Maritime Gloucester

Maritime Gloucester Touch Tank Aquarium. Interactive Exhibits. Schooner Sails. Working Waterfront. Educational Programs. Open Year Round.

A destination experience on Gloucester's working waterfront celebrating our maritime heritage, the Gloucester community, and our connection to the ocean. Step into history at Maritime Gloucester, on historic Gloucester Harbor, where interactive exhibits and a working waterfront bring the past to life. Meet live sea creatures in our interactive touch tanks and aquarium, sail on Gloucester Harbor ab

oard traditional schooners, raise a sail, or explore the wonders of the sea. Home of the Gloucester Schooner Festival held each Labor Day Weekend.

06/15/2026

We 💙 Big Mama!

🦞 What is “Moltmaxxing”? 🦀 Lobsters, crabs, and various other crustaceans wear their skeleton on the outside of their bo...
06/11/2026

🦞 What is “Moltmaxxing”? 🦀

Lobsters, crabs, and various other crustaceans wear their skeleton on the outside of their bodies. These hard shells are called their exoskeletons. As the animal grows, its exoskeleton cannot grow with it. To make room for future growth, the creature must shed its old exoskeleton completely in a process called molting (also known as ecdysis).

After molting is completed, the animal is left in a soft and vulnerable state while its new exoskeleton slowly hardens. During this period, many crustaceans will hide from predators and absorb water to temporarily expand their body size before the new shell hardens into place.

Every lobster and crab goes through this process multiple times throughout its life. Young crustaceans may molt frequently as they grow, while older individuals molt less often. Molts can come in many shapes and sizes, sometimes a shell comes off in one nearly perfect piece, while other times it may break into sections. Can you tell which one is the live lobster and which is the molt in slide 2? Answer at the bottom of this caption!

Some molts can even be larger than a human hand (the one pictured here in slide 3 is from the crusher claw of a lobster estimated to be around 75 years old!)

In fact, a lobster’s ability to grow throughout its life depends entirely on its ability to molt and replace its old exoskeleton with a larger one, making lobsters technically immortal!

That right there is Moltmaxxing!

In slide 2 the molt is on the left and the live lobster is on the right!

06/08/2026

🌊Happy World Oceans Day from us to you!🌊

Earth’s oceans benefit us beyond belief, from producing much of the oxygen we breathe, to providing various food sources, to maintaining ecosystem stability, they truly do it all. 

Today, we encourage communities across the globe to give back to our oceans by recognizing their value and the importance of protecting them! 

Even simple everyday actions can make a huge difference, especially if many people come together to contribute! 
5 ways you can make a difference in everyday life include: 

1️⃣ Reduce single-use plastics: gravitate towards reusable water bottles, containers, and shopping bags when possible

2️⃣ Pick up trash and avoid littering: practice the “carry in carry out” policy when visiting beaches and other bodies of water

3️⃣ Conserve water whenever possible!

4️⃣ Volunteer! Participate in beach cleanups or additional local conservation efforts
(P.S: we offer volunteer opportunities right here at Maritime Gloucester 👀) 

5️⃣ Educate yourself and others: Learn from various articles, videos, aquariums, etc. and advocate for ocean conservation

Even small actions can lead to big impact! 🌊😊

Join us for a special evening with Charley Seavey, a Rockport native, lifelong sailor, Army veteran, and maritime histor...
05/13/2026

Join us for a special evening with Charley Seavey, a Rockport native, lifelong sailor, Army veteran, and maritime historian.

After decades of sailing, teaching, and traveling, Charley returned home to Cape Ann and spent six years volunteering at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, where he developed a deep knowledge of schooners and the people who built and sailed them.

Come hear stories of life at sea, local maritime history, schooners, and the traditions that shaped our coastal community.

⚓ Thursday, May 28
⚓ 6:00–8:00 PM
⚓ Maritime Gloucester

🎟 Buy tickets here:
https://www.maritimegloucester.org/event-details/charley-seavey-maritime-talk

🌊🚨MOTHERS DAY CRAFTS HAPENING NOW🚨🌊Celebrate Mother’s Day TODAY at Maritime Gloucester with ocean-inspired crafts that a...
05/10/2026

🌊🚨MOTHERS DAY CRAFTS HAPENING NOW🚨🌊

Celebrate Mother’s Day TODAY at Maritime Gloucester with ocean-inspired crafts that are fun for the whole pod! 🐋💙 Stop by before 4PM for free Mother’s Day crafts included with admission.

