The largest aquariums in the world are great places that have many exhibits in which kids, as well as adults, cannot resist. These aquariums is the best as it give marine lovers the opportunity to see marine creatures very close to them without being wet, being under the sea.
Moreover, visitors always have a unique experience at these aquariums as they can spot rare deep-sea creatures from the ocean floor. The entire trip to these places is going to be inspirational, absorbing, and exciting in all aspects.
The advantage of these big aquariums is that you will be able to watch and see more species and more total number of creatures making them the best aquariums over small aquariums.
In fact, fishes at some of these aquariums are trained to move to various locations which are unique experiences to guests. Marine biologists also visit these biggest aquariums to study and research these animals.
Here are the top 13 world’s largest aquariums 2024 (Best aquariums), you can visit, they are,
- Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
- SEA Aquarium Singapore
- L'Oceanogràfic
- Georgia Aquarium
- Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Ushaka Marine World
- Dubai Mall Aquarium
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Turkuazoo
- Aquarium of Genoa
- Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
- Aquarium of Western Australia
Check them out and learn more about these tourist destinations. Keep reading!
13. Aquarium of Western Australia
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| Image credit: perthtouristcentre.com.au |
Total Volume: 1 million US gallons (4 million liters)
Location: Southside Dr, Hillarys, Australia
Annual Visitors: 3.0 million
Date Opened: 13 April 1988
The aquarium is a unique place to be, it displays living corals and amazing creatures. There are more than 40 stunning exhibits here as well as it has one of the world’s largest living coral reef exhibits.
There are over 4,000 fish in the aquarium together with other sea animals. At the touch, you can interact with some rare creatures such as leafy seadragons. The aquarium was founded 33 years ago and it is still among the largest aquariums in the world in 2024.
12. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
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| Image credit: Leo James |
Total Volume: 1.3 million US gallons (5 million liters)
Location: Lujiazui area of Pudong District, Shanghai, China
Annual Visitors: nearly 2 million
Date Opened: 2002
The aquarium is very close to Oriental Pearl TV Tower. It spans a region of 20,500 square meters that contains two pyramid-shaped buildings. For this reason and most especially because of the total volume of water, it is one out of the largest aquariums in the world.
The shop and restaurants at the large exhibition area can accommodate 300 people at once. For families with children, this aquarium is recommended as it can be a half-day tour for visitors with its long underwater viewing tunnel.
Visitors can see creatures swimming above their heads. There are different kinds of species of up to 15,000 creatures such as Sand Tiger Sharks, Jellyfish, Weedy Seadragons, Spotted Seals, Electric Eels, and Giant Salamander.
The aquarium aims at protecting marine life that is endangered as well as it serves as a tourist attraction. There are pictures and voices that show the geography and culture of native places of the creatures.
11. Aquarium of Genoa
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| Image credit: Superchilum/Wikimedia |
Total Volume: 1.6 million US gallons (6 million liters)
Location: Ponte Spinola, Italy
Annual Visitors: 1.2 million
Date Opened: 1992
It is Italy’s largest aquarium and one of the best largest aquariums in the world in 2024. There are 600 species of animals and in total 12,000 animals. From the different 70 tanks in the aquarium, there are diverse collections of sharks, seals, manatees, dolphins, and more.
Visitors can easily see animals within. This helps scientists to study details about the animals’ ethology, physiology, and biology. The aquarium team works very hard to make sure that the animals are healthy and well feed.
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10. Turkuazoo
Total Volume: 1.8 million US gallons (7 million liters)
Location: Kocatepe, Paşa Cd, Bayrampaşa/İstanbul, Turkey
Annual Visitors: more than 1 million
Date Opened: 29 October 2009
It is situated right inside the Forum Istanbul shopping center. It is a popular tourist destination in Turkey and of course one of the largest aquariums in the world that it has been visited by 60 million people since its opening in 2009.
It is one of the longest underwater tunnels; it is an 80-meter lengthy underwater tunnel. It is also known as an underwater Safari for its long tunnel. There are more than 15,000 sea creatures, from small creatures to 2.5-meter long tiger sharks.
