🦦 My Life as an Aquarium Guide
Looking for an unforgettable adventure for your young ocean enthusiast? The Underwater Explorers program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (June 13 – September 7) gives kids ages 8–13 the chance to discover the amazing world just beyond our shoreline. Through hands-on exploration and marine science activities, young learners take their first steps into understanding the ocean and the incredible life it supports.
As many of you know, I’ve always loved the ocean and to live so close to the water is just thrilling for me. A special part of my week is to volunteer as a Guide at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and I have decided to share a little bit of what’s going on there in my blog.
The Underwater Explorers program is an amazing opportunity to give young girls and boys a look below the ocean surface not only wearing a mask and fins, but also a SCUBA tank. Through a guided surface scuba experience in our Great Tide Pool kids have a chance to “suit up” in a dry suit and encounter unique animals while getting a fish-eye view of the wonders of Monterey Bay. They are likely to come face-to-face with sea stars, anemones, fish, crabs, and other incredible marine animals from a perspective few people ever experience.Â
Underwater Explorers started in 2002 as a program created specifically for children with disabilities. It has now grown into a community favorite open to all children, inspiring more than 50,000 young explorers over the years!
The original program continues today as Days of Discovery (June 13 & July 25), a special event designed for children with disabilities and made possible by the dedicated staff, volunteer guides, and dive team members.
When I speak to my fellow volunteers who have assisted on these special Days of Discovery, they say it is so amazing to watch these kids experiencing something they never imagined – and there is never a dry eye in the house! Each child is paired with multiple trained dive buddies and supported by certified dive professionals, Aquarium staff, and volunteers. The program is designed around each participant’s individual needs, creating a safe, comfortable, and confidence-building experience.
Their families have called it “transformative”. More than just a dive, Days of Discovery helps build confidence, spark curiosity, and create unforgettable connections with the ocean—one young explorer at a time.
I’ll never forget my first experiences as a scuba diver. I discovered a whole new world. What a thrill that would be for someone to discover that world at such a young age. If you know of anyone who has kids or grandkids that might be interested, click the link below for more information.