Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo

The Bermuda Aquarium at Flatts opened in 1926 and its centrepiece is the North Rock exhibit, a large tank reconstructing a Bermudian reef with the fish and coral of the actual reef north of the island. The zoo alongside concentrates on island species from around the world, on the argument that island ecologies are the most vulnerable, with Galapagos tortoises, lemurs and Caribbean birds. The natural history museum covers Bermuda's geology and formation.

Background

The facility sits at the geographic centre of Bermuda, and the United States lies about 700 miles to the west. It opened in 1926 to serve a growing tourist trade, and in 1978 the Bermuda Zoological Society was formed with the single aim of supporting it. A capital campaign in 1991 and 1992 raised $3 million for the North Rock, Australasia and Caribbean exhibits. The North Rock Exhibit, a living copy of the real reef, holds 140,000 gallons, and the aquarium shows more than 200 species of fish and invertebrates. The zoo has held accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1993 and, as of 2009, took part in four Species Survival Plans.

Source: Wikipedia, "Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo" million for the North Rock, Australasia and Caribbean exhibits. The North Rock Exhibit, a living copy of the real reef, holds 140,000 gallons, and the aquarium shows more than 200 species of fish and invertebrates. The zoo has held accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1993 and, as of 2009, took part in four Species Survival Plans.

Source: Wikipedia, "Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo"

What you'll find

• The North Rock tank - a large reconstruction of a Bermudian reef.
• The island species zoo - a collection built around island ecologies worldwide.
• The natural history museum - the geology and formation of Bermuda.
• The 1926 founding - one of the older institutions of its kind in the region.

When to go

Year round; it is largely under cover. School holidays and cruise days are busiest. Hurricane season runs June to November.

Things to know

It is small by international aquarium standards and a couple of hours covers it. Some zoo enclosures are dated. Entry is expensive for the size.

Nearby

Flatts Village is around it, and Blue Hole Park is east.

Key facts