Roundhouse Aquarium Reopens To The Public On Saturday

MANHATTAN BEACH —Guests of all ages are welcome to visit the Roundhouse Aquarium Teaching Center when it reopens to the public this Saturday, April 3. "We are thrilled the see everyone return and enjoy the exhibits," Grace Adams, Executive Director of the Aquarium, told Patch.

The facility was opened for a brief time last July but was forced to close again due to a rise in coronavirus cases at the time. "The good thing is that we learned how to streamline the process of getting visitors in and out safely," Adams said.

In keeping with public health guidelines, Adams recommends making reservations, which provides visitors with 15-minute time slots. Groups will be capped at six people and no more than 12 people will be permitted inside at one time, keeping the facility at 25% capacity.

"We understand that people may just show up and want to walk in," Adams said. "We will try to accommodate them as well."

Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance and exit, and guests must wear face masks and maintain 6 feet of distance between those from other households.

Currently, the aquarium houses 14 different marine habitats, including tanks for a Kelp Forest tank, a Rocky Reef, and a Tide Pool.

"Unfortunately, visitors won't be able to pet the animals at this time," Adams said. "We hope once restrictions begin to loosen, we can permit that activity again."

Additional attractions include the Moon Jellyfish tank and Octavia the Octopus. "Octavia has grown so much during the pandemic," Adams said. "Though she's nocturnal, sometimes she surprises guests and pops out during the day to say 'hello.'"

In addition to in-person visits, the aquarium will hold a four-part virtual series throughout the month in celebration of Earth Day on April 22.

• 4/10 - Phenomenal Seaweed
• 4/17 - Celebrating Whales and Dolphins
• 4/22 -The Ocean In Your Bathtub
• 4/24 -Amazing Tidepools

"Our virtual programs have continued throughout the pandemic and have been very successful," Adams said. "It's also enabled us to expand our reach. For example, we gave 500 children in East India a live tour of the aquarium. We've also held events for viewers in Nevada and New York."

For more information, visit their Earth Month page, email info @roundhouseaquarium.org or call 310.938.2682.