Sitting on what used to be the location of a sardine cannery found on Cannery Row lining the Pacific Ocean shoreline in Monterey, California, Monterey Bay Aquarium is a comprehensive recreation, research and conservation housing thousands of animals and plants hailing from 623 different species. The comprehensive aquarium draws in around 1.8 million visitors every year.

There are many marine life exhibits found within Monterey Bay Aquarium owing to the rich marine life it holds, but two particular attractions stand out. One of which is a 33-foot high tank with a capacity of 1.3 million liters wherein visitors can marvel at the richness of the ocean life endemic to California. This is also a pioneering breeding facility as this is where the first aquarium in the planet to successfully cultivate the California Giant Kelp ? a seaweed species ? by utilizing a wave machine which generates water kinetics which is necessary for the seaweed to absorb nutrients; ample sunlight thanks to the tank?s open top; and the constant supply of fresh seawater from the Monterey Bay. The second noteworthy exhibit is the 4.5-million liter aquarium tank found in the facility?s Outer Bay Wing which showcases one of earth?s single-paned windows created by a Japanese firm. The single-pane window is actually made of five separate panels which were glued together via a patented technology.

In 1996, Monterey Bay Aquarium inaugurated a new Outer Bay wing to provide guests a view of the open bay marine life diversity. The aquarium?s outer bay has also been known as a trailblazing facility being the first aquarium attraction to keep a Great White Shark on display in 2004. The shark was kept here successfully for 198 days before it was released to the ocean after biting two other sharks. After this, four other great white sharks have been kept here and released afterwards.

Aside from sharks, Monterey Bay Aquarium hosts other marine animals that are native to California including sea otters, jellyfish and sting rays which can be see above sea level and below. Recently, 19 penguins were added to the aquarium which lived together with the sea otters. An attraction offering a closer look on the lives of sea horse was also added and includes several species of pipehorses, pipedragons and seahorses and the things that endanger these creatures. There is also a special exhibition featuring Pink Flamingos to educated people how global warming is affecting migratory birds.