Heal the Bay Aquarium, CA

Escape the heat in the indoor air-conditioned the Aquarium.

Live AI Coastal Briefing

Thursday, August 27, is off to a cool and overcast start, with a dense marine layer covering the coast at 100% cloud cover. This morning's temperature is a pleasant 74°F, and the marine layer typically burns off by late morning, revealing a beautiful day for beach visitors. As the day unfolds, surfers, swimmers, runners, and cyclists can all enjoy the pleasant coastal conditions, with a variety of activities to suit every interest.



The surf conditions are looking fun for longboarders, with waves at 2.8 feet, or knee to waist high. With the water temperature at 74°F, boardshorts are the way to go, and no wetsuit is needed. However, rip current data is unavailable today, so swimmers should be sure to check with the lifeguard on duty before entering the water. Tides can be found on local charts, and swell data is also unavailable, so it's best to check with the lifeguard or a surf report for the latest information.



For runners and cyclists, the morning conditions are ideal, with a light wind of 4mph from the NE and the marine layer providing cool, overcast cover. With a low UV index of 0, no special sun protection is needed just yet, but it's always a good idea to plan for increasing UV levels as the morning wears on. Air quality is moderate, with an AQI of 93, so sensitive individuals may want to limit their prolonged outdoor exercise. Beach volleyball, paddleboarding, and tennis are all great options for the morning, before the onshore breeze picks up in the afternoon.



As the day develops, the marine layer will burn off, and the sun will come out, making for a pleasant afternoon and evening. With slightly low pressure at 29.79 inHg, there's a chance of unsettled conditions, but overall, it's shaping up to be a great day to get outdoors and enjoy the coast. Whether you're surfing, swimming, running, or just soaking up the sun, make the most of this beautiful day, and we'll see you back here tomorrow with another update.



Briefing issued 6:36 AM, Thursday, August 27. Live conditions update continuously above.

About This Coastline

Beneath the Santa Monica Pier, Heal the Bay Aquarium offers a close look at the marine life and environmental issues of Santa Monica Bay. Its beach-level position makes the building feel physically connected to the water it interprets, with waves, pilings and public beach activity immediately outside.

The Vibe

The atmosphere is educational, family-friendly and hands-on. Visitors move from the bright beachfront into a compact series of exhibits focused on local species, habitats and conservation. The experience is more intimate than a large destination aquarium, encouraging careful observation rather than spectacle.

The setting adds energy: footsteps and amusement-park sounds filter down from the pier, while the ocean remains visible only a short distance away. It is a science space embedded inside a major tourist landmark.

The Local Anchor

Heal the Bay, the environmental organisation that operates the aquarium, is the defining anchor. It took over the facility in 2003 and uses it to connect visitors with the ecology of the bay and the practical work of water-quality protection.

Exhibits highlight animals found locally rather than presenting a global collection. This focus links the tanks directly to nearby kelp forests, sandy seabeds, rocky habitats and estuaries, helping visitors understand that Santa Monica Bay is a living system rather than simply a scenic backdrop.

The Landscape

The aquarium occupies the shadowed zone beneath the pier at beach level. Timber and concrete supports frame views of sand and surf, while the building is protected within the larger pier structure. The contrast between enclosed exhibits and the open bay is immediate.

Above, Pacific Park and the pier carry dense visitor activity; outside, the beach stretches widely in both directions. The landscape reinforces the aquarium’s message: urban recreation, wildlife and water quality are all connected within the same coastal space.