The Fishadelphia team. Credit: Dr. Talia Young.
Harbor seals in Chatham MA
Aerial view of Gloucester, Massachusetts
Visiting the Woods Hole Science Aquarium
The aquarium is designed for self-guided tours of the main exhibits and a behind-the-scenes look at aquarium operations. There is no admission charge.
The Woods Hole Science Aquarium displays species of marine animals found in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. waters.
Location
Woods Hole Science Aquarium
166 Water Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543
Directions from Boston
Directions from Providence
Visit Us by Bus
Hours
We are open all year, but days and hours may vary. Check back here or follow NEFSC on Twitter and Facebook for the latest on our operating schedule.
You can also call (508) 495-2001 to hear our current operating schedule.
Current Operating Hours
Outdoor seal enclosure: Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Indoor aquarium: Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Live Q&As in the seal enclosure at approximately 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Closed weekends and on all federal holidays.
The upstairs gallery, which includes the touch tank, is currently closed for construction.
Wheelchair access
The main aquarium gallery is wheelchair accessible. A ramp at the rear of the aquarium provides access to the second floor behind-the-scenes area and touch tank. If you need help with wheelchair access please notify the reception desk on arrival.
Rules
No pets allowed. Service dogs permitted.
No strollers inside. Our aquarium display and back-up areas have limited space.
No standing on the half-wall around the seal habitat.
No food or drink inside.
The seals at Woods Hole Science Aquarium are protected by federal law. Please follow all posted rules and respect our seal exhibit hours of operation while visiting the seal enclosure.
Groups
We welcome visits from school groups and civic organizations. Groups larger than 10 should make a reservation by calling our reservation line: (508) 495-2267. Include:
- The name of your organization
- Date and time you wish to visit
- A name and contact number where we can reach you to confirm your visit
Your group is not confirmed until you hear back from an aquarium staff member. The busiest season for groups is spring. If you would like to bring a school group anytime from March through June, please call for reservations as early in the school year as possible.
Special Needs
We welcome visitors with special needs. In addition to disability parking spaces and a wheelchair ramp near the main entrance, we can also offer exceptions to our visitor policies and hours for your visit. Please contact us ahead of time if we will need to plan for your visit.
Parking
There is no off-street parking available at the aquarium. The village has on-street metered parking, but the spots fill up quickly in busy summer months. Visitors should use public transportation if possible. During the summer, you may want to park in Falmouth and use the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority bus service. Bicycling between Woods Hole and Falmouth is also a popular alternative, and there is a bike rack located by our main entrance.
Activity Sheets
Our activity sheets can be answered by carefully viewing our animals and exhibits. Be aware, though, that the aquarium collection will likely be a bit different every time you visit. We focus our activity sheets on animals that are almost always in the aquarium, but occasionally a question might not be answerable on the day you visit.
To view the answer sheets, send us an e-mail or ask the staff when you visit.
Feedback
We like to hear from our visitors. If you take a few minutes after you have toured to let us know what was and wasn't useful, we will be better able to accommodate you and other visitors in the future. You can e-mail comments to the aquarium staff.
More Information
The Fishadelphia team. Credit: Dr. Talia Young.
Harbor seals in Chatham MA
Aerial view of Gloucester, Massachusetts