Two Oceans Aquarium

The aquarium opened in 1995 and is organised around the contrast that gives it its name: the cold nutrient-rich Atlantic on the west of the Cape and the warm Indian Ocean on the east. The Kelp Forest tank is the one people remember - a tall column of living kelp with surge machinery moving it, lit from above, showing what the water off Cape Town actually looks like below the surface. The Indian Ocean gallery is the opposite, warm and reef-coloured, and there is a large predator exhibit, holding two million litres, with ragged-tooth sharks and rays. The turtle conservation centre is the part with real substance: hatchlings washed up on Cape beaches after being swept south by the Agulhas current are rehabilitated and released, and the unit treats and releases adult loggerheads too. It is compact, and two to three hours covers it properly.

Highlights

• The Kelp Forest - a tall column of living kelp moved by surge machinery.
• The two-ocean contrast - cold Atlantic galleries against warm Indian Ocean reef.
• The predator exhibit - ragged-tooth sharks and rays in the large tank.
• The turtle unit - stranded hatchlings and adults rehabilitated and released.

When to go

All year. Two to three hours. Weekday mornings; school holidays are very busy.

Practical notes

It is smaller than large international aquariums and the ticket is not cheap. Crowds in holidays make the tunnel and main tanks hard to see. The turtle unit has restricted viewing depending on the animals in care. Feeding times drive the crowds - check the schedule.

Nearby

The V&A Waterfront quays surround it; the Zeitz MOCAA is a short walk.

Key facts