The Best Aquariums in the World

The only way to appreciate how rich and diverse the marine world is is to visit an oceanarium. Children especially love such trips, as the life of the seas and oceans is always a mystery and something unattainable. Kidpassage has been to some of the most significant and exciting oceanariums worldwide and is now sharing them with you.

It is currently the largest oceanarium in the world. Opened in 2012, it is more than twice the size of the previous leader (the Aquarium in Atlanta) regarding water volume. The characteristics of this underwater kingdom are impressive: 10,000 inhabitants belonging to 800 species, 45 million litres of water, an area of 8 hectares, and 49 zones.

The oceanarium is so immense that there is even a hotel for those who want to explore all the exhibits in detail. In the water tanks, one can see the world's most extensive collection of manta rays, the rarest species of fossil fish, sharks and many other inhabitants of the depths.

There is an orchid park and an underwater restaurant for those who tire of walking among the aquariums. A water amusement park also offers attractions such as water slides, an 'adventure river' and artificial caves.

Not to be missed: if your child is old enough, you can snorkel at the Rainbow Reef Aquarium. There's lots of colourful coral and colourful fish that aren't dangerous. Kids can play in the open-air aquarium and even touch the creatures in the tank, such as starfish and turtles. Also, don't miss the river sightseeing tour for the best introduction to Marina Life Park.

Website, photos: https://www.rwsentosa.com/en/attractions/sea-aquarium
Address: Sentosa island, Resorts World Sentosa.

The Georgia Aquarium has long been ranked number one among the largest of its kind. The building is shaped like a liner, and when you enter it, you begin a fantastic 'voyage' around the world's oceans. The Oceanarium is home to over 10 000 species of marine life, ranging from small tropical fish to beluga whales.

The building is divided into five galleries, each with a different theme. For example, the Georgia Explorer exhibits the sea life of the Georgia coast; the Tropical Diver showcases the tropical fish that inhabit the reef with live coral; the Ocean Voyager features the inhabitants of the Barrier Coral Reef, Cold-Water Quest features the coldest northern waters, and River Scout features species that live in fresh waters.

Not to be missed: the two whale sharks living in the largest aquarium are exciting to visitors. You'll also find it fascinating to watch the unusual white whales.

Website, photos: http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/
Address: 225 Baker Street Northwest Atlanta, GA 30313.

It is one of the largest oceanariums in Europe. It is home to around 8,000 inhabitants of the deep sea, with about 3,000 species of fish worldwide. The Aquarium has 35 aquariums, with five million litres of water capacity. Each tank contains a small piece of the marine world: tropical, northern waters, and deep sea inhabitants.

The most exciting part of the Aquarium is an eighty-metre glass tunnel. You can see sharks, rays and schools of colourful fish! You feel as if you're at the bottom of the sea. By the way, for those with a diver's certificate, diving and swimming with sharks is possible, though it doesn't come cheap, about 300 euros.

Don't miss out: the Explora! Exhibition for young visitors to the oceanarium. Here, children will see more than 50 interactive exhibits related to the marine world. There is also a mini aquarium for children called Miniaquària.

Website, photos: https://www.aquariumbcn.com
Address: Barcelona, Moll d’Espanya del Port Vell, s/n 08039.

Another Spanish aquarium is considered to be the largest in all of Europe. It is home to around 45,000 members of the marine world, belonging to more than 500 different species. The total volume of all the aquariums is 7 million litres. The aquarium has several above-ground and below-ground areas in which it has tried to recreate the life of marine ecosystems from different parts of the world. Here you can look into the Arctic Ocean, tropical sea, and seas of temperate latitudes.

The architects rejected vertical walls, sharp and right angles, believing that soft and smooth lines are more suitable for the ocean. For this reason, the aquariums here are designed as towers.

Not to be missed: the Red Sea-themed aquarium, for which the Oceanarium has a separate audience room. An unusual pool where you can enter and sit inside. Children are sure to enjoy the dolphinarium and the seabird pavilion.

Website, photos: https://www.oceanografic.org
Address: Valencia, Avenida del Professor López Piñero (Historiador de la Medicina), 3-7.

The city of Stralsund is home to the Ozeaneum, one of the three largest oceanariums in Europe. Thirty-nine enormous water tanks, filled with 2.5 million litres of water, are installed within the oceanarium. The aquariums are home to around 7000 fish, crabs, jellyfish and other deep sea creatures from the Baltic, North, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans.

There are three halls: Tropical Sea, Baltic Sea and North Sea. Tunnels and passages connect all of them, and aquariums are inside, allowing you to see fish and other animals as close as possible. On the roof of the aquarium is the pavilion where the Red Book Humboldt penguins live. One of the penguins is officially under the patronage of Angela Merkel.

Not to be missed: one of the world's largest collections of life-sized model whales. The most interesting one is a 34-metre-long stuffed blue whale. You'll also be impressed by the stuffed killer whale and the giant octopus. Children should also pay attention to the exhibit 'The sea floor available to man', which focuses on the problem of pollution of the seas and oceans.

Website, photos: https://www.ozeaneum.de/
Address: Stralsund, Hafenstraße 11.

In Okinawa, the Churaumi Oceanarium, whose name means 'beautiful sea', opened in 2002. Descending from the first to the second and third levels of the building, you feel as if diving deeper and deeper to the bottom of the ocean.

The first zone is dedicated to coral reef life and shallow water species. The second zone focuses on the species found in the warm waters of the Kuroshio Current. The third focuses on the mysterious inhabitants of the deep. The oceanarium's pride and joy, 16 metres of glass without a single partition, add to the feeling of diving into the seabed. It gives the impression of an endless ocean in front of you.

Not to be missed: whale sharks, which are very difficult to keep in captivity, sea turtles and manatees.  There is a dolphin show for guests.

Website, photos: https://churaumi.okinawa/
Address: 424 Ishikawa, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa 905-0206.

The largest oceanarium in the UAE is located at the Dubai Mall. However, it's unlikely you'll be able to take a stroll here between shopping, as the oceanarium's extensive display will fascinate you and your children and make you want to spend more than an hour here.

The aquariums are filled with 10 million litres of water: 33,000 fish and 850 different species of marine life on display. You can see the inhabitants of the depths either by walking around the aquariums or through an underwater tunnel or by taking a boat trip across the surface of this vast body of water. For extreme enthusiasts, there is the opportunity to swim in the shark pool, but this is not an activity for children.

The Dubai Oceanarium is proud of its collection of marine predators. Only glass separates you from such dangerous sea creatures as tiger sharks, giant sharks and the scarce hammerhead fish! The piranhas and Pacific octopus are equally impressive.

Not to be missed: a tour of the oceanarium in a transparent-bottomed boat (children over three years old are allowed).

Website, photos: https://www.thedubaiaquarium.com/
Address: Dubai, Dubai Mall.