The aquarium's water comes from the Sea of Marmara, an inland sea that links the Aegean and Black Seas. The aquarium has facilities for coaching activities, product presentations, and meetings. There are over 50 people that are guides at the aquarium which is an added advantage to enjoy the tour more when you visit the place.
9. Monterey Bay Aquarium
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| Image credit: weekendsherpa.com |
Total Volume: 2.3 million US gallons (8.7 million liters)
Location: Cannery Row, Monterey, USA
Annual Visitors: more than 1.9 million
Date Opened: 20 October 1984
In 1984, when the aquarium was opened, more than ten thousand people were there at the opening ceremony and at that time it was the biggest in the United States. At this aquarium, visitors can have a good view of the largest exhibit, which gives a real oceanic look.
Visitors can spot and watch oceanic creatures nearby such as Tufted Puffins, sparkling sardines, Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, and radiant jellyfish through the nearly one-hundred-foot window.
At the Kelp forest, there are green and colored leaves in which visitors can also spot animals such as wolf eels, Giant Green anemones, and Giant Kelpfish, among others.
The Marine Mammal Gallery offers visitors both old and young the privilege to learn about magnificent creatures in which you may have the chance to actually see them at the exhibit.
8. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
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| Image credit: Chiyuen |
Total Volume: almost 2.6 million US gallons (10 million liters)
Location: Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa, Japan
Annual Visitors: over 3 million
Date Opened: 1 November 2002
The aquarium gives visitors a unique experience of spotting rare deep-sea creatures from the ocean floor as well as watching giant rays and whale sharks. There are thriving coral reefs at the place as the tank has no roof, allowing direct natural sunlight to the water.
There are 750 species, with a total of 26,000 creatures in the aquarium bringing it on the list of the largest aquariums in the world in 2024. Out of the 750 species, 80 of the species are coral alone. There are some fishes in the water that protect corals from being eaten up by sea anemones and seaweed.
Visitors will always have remarkable experiences as the aquarium exhibits deep-sea creatures, like bioluminescent shrimp, black snoek, and flame snappers. These creatures cannot be raised in captivity as they typically live between 700 and 200 meters beneath the ocean surface.
The water in the aquarium is pumped from an area off the coast of Okinawa. This aids the aquarium in simulating the natural conditions of the surrounding sea, and aim echoed in its name, "Churaumi," which means to "clear, beautiful sea" in Okinawan dialect.
7. Dubai Mall Aquarium
Total Volume: 2.6 million US gallons (10 million liters)
Location: Financial Center Street, Along Sheikh Zayed Road, Next to Burj Khalifa - Dubai - UAE
Annual Visitors: 1.5 million
Date Opened: 4 November 2008
The aquarium is situated at the center of Dubai mall rising up to the third level. It is the longest underwater tunnel that is 51 meters long, 11 meters deep, and 20 meters wide.
The aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world and it showcases maximum diverse collections of aquatic life. The aquarium is of three zones, UAE Night Creatures, Rock Pool Coastline, and Rainforest. The aquarium is home to more than 33,000 exotic marine life species.
You can spot on at this place, animals such as 40-year-old giant crocodile weighing 750 kg as well as Sea Jellies, Black Tip Shark, Sea Horses, Clown Fish, Water Rats, Giant Spider Crabs, Otters, Piranhas and lots more.
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6. uShaka Marine World
Total Volume: 4.6 million US gallons (17.4 million liters)
Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Annual Visitors: close to 1 million
Date Opened: 30 April 2004
The water park is situated between the beach and a harbor. Visitors do have spectacular views of the Indian Ocean from the beach as well as explore the sea world aquarium. It is a perfect destination for families as they learn about sea creatures and have fun at the same time.
It is the largest in Africa and among the largest aquariums in the world in 2023. The park is divided into eight sections, namely, Chimp & Zee, Ushaka dangerous creatures, Ushaka kids’ world, Ushaka village walk, Ushaka Beach, Ushaka sea animals encounter island, Ushaka Wet ‘n Wild, and Ushaka sea world.
