Jenkinson’s Aquarium
300 Ocean Avenue North
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 899-1212
https://www.facebook.com/jenksaquarium/
Admission: Adults $18.00/Seniors $13.00/Children 3-11 $12.00/Children under 2 Free
Open: Sunday-Saturday Check website due to Seasonality
My review on TripAdvisor:
The Front of the Point Pleasant Jenkinson Aquarium on the Boardwalk
The entrance of the aquarium on the Boardwalk in Point Pleasant, NJ
This was the first time I had stepped foot in this aquarium since the year it was opened. I could not believe that I had not been here since 1991. The aquarium had just finished a renovation of the second floor of the building and created a Amazon Jungle type of exhibitions of small mammals and birds.
The interactive displays and open tanks are all over the aquarium so that you really can interact with the marine life under a controlled environment
What I like about the aquarium is that it is very hands on and family friendly. There are all sorts of docents and animal caregivers around to explain what the aquatic life do and how they live in a controlled environment. Each of the floors is broken down into different sections and each type of marine life has their own environment to live.
The Mangrove tanks with Moon Jellyfish and Yellow Tang fish
The full tanks of marine life
When you walk in you are greeted by a display of a Mangrove forest and the inhabitants that live there. These Yellow Tang fish seemed right at home swimming amongst the trees. Next to them, the Moon Jellyfish were swimming around in their tank like floating angels. They looked so beautiful and colorful in the tank.
The Yellow Tang fish
The Moon Jellyfish moved around their tank like floating angels. You could see them in full detail down to their spines. They swam around and looked like a surreal movie.
The first open tank you will visit has sting rays, hermit crabs and other small fish. You have to pay attention to what the docent is explaining so that you don’t startle the marine life. The main floor of the aquarium is like a marine life museum in which each tank is dedicated to a classification of fish.
The Sting Rays were very playful in the open tank but I would stay away from them,
In the main room of the first floor of the aquarium, each tank is home to different marine life. These surround the main open tank filled with hermit crabs, sting rays and turtles. These tanks give you a chance to interact with the wildlife.
The little sea turtle was relaxing when I visited him in his tank
These spotted sting rays swam around the bottom of the tank
In the larger tanks that surrounded the open tanks contain all sorts of ocean creatures swimming around claiming their territory. This is why they are kept in different tanks so that they don’t devour one another. The shark tank is the most active with sharks swimming around trying to find a way to escape from these tanks.
The shark tanks are a very active tank
The eels are active on their own interacting with the art work on the walls thinking it is real.
The eel showed it own independence in its tank
The colorful Angel Fish tank showcased an array of hues of other tropical fish as well
Taking one last tour of the first floor before the Seal feeding upstairs
The Clownfish tank
On the upper floor of the aquarium is the Penguin Tanks, the open tanks with more turtles and starfish, mammals as sloths and small monkeys and the bird exhibition with parakeets.
The penguins are such inquisitive mammals. They just watched their trainers and feeders clean the tank and acted like this was a perfectly acceptable thing for them to do. They just observed and talked amongst themselves as they watched us watching them. They are so jaded by human interaction.
The Diamondback Turtle was staring back at me from the open tanks
So did the Spotted Turtle
The seal feeding was very different from other aquariums that I had been to recently. First it was inside and second it was two different types of seals that were both disabled. The small Harbor seal had one of its flippers removed and the other Black seal was legally blind. They had been taken out of the wild for rehabilitation and it is safer for them to be in a controlled environment. I have never seen two mammals so well taken care of by trainers who treat them with respect.
The blind Black Harbor seal swam around and reacted positively to her trainer. She just looked out at the audience with a playful attitude of someone who was used to being around humans.
She came to surface for her meal
She was very interactive with the audience after she got fed. Here she welcomed us
The smaller Harbor seal was so cute. She had such a difficult life when she had her flipper removed for her health and safety so her swimming was tougher. She made due and learned to swim a different way and showed her independence.
