Zoos

Rocky Shores

Name: Rocky Shores
Address: Tacoma, WA 98407, Tacoma, WA, US
Telephone: (253) 404-3800
Rating: 5

★★★★★ 5 (3 reviews)

📍 Tacoma, WA 98407

📞 (253) 404-3800

🌐 www.pdza.org/animals/rocky-shores

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	9 AM–3:30 PM
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	9 AM–3:30 PM
Friday	9 AM–3:30 PM
Saturday	9 AM–3:30 PM
Sunday	9 AM–3:30 PM

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About Rocky Shores

Rocky Shores is a zoo in Tacoma, WA. Rocky Shores features a diverse collection of marine mammals including walrus, California sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters, along with multiple seabird species including both tufted and horned puffins, murres, and Magellanic penguins. Rated 5 out of 5 stars by 3 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Zoo
Best For: All ages
Highlights: Walrus, sea otters, seals, sea lions, seabirds, penguins with daily keeper chats
Setting: Coastal Pacific Northwest habitat featuring land and ocean ecosystems

💡 Did You Know?

⭐Rocky Shores features a diverse collection of marine mammals including walrus, California sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters, along with multiple seabird species including both tufted and horned puffins, murres, and Magellanic penguins
⭐Sea lion pups are born at Rocky Shores with an expected birth in June, and newly born pups undergo a behind-the-scenes bonding period before joining the main pool habitat
⭐Rocky Shores hosts an annual Sea Otter Awareness Week celebration in late September, indicating a dedicated conservation and education focus on sea otters
⭐The exhibit features daily keeper chats and presentations about marine animals, making it consistently one of the most active areas of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

💬 What Visitors Say

💡Don't miss the daily keeper presentations and chats about marine animals - they provide valuable context about the walrus, sea lions, sea otters, and seabirds, and help you understand behaviors you'll observe in the exhibits.
💡The sea lion viewing area has bleachers overlooking the main pool - a great spot to sit, rest, and observe the pinnipeds' natural behaviors without rushing. Plan to spend time here as the sea lions are nearly always active and visible.
💬Follow the arrows past Pacific Seas Aquarium to locate the winding path to Rocky Shores - this venue can be easy to miss. Combining a visit to the nearby Pacific Seas Aquarium extends your marine animal experience.
🕐Plan a visit during Sea Otter Awareness Week in late September or around June when sea lion pups are expected to join the main pool habitat - these are special times to observe animal behavior and family bonding in action.