23 Most Magnificent Aquariums in the World
TweetI don’t know why, but aquariums always have a great attraction for me. Maybe it’s my complete love of marine creatures or maybe it’s just the mystery of the aquatic world. Anyway, one thing for sure, these aquariums are our portals into unabated, untouched submarine glory.
Think how a 500-liter aquarium in the mall baffles and amazes passers. Now imagine the same, but in a 155-meter long submarine view tunnel with exotic fish, diving dolphins, ferocious predators of the sea, jumping jellyfish and beautiful corals. The impressions left by visiting such an aquarium would be unimaginable, delightful and memorable.
Below is a list of 24 most magnificent aquariums in the world, with relevant photos. To pick only 24 (from the many) is a tough and often limited task. More of a personal choice, we use diversity and size as primary criteria. Now, start discovering the magic and fun of the underwater world!
1. Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Photo: Luke Robinson, Xavier Bouchevreau, PGBrown1987
Explore an amazing aquatic world at Dubai Aquarium! It includes a unique Aquarium Tank, an exciting Aquarium Tunnel and a fascinating Underwater Zoo, where you can explore three different kinds of ecosystems. The aquarium is also the holder of the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Acrylic Panel.
2. Georgia Aquarium – Atlanta
Photo: Photomatt28, Carolina Hornig
Right in the heart of downtown Atlanta, this is the world’s largest aquarium with over 8 million gallons of marine and fresh water. The aquarium offers you an opportunity to explore more than 120,000 animals of 500 different species.
3. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Photo: pictureTYO, jasonpoon, Hyougushi, tab2_dawa
Immerse yourself in an intriguing world of marine life! Located within the Ocean Expo Commemorative National Government Park, the aquarium consists of four floors, with tanks containing deep sea creatures, sharks, coral and tropical fish.
4. Sea Life Aquarium – London
Photo: garybembridge, Olastuen, NickBracko, TGIGreeny
One of the finest aquariums in Europe, the Sea Life remains the capital’s largest collection of aquatic species. With more than 500 species, 14 themed zones and various interactive opportunities, the aquarium has an annual attendance of about one million visitors.
5. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Osaka
Photo: Christopher Chan, Niklas Barsk, rc!
Kaiyakan, a Japanese word, means playing in the sea pavilion. Centering on the Pan Pacific Volcanic Zone and Pan Pacific Life Zone, this walk-through aquarium displays marine life in several habitats. Visitors could enjoy creatures as if they were playing in the sea.
6. Aquarium of Western Australia
Photo: willterminus, sheilaellen, moises.gonzalez
Nestled in a coastal suburb of Perth, the aquarium features the largest aquarium tank in Australia. Visiting the aquarium, you will have the opportunity to stand face to face with thousands of marine creatures, travel beneath three million litres of Indian Ocean waters and interact with live animals in its Touch Pool.
7. uShaka Marine World – Durban
Photo: Shaun Dewberry, TvR
Sure, it is a theme park, located on the strip of land between the beachfront and the harbour. However, the park also contains the 5th largest aquarium in the world – uShaka Sea World. This underground aquarium is uniquely designed around 5 shipwrecks.
8. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California
Photo: godutchbaby, raider3_anime, pmarkham, Fritz Liess
With thousands of plants and animals representing 623 separate named species on display, the Monterey Bay is not just one of the world’s best exhibits. It is also one of the most varied.
9. Oceanografic, Valencia
Photo: Alf Igel, Chris CB, SamwiseGamgee69
The Oceanografic, the largest outdoor oceanographic park in Europe, boasts 45,000 animals representing 500 different species. It also contains 9 underwater towers, serving home to some animals like sharks, dolphins, sea lions and penguins. Built in two levels, these towers represent the major ecosystems of the earth.
10. The Deep Aquarium, England
Photo: drgillybean, tik_tok
The Deep, located in Hull, east Yorkshire, bills itself as the only submarium in the world. This new, award-winning tourist attraction houses thousands of sea creatures (including 7 species of shark), making it a wonderful family day out.
11. Underwater World, Singapore
Photo: cavyi, pherrari, tab2space, fmpgoh
Underwater World, located on the offshore Singaporean island of Sentosa, is a unique and well-known oceanarium showcasing more than 25,000 marine animals of 250 species from different parts of the world.
12. Lisbon Oceanarium
Photo: Stephanie Booth, coda, mcdemoura
One of Europe’s largest aquariums, the Lisbon has a large collection of marine life totaling about 160,000 individuals of 450 species. It also contains 4 biotypes, each of which recreates one of the world’s coastal habitats. The aquarium is sure to offer visitors a unique and enchanting experience.
