Birch Aquarium School Programs - Birch Aquarium at Scripps eTicketing

General Admission

At the Gate Pricing	Adult	Child
Walk-Up Entry	$39.95	$34.95
Online Only Pricing	Adult	Child
Daily Entry	$34.95	$29.95

Buy Online and Save

Secure your entry and save up to $20 on select dates when you buy tickets online. Admission capacity is limited, and walk-up entry is only guaranteed for members. Memberships start at $89—Join today!

Adult (Ages 13+)

From $39.95

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Add your ticket(s) to the cart to view online-only pricing.

Child (Ages 3-12)

From $34.95

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Additional Offers

Group Sales Admission

Group Sales Discount

10+ tickets to receive the discount and you are required to adhere to the date/time of your tickets. Plan your visit and learn more.

Please view our field trip options if you are a school/youth group.

Group - Adult (Ages 13+)

From $31.95

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Group - Child (Ages 3-12)

From $26.95

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Adult Supervision Required
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, there must be at least 1 adult present for every 10 children (no complimentary admission for adults). Adults are responsible for ensuring the group follows all safety guidelines.

Annual Memberships

Thank you for your commitment to advancing our mission at Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Your membership supports our efforts to inspire a new generation of ocean stewards and promote a deeper appreciation for the importance of conservation.

Memberships may be purchased online with a credit card. For questions about payment options, please email aquariuminfo@ucsd.edu.

Ocean Protector

Price: $249.00

Benefits Include: Unlimited access for a year for 2 named adults* plus up to 4 children, 10% off at Blue Wave Bistro and Gift Shop, special member news and insider tips, and access to unique member opportunities.

*Host Option: Instead of naming a second adult on your membership, you may select Guest (Unnamed), which allows you to host a guest during your visit. Your guest cannot use your membership unaccompanied.

Ocean Champion

Price: $499.00

Benefits Include: Unlimited access for a year for 2 named adults* plus up to 4 children, 20% off at Blue Wave Bistro and Gift Shop, special member news and insider tips, access to unique member opportunities, and priority camp registration. Also included are 2 event tickets to any Oceans at Night or Halloween Aglow.

Perk Alert: This membership includes a transferable VIP card, which grants aquarium admission for up to 3 guests without the member being present.

*Host Option: Instead of naming a second adult on your membership, you may select Guest (Unnamed), which allows you to host a guest during your visit. Your guest cannot use your membership unaccompanied.

Friends of Birch Aquarium

When you give $1,000.00 or more, your benefits will include:
Free admission for up to six people on each visit, plus priority registration for camps, 20% off at the Blue Wave Bistro & Gift Shop, exclusive members-only events, and much more!

Click Here to Give Now

Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Tour Policies

Participants must wear closed-toed shoes during the tour.
Participants must be at least ages 8+. Minors must be with an adult.
No refunds are available for tours.
Tickets must be purchased at least 1 hour prior to start time.

Behind-the-Scenes: Penguins

From $90.00

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Learn what makes Little Blue Penguins so unique and how you can help protect this special seabird. Go behind the scenes at our Penguin Care and Conservation Center to meet a Penguin Care Team member and see the penguins up close. Prices may vary by date. Refunds are not available for tours.

Behind-the-Scenes: Seahorses

From $50.00

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Explore the secret lives of seahorses in this one-hour, educator-led experience. Tour the Seadragons & Seahorses exhibit, go behind the scenes to see how we care for these fascinating creatures, and discover how Birch Aquarium supports global conservation efforts. Prices may vary by date. Refunds are not available for tours.

Front-of-House Tours

Please note that our front-of-house tours do not include aquarium admission. You will need a valid form of entry (general admission, membership, third-party tickets, etc.) in addition to your tour registration.

Aquarium Insider Tour

Price: $30.00

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Aquarium Admission Not Included

Uncover the hidden gems of Birch Aquarium through this 45-minute guided tour. An educator will guide you through the public-facing portion of the Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery, sharing insider stories and secrets of the aquarium! Refunds are not available for tours. This tour does not go behind-the-scenes.

Outdoor Adventures

Explore the natural world on an unforgettable experience led by Birch Aquarium naturalists. Advanced registration required; capacity is limited.

Shark Snorkels

Regular Price: $40.00

Member Price: $35.00

Join aquarium educators for an unforgettable snorkeling adventure with local sharks and rays off the coast of La Jolla. Explore kelp forests, sandy bottoms and rocky reefs while discovering the incredible marine life that calls these waters home.

All participants must be at least 10 years old on the day of the program. Minors (ages 10–17) require a ticket and must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Children under 10, including infants and toddlers, will not be able to participate in the shark snorkel experience.

Professional Development

Teacher Appreciation Night

Date: Tuesday, August 18 | Time: 5-7 p.m.
A night just for educators! Be our guest as you are introduced to the world beneath the waves and the resources available to you through Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Early check-in starts at 4 p.m.

Attendance Policy

This event is exclusive for educators (sorry, no children, partners, or guests) to allow us to keep this event complimentary and host as many educators as possible. School identification is required for entry.

Session Teacher Appreciation Night: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 4:00PM - 7:00PM AVAILABLE