Live CamPointed out from the Monterey Bay Aquarium's ocean-view decks, this camera looks straight onto the open water of Monterey Bay. Kelp sways at the surface, cormorants dry their wings on the rocks, and harbor seals and sea otters surface between swells. It is a calm, unhurried view of one of the most wildlife-rich stretches of the California coast.
Why Monterey Bay? The bay sits within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a federally protected area off California's central coast that shelters an unusual density of fish, seabirds, marine mammals and kelp forest. Few cameras give you a protected marine sanctuary as the everyday backdrop, and fewer still put you at the railing of a world-famous aquarium while you watch it.
Monterey Bay Aquarium highlights: As you enjoy the live view, be sure to look out for:
- Sea Otters In Kelp: Look for otters floating on their backs, often wrapped in strands of kelp to keep from drifting while they rest or feed.
- Cormorants On The Rocks: Black cormorants gather on exposed rock, frequently holding their wings open to dry them after a dive.
- Harbor Seals Surfacing: Watch the water's surface closely and a rounded seal head may appear for a moment before slipping quietly back under.
Beyond the Deck: The aquarium sits at the end of Cannery Row, the old sardine packing waterfront that now draws visitors to its shops and restaurants. From there the shoreline curves toward Pacific Grove and the rocky headlands of the Monterey Peninsula, with coastal paths, tide pools and kayak launches all within easy reach.
Thanks to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for sharing this view with the public. The aquarium's work in ocean conservation and education reaches far beyond its walls, and opening the deck camera lets anyone, anywhere, spend a quiet moment watching the sanctuary it helps protect.
Tune in during Pacific daylight hours, give the kelp beds a few patient minutes, and see which resident of Monterey Bay surfaces while you watch.
