The Two Oceans Aquarium has been showcasing South Africa’s marine biodiversity for over 27 years, with breathtaking recreations of ocean habitat from the waters around Cape Town and beyond. It’s not hard to see why this jewel in Cape Town’s crown is loved by locals and tourists alike, with its eco-focused educational messaging, awe-inspiring displays, and emphasis on conservation and animal welfare.
A testament to this is the Aquarium’s ever-expanding family of members – visitors and families holding annual passes allowing unlimited Aquarium visits. Together with glowing visitor reviews, it’s clear that the Two Oceans Aquarium holds year-round appeal for ocean lovers of all sorts!
The Aquarium is home to well over 300 indigenous marine species, forming a dynamic experience which is constantly changing to encourage curiosity and passion for the ocean. Visitors will discover South Africa’s marine marvel, from tiny Knysna seahorses and bashful shysharks to bold braying penguins, colourful butterflyfishes, and intelligent octopuses, all rarely seen in the wild by the average person.
At the centre of the Two Oceans Aquarium’s visitor journey are their three largest exhibits, with their enormous viewing windows offering the ideal opportunity to many family selfies! The Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit is home to large ragged-tooth sharks, all of which are at the Aquarium temporarily, tagged, and released for conservation research purposes, along with other predatory fish found on the South African coast. The Aquarium’s Kelp Forest Exhibit is the only above-ground living kelp forest in the Southern Hemisphere, boasting a swaying, mesmerizing underwater forest and iconic local species, like our national fish, the galjoen. Finally, the I&J Ocean Exhibit is a temperate-water display with various stingray species, musselcracker, and schooling fishes. This exhibit routinely serves as a temporary home to rescued sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation with the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, getting exercise before their eventual return to the ocean.
But visitors can enjoy the Aquarium from the other side of the glass too! For those who want a truly unique experience, the Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School offers diving courses and experiences spanning all three of these iconic exhibits. The Dive School is rated a PADI Five-Star Dive Centre and Freediver Centre – the highest rating offers. This means that curious divers who would like to try diving for the very first time through a Discover Scuba Diving Experience in the I&J Ocean Exhibit, or with an introductory Open Water Diver or Freediver course will be in excellent hands! Plus, you never have to worry about bad weather when diving at the Aquarium!
Visitors also have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the too-cute Northern rockhopper penguins with a one-of-a-kind Penguin Experience, which gives private access to the too-cute rockhopper penguins, along with one of the Aquarium’s bird keepers. And if you’ve ever been curious about what happens behind the Aquarium’s closed doors, then a behind-the-scenes tour might be just the thing for you.
Aquarium members enjoy preferential rates for all experiences, in addition to unlimited entries for an entire year, so why not sign-up and enjoy the Two Oceans Aquarium to its fullest? Learn more on the Aquarium’s website and buy your tickets online to skip the queue!
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Picture: Supplied
