Sounds too good to be true, but FREE Monterey Bay Aquarium Tickets can be scored! Get your cheap Monterey Bay Aquarium Tickets on!
The Monterey Aquarium is one of the premiere destinations here and for good reason. It is one of the top aquariums in the world and is just plain fun for children and adults alike.
The price of admission is totally worth the $35 per adult, $22 per child, but getting in for free is one sweet deal. The money saved could go a long ways towards a fantastic meal at a killer Monterey Bay Restaurant.
Prices subject to change, check the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s web site out for the latest prices.
So "How is this possible?" you may be asking.
Well, the secret is to sneak in undetected when it’s the busiest… Just kidding, don’t do that, it wouldn’t work anyways and is just plain wrong. But seriously, see below for the scoop:
Believe it or not there are a number of opportunities to get FREE Monterey Bay Aquarium Tickets.
Every year the Monterey Bay Aquarium has free admission days where you can get in entirely FREE! They also have an annual Open House where local residents can get in for free for an entire week!
You can also get into the aquarium for Free if you have friends who have membership at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Use them once and it’s nice, but a second and third time is pushing it.
Remember, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is non-profit, so any money you spend there goes to running the aquarium and research for our ocean’s conservation, so give back when you can 
See all the ways you can get Free Monterey Bay Aquarium Tickets below:
FREE Monterey Bay Aquarium Tickets
Free Admission Days
The Monterey Aquarium occasionally has free admission days to mark special occasions.
To celebrate their 25th Anniversary. they gave away Free Admission on the 20th of each month January through October of 2009 to Monterey County Residents.
Early to mid December every year the Monterey Aquarium usually has free admission days for a week or so for residents.
Residents must show valid identification and proof of residence.
Open House
Every year in December the Monterey Aquarium has a nine-day community open house which gives free admission to Monterey County Residents.
Do You Have Friends or Family that Have Aquarium Membership?
Monterey Aquarium Membership comes with 2 guess passes in addition to the membership cards that have the member’s name on them.
See if you can borrow the passes for a day.
Children Under 3 are FREE!
This little detail can save you $17 per child that is under the age of 3.
Free Aquarium Tickets Available at the Library
Residents of the Monterey Area that are low income can actually get Monterey Aquarium tickets for free from any of the Monterey County Libraries.
Individuals and families who qualify for Free School Lunch, WIC, SNAP, Meals on Wheels, Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, Healthy Kids, or similar social services can request one aquarium Shelf to Shore pass each year at most community libraries in Monterey County and in Watsonville. Each pass admits up to six family members for a one-time visit.
The program started on Monday, September 10, 2012 and is expected to serve more than 30,000 low-income residents each year.
If you qualify, get all the details you need to know in order to get 6 FREE Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets from the library!
Monterey Bay Aquarium Discount
Admittedly, non-residents will have a much harder time getting free admission but that doesn’t mean you can’t save money with Monterey Bay Aquarium Discounts
Monterey Bay Aquarium Coupon
Monterey Bay Aquarium Coupons are hard to come by as they are a non-profit organization but they do exist! Get the scoop on Monterey Bay Aquarium Coupons
The Best FREE Things to do in Monterey CA
Did I Miss Something?
Help me help others enjoy Monterey to the fullest!
Send me a quick line about your favorite things to do at the Monterey Aquarium! Pics and Vids fully welcome
Share your Monterey Aquarium Tips
Or just leave a quick comment below!!!
Other Monterey Articles that You May be Interested in:
IS THERE A WAY TO FIND OUT WHAT DAYS OF THIS YEAR THE AQUARIUM HOLDS FREE ADMISSIONS?
THANK U
[Reply]
SeizeTheDay-Monterey Reply:
April 15th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
=)
Hi Perla,
Free Admission days to the Monterey Aquarium are a moving target but the they consistently have a locals appreciation week early to mid December every year where locals get in free. You’ll have to bring proof of residency though such as a phone bill or something. Hope this helps.
Kevin
[Reply]
Rev. Tino Cordova Reply:
September 26th, 2015 at 3:56 am
I would like to get some free tickets or free admission to some of my congregants, but they live here in Watsonville. Is that possible or where would I inquire about this.
[Reply]
I have this friend, a father of four daughters, who in the current economy fell on hard times and is struggling to keep it together… I wonder, if a visit to the Aquarium would help this family to brighten their days… Myself unemployed, I can’t provide that for them and I wonder, if the Monterey Bay Aquarium has any programs or such available, to make this possible? Just an idea, but could you please help?
