Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz

About Seymour Marine Discovery Center

The Seymour Marine Discovery Center is a University of California, Santa Cruz marine science education center where visitors explore live Monterey Bay marine life through hands-on experiences. Guests touch sharks, hold hermit crabs, and interact with jellies and other sea creatures at indoor seawater touch pools staffed by trained volunteers. The center features the See More HQ exhibit with interactive stations that bring real-time coastal science to visitors, along with rotating discovery stations designed for all ages. Outside, panoramic views overlook Monterey Bay, one of the world's most biologically rich coastlines. The facility offers guided tours, group visits, and school programs including the Ocean Explorers Summer Program. Visitors can enjoy kid-friendly activities like scavenger hunts while learning how UCSC scientists study and protect the ocean. The center provides fully ADA-accessible grounds and stroller-friendly facilities. Most visits take one to two hours.