Sea World Ancol

Sea World sits inside the Ancol recreation complex on Jakarta's north shore and has been the city's main aquarium since the mid-1990s. The layout is conventional and works well enough: tanks of reef fish and invertebrates, a freshwater section devoted to fish from Indonesian rivers and lakes, a touch pool, and a large main tank crossed by an acrylic tunnel where sharks and rays pass overhead. Feeding sessions and short talks run through the day, mostly in Indonesian. It is not a research institution and makes no pretence of being one, but for anyone travelling with children on a wet Jakarta afternoon it is one of the few indoor options in a city short of them.

What to look for

• The main tank tunnel - an acrylic walkway with sharks and rays passing overhead.
• The freshwater hall - tanks of fish from Indonesian rivers and lakes.
• The reef tanks - coral fish and invertebrates from the country's own waters.
• Feeding sessions - scheduled dives and talks at the main tank through the day.

When to go

Open daily and entirely indoors, which makes it a sensible option during the December to March rains. Go on a weekday morning: weekends and school holidays bring long queues at the ticket counters and crowds at the tunnel. Note that Ancol charges an entrance fee at the complex gate on top of the aquarium ticket.

What to expect

It shows its age in places, with tired signage and some tanks that look small for their occupants. Two tickets are needed, so the total cost surprises people. Weekend crowds make the tunnel a slow shuffle. Labelling is mostly in Indonesian. Anyone who has dived in Indonesia will find the real thing more impressive than the display.

Nearby

The rest of the Ancol waterfront, with its beach, marina and theme park, is at the door.

Key facts