Museum Exhibits

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diving helmets permanent exhibit
Clipper Membership

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum Exhibits

Come Celebrate 13,000 Years of Human Interaction With The Santa Barbara Channel

Come explore two floors of historical and art exhibits as you learn all about early Santa Barbara explorers such as Juan Cabrillo, the Chumash, whaling, the history of the Santa Barbara Waterfront, and the birthplace of deep sea commercial diving. You’ll also see incredibly detailed ship models by Dwight Brooks while learning about famous local shipwrecks such as the Honda Disaster, oil spills, commercial fishing, Channel Islands ranching, and so much more!

We also have several fun and interactive maritime exhibits for the kids, so bring the whole family down to the museum. There's something for everyone. There are also several great restaurants, shops, and boat rides nearby, so you and your family can make a day out of exploring the Santa Barbara Harbor.

Featured Exhibits at the Maritime Museum

Whales Are Superheroes!

Come See Our Newest Permanent Exhibit.

Dwight Brooks Ship Models

View the Online Collection

Point Conception Lighthouse Lens

Come See the First Order Fresnel Lens from the Point Conception Lighthouse

Honda Point Naval Disaster

Learn How A Dozen Brand New Navy Destroyers Ran Aground Near Santa Barbara in 1923

Commercial Diving

Discover the Birthplace of Deep Water Commercial Diving

Interactive Sportfishing

Try Your Luck at Landing a Big One

History of Surfing

Learn About the History of Surfing from the 1800s Through
Modern Day

Children's Gallery

Explore Fun Games and Activities for the Whole Family.

Meet Jim

The Jim Deep Sea Dive Suit Greets You When You Come to the Museum

Write a Love Letter to the Sea

Create Ocean-Inspired Letters and Artwork to the Sea

Conning Tower & Periscope

Experience Our Real Working Periscope for a 360-Degree View of the Harbor

Japanese Submarine Attack at Goleta Beach

Learn About the First Shelling on American Soil in WWII

Tomol Plank Canoes

Learn How the Chumash Used to Hunt and Trade Up and Down the Coast in Their Plank Canoes

SS Cuba Shipwreck

Learn About the SS Cuba Shipwreck off San Miguel Island in 1923

Ranger Fishing Yacht

Come See This Classic Fishing Yacht That Was Used by John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart

Interactive Tattoo Parlor

See How You Would Look With a Sailors Tattoo

Purisima Diving Bell

Learn About The World's First Commercial Lockout Diving Bell

Daughters & Wives: Keepers of the Light

Learn About Julia Williams, Santa Barbara's Lighthouse Keeper for Over 40 Years