The ocean is a place of ceaseless wonder, and what is just as magical is the replication of such beauty on land. There are amazing aquariums that have been designed to showcase the beauty of the ocean all over the world. Some of them are so impressive that they rival Mother Nature in beauty and detail.
10. The Okinawa Chiraumi Aquarium, Japan
The Japanese are known for their over-the-top projects, and the Okinawa Chiraumi aquarium is no exception. Built in 2002 with one of the largest acrylic viewing panels in the world, the Okinawa Chiraumi Aquarium has come to attract millions of visitors from all over the world. The aquarium has a large number of fish species and different types of aquatic plant life as well. The aquarium also features dives and other fun activities that make anyone’s visit to the aquarium truly magical.
The aquarium has been designed in a descending manner to imitate the deep sea. The Kurosio tank – which is the main attraction – is home to whale sharks, shoals of sardines, sting rays, and other life forms.
9. Ushaka Marine World: South Africa
The Ushaka marine world is a sixteen-acre marvel situated in Durban, South Africa. The marine theme park was built to resemble a shipwreck and is divided into many different sections. The Ushaka sea world comprises of shark dives, dolphin shows, ray feeds, and seal shows. The wet and wild section is a fun place, consisting of fun slides and pools. The park also has a shopping and entertainment area as well as a play area where kids can be kids.
The Ushaka marine world has unique species of marine life — visitors will be amazed by the collection of different species of fish and other animals found in the ocean. The aquarium boasts both common and unique forms of marine animals and acts as a sanctuary for endangered animals. The Ushaka marine world is a spectacular place that will be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
8. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium: China
The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium covers 263,910 square feet of aquatic wonder. This aquarium showcases some of the rarest animals in the world. Visitors will be delighted to see Antarctic penguins, the Yangtze alligator, and the giant salamander, creatures rarely seen in the wild. Some of other interesting marine creatures that have been featured at the shanghai ocean aquarium are the Chinese water dragons, white sharks, and the black and white sting rays. The shanghai ocean aquarium also delights the guests with a spectacular walk through a tunnel that is built inside the aquarium. This walk makes the visitor feel as though he was walking inside the aquarium, and provides a spectacular point of view which will captivate even the most discerning of tourists.
7. Monterey Bay Aquarium: California
Monterey Bay Aquarium is dubbed as the window to the marvels that are found in the ocean. It is one of the most unique attractions of the west coast of America because it features spectacular aquatic life. The aquarium is a conservation initiative that seeks to find endangered species and provide a safe and favorable environment for them to thrive. The aquarium boasts over 35,000 animals and about 620 different species.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a fun and educational spot for people who love aquatic animals and offers a unique experience. Guests can participate in animal feedings, enjoy fantastic animal shows, and go on enjoyable educational tours. The animals featured in the aquarium include seals, whales, sharks, octopi, jelly fish, wolf eels, and sea sardines.
6. L’Oceanografic Aquarium: Spain
This aquarium is an aqua lover’s paradise. L’Oceanografic Aquarium is one of the most beautiful places in Spain and the world in general. Visitors can delight themselves in seeing amazing shoals of fish, from the common goldfish to unique and strange species that can only be found at an aquarium of such caliber. Prepare to be amazed by dancing seals, dolphins, and delightful penguins.
The L’Oceanografic Aquarium is the largest aquarium in Europe and features twelve buildings, which have been created to emulate the different marine ecosystems. When visitors come to the aquarium, they are sure to experience all that marine life has to offer. It’s not only fish that are found there, but also birds that are found in the wetlands. The 500 different species of animals found at the aquarium ensure a unique marine experience for all visitors.
5. Sydney Aquarium: Australia
Marine beauty has been redefined by the Sydney Aquarium. Located at the Darling harbor, Sydney Aquarium is known to be the home of over 650 different species of animals and a total of 6000 animals since 1988. It is well known that the Australian continent is home to some of the world’s most unique marine animals, and the Sydney aquarium has best represented this with their unique marine life. The Sydney aquarium features a unique acrylic panel tunnel where visitors can walk through as they see fish swimming all around them.
The aquarium also has a recreation of the world’s greatest barrier reef, which is indigenous to the Australian coast. There, visitors can delight themselves with penguin and seal displays inside and out of water. There are also different types of sharks, sardines, octopuses, crocodiles, and sting rays that will impress even the most discerning of people.
4. New England Aquarium: Boston, Massachusetts
The New England Aquarium offers the closest thing to a natural habitat for marine wildlife. The aquarium was built in 1969 and has become a sanctuary for endangered species to this day. The aquarium has revolutionized marine displays because it features a cylindrical coral reef that is built to replicate the Caribbean coral reef. The reef has most of the wildlife that you will find in the wilderness, such as great white sharks, beautiful and multicolored tropical fish, sea turtles, and octopi.
The aquarium also features a South American river display, with legendary animals such as the anaconda, piranha, electric eels, and many more. There are seal and penguin exhibits at the aquarium too, featuring rare and unique species of the animals that have found refuge and a home at the New England aquarium.
3. Two Oceans Aquarium: South Africa
The cape in South Africa is located where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. At this point, warm and cold currents meet, and this creates a very favorable condition for marine life to thrive. But there is no need to go scuba diving to see the amazing marine life, because Two Oceans Aquarium has brought the spectacular marine life to land. The aquarium has six themed exhibits that host over 3,000 animals. The exhibits include animals that are found in the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the river of Sappi, and the Kelp forest. Thrill seekers have the opportunity to dive with sharks, feed the animals and walk through the kelp forest.
2. National Aquarium: Baltimore, Maryland
The National Aquarium in Baltimore is one of the most comprehensive aquariums in the world. It has been in existence since 1981 and has become a home to over 660 different species and over 16500 animals. The aquarium boasts a representation of a tropical rain forest that is filled with different types of tropical birds on the first floor. It also features amazing shark tanks over 30 feet high, featuring species such as the hammerhead and the deadly great white. Another unique feature here is the frog tank, featuring the largest display of frogs in the world.
1. Georgia Aquarium: Atlanta, Georgia
The Georgia Aquarium is the world’s greatest aquarium, home to some of the rarest species of marine life on the planet. The aquarium has been organized into five different galleries: the Ocean voyager, Georgia explorer, tropical diver, river scout and the cold water quest. In these galleries, visitors have the chance to see a wide range of animals in their habitats. The ocean voyager is home to the manta rays and sharks — it has 6.3 million gallons of water and the largest viewing acrylic panels in Northern America. The Georgia explorer has animals that are unique to Georgia, such as the rare loggerhead sea turtle and lionfish. The river scout hosts animals that can only be found in the rivers of Africa and South America, and the aquarium also has amazing displays of penguins, dolphins and other spectacular marine animals.
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