

Touch Tanks Now Open

Visitors can have an up-close and hands-on experience with Gulf of California tidepool animals. From sea stars to sea cucumbers, to crabs and turbo snails you will be fascinated with all the different creatures that live at the shore. Great for kids - and there's no extra charge to visit the aquarium!

Warden aquarium, rivers to the sea

Petrochirus Calif.
Vermil Sea Pen
Vermil Shrimp



"Without this sea and the summer monsoon that brings moisture from it, the lush Sonoran Desert known today would be an entirely different place," states Craig Ivanyi, Executive Director of the Museum. "This body of water truly represents a full half of the Sonoran Desert Region — literally 100,000 square miles of ocean and an astounding 900 islands!"

The aquarium exhibition, "Rivers to the Sea", highlights the roles of the region's rivers, including the mighty Colorado, and the Gulf of California. The modest, 1,100 sq. ft. aquarium houses two galleries: one highlighting the region's freshwater rivers and aquatic life and the other featuring the Sea of Cortez and representative sea life.

Primary funding for the new exhibition was generously provided by the Bert W. Martin Foundation and Warden Family and includes 14 tanks displaying a variety of fresh- and salt-water sea life. Some of the Museum's numerous conservation projects impacting many aquatic species are highlighted in the galleries.


The exhibition area also includes a touch tank with marine invertebrates, like Serpent Stars, Chestnut Cowries, Sea Hares and Hermit Crabs, for a hands-on encounter for visitors. Check the Plan-Your-Day board at the entrance plaza for a daily schedule.