From an underwater attraction down under to oceanariums working to save marine life, these
are the world’s largest aquariums!
12. Aquarium Of Western Australia
At an impressive 1.06 million gallons total, the Aquarium of Western Australia is an amazing
attraction in Perth. It sits on the beautiful Hillarys Boat Harbor, offering spectacular
views of the Indian Ocean. In April 1988, the aquatic museum opened with the name “Underwater
World.” Three years later, Morris Kahn and Coral World International took ownership and
decided to change the name in 2001 to AQWA - short for Aquarium of Western Australia.
AQWA originally had just two aquariums, the Touch Pool and a walkthrough, called Shipwreck
Coast. These days, AQWA has over forty exhibits! In 2012, the aquarium was the world’s tenth
largest. Over four hundred species of aquatic creatures live throughout these exhibits,
and they’re always switching it up to keep visitors coming back. From vibrant coral reefs
to luminous jellyfish and terrifying sharks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy,
and there’s even more to learn. Plus, AQWA’s convenient oceanside location allows them
to offer snorkeling, whale watching, diving, glass-bottom boat tours, and so much more!
11. Aquarium Of Genoa
The Aquarium of Genoa in Italy opened its doors in 1992 - originally as a part of the
Genoa Expo ‘92. Its primary purpose was to celebrate the five hundredth anniversary
of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the new world. This was reflected in the first
exhibits, which were designed to present the perspectives of Columbus’ 1492 encounter
and the “ecological awareness of 1992.” The building was even designed to look like
a ship preparing to embark on a voyage by Renzo Piano, a decorated Genoese architect.
A three-hundred-thirty-foot ship was added to the Aquarium of Genoa in 1998, expanding
the original concept. Nowadays, this attraction holds about 1.6 million gallons of water total
and has the largest array of aquatic species in Europe. But, the Aquarium of Genoa offers
much more than ocean life; the Biosphere is a structurally beautiful addition that displays
numerous types of vegetation and tropical species currently threatened by the exploitation
of tropical forests. If that wasn’t enough, the Galata Museum can be added as part of
the aquarium experience
10. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
This aquarium in Shanghai, China contains an amazing 1.3 million gallons of water throughout
its various tanks and exhibits. Although it isn’t the largest in the world, the Shanghai
Ocean Aquarium is home to the longest underwater viewing tunnel on Earth - spanning a total
of one hundred seventy yards. Plus, the outside of this attraction is unique on its own. Two
pyramidal buildings cover over two hundred sixty thousand square feet and contain more
than fifteen thousand aquatic creatures from over four hundred fifty species. Some of the
animals housed throughout the aquarium are weedy sea dragons, sand tiger sharks, spotted
seals, and Chinese sturgeons. The primary building of the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is
divided into various exhibitions, including the China Zone, Cold Water Zone, Deep Ocean
Zone, and Sea and Shore exhibit. The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium’s “around the world”
tour allows visitors to see all of these exhibits that encompass animals and plants from all
four corners of the Earth.
9. Monterey Bay Aquarium
Located in Monterey, California, this immense aquarium opened in October 1984 and was the
largest in the United States at the time. At 2.3 million gallons of water total, Monterey
Bay Aquarium remains a notable attraction today. In 2009, it was described by the Association
of Zoos and Aquariums as a “leader” because of its entertainment value, collaborations,
and educational programs. The original concept and purpose of Monterey Bay Aquarium was to
share central California’s marine life and habitats with visitors from all over the world.
Presently, the aquarium encompasses around thirty-five thousand creatures from more than
five hundred fifty species. One of the primary exhibitions is the Kelp Forest, which vertically
spans three stories and is credited as the first successful kelp forest maintained in
a manmade setting.
8. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Another outstanding aquarium is inside the Ocean Expo Park in Okinawa, Japan. It was
initially built to bring visitors back to the park after tourism began declining. Okinawa
Churaumi Aquarium, designed by Yukifusa Kokuba, holds 2.62 million gallons of water within
its numerous tanks. The name “Churaumi” was chosen as a combination of the Japanese
words for “beautiful” and “ocean.” It has a total of four floors and houses over
twenty-six thousand animals from about seven hundred forty species. The primary tank - named
the Kuroshio Sea - is one hundred fifteen feet long, eighty-nine feet wide, thirty-three
feet deep, and holds nearly 1.98 million gallons of water. The acrylic glass panel is two feet
thick and was the largest in the world at the time the aquarium opened. In 2007, a manta
ray was born in Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium - the first in captivity. Since then, there
have been four more manta ray births at the aquarium. Okinawa also holds the record for
the longest-living whale shark in captivity, which was over eighteen years old in 2017.
Saltwater is pumped into the saltwater exhibits from about one thousand one hundred fifty
feet away 24/7, maintaining an optimal environment for ocean creatures.