5. Seas with Nemo & Friends
Total Volume: 5.7 million US gallons (21.5 million liters)
Location: Epcot Center Dr, Lake Buena Vista, USA
Annual Visitors: -
Date Opened: January 2007
At this aquarium, you can get closer to creatures such as toothy anglerfish, sea turtles, Dodge stinging jellyfish, Squirt, and sharks, among others. The aquarium was first opened in 1986 as the Living Seas but renamed as Seas with Nemo & Friends after some transformation and was reopened in 2005.
But it was officially dedicated in January 2007, named in line with the popular Disney-Pixar movie, Finding Nemo. There are about 6,000 creatures with a total of 60 species at the aquarium bringing it on the list of the biggest aquariums in the world in 2024. Some of this species can be found through rides.
Many fishes at this aquarium are hand feed so that they get their special diets directly and visitors always enjoy the experience.
On the other hand, sharks are fed when there are no visitors around with light of, they are heavily fed with tasty fish like mackerel and salmon so that they will not feed on the fishes living with them in the tank. Fishes at some of the aquariums are trained to move to various locations which is a unique experience for guests.
4. Georgia Aquarium
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| Image credit: pgavdestinations.com |
Total Volume: 6.3 million gallons (23.8 million liters)
Location: Baker St NW, Atlanta, USA
Annual Visitors: around 2.5 Million
Date Opened: 23 November 2005
Cold Water Quest, Ocean Voyager, River Scout, Aquanaut Adventure, and Tropical Diver are just a few of the aquarium's exhibits that are sure to arouse your interest. The aquarium has 500 species for its exhibition of which they are tens of thousands of animals living in the aquarium.
Visitors always have unique experiences at dolphin exhibits and shows, which include a large underwater dolphin viewing window and a beautiful musical-dramatic production that illustrates the emotional connection between dolphins and people.
3. L'Oceanogràfic
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| Image credit: Emilio del Prado /Thousandwords.net |
Total Volume: 11 million US gallons (42 million liters)
Location: Carrer d'Eduardo Primo Yúfera, València, Spain
Annual Visitors: 1.3 million
Date Opened: 14 February 2003
It is the largest aquarium in Europe and it is the 3rd among the largest aquariums in the world. It is part of the cutting-edge City of Arts and Sciences, and it is made up of 12 structures that flawlessly replicate all of the world's marine ecosystems.
There are 500 different species and a total of more than 45,000 animals. At the aquarium, you can watch closely beluga whales, turtles, walruses, penguins, and many more.
Visitor can enjoy their tour more as there are dolphin displays, workshops where visitors may learn more about different species, exhibitions, and a variety of other activities.
See also:
2. SEA Aquarium Singapore
Total Volume: 12 million US gallons (45 million liters)
Location: Sentosa Gateway, Singapore
Annual Visitors: around 2 million
Date Opened: 22 November 2012
The aquarium exhibit has 800 species and a total of almost 100,000 marine animals. Through the largest single panel that is 27 feet tall and 118 feet wide with 400 meters of viewing galleries, visitors can watch these animals.
The aquarium has 49 habitats and 10 different zones. The Aquarium is the second among the best largest aquariums in the world in 2024. It is not just big, but it has also created educational programs to supplement local school curricula, allowing kids to interact with marine animals and learn directly from experts in the field.
"The S.E.A. Aquarium not only has a spectacular display of habitats but also offers teaching and conservation activities for families and visitors," says Grant Willis, the aquarium's chief curator.
1. Chimelong Ocean Kingdom- The Largest Aquarium in the World
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| Image credit: Domusweb.it |
Total Volume: 12.9 million US gallons (49 million liters)
Location: Hengquin, China
Annual Visitors: around 10 million
Date Opened: 29 March 2014
This aquarium is the largest aquarium in the world and of course the biggest in Asia which holds five records, all certified by Guinness World Records. The acrylic panel is the largest that it is 39.6 x 8.3 m in size that is 330 square meters in area.
It has the largest tank that houses 22.7 million liters of water. The aquarium is a great tourist attraction as well as a great place set for studies and research as there are various marine lives there. It is a way to connect the ocean and the cities easily.
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