[5] The Seattle City Council approved a site near Golden Gardens Park in Ballard in April 1971, but reversed its decision months later following public outcry.

[14] Bassetti/Norton/Metler/Rekevics were the architects for the building;[15] the exhibits were designed in consultation with local scientists, including Pacific Science Center director and later governor Dixy Lee Ray.

[1] On June 22, 2007, an 18,000-square-foot (1,700 m2) expansion added a 2,625-square-foot (243.9 m2) gift store and café to the aquarium, as well as two new exhibits: Window on Washington Waters and Crashing Waves.

[21][22] The project was expected to cost $160 million with the majority of funds coming from local taxes, private donations, and other sources.

[23] An additional loan of $67 million from PNC Bank was requested by operator Seattle Aquarium Society in 2023 to complete the project.

It is meant to replicate the coastal waters of Washington state from about 5 to 60 feet (1.5 to 18.3 m), and features native marine life including salmon, rockfish, and sea anemones.

Dive shows take place several times a day, divers wear special masks and converse with visitors.

[25] This habitat simulates the unique and diverse reef ecosystem, home to around one quarter of all marine species despite only taking up 0.5% of Earths surface.

The tank exhibits hundreds of species that would be found in Puget Sound including salmon, lingcod, sharks, sturgeon, skates, and rockfish.

[28] Birds and Shores is an open-air habitat housing Puget Sound natives such as tufted puffins, rhinoceros auklets, common murres, and black oystercatchers.

The habitat includes tidal pools and rocky cliffs above the water that support these coastal birds' natural breeding habits.

This learning experience is informative of this keystone species that is integral to Puget Sound ecosystems and holds importance to Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest.

The Seattle Aquarium has participated in conservation efforts of various marine species by collaborating with indigenous peoples, governments, institutions, and companies.

One completed, the Ocean Pavilion will provide breeding resources for the sharks and support a small group prior to their release into their natural habitat.

[35] During the pandemic induced school closures of 2020, the aquarium donated packages that included magnifying glasses and lessons to support distanced learning, along with offering online educational content.