Sight Seaing

No doubt about it, the new Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach often seems to have more people than fish these days, with ticket lines sometimes longer than an hour.

If catching a glimpse of creatures through the spaces in the crowds doesn’t satisfy your craving for learning about sea life, consider one of the children’s or family programs, many of which offer behind-the-scenes access or quality time during the aquarium’s quiet periods.

The Family and Community Programs feature a range of topics and trips, from hearing the sounds of the sea to bicycle jaunts around Long Beach Harbor and learning to identify shore birds native to Southern California.

And for families looking for a novel way to throw a slumber party, the aquarium offers sleepovers. It’s a unique opportunity to spread out your sleeping bags in front of a 27-foot-tall tank filled with sharks, barracuda, sea bass and California morays.

These activities don’t come cheap. Prices range from $25 for a birding expedition by bicycle to $140 for a daylong shark-watching expedition in the waters near Santa Catalina Island.

Programs offered in September:

* Slippery to Prickly: This family program gives children ages 2 and 3 a hands-on look at the textures of various sea creatures. Participants will explore the aquarium and have access to habitats for sea urchins, bat rays, sea stars, sea hares and snails, using their fingers to explore their textures. This program is offered Sept. 18, from 9 to 11 a.m. Cost: $30 per adult with one child, $7 for an additional person.

* Sounds of the Sea: an aural take on the ocean, also designed for children ages 2 and 3. Families can listen to the sounds of animals and learn to identify them, from the songs of the blue whale to the barking of the sea lion. This program is offered Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost: $30 per adult with one child, $7 for an additional person.

* Totally Turtles: an exploration of sea and land turtles and how they’ve adapted to their respective environments. This program is designed for children 4 to 6 and is offered Sept. 20 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Cost: $35 per adult with one child, $7 for an additional person.

* For the Birds! and Birding by Bicycle: These programs look at the birds that can be found while taking a walk around Rainbow Harbor or biking near the aquarium. For children 7 and older. For the Birds! is offered Sept. 19 from 8 a.m. to noon. Cost: $40 per adult with one child, $10 for an additional person. Birding by Bicycle is offered Sept. 26 from 8 to 11 a.m. Cost: $25 per person.

* Fishy Families: an aquarium sleepover that explores family dynamics in ocean creatures such as otters and sea horses through interactive games and activities. Evening snack, breakfast and souvenir T-shirt included. For kids 5 and older. Sleepovers can be scheduled for each Friday from 6:30 p.m. to Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Cost: $50 per person.

* Shark Expedition: a look at a shark research and tagging program followed by a boat ride to waters off Catalina Island, where parents and children (8 and older) can enter an open-top snorkeling cage and observe sharks in their natural environment. Shark Expedition is offered Sept. 19 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: $140 per child, $170 per adult.

Reservations are required and must be received at least two weeks before the specific program. Information: (562) 951-1630.