Otter Student Union

The Student Ocean Stewards Program was created to provide university and college students the opportunity to join the Monterey Bay Aquarium as ocean stewards by providing free admission one time per academic year.

More ways to be a Student Ocean Steward:

1. Follow Seafood Watch recommendations at SeafoodWatch.org.
2. Refuse single-use plastics, like straws, and to-go containers, and utensils.
3. Bring reusable bags to the grocery store.
4. Carry reusable bottles and mugs to reduce plastic waste.

Looking for more ways to get involved with the Monterey Bay Aquarium? Explore available MBA internships open to current university students or become an Aquarium Volunteer by visiting online or contacting the Volunteer Engagement Office at 831-648-4867.

Thank you for participating in this program and claiming your free Monterey Bay Aquarium Student Ocean Stewards Pass. To use your free pass, no reservations are necessary. Simply present the pass along with your current CSUMB Student OtterCard when arriving at the Aquarium. The name on the pass must match your OtterCard.

The 2024-2025 passes expire on May 23, 2025 and have no blackout dates. 

Current CSUMB students are limited to a single pass once an academic year. If you get and use a pass in the fall semester, you cannot get another pass in the spring semester.

No, we receive enough Monterey Bay Aquarium passes so that each Cal State Monterey Bay student can get one each academic year.

No, passes must be picked up in person from our OSU Office, Room 306. They cannot be emailed or mailed out.

A CSUMB Student OtterCard is not only required when picking up your pass from the OSU Office, but the Monterey Bay Aquarium will also ask for it to be presented when using the free pass. If you have not already picked up your OtterCard or you have lost it, you can visit the Campus Service Center located in the Student Services Building (building 47). To learn more about how to get your OtterCard and other benefits of having one, visit the Campus Service Center's page here.

Passes are to be used by the student that claimed it and are not transferrable to other individuals.

Terms of use as set by the Monterey Bay Aquarium:

• The passes are valid for only one use.
• The passes are good for admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
• The passes are non-refundable.
• Passes may not be copied, transferred, or resold.
• Unauthorized duplication or sale of any ticket may prevent your admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
• The Monterey Bay Aquarium is not responsible for any inconvenience caused by the unauthorized duplication of any ticket.
• Passes cannot be replaced if lost, stolen, or destroyed.
• Passes not obtained from the CSUMB Otter Student Union may be lost, stolen, or counterfeit, and, therefore, such tickets are void.

Monterey Bay Aquarium • 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940

I have my own vehicle

For those with personal vehicles, use Google Maps to enter the address above to navigate to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Street metered parking and parking garages are available nearby. Additional costs may apply.

Travel for free with the Monterey-Salinas Transit Bus (MST)

CSUMB students, staff, and faculty may board any MST Bus in the network for free by swiping their OtterCard
during the Fall and Spring Semesters. MST takes about 45-60 minutes to get from CSUMB to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, traveling 12.1 miles. Be sure to check the MST website for the latest schedules. MST buses can get crowded, so be prepared to stand.

TO AQUARIUM FROM CSUMB:

1. Take the MST Line 17/18 bus from the CSUMB Alumni & Visitor’s Center bus stop.
2. Remain on the bus, it will change to JAZZ A/B.
3. JAZZ A/B will travel to Monterey Transit Plaza in Downtown Monterey, then continue to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
4. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a short walk from the Cannery Row stop (Irving Ave and Foam Street).

TO CSUMB FROM AQUARIUM:

1. Take the MST Jazz A/B bus from the Cannery Row stop on Irving Ave and Foam Street.
2. Jazz A/B will travel to the Monterey Transit Plaza in Downtown Monterey.
3. Remain on the bus, it will change to Line 17/18.
4. Line 17/18 will travel to CSUMB Alumni & Visitor’s Center bus stop.

For your convenience, download the MBA Directions with MST PDF. A little nervous about taking the bus? Check out Mini Monte's visit using the MST Bus to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.