7. uShaka Marine World
uShaka Marine World opened in April 2004 and is located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South
Africa. The park was designed by an American firm called Creative Kingdom Inc., and it
won an “Outstanding Achievement in Thematic Creative Design” award from the Themed Entertainment
Association. Designed underwater around five shipwrecks, uShaka holds an incredible 4.6
million gallons of water, and its above-ground “Phantom Ship” entrance entices visitors
to enter. After people make their way into uShaka, they’re met with numerous restaurants,
a shark aquarium, and open water views. The aquarium also has an array of shark species,
including hammerheads, spinner sharks, and ragged-tooth sharks. uShaka even has its own
beach with a direct connection to the park, a pier leading into the ocean, and a “Village
Walk” with cafes, shops, and restaurants. More recently, uShaka opened a new adventure
park called “Chimp & Zee” as a thrilling addition to their multifaceted attraction,
where visitors can try out Africa’s longest continuous belay!
6. Shedd Aquarium
This Chicago attraction has been around since May 1930 and at one hundred thirty-two tanks
to begin with, it was the largest of its kind for a long time. Shedd holds about five million
gallons of water total. It was also the first inland aquarium to create permanent saltwater
exhibitions. Since Shedd’s opening, it has been going strong. The aquarium’s ongoing
attractions include Waters of the World, Amazon Rising, Stingray Touch, and Caribbean Reef.
5. Moscow Oceanarium
This 6.6-million-gallon large-scale aquarium is located in Moscow, Russia. The goal of
this enormous attraction was to reproduce the world’s natural aquatic habitats. With
artificially created currents and a vast array of undersea species, the Moscow Oceanarium
offers an educational getaway in the middle of a bustling city.
4. Georgia Aquarium
Billionaire businessman Bernard Marcus visited over fifty aquariums in thirteen different
countries before donating two hundred fifty million dollars to start the construction
of his dream aquarium in Georgia. With another forty million dollars from corporate donations,
Georgia Aquarium opened without debt in November 2005. At a whopping ten million gallons of
water, this monumental attraction is home to whale sharks, beluga whales, various tropical
fish, and piranhas. Georgia Aquarium is also one of just four aquariums worldwide to display
a manta ray. Bernard Marcus stated that the conservation of species and the environment
is just as important to the aquarium as its appeal to visitors. They’ve been working
with Georgia State University, the Athens-based University of Georgia, and Georgia Tech to
help keep endangered animals alive via research and education programs since before the aquarium
opened.
3. L’Oceanografic
Another enormous and architecturally stunning attraction is The Oceanographic in Valencia,
Spain. Located within the City of Arts and Sciences cultural center, this aquarium boasts
an amazing eleven million gallons of water. It is the largest of its kind in Europe and
takes up 1.2 million square feet of surface area. The Oceanographic also hosts forty-five
thousand creatures from five hundred species - and it’s more than just subaquatic critters!
This attraction also houses birds, reptiles, and mammals, including sea lions, walruses,
and penguins. The Oceanographic is separated into ten parts, offering educational exhibits
for tropical, polar, Arctic, marshland, and temperate species among many others.
2. Marine Life Park
This incredible park is part of Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa and spans twenty acres,
containing two main attractions - Adventure Cove Waterpark and the S.E.A. Aquarium. In
total, this aquarium has around twelve million gallons of water. Standing for South East
Asia, the S.E.A. Aquarium was the largest in the world until our number one overtook
it. There are over one hundred thousand animals on display here from more than eight hundred
species. S.E.A. has ten zones with forty-nine exhibitions, and the primary attraction is
its Open Ocean tank, which sports a one-hundred-eighteen-foot-wide viewing panel. This aquarium has a conservation
group in addition to the various creatures within its tanks. Called Guardians of the
S.E.A.A., it conducts educational projects and research to assist with the conservation
of various marine species and habitats.
1. The Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
This theme park in Hengqin, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China contains the world’s largest
oceanarium at just under 12.9 million gallons. From amusement rides to educational events
and amazing exhibits, the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is one of the most visited theme parks
on Earth. Eight themed sections make up the park, including Ocean Avenue, Dolphin Cove,
Amazing Amazon, Polar Horizon, Hero Island, Mount Walrus, Hengqin Ocean, and Entertainments.
The exhibits range from a dolphin habitat to the Parrot Coaster and a submarine ride
called “Deep Sea Odyssey.” Their other rides include the Bumper Smash bumper cars,
the Polar Explorer water coaster, the Penguin and Jungle coasters, and the Tower of Sea
Monsters. Plus, the park has several other exciting animal exhibits, like the Otter’s
Den, Penguin World, and Sea Lion Theater - and it’s topped off by the Journey of Lights
nighttime parade. The Chimelong Ocean Kingdom opened in 2014 and added a breeding center
for killer whales in 2017 that houses nine of the enormous creatures. This park has five
Guinness World Records for its size, biggest acrylic viewing panel, largest subaquatic
viewing dome, most sizable aquarium, and the largest tank.
Which of these incredible aquariums would you like to visit and why? Let us know in
the comment section below, and as always thank you for watching!