Please contact education@centralcoastaquarium.com with questions or specific program needs, including Spanish programming.
Floating Labs
Tuesdays, 10AM-12PM
Program Info
Floating Labs will resume in August 2026. To join our teacher email list and receive updates about upcoming programs, please email education@centralcoastaquarium.com. To complete a field trip interest form for next school year, click the button below.
If you are interested in visiting the Aquarium during the summer, we welcome you to join us through General Admission. Please visit our tickets page to plan your visit.
To help ensure the best experience for all guests, we ask that school and student groups visiting through General Admission limit their group size to 15 students at a time in the Exhibit Hall. Please contact us with any questions.
Floating labs are two hour programs aboard a 55 foot sportfishing boat operated by our local partners at Patriot Sportfishing.
- Floating Labs can be scheduled Tuesdays, 10:00AM-12:00PM
- Program Cost: Single ($1,400) and Double ($2,800) Boat options.
- Boat Capacity: To comfortably accommodate all passengers, please limit class sizes to 32 students with 2 adult chaperones. More adult chaperones are welcome to attend with smaller class sizes.
- Minimum Age: 2nd grade
- All passengers under 45lbs are required to wear a life vest and will be provided one by a staff member.
- Additional life vests are provided upon request only. Please let us know if your students are required to have a vest.
- Patriot Manifest: please complete and sign one copy of the boat manifest for every boat passenger (students and chaperones). Parent signatures are not required, but all names and contact information must be included in this single document. Alternative documents will not be accepted.
- Aquarium exploration time is included in the program fee.
Making Waves Outside of the Classroom
Join us for a two hour adventure in Avila Bay as we explore the sights and sounds of local marine life. Following an introduction to the rich cultural and natural history of the area, students become true marine scientists as they help collect and identify local organisms and study water quality at sea.
Please Note:
The safety of students, staff, and crew members is our topmost priority. Programs may be postponed due to unforeseen weather circumstances. Rescheduling options are available. In the event that a lab cannot be rescheduled, a full refund will be provided.
What to Bring:
- Patriot Manifest: please complete and sign one copy of the boat manifest for every boat passenger (students and chaperones). Parent signatures are not required, but all names and contact information must be included in this single document. Alternative documents will not be accepted.
- Close-toed shoes (no crocs or flip flops).
- Small personal bags and water are permitted on board.
- Sun protection (hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.)
- Warm clothing for chilly mornings.
- Motion sickness medication (~1 hour before departure), if prone to seasickness.
2026-27 Program Pricing
- Single 120 minute program (for a class of 32 (max) students): $1,400
- Double 120-minute program (for two classes of up to 32 students each, rotating through the boat experience): $2,800
*Double Boat programs include two separate 120 minute boat rides to accommodate larger groups.
Cancellation Policy
To accommodate staffing and program preparation costs, cancellations made within 14 days of the program date will incur the full program balance.
Scholarships
The Central Coast Aquarium strives to offer scholarship assistance to schools seeking financial support. Through the generous support of local grants and private community donors, scholarship funds are awarded to schools on a first-come, first-served basis, as they are available. Schools with Title I status will be given priority when receiving scholarships.
Note: Some funds are reserved for SLO County Title I students. Applicants will be asked to provide information about their school, program of interest, and a statement of need describing how the desired program will enhance student learning.