Roundhouse Aquarium

Roundhouse Aquarium is a small marine science center at the end of Manhattan Beach Pier, dedicated to the ocean habitats and wildlife of Southern California. Its exhibits are organized across marine habitat, education, and marine science galleries, giving the aquarium a distinctly local focus rather than a broad collection of marine species from around the world. The setting directly above the Pacific reinforces that connection to the coastal environment explored inside.

Visitors can explore exhibits representing rocky reefs, kelp forests, tide pools, and habitats associated with pier pilings, along with more specialized displays such as an octopus tank, pipefish tank, artificial reef, and discovery center. Animals and subjects include leopard sharks, garibaldi, sheephead, moray eels, rays, seahorses, and other local or regionally relevant marine life. Hands-on programs and science activities add an educational dimension, with the aquarium also offering classes and outreach programs. Its compact scale and strong emphasis on Southern California ecosystems make it particularly suited to visitors who want a focused introduction to local marine life rather than a large conventional aquarium.