Reserved Tour

Reserve a private 30-minute outdoor tour for your students led by a volunteer docent. Explore how science sparks innovation and leads to solutions for the Santa Cruz community and beyond. Your students will also marvel at Ms. Blue, a humongous blue whale skeleton whose restoration is sparking climate-friendly innovations sure to inspire. Before or after your tour, explore the Seymour Center’s exhibits, aquarium tanks, shark pool, and seawater touch table.

Please note: Due to renovation work on the pools at Long Marine Lab, tours will not visit the marine mammal research area. Pool renovations are anticipated to be completed by late 2025.

Dates & Availability

Year-round, Tuesday–Sunday

  • 10:45 AM (1 tour)*
  • 11:30 AM (2 tours)
  • 12:30 PM (2 tours)
  • 1:30 PM (2 tours)
  • 2:30 PM (2 tours)

Groups must check in at least 15 minutes before tour time.

*Additional tour times may be available on weekend days and Mondays during summer months.

Fees
  • Reserved Tour fee ($50 per tour) + admission fees ($9 per child/student; $12 per adult; $11/senior)
  • Reserved Tour fees are non-refundable and due upon confirmation of your tour reservations.
  • Title 1 schools are eligible to request a 20% discount off admission fees if scholarship funds are available
  • Parking paid separately through ParkMobile app.
Duration
Reserved Tour lasts 30 minutes. Explore Seymour Center exhibits and aquarium as long as you like. Most groups stay 1-2 hours.

Group Size
  • 20 participants maximum per tour, including at least two chaperones
  • Groups larger than 40 participants may schedule multiple tours over consecutive time slots
  • Chaperones count as tour participants; at least two adult chaperones per tour are required for school/youth groups.
Chaperones for school groups

Minimum adult-to-student ratio: 1 adult per 9 students on tour

Recommended chaperone ratios for school/youth groups during self-guided exploration time (adult:student):

  • grades K-2 (1:6)
  • grades 3-5 (1:8)
  • grades 6-8 (1:10)
  • grades 9-12 (1:12)
Schedule a Reserved Tour

Reservations are recommended at least three weeks in advance year-round, and far in advance for spring. Complete the form below to request your group visit.

Request a Reserved Tour

Refunds & Cancellations
  • Reserved Tour fees are non-refundable and due when we confirm your tour reservations.
  • Please pay admission fees on the day of your scheduled visit. Any payments received before your visit are non-refundable.
  • If you need to cancel, email visitseymour@ucsc.edu