She gave the audience such a innocent look
After the feeding was over, she swam over to where we were and I waved at her. I was not sure if this was directed at me looking at her but she gave me such a soulful look like I knew her.
I swear she looked at me like she knew me. I was ready to give her a hug
I really enjoyed my visit to the Jenkinson Aquarium. I liked how you feel like you are part of the exhibitions and how you are explained what is going on my both the volunteers and staff. They almost give you a responsibility to know what the plight of these mammals and aquatic life is like and how we have to respect it. You will learn a lot in one afternoon. These residents know how to communicate with us by just a stare or just looking back at us with a knowing glance. I just think they are used to us as well.
History of the Jenkinson Aquarium:
(from the company website)
The Boardwalk entrance to the Jenkinson Aquarium in Point Pleasant, NJ
Jenkinson’s Aquarium is a privately owned facility located on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.
Opening in June of 1991, Jenkinson’s Aquarium has proven to be a valuable educational and recreational resource, as evidenced by its growing popularity. The aquarium is dedicated to educating the public on all aspects of marine life and conservation. Each exhibit is designed to promote awareness of the animals, their habitats and conservation.
The Black Harbor seal responding to her feeding
Exhibits such as Atlantic sharks, Pacific sharks, coral reefs, penguins, and seals give you the opportunity to get up close to animals from around the globe. Another attraction, the touch tank, allows visitors to touch live animals ranging from a sea star to a sting ray!
The Tropical Fish tank
In addition to the educational exhibits, the aquarium offers workshops for children of all ages, as well as professional development workshops for teachers and group tours for schools and scout groups. Groups are provided a general tour of the building and can choose between a number of Focus Programs that will highlight a chosen topic. If your group is unable to make it to the aquarium, we can come to you through our Outreach Program. If you are looking for somewhere special to have your child’s birthday party, the aquarium is just the place.
The Penguin Tanks
We offer a Perky the Penguin Birthday Party for children turning four years or older. The aquarium is also available for evening functions such as wedding receptions, corporate parties or business meetings. For those who wish to volunteer their time, Jenkinson’s Aquarium has an extensive volunteer program for those over the age of sixteen. The aquarium staff, including volunteers, participate in many community programs including Adopt-a-Highway and NJ Community Water Watch.
The Shark tank
Either in the community or at the aquarium, our staff will greet you in a courteous and professional manner. The staff is on hand to answer any of your questions while visiting, making it an enjoyable and educational experience. On your way out, you can take the fun home with you after browsing through our aquarium Gift Shop which has an extensive selection of marine related products.
The large fish tank
Jenkinson’s Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA is America’s leading accrediting organization for zoos and aquariums, and accredits only those institutions that have achieved rigorous, professional standards for animal welfare and management, veterinary care, wildlife conservation and research, education, safety, staffing, and more.
The Moon Jellyfish
It is such a great visit!
I went back in October of 2024 and there was a Boo on the Boardwalk event with all sorts of activities for kids at the Aquarium and on the Boardwalk.
The Aquarium on Halloween for events
The ‘Boo at the Boardwalk’ event
During a very gloomy post-Christmas day, I returned to the Boardwalk for the ‘Sea of Lights’ event and that was pretty spectacular. The whole first floor was done on white lights with all sorts of special activities. I missed Santa’s plunge earlier in the day but it was still a festive environment on the Boardwalk, gloomy weather aside.
The ‘Sea of Lights’ event at the Boardwalk
The Boardwalk decorated for the Christmas holidays
The Boardwalk decorated for Christmas
This part of the Boardwalk was open and ready to greet visitors in the post Christmas holiday
Inside the real magic began with these beautiful lights all over the place
The hallways and exhibits were bright and cheery regardless of the weather.
It was still gloomy when I left the aquarium but I was in better spirits seeing all the beautiful lights
Who says Christmas at the Jersey Shore is boring? There is lots to see and do and the people at Jenkinson’s give you that option to step in and have fun at the shore.
Visiting a Museum: The Unique, Unusual, Obscure and Historical 