Explore our History

2000–2001

There's a colorful world waiting for kids (and adventurous adults) who explore the Coral Crawl tunnel in Splash Zone.

Conservation-minded. Innovative. Successful. Judging by those criteria, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association awarded its 2002 Education Award to our Splash Zone education programs.

Our Splash Zone exhibit features blackfooted penguins, native to the rocky coasts and islands of South Africa. Monterey is a long way from Africa, but our climate is similar, and the penguins feel at home here.

Let the Splashing Begin

April 2000

Our new Splash Zone exhibit provides young children a playful space in which to discover ocean life on coral reefs and rocky shores. Moray eels, tropical fish, seahorses, sea dragons and penguins welcome young visitors to a place that reflects our belief that the children we reach today will grow up to become tomorrow's ocean stewards. In 2001, Splash Zone receives a significant achievement exhibit award from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.

Making A Bigger Splash

Our Discovery Time program is designed to use the Splash Zone to its full educational potential, with lessons that can last a lifetime. Before children from Head Start and state preschool classes visit the exhibit, our instructors go to their classrooms to explain what the children will experience and to help them focus more on educational messages than on the exhibit's novelty. Subsequent trips and related workshops encourage involvement from teachers, parents and other caregivers.

Watch our live penguin cam from Splash Zone

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Celebrating 25 Years of Ocean Conservation