Welcome to a fascinating tour of the world’s largest aquariums! From the blue depths of the Mediterranean to the vibrant colours of the tropics, you’re invited to explore some of the planet’s most impressive underwater landscapes. In this article, we will discover the biggest and best aquariums in the world and dive deep into the amazing marine life that inhabits them.
What is an Aquarium?
An aquarium is a type of man-made water tank containing live fish, other aquatic animals and plants, and sometimes marine species. Aquariums can be both fresh and saltwater and come in all shapes and sizes. They are often used as a form of entertainment, as many of the larger aquariums have become attractions in their own right.
The Largest Aquariums in the World: Ranked
- Georgia Aquarium – USA
This one is a true behemoth of the underwater world. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the aquarium stretches out over 10 acres and houses 120,000 animals of 500 species. Located in the 96,000-square-meter facility, the largest tank holds 8 million gallons of water. Georgia Aquarium is one of the few aquariums to house whale sharks, four of which are located in the Ocean Voyager exhibit. Along with whale sharks, other underwater creatures also entertained visitors, such as manta rays and bottlenose dolphins.
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium – Japan
The Churaumi Aquarium, or Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, is one of the largest aquariums in Japan and the second-largest in the world. Located in Motobu, Okinawa, this particular aquarium houses more than 740 species in a total of 77 tanks. Guests can explore exhibits such as the Kuroshio Sea, which houses whale sharks and manta rays, and the Rainbow World, which is home to numerous colourful tropical fish.
- S.E.A. Aquarium – Singapore
This impressive marine playground is located within the Resorts World Sentosa complex. At more than 49,500 square meters, this diving paradise features more than 100,000 species of marine life. As one of the largest aquariums in the world, the S.E.A. Aquarium offers a wide variety of attractions and exhibits, including the Open Ocean Habitat, the world’s largest oceanarium. This open tank is home to some of the world’s most captivating creatures, such as manta rays, giant groupers, hammerhead sharks and even dolphins.
- Chimelong Ocean Kingdom – China
The Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is the world’s fourth-largest aquarium and can be found in the city of Zhuhai, just south of the Chinese border. This venue boasts a combination of theme park, water park and aquarium. In total, the Marine Life Park is home to 45,000 marine creatures and more than 700 species.
- Dubai Mall Aquarium – UAE
This large aquarium is located in one of the Middle East’s trendiest hotspots, The Dubai Mall. With over 33,000 animals, ranging from water-dwelling creatures like sharks and rays to land animals such as the King Crocodile, the Dubai Mall aquarium is a one-of-a-kind destination. This massive tank takes up the entire second floor of the mall and is the world’s largest indoor aquarium.
- The Kandalaksha Gulf Aquarium – Russia
The Kandalaksha Gulf Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world and boasts an impressive selection of aquatic life from both the Baltic and White Seas. This attraction is located near the small town of Kandalaksha, close to the border with Finland, and is home to more than 136 species of fish and invertebrates, including shark and exotic fish.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium – USA
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a leading research centre, exhibiting and educational complex situated along the beautiful shores of Monterey Bay in California. This huge venue stretches out over more than 200,000 square feet and is home to over 500 species of the ocean’s most captivating life forms. Famous for its impressive Open Sea exhibit, which houses various species of jellies, sharks, tunas and sea turtles, this aquarium is an attraction no visitor should miss.
- Aquadom – Germany
Aquadom, located in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Berlin, is the world’s largest cylindrical aquarium and measures an impressive 16 meters in height. With a capacity of 1 million litres, this aquarium houses over 2,500 species of fish and a total of 30,000 individual fish.
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium – Japan
The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, situated in Motobu, Okinawa, is one of the most popular attractions in Japan and is the second-largest aquarium in the world. This venue consists of 77 tanks which house more than 740 species of fish and other animals. As one of the biggest aquariums in the world, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium houses some of the world’s largest whale sharks and manta rays, which have become a huge hit with visitors.
- uShaka Marine World – South Africa
uShaka Marine World, located on the east coast of Durban in South Africa, is Africa’s largest aquarium and the tenth-largest in the world. Covering a total area of 15 acres and boasting 30 different exhibits, uShaka Marine World showcases the beauty of Africa’s diverse marine life. From bottlenose dolphins to sea turtles and African penguins, visitors can enjoy close encounters with some of the ocean’s most iconic creatures.
From the smallest cylinders to vast expanses of water, the aquariums of the world surely never disappoint. These behemoth facilities are remarkable feats of engineering, offering visitors a unique look into the fascinating and mysterious underwater world. Whether it’s a huge whale shark at Georgia Aquarium or colourful tropical fish at S.E.A. Aquarium, these Aquariums offer an unforgettable experience that no visitor should miss. So dive in and explore the depths of the world’s largest and most stunning aquariums!