[Reply]
SeizeTheDay-Monterey Reply:
April 15th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
=)
Hi Mike,
I am sorry to hear about your friend’s situation. The Monterey Aquarium is a magical place and could no doubt bring a smile or 5 to your friend’s family. I would recommend calling the local libraries and asking them for availability for their free aquarium tickets. You may have to make reservations as there are limited free tickets and they go fast. Take care.
Kevin
[Reply]
This year the aquarium is free dec 3rd – dec 11 gooooooo it’s a wonderful opportunity
[Reply]
SeizeTheDay-Monterey Reply:
January 28th, 2014 at 9:24 pm
=)
Thank you EKenyon for the tip!
[Reply]
I want to go to the aquarium during the free admission days of open house, but i have a few questions…By showing proof of residence, does it has to say your name? I’m planning on going with my boyfriend, but i want to know if I can show the phone bill, but it has my mom’s name; we live together with my mom. Also, I have my California ID to show as a valid identification, and my boyfriend has an ID too, even though its not from the DMV can he still be able to go in?
[Reply]
We are retired and are Monterey county residence. We live on a very strict limited income. We would love to see your wonderful aquuarium and would like to see when you give out the free admission tickets. Could you please let me know when that takes place.
Thank you
[Reply]
SeizeTheDay-Monterey Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
=)
Hello, you are in luck as the Monterey Aquarium is having it’s annual Open House and is giving free admission to Monterey locals this week. From December 3rd thru the 11th. All you need to do is bring proof of residency, be it a phone bill or ID with your address on it! Have fun!!!
The Monterey Aquarium has an annual free admission week for it’s Open House which usually lands in December.
[Reply]
Are the free days for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, just for people who live in Monterey, or is it for Monterey COUNTY residents too?
[Reply]
I visited the aquarium with a friend on 12/11 and was very surprised with the free admission. Is this a regular promotion? I couldn’t find any additional information about this promotion at all.
[Reply]
It’s my sons 4th birthday tomorrow we we’re going to take him to the tech meusium but the plains just fell through, he really wants to go to the aquarium so I’m wondering Is there a birthday discount available or free addmission also do the santa cruz libraries have these free tickets thanks
[Reply]
Looking for discount tickets to the Monterey bay aquarium.
[Reply]
Any chance there will be free admission for locals during the new Shark exhibit in February, 2012?
[Reply]
Im planning to take my wife and son to Monterey for vacation day. I am mobile challenged and would need to use a wheelchair or scooter. We live in placerville so would need a one night hotel on the cheap. My son is college student marine archeology. We don’t have a big budget. Any ideas on tickets
[Reply]
Will there be 3 free passes for 28th Sept 12 as we will be there only for 2 days and wants to see this aquarium.
[Reply]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am wondering if this is true of getting free tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, by just having a Monterey Bay Library Card? If it is what is needed to acquire them. Library card number? If it is, then may I have three tickets for July 4th.
Sincerely,
Carl
[Reply]
Hi, I’m a mother of 2 and my husband and I would like to know when this takes place again since with a baby and 4yr old everything is a lot harder were on a really tight budget and would love to relive with our daughters the experience that we both lived at Monterrey with our two girls.
[Reply]
can you still go on the 20th of every month or was it only in 2009
[Reply]
SeizeTheDay-Monterey Reply:
January 28th, 2014 at 9:19 pm
=)
Hi Lola,
Thank you for visiting my site. I believe the Monterey Bay Aquarium discontinued the free day on the 20th every month some time ago.
Kevin
[Reply]
=)
Thank you to all of those that have inquired about Free Monterey Bay Aquarium Tickets and discount coupons. Unfortunately I personally do not have or distribute tickets or coupons for the Monterey Aquarium. I am just trying to give information in hopes of helping those who normally wouldn’t be able to afford a visit to the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium a chance to enjoy and visit this truly magical place. Thank you!
[Reply]
today is free admission from residents of san benito county my qestion is if I they accept my matricula counsel?
[Reply]
SeizeTheDay-Monterey Reply:
June 2nd, 2015 at 10:00 pm
=D
Thank you Yadira! I’m not sure if they accept Matricula Counsel either…
[Reply]
I am a member of the Monterey Aquarium.
How can I get a free pass for my sister visiting from NM?
We are both retired.
Thank you!
[Reply]
SeizeTheDay-Monterey Reply:
September 17th, 2014 at 11:00 pm
=D
Hi Rosie,
Sounds like you have membership through the individual membership plan which does not include the 2 guest cards. The Ocean Advocate Membership gives you these benefits but is a lot more money. Your best bet is to buy an additional ticket with possibly a discount or coupon. If your sister is going multiple times during her visit or the year than a membership may make sense. Hope this helps.
Kevin
[Reply]
Hi, me and my husband is traveling from out state to see the aquarium. We want to bring my mom there too and is there any promotion or deala for 3 people?
[Reply]