The world’s largest aquariums

The ocean is full of amazing creatures, stories, and mysteries. Experiencing the depths is now possible not only through exotic travels but also through aquariums. ELLE has prepared a list of the largest aquariums with live exhibits from various corners of our planet.

Zhuhai Chimelong Spaceship (Zhuhai, China) 

The marine science park “Zhuhai Chimelong Spaceship” is home to over 100,000 marine animals from around the globe. The structure of the aquarium resembles a large marine ship. One of the main attractions is a large artificial coral reef. The park is divided into thematic zones, each housing specific types of marine inhabitants. There is a penguin kingdom, a stingray pool, a mini-island with seals, and much more.

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Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta, USA) 

Until 2012, the Georgia Aquarium was considered the largest in the world. The aquarium’s territory is divided into several active zones – reservoirs with coral reefs, jellyfish, dolphins, frogs, and others. It houses approximately 120,000 marine creatures, including whale sharks, belugas (a type of whale), and manta rays. The park periodically hosts marine-themed exhibitions lasting several weeks.

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Marine Life Park (Sentosa, Singapore)

The Marine Life Park amusement park is divided into two territories: the S.E.A. Aquarium and the Adventure Cove Waterpark activity zones. The aquarium is home to over 100,000 representatives of marine fauna. It is divided into several halls, each with different inhabitants of the underwater world. The marine park is famous for its bottlenose dolphins, hammerhead sharks, the largest collection of rays, and rare guitarfish and nautilus mollusks. It also houses fossil fish not found in any other aquarium in the world.

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Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo (Dubai, UAE) 

The Dubai Aquarium with its underwater zoo is considered the third largest and is located in the famous Dubai Mall. The aquarium contains over 33,000 marine inhabitants. The most unusual and rare representatives are the sharks: tiger, sand, and giant sharks. One of the interesting offerings of the Dubai Aquarium is glass-bottom boat rides. For tourists seeking an adrenaline rush, there are options to dive into the water with sharks and rays.

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Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Okinawa, Japan) 

The Churaumi Aquarium opened in 1975 and is considered one of the oldest in Japan. Its name translates to “grace, beauty” and “ocean.” The park features over 70 tanks with the main viewing panel. In these tanks, visitors can see dolphins, killer whales, manatees, sea turtles, whale sharks, and manta rays. It also boasts the largest variety of coral reefs.

Photo: Unsplash