Aquariums to visit

[CardinalBlue]

More of a days out question than holidays but I wasn’t sure where else to post the question….

I have a young son, and he loves aquariums. We’re frequent visitor to The Deep in Hull (£17 for a years ticket for adults) as it’s driving distance for a morning/afternoon. We also went to Poema del Mar Aquarium in Gran Canaria which he absolutely loved. We’re planning on taking him to the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham for his birthday next year.

So my question is, where are the best aquariums to visit? I guess I’m primarily looking for UK based one, but interested in any outside.

We’ve watched ‘The Aquarium’ on Discovery Plus and Georgia Aquarium is on the list - but that’ll be a few years if he’s still into them then!

[ecsrobin]

I saw the title and was going to The Deep

I have yet to visit a better aquarium.

[Largechris]

Worth a trip to Boulogne not far from Calais, biggest in Europe:

https://www.nausicaa.co.uk/

And in the gift shop they sell tinned fish, which appealed to my sense of humour.

My other top tip would be wherever you go to check for events, particularly shark feeding schedules as I don't think they are necessarily daily.

[K50 DEL]

Largechris said:

Worth a trip to Boulogne not far from Calais, biggest in Europe:

https://www.nausicaa.co.uk/

And in the gift shop they sell tinned fish, which appealed to my sense of humour.

My other top tip would be wherever you go to check for events, particularly shark feeding schedules as I don't think they are necessarily daily.

This was very good, in fact my family (who are something of aquarium addicts!) thought that it was only beaten by the aquarium inside Atlantis in Dubai, with the Dubai Mall aquarium coming closely behind it.

[Bonefish Blues]

The Plymouth National one's very good.

Oceanaro de Lisboa (or summat) is the best I have been to - created as part of the Expo in IIRC 1998.

[CardinalBlue]

K50 DEL said:

Largechris said:

Worth a trip to Boulogne not far from Calais, biggest in Europe:

https://www.nausicaa.co.uk/

And in the gift shop they sell tinned fish, which appealed to my sense of humour.

My other top tip would be wherever you go to check for events, particularly shark feeding schedules as I don't think they are necessarily daily.

This was very good, in fact my family (who are something of aquarium addicts!) thought that it was only beaten by the aquarium inside Atlantis in Dubai, with the Dubai Mall aquarium coming closely behind it.

Ah thank you - I’d forgotten about this but went as a child with my family. It was the first time I’d seen a Tuna and was amazed by how big they were!

[Bonefish Blues]

CardinalBlue said:

K50 DEL said:

Largechris said:

Worth a trip to Boulogne not far from Calais, biggest in Europe:

https://www.nausicaa.co.uk/

And in the gift shop they sell tinned fish, which appealed to my sense of humour.

My other top tip would be wherever you go to check for events, particularly shark feeding schedules as I don't think they are necessarily daily.

This was very good, in fact my family (who are something of aquarium addicts!) thought that it was only beaten by the aquarium inside Atlantis in Dubai, with the Dubai Mall aquarium coming closely behind it.

Ah thank you - I’d forgotten about this but went as a child with my family. It was the first time I’d seen a Tuna and was amazed by how big they were!

Pembrokeshire & Cardigan Bay to find UK tuna these days - big recovery in stocks:

https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/23041632.v...

[otolith]

The place at Newby Bridge in the Lakes isn’t bad.

Atlantis in the Bahamas is spectacular.

[belleair302]

If the opportunity ever arises, Singapore has an amazing aquarium on Sentosa Island

[mikef]

Monterey Bay and Georgia if you make it to the US

[Muppet007]

One of the Raddison hotels in Berlin has a great one.
Largest free standing one in the world apparently.
Did not know that when I stayed but it was a great to sit and watch while having a beer.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/aquadom-at-rad...

[TwigtheWonderkid]

If you're ever in London, Heron Tower in Bishopsgate has in the ground floor foyer the largest privately owned aquarium in Europe, around 70K litres. With hundreds of fish.

Being allowed in is a bit hit and miss if you don't have business there, but if you've got young kids, you've got a better chance and being let in to have a look.

[Percy Cushion]

If your young son is into aquariums, rather than travelling the world to visit some of those recommended here, why don’t you set up a marine fish tank at home. We’ve put a tropical fish tank in our 8 year old sons room and its great, if I was to do it again though, I’d go for a marine fish tank with live coral and marine fish. Same effort but so much better. I bet he would love seeing Nemo or Dory at home.

[DoubleSix]

Palma Aquarium

Has the deepest shark tank in Europe - i was impressed! Proper good sized Sand Tiger sharks!!

Edited by DoubleSix on Thursday 27th October 22:40

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Percy Cushion said:

If your young son is into aquariums, rather than travelling the world to visit some of those recommended here, why don’t you set up a marine fish tank at home.

It's cheaper to travel the world!

[Murph7355]

A very long time since I went, but Genoa aquarium was very good as I recall.

[otolith]

Percy Cushion said:

If your young son is into aquariums, rather than travelling the world to visit some of those recommended here, why don’t you set up a marine fish tank at home. We’ve put a tropical fish tank in our 8 year old sons room and its great, if I was to do it again though, I’d go for a marine fish tank with live coral and marine fish. Same effort but so much better. I bet he would love seeing Nemo or Dory at home.

Marine tanks are generally a lot more effort and expense!

[abzmike]

The aquarium in Monaco is worth a visit if you’re there.
Closer to home (for some of us) Deep Sea World at North Queensferry is always a good day out with the kids.

[Bonefish Blues]

otolith said:

Percy Cushion said:

If your young son is into aquariums, rather than travelling the world to visit some of those recommended here, why don’t you set up a marine fish tank at home. We’ve put a tropical fish tank in our 8 year old sons room and its great, if I was to do it again though, I’d go for a marine fish tank with live coral and marine fish. Same effort but so much better. I bet he would love seeing Nemo or Dory at home.

Marine tanks are generally a lot more effort and expense!

And, notwithstanding modern tanks & tech., a deal more knowledge and diligence.

[Mr Squarekins]

Dubai mall used to have the best one i've seen.