Aquarium museums are fun to visit with family and friends for an interesting blend of a traditional Museum with the features of an aquarium. These museums especially attract children visiting with their families. There are aquarium museums all across the globe with interesting elements to explore. These museums not only entertain but also educate the public. It is a great opportunity to explore the marine biodiversity and the conservation efforts made to save them.
Top 10 Aquarium Museums In The World
Here are the top 10 aquarium museums in the world, showcasing stunning marine life and unforgettable underwater experiences for all ages:
1. Monterey Bay Aquarium
Photo: IIP Photo Archive / Wikimedia Commons
This aquarium is located in Monterey, California, USA. It is popular for its open sea exhibit with attractive tanks and creatures like sea turtles, jellyfish, and cooling fish. It has a range of exhibits like open ocean to the kelp forest and deep sea environments. The museum operates various ocean conservation programs that work for the conservation of native species like sharks and sea otters. There are various interactive exhibits showcasing the importance of aquatic species.
Entry Fee: $54.95 / ₹ 4,560 for adults; discounts available for children, seniors, and military personnel
Nearest Airport: Monterey Peninsula Airport
2. The Visakhapatnam Aquarium
Photo: Changku88 / Wikimedia Commons
This aquarium is also known as the Sagar Nagar aquarium. It is located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The aquarium is popular for freshwater and marine species. It has marine life with sharks, sea turtles, eels, and rays. There are educational displays showcasing the impact of human activity on the oceans. It is a popular family-friendly aquarium where you can visit with your children. It is a major Centre for Marine research and education on the east coast of India.
Entry Fee: ₹50 for adults
Nearest Airport: Visakhapatnam airport
3. The National Aquarium
Photo: Matthew Binebrink / Wikimedia Commons
The National Aquarium is located in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. This is a major cultural institution in the United States focusing on the conservation of local and exotic species. The aquarium aims to educate the public about sustainable Ocean practices and conservation efforts for the protection of marine life. The black tip reef is a highlight, it is a recreation of tropical coral reefs. The Australia exhibit has leafy sea dragons and kangaroos. You can also attend the dolphin show in a specially designed tank with bottlenose dolphins as the key attraction.
Entry Fee: $39.95 / ₹ 3,315 for adults; discounts available for children, seniors, and military personnel
Nearest Airport: Baltimore / Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
4. Osaka Aquarium KaiYukan
Photo: Kingfisher / Wikimedia Commons
This is a popular aquarium museum to visit in Osaka, Japan. It is based on the concept of the world of the Sea. It has a Pacific Ocean Tank with a variety of sea creatures. It includes manta rays and the School of Fish. The Japan Forest exhibit with the indigenous species of Japan’s coastal ecosystems attracts visitors from all parts of the world. There are interactive exhibits for children. These exhibits entertain and educate about the importance of the marine environment. You can observe star and sea cucumbers during your visit.
Entry Fee: ¥2,400 / ₹ 1,585 for adults; discounts available for children, seniors
Nearest Airport: Kansai International Airport
5. Aquarium Of Genoa
Photo: Choinowski / Wikimedia Commons
This aquarium museum is located in Italy. It is one of the largest in the entire continent of Europe. It has a large section with exhibits of the Mediterranean Sea. It includes sea turtles and dolphins. There are various other exhibits with species of jellyfish and tropical fish. Choral dreams are also an attraction. Global ocean ecosystems are well displayed in the aquarium. The sea pavilion is another attractive segment where you can observe the mysterious creatures of the ocean ecosystems.
Entry Fee: €29.95 / ₹ 2,695 for adults; discounted tickets for children
Nearest Airport: Cristoforo Colombo Airport
6. Sydney Sea Life Aquarium
Photo: Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons
Sydney Sea Life Aquarium is located in Australia and focuses on Australian aquatic life. It has a shark walk exhibit where you can walk through a tunnel with sharks and stingrays around it. The Great Barrier Reef exhibit has colourful coral reefs that attract people of all age groups. The Penguin expedition with Antarctic Penguins is also recreated in the aquarium. It is a constituent of a larger network of sea life aquariums located worldwide. The museum plays a crucial role in the preservation of local marine environments.
Entry Fee: AUD 46 / ₹ 2,484 for adults
Nearest Airport: Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
7. Oceanographic Museum Of Monaco
Photo: Berthold Werner / Wikimedia Commons
Located in Monaco, this is a popular museum to visit for shark exhibitions. It is a different kind of museum with elements of an aquarium and a museum blending so well together. An aquarium section displaying Mediterranean and tropical marine species is the highlight. It has various exhibits showcasing the exploration of the seas of Prince Albert I. The marine biology research on the species of the Mediterranean Sea is also a popular element of the museum.
Entry Fee: €16 / ₹ 1,440 for adults
Nearest Airport: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport
8. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
Photo: Baycrest / Wikimedia Commons
A popular aquarium to visit in Shanghai, China, it has one of the longest underwater tunnels in the world. This museum is popular for a one-of-a-kind experience where you can walk through the aquarium as the marine creatures swim overhead. It has a global aquatic zone with exhibits from various countries and continents. It includes exhibits from South America, Asia, Africa and Australia. The polar Ocean zone with Penguins and Arctic Sea life is also attractive.
Entry Fee: ¥160 / ₹ 105 for adults; discounted tickets for children, seniors, and students
Nearest Airport: Shanghai Pudong International Airport
9. Lisbon Oceanarium
Photo: Anthony Brass / Wikimedia Commons
This aquatic museum is located in Lisbon, Portugal. It is one of the largest indoor aquariums in Europe. It has Ocean ecosystems as well as marine conservation programs. It is a great opportunity for visitors to explore the major ocean ecosystems from the Pacific to the Atlantic. The central Tank has a school of fish and sharks. You can observe deep sea creatures and coastal ecosystems. Educational programs on Marine conservation are regularly run to spread awareness.
Entry Fee: €19 / ₹ 1,710 for adults; €13 / ₹ 1,170 for children aged 4 – 12; €17 / ₹ 1,530 for seniors
Nearest Airport: Humberto Delgado Airport
10. Georgia Aquarium
Photo: Zac Wolf / Wikimedia Commons
This aquarium has a massive collection of marine species from all parts of the world. It is one of the largest aquariums in the world with the popular ocean Voyager exhibit. It includes a huge tank with whale sharks and manta rays. The aquarium is located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. It is also an educational institution and research facility. It focuses on preserving aquatic life. The tropical diver exhibit has colourful coral reefs and tropical fish. Penguin and beluga whale exhibits are especially attractive to visitors. Various shows are organized to entertain the visitors.
Entry Fee: $35.95 / ₹2,985 for adults; discounted rates for children, seniors, and military personnel
Nearest Airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
You are all set to explore the world’s best aquarium museums! These fascinating places offer unique opportunities for all ages to discover and learn about underwater life. Book your trip with TripXL, your trusted travel partner, for a hassle-free experience anywhere in the world. Witness the beauty and wonder of aquatic creatures and enjoy a fun-filled journey!
Cover Photo: Ank Kumar / Wikimedia Commons