered: October 2, 2007 - March 28, 2008

Grades 1-12
Offered: July 10 - August 31, 2007 and July 8 - August 29, 2008
These summer aquarium tours are conducted by our junior and senior high docents.

Spring Outdoor Classroom

Preschool (Pre-K - K)
Offered: April 8 - 25, 2008
Designed for preschoolers, this program encourages children to learn about sea life through hands-on activities and colorful teaching aids. Each 45-minute educational experience is conducted by aquarium docents on the beach and in front of the aquarium. Your class will have an opportunity to walk through the Aquarium before or after the tour.
Fee: One large bag of aluminum cans per class.
Supervision: No more than one adult per every 5 students.

Grades K-12
Offered: May 6 - June 13, 2008
Through talks and activities such as grunion hatching, students learn about different types of marine animals and our ocean environment. Each 50-minute educational program is conducted by aquarium docents on the beach.
Fee: One large bag of aluminum cans per class.
Supervision: No more than one adult per every 5 students.

Self-Conducted Aquarium Visits

Available year-round after 1 pm, Tuesday through Friday. Conduct your own tour through the Aquarium facilities including our Southern California Marine Habitats Hall, Exploration Center, Aquatic Nursery and Virginia Reid Moore Marine Research Library.
Group reservations are required. Please call 310/548-7562.
Fee: One large bag of aluminum cans per class, OR a suggested donation of $5 per adult, $1 seniors and children.

Key to the Sea

Independent self-conducted visits to Cabrillo Marine Aquarium may be extended for K-5th grade students through the naturalist-led "Key to the Sea" program on the beach. Teachers receive materials about beaches and the impact of storm drain runoff on the ocean at a required Key to the Sea teacher workshop. Co-sponsored by Heal the Bay and a collaborative of local marine education centers. Scheduled September to May, 10:30 am - 1 pm, Tuesday though Friday.

Whalewatch Boat Trips

Grades 1-12
Offered: January through the end of March

Students observe the migration of the Pacific gray whale on a fascinating 2 1/2 - hour boat trip. A trained naturalist from the Cabrillo Whalewatch program lectures on these magnificent mammals. Also included is a classroom slide show/lecture prior to your trip.

Cabrillo Whalewatch Reservations & Information: Beginning in October, call 310/548-8397, Tuesday - Friday from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm for school rates, booking, and pre-trip lectures.

Meet the Grunion Programs

Learn all about the behavior of the elusive grunion fish on selected evenings from March through the end of July. Public program. $5 per adult, $1 seniors and children.
Please call 310/548-7562 or click here for more grunion information.

Our programs can be made accessible to all audiences.

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