13. Sydney Aquarium, Sydney
Photo: Salihan, novemberkilo, niallkennedy
Want to see all-Australian marine life? There is no better place. Featuring a multitude of habitats, 60 tanks and three oceanariums, the aquarium boasts the world’s largest collection of all-Australian aquatic life. Additionally, visitors are also invited to help build the LEGO installation or take a heart-stopping trip with sharks in the glass-bottom boat.
14. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
Photo: wstay, Matthew Stinson, wikipedia
Consisting of 8 exhibition zones of all over the world, it is the only aquarium in the world that has a China Zone. This zone houses some endangered aquatic species in China. Another highlight of the aquarium is its underwater tunnel. Measuring 155 meters in length, this is the world’s longest submarine viewing tunnel.
15. Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Center, Vancouver
Vancouver Aquarium, a public aquarium in Stanley Park, covers everything from the Amazon rain forest to an Indonesian coral reef and the nearby waters of Pacific Canada. As a major tourist attraction, the aquarium is also a center for marine research, conservation and marine animal rehabilitation.
16. Aquarium of Genoa, Italy
Photo: crazyluca69, mystery_fish
A trip to Genoa is never complete without an under-the-sea tour in Italy’s largest aquarium. In the aquarium, visitors can take a tour through amazing cold sea, tropical sea, Mediterranean and sweet water pools. In addition, you can also take a stroll through the tropical forests zone, housing many different species.
17. Turkuazoo – Turkey
Photo: pixage
Located inside the Forum Istanbul Shopping Mall, this is the first public aquarium in Turkey. With a rainforest, flooded forest and tropical seas zones, the aquarium serves home to about 10,000 sea creatures in 29 different exhibits.
18. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois
Photo: angela n., joshbousel, Just Nora
The first inland aquarium, the Shedd showcases the wonders of marine life with exhibits that cover everything from Amazonian anacondas and piranhas to a Caribbean Reef.
19. National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland
Photo: jeff_godofbiscuits, uichan, seannaber, rendezvouscp
Established in the celebrated Inner Harbor, Baltimore, it is a public aquarium renowned for its vast collection of marine species. Visitors are treated to dolphin display, multi-level shark tank, rooftop rainforest and more.
20. SeaWorld, San Diego, California
Photo: nico_, KayVee.INC, djwudi, martin_julia
It’s an oceanarium founded in San Diego, California. Visitors are always bound to wow at attractions like Bayside Skyride, Journey to Atlantics, SeaWorld Sky Tower and Wild Arctic and animal exhibits including dolphins, killer whales, and penguins.
21. The 32 Million Dollar Virtual Aquarium
Photo: frankartculinary, onion83
Rising sharply at 80 feet in the air between two shopping malls in Beijing, China, it’s the world’s largest virtual fish tank featuring a LED screen of 30 by 250 meters.
22. Waikiki Aquarium – Hawaii
Photo: mjb84, fadedpictures, hawaii-mcgraths
The third oldest public aquarium, the Waikiki Aquarium houses more than 3,055 organisms of 464 species of marine plants and animals. It offers a variety of marine life exhibits, attracting ocean lovers of all ages. Each year, about 350,000 people flock to the aquarium.
23. AquaDom Aquarium – Berlin
Photo: URBAN ARTefakte
A unique aquarium with special location, special design and special shape! Located at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Berlin, this is a 25-meter tall cylindrical acrylic glass aquarium with built-in transparent elevator.
Aquarium is always on our schedule with our little Jenny. We have been to Georgia Aquarium and Monterey Bay Aquarium and she just loved them! Thank you for your recommendations. I think it’s time to plan a visit to Japan and England!
Wow. I didn’t know such exotic aquariums even existed! I really love the virtual fish tank in Beijing, China, if that mall was in my state, I would probably be going shopping every day and the Georgia Aquarium is just breathtaking, I have to plan a trip there soon!
those fish look so happy…:D
Hey, great post! I was wondering if I may reference your content somewhere else, if of course I provide a link back?
All of them are exotic and pretty, or, pretty in a scary way. Agreed. Still, I feel sorry for them. I mean, they are children of our merciful Father, just like every one of us, breathing under the same roof created by him. They deserve a better place than man-made boxes, however jumbo or marine-like these boxes can be.
This Georgia Aquarium is a magnificent aquarium with lots of beautiful marine life. A must see for both adults and children.
If you have been to any aquarium and not been to the Deep Aquarium, you are just wasting your time! It is set underwater and has tons of different aquariums. It could be an awesome day out. Just go early, before all kids get there.
Hey, guys a Sydney local here. And also a marine life fan. Every time I went to Sydney Aquarium, it’s like on a holiday! It’s not just for little kids. You big kids will also get fun here!
What’s that fat bird with a gloomy look in Lisbon Oceanarium?
Aquarium is not just about FISH, dude…
“What’s that fat bird with a gloomy look in Lisbon Oceanarium?” – that’s a puffin, and a usual 370 g weight can never be called “fat”.
“Curiouser and curiouser.”