And in honor of Mother’s Day, here are some amazing facts about orca moms:

🖤 Orcas live in tight-knit family groups led by mothers and grandmothers, called matrilines.
🖤 Both male and female orca calves often stay with their mothers for their entire lives.
🖤 Grandmother orcas help guide and protect their pods, especially during times when food is scarce.
🖤 Scientists have found that adult male orcas are more likely to survive when their mothers are still alive!

Come celebrate the incredible moms, grandmas, and caregivers in your pod with us today 🌊

🌊 ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!Today, we’re celebrating more than just a holiday, we’re taking a moment to recognize the history...
05/05/2026

🌊 ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Today, we’re celebrating more than just a holiday, we’re taking a moment to recognize the history behind Cinco de Mayo and the incredible biodiversity found in and around Mexico.

From the resilient victory at the Battle of Puebla to the rich marine ecosystems along Mexico’s coasts, there’s so much to learn and appreciate. 💙 And a quick reminder, Mexico’s Independence Day is actually celebrated on September 16th! 🎉 

Swipe through to meet some of the amazing species that call these waters home, from the critically endangered vaquita to gentle giants like whale sharks and so much more!

Mexico’s oceans are full of life worth celebrating, and protecting.

✨ May the 4th be with you! ✨Join Jedi Carl and our crew of galactic explorers at Maritime Gloucester for a Star Wars Day...
05/04/2026

✨ May the 4th be with you! ✨

Join Jedi Carl and our crew of galactic explorers at Maritime Gloucester for a Star Wars Day adventure that’s out of this world (and under the sea 🌊).

Stop by today from 10 AM–4 PM and bring your young Padawans to discover mysterious sea creatures, train their curiosity in the ways of the Force, and enjoy LEGO Star Wars playing all day in our Plankton Lab.

The galaxy, and the ocean, are calling. Will you answer? 🌌

As we wrap up April which is National Volunteer Month, we want to take a moment to celebrate and recognize just how esse...
04/30/2026

As we wrap up April which is National Volunteer Month, we want to take a moment to celebrate and recognize just how essential our volunteers are to everything we do here at Maritime Gloucester. As a nonprofit, we truly rely on the passion, generosity, and dedication of our volunteer community, and we are so grateful for each and every one of you.

This month, we’d like to give a special shoutout to three incredible volunteers who consistently go above and beyond:

⚓ Bruce, one of our dedicated docents, joins us every Monday and brings with him a wealth of knowledge about shipbuilding and maritime history. His kindness and enthusiasm make every visit more meaningful.

⚓ Sophie, also a docent, shares her deep understanding of Gloucester’s maritime heritage with visitors, and when she’s not teaching, she’s out on the water as a gig rower! Her energy and passion are truly inspiring.

🐟 Bob, a cornerstone of our aquarium team, is a tireless worker who has sparked curiosity in countless young visitors. His knowledge of local marine life and his ability to connect with children make a lasting impact every day.

Volunteers like Bruce, Sophie, and Bob are at the heart of Maritime Gloucester. They help us educate, inspire, and connect our community to the rich maritime culture that surrounds us.

Interested in getting involved? Whether you want to inspire the next generation, learn more about Gloucester’s history, experience life on a working waterfront, or get hands-on in our aquarium, we’d love to have you join us!

Apply to become a volunteer here: https://forms.fillout.com/t/iy7aFKAsJ7us

April Vacation Programs Recap 🌊✨What a week! We had four completely sold-out mornings filled with creativity, curiosity,...
04/29/2026

April Vacation Programs Recap 🌊✨

What a week! We had four completely sold-out mornings filled with creativity, curiosity, and hands-on discovery. From painting and crafting to interactive learning, our young explorers dove deep into the ocean’s wonders and came back with some incredible artwork and even bigger imaginations. 🎨

Each day brought a new adventure, from Dockside Explorers, where we learned about life along the shoreline and under our docks, to Fintastic Sharks, where we uncovered facts about shark species, their habitats, and why they’re so important to ocean health. 🦈

We didn’t stop there, Journey to the Deep took us through the different zones of the ocean, exploring bioluminescent creatures and extreme underwater environments, while our Quirky Creatures theme introduced some of the strangest (and coolest!) animals that live beneath the waves. 🌌🐙

Between all the learning, we packed in tons of fun with different educational games, and beautiful artwork. It was the perfect mix of education and play, and we loved seeing everyone’s excitement grow each day.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this week so special! 💙

👀 Keep your eyes out for upcoming summer programs and pop-ups, we’ve got even more adventures on the way!

Address

23 Harbor Loop
Gloucester, MA
01930

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(978) 281-0470

Website

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