This aquarium has a lot of good exhibits with good detail in a nice building, but it may be a victim of its own popularity.

Having read of it many times, and having enjoyed the aquariums in Sydney and in Vancouver, I looked forward to visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium during our visit to the Monterey/Big Sur area. While this aquarium is famous and seems to have a reputation for doing good work in this critical marine zone, we were worried about the ticket price, the crowds, and how to get there.

These worries were well-founded. Getting to the parking garage through the streets of Monterey was difficult. Signs to the aquarium were inconsistent and the number of parking options was confusing. The Cannery Row area is a busy and tacky tourist trap that is hard to avoid. That said, the main parking garage was well-designed, secure, and of reasonable cost.

We arrived at opening time with pre-purchased tickets and still faced a long lineup. Fortunately, the aquarium staff were numerous and helpful. However, there seemed to be far too many people inside at all times -- so many that it was hard to enjoy most of the smaller exhibits simply because we had to wait to get close to them and move on promptly to give others a chance.

The majority of the visitors seemed to be young families, which is appropriate since about a third of the exhibits/activities target children. However, the sheer number of rambunctious kids, crying babies, and stressed parents made relaxed contemplation of anything nearly impossible.

This aquarium has some fine exhibits. The jelly fish area was spectacular, as was the huge Outer Bay tank, with its speedy tuna and lazy Sunfish. The Kelp Forest was perhaps the most important exhibit, and it is good, but the water seemed too murky to appreciate its details. The open-air aviary was a nice surprise, where you can see shore birds very close up. The crashing waves of the Surf Zone delighted the kids. The salmon stream was a well-executed and detailed display. There is a lot of detail in this place. The outside decks provided a refreshing break: you can look out on a real tide pool and kelp forest and open ocean.

The marquee Sea Otter exhibit was disappointing. The tank is too narrow and the otters overhyped. Otters are entertaining to watch at play in a good environment -- no need to put on a "show". The other types of otters in the special exhibit provided a good example of this. The penguin exhibit was cruel and doesn't belong anyway. Finally, there were a few too many information displays and videos screens where there should have been exhibits of live creatures. I can read and watch TV at home.

But for adults, the kicker is that this aquarium seemed to be missing the "wow" factor, such as that provided by Sydney's shark tank (visitors walk through the bottom in glass hallway), or Vancouver's Beluga tank, or Sydney's coral reef which has several peaceful viewing areas. Monterey's Outer Bay tank came close but its presentation is conventional and the viewing area too crowded.

After a 3-hour visit early on a Saturday, we came away a little disappointed in the value for our money. If the ticket had been half the $25 charged, we would have been satisfied. Maybe this aquarium is best for families with children and school groups, who will, I think, be impressed with all the hands-on activities and colourful displays. As for the crowding, is it time for the aquarium to consider a reservation system like the Getty Museum's?