The Two Oceans Aquarium is a window into the spectacular oceans surrounding the southern African coast. Situated in the V & A Waterfront, the Aquarium offers its visitors the amazing opportunity to explore below the waterline.
The Two Oceans Aquarium's newly upgraded Predator Exhibit recently welcomed nine new spotted ragged-tooth sharks. As theyve become acclimatised to their new temporary home, and as our divers have become familiar with them, weve all had a chance to get to know them and their unique personalities.
A window on the ocean:
The new I&J Ocean Exhibit is the first major construction for the Aquarium in nearly 21 years. The exhibit holds 1.6 million litres of seawater at a temperature of between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius. The depth of the exhibit stands at 6 metres. It is the first exhibit of its kind in South Africa to boast a full 10-metre long tunnel. The exhibits main viewing window is a continuous 9 metre-wide panel, which is 4 metres high and weighs 22 tonnes.
The Penguin Exibit:
This exhibit is home to a colony of African penguins, some rescued rockhopper penguins, an African black oystercatcher, a molesnake, a Western leopard toad and common platannas. A small selection of freshwater fish, indigenous and alien, to our Western Cape rivers can also be viewed in several pools. A bird hide, overlooking the rockhopper rookery, offers people a place to sit and relax in this peaceful riverine environment.
The Penguin Experience:
Get up close and personal with the adorable northern rockhopper penguins of the Two Oceans Aquarium.
You can meet our too-cute rescue rockies through an awesome interactive Penguin Experience. No more than two people will join our bird keeper for an informative, fun and exhilarating face-to-face encounter with our feathered friends. If you are lucky, one or two of them might decide to hop onto your lap. Our trained bird keepers are on hand to ensure that all guidelines are followed.
The Penguin Experience is suitable for children aged 8 and up, and adults.
Costs:
Adult - R610
Child between 8 and 17 years - R520
R100 of this fee will be donated towards a penguin conservation fund.
To book: - experience@aquarium.co.za or call us on +27 (0)21 418 3823.
The Touch Pool & Microscope Exhibits:
Take a look through a microscope to see marine life like you have never seen before. Then, head to the Touch Pool and feel shells, plants and animals in your own hands.
Environmental Education:
Learners from grade 6 to grade 12 have access to fantastic programmes at the Aquarium. From job-shadowing and volunteering to preparing for finals and finding resources and links for a great project, you'll find what you need here.
The Aquariums Environmental Education Centre also has over ten years of experience in adult education. We offer custom-designed courses, focusing particularly on the marine and coastal environment, for both private and government sectors. Over the years we have presented courses to a wide range of groups including Coastcare workers, the Cape Tour Guides Association, SANParks compliance officers, the Sharkspotters, students from the University of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), teachers from schools around the Peninsula, and members of the public as part of our volunteer training programmes.
Feeding Times:
I&J Ocean Exhibit - Daily at 12h00 and 14h00
Penguin Exhibit - Daily at 11h30 and 14h30
Diving:
Experience a world of ocean wonders!
A completely new dive experience awaits you. The new I&J Ocean Exhibit is 6m deep, has a full tunnel and displays incredible species such as turtles, rays, guitarfish, brindle bass and spotted grunter.
Swim with our rays, turtles & more
Scuba diving at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town is certainly worthy of being included on the bucket list of any experienced diver, adrenalin junkie or just someone who would like to experience the incredible feeling of being surrounded by the remarkable animals that call the underwater world their home.
Anyone interested in diving needs to have a minimum of a Discover Scuba qualification. You can attain this limited qualification either with our onsite instructor or through another dive school. If they qualify with another instructor, that instructor needs to accompany them (at no charge) on their dive together with our dive instructor.
Not a qualified diver?
If you're don't have an Open Water qualification or higher, you are able to do a one-day Discover Scuba course with us, which allows you to do one dive in the I&J Ocean Exhibit on the same day. For the Discover Scuba experience, regular rates apply. Please call +27 (0)21 418 3823 or email dive@aquarium.co.za to enquire about this option.
Costs:
Aquarium gear - R870
Own gear - R660
General enquiries:
Email - aquarium@aquarium.co.za
Telephone: +27 (0)21 418 3823 / +27 (0)21 418 3952
Location:
Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Hours:
Open daily: 09h30 - 18h00 (subject to change without notice)
Admission:
Valid until 31 March 2020 and subject to change without notice
Adults: R200
Children between 4 and 13 years: R95
Children between 14 and 17 years: R150
Children under 4: Free
SA Pensioners and Students: R150 (with valid ID)
Physically Challenged
A limited number of wheelchairs are available free of charge. All Aquarium exhibits are accessible to the physically challenged. Please ensure that you book a wheelchair prior to your visit. Please contact Visitor Services on telephone +27-21-418-3823 or e-mail info@aquarium.co.za.
