The underwater world is perhaps one of the mysterious parts of nature. And you get to experience it in all its glory in aquariums. Not only do aquariums satisfy your craving to see something new and exciting, but they also provide valuable information on various sea creatures, their habitats, and the efforts being taken to ensure their conservation.
If you want to go on a little adventure of the sea world, here’s a curated list of the 8 best aquariums in the world that everyone should visit!
8 Best Aquariums in the World
#1. The Florida Aquarium
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Don’t be deceived by the name. The Florida Aquarium hosts more than just sea animals! Animal lovers will love exploring the animal habitats in this sprawling expanse of nature that has been in operation since 1995.
Launched as an educational organization named Clearwater Marine Science Center (CMSC), the Florida Aquarium soon became one of the top choices for edu-tertainment purposes.
Some of the animals you can expect to see here are tomato frog, garden eel, cownose stingray, giant green anemone, green moray eel, pot-bellied seahorse, giant pacific octopus, and moon jelly. The aquarium also strives to raise awareness for people to be proactive about caring for the welfare of animals.
#2. Oceanogràfic De Valencia
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The largest aquarium in Europe, the Oceanogràfic De Valencia is located in the heart of Valencia in its Art and Sciences architectural complex.
This aquarium is built explicitly as a tribute to the oceans and seas and has thus become home to a significant population of marine life. The team in this aquarium is dedicated to maintaining the marine ecosystems and to informing people about the importance of conservation.
Here, you can go through Europe’s longest underwater tunnel and come face to face with beluga whales and sharks. Let the beauty of the underwater world mesmerize you as you witness the almost-hypnotic jellyfish exhibitions. You can also visit their submarine restaurant that is surrounded by a circular aquarium.
#3. Nausicaá – Centre National De La Mer
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Another fierce contender on this list is the Nausicaá. It is one of the most geographically accessible aquariums located in northern France in Boulogne-Sur-Mer and is just 2.5 hours away from Brussels, London, and Paris.
Nausicaá is an immersive spectacle that houses 40 species and various special exhibits. The Nausicaá features sandbar sharks, spine foot, sardines, and manta rays. It also features mesmerizing marine biodiversity of coral reefs in varying colors and shapes. This facility has been paving the way for awareness of marine biodiversity and invests in fostering a relationship between the sea and the people.
#4. Georgia Aquarium
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Georgia Aquarium is a public aquarium park in Atlanta, Georgia where you can connect with the real underworld and explore with a heart full of wonder.
This aquarium promises its visitors of all ages a special experience as it allows people to explore one ocean after another and witness the underwater world in all its glory.
You can see whale sharks, California sea lions, beluga whales, African penguins, manta rays, common bottlenose dolphins, and many other sea creatures. It also has various exhibits for you to enjoy and learn from. Their Immersive Shark and Ray Interaction exhibit lets you put on a wet suit and interact with the sharks!
The Georgia Aquarium upholds the welfare and conservation of marine biology and is a proud partner of Animal Planet, API Fish care, and Hard Rock Café, among others.
#5. Lisbon Oceanarium
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Also known as the Oceanário de Lisboa, this public aquarium opened in 1998 as part of the last world exhibition of the 20th century. Today, the aquarium has become a permanent reflection of the profound relationship between Lisbon and the oceans.
A popular weekend getaway destination in Lisbon and Portugal, this heritage aquarium is frequently visited by marine lovers worldwide. The Oceanário has an average of 1 million visitors annually, making it Portugal’s most popular cultural attraction.
Its two buildings — the Edifício dos Oceanos or Oceans Building and the Edifício do Mar or Sea Building — are home to diverse marine life including sunfish, sharks, penguins, and sea otters. It also has a diverse coral and marine ecosystem that is sure to astound you!
#6. Aquarium of Genoa
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The largest aquarium in Italy, the Acquario di Genova is a magical man-made ecosystem that contains a whole world. You get to witness the free flight of the creatures of the sky and the deep dives of the animals of the sea.
The aquarium houses an extensive selection of Europe’s aquatic biodiversity that is complemented by the “Tropical Garden – Un Battiato d’Ali” or Wings Flapping.
This is where you get transported to the forests of Central America and watch the amphibians, birds, butterflies, plants, and reptiles with no fences. It’s a breathtaking experience, allowing you to get up close and personal with the fragile beauty of this world.
#7. Vancouver Aquarium
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An institution of excellence and marine compassion, the Vancouver Aquarium is home to 65,000 animals and has impressive exhibits, including the Marine Mammal Rescue, Graham Amazon Gallery, Treasures of the BC Coast, Steller’s Bay, and Sea Otters Exhibit.
Not only does the aquarium aim to provide a learning adventure, but it also strives to ensure that all visitors have an enjoyable experience with the ocean’s animals. Through their 4D cinematic event, the Vancouver Aquarium provides a thrilling experience of interacting with the marine ecosystem complete with various sounds, smells, touch, weather, and light effects!
#8. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
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Japan’s world-renowned Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of a kind, thanks to its innovative presentation and execution.
In Kaiyukan, the Pacific Rim’s aquatic animals are always dynamic and vibrant as the aquarium is designed to be as close to their natural habitats as possible. Most aquarium exhibits have explicitly been recreated to shadow the creatures’ real homes.
Here, you can interact with sharks and rays in the aquarium’s Interactive Exhibit or be in awe of the beauty of marine life in the moonlight in Kaiyukan Night Aquarium’s “The Sea At Night” exhibit. Visiting this aquarium is a rewarding experience for anyone interested in marine life.
