Come Experience 13,000 Years
of Maritime History & Human
Interaction with the Sea

Hours

Thursday - Tuesday (Closed Wednesdays)
10am — 5 pm

Location

113 Harbor Way, Ste 190
Santa Barbara, CA 93109

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diving helmets permanent exhibit

Welcome to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is one of the premier venues for education, information, and lectures about the Santa Barbara Channel, the Channel Islands National Park, and 13,000 years of human interaction with the sea. Whether you're interested in historical subjects such as the Chumash and their settlements along the Santa Barbara coast, or more contemporary nautical topics such as environmental preservation, marine life, surfing, and sustainability, we offer something interesting for everyone. We also have lots of fun and interactive exhibits for kids and families.

We're conveniently located in the beautiful Santa Barbara Harbor next to several shops, restaurants, boat rides, kayak rentals, and various activities for the whole family. Come on down and make a day of it. You'll be glad you did.

Upcoming Exhibits, Lectures, and Events

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The Lure of Lighthouses & Dancing Waves

Photography by Dan Merkel 

January 26 -August 27, 2023

Cargo In Question at SBMM

Cargo in Question: Two Films about Labor, Shipping, and Globalization in the 21st Century

April 20 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

all hands on deck with will sofrin

All Hands on Deck: A Modern Day High-Seas Adventure to the Far Side of the World

April 29 @ 4:30 pm - 9:30 pm 
A Reception, Presentation, Book Signing, and Film Screening with Will Sofrin.

The Birthplace of Deepwater Diving Technology

Very few people know it, but Santa Barbara, California, is recognized by most international diving historians as the birthplace of deepwater diving technology. During the 1960’s, many of the Santa Barbara diving industry divers began a rapid transition from air diving to deepwater oxy-helium commercial diving. lifepsychiatric.com

Learn more about how mixed gas breathing apparatus developed in Santa Barbara was used by divers to rapidly expand the safe depth range for offshore exploration.

DONATE | JOIN

Support the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

Thank you for considering a donation and Membership to SBMM.

Our commitment to the community is to showcase our rich maritime history, present inspirational programs, and prompt insightful discussions about the future of our coastal community.