15 reasons to visit the Two Oceans Aquarium

Free entry, beach cleanups, rare jellyfish, scuba diving

Last updated: Tuesday, 11 June 2024 

If you’re a local, then you've probably been to the Two Oceans Aquarium (and if you haven’t, you’re in for a treat). There’s so much to (re)discover about this magical place, whether you’re a newcomer or have been countless times. The penguin waddle through the aquarium; a Jelly Gallery with jellies so rare they don’t have a scientific name yet; dives with ragged-tooth sharks; and 13 more.

The Aquarium is open daily, from 9.30am to 6pm. Image: Two Oceans Aquarium

1. THE PENGUIN WADDLE

Get up close and personal with the adorable Northern Rockhopper penguins. Every day around lunch time, these feathered friends walk through the penguin exhibit to and from their beach-like post, giving visitors a chance to watch them waddle. Meet Chippy Goodwill, Wallace and Grommet and, our personal favourite, Teddy, the oldest of the bunch at 30 years old.

The Penguin Experience happens on the roof of the Kelp Forest Exhibit. Image: Two Oceans Aquarium

2. GLOW-IN-THE-DARK JELLYFISH GALLERY   

Did you know jellies have no hearts, brains or spines? Displayed with a glow-in-the-dark effect, there’s an entire Jelly Gallery dedicated to these extra terrestrial-like creatures. Plus, hidden among the nightlight jellies are two rare “pink meanies” - so rare they have yet to be formally described and given a scientific name.

Krish Lewis is the aquarium’s resident jelly expert. Image: Lara Van Zyl

3. MONTHLY BEACH CLEANUPS

Trash Bash is an opportunity for enthusiastic, ocean-minded people to participate in regular beach cleanups around Cape Town. Those who join break away into small groups, with one person taking on the role of the scribe and recording all the items collected. It happens every third Saturday of the month.

The event focuses on the 12 items often found littering our city's beaches, including plastic bags, bottles, straws and sweet wrappers. Image: Two Oceans Aquarium

4. DAILY SHARK & PENGUIN FEEDINGS

This is one of the most popular activities at the aquarium. The African penguin colony is fed by the penguin keepers, while scuba divers hand-feed the stingrays and larger fish at the I&J Ocean Exhibit. You can also watch divers feed hake to ragged-tooth sharks in the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) Shark Exhibit (only on Saturdays).

See feeding times daily schedule:

Each exhibit holds a new wonder and a fresh opportunity to learn. Image: Two Oceans Aquarium

5. FREE ENTRY DURING YOUR BIRTHDAY WEEK

The Two Oceans Aquarium has a fantastic birthday deal for all South African citizens: Get free access to the aquarium on your birthday, plus for six days thereafter. That’s a whole week’s chance to do one of the city’s most awesome experiences. See how you can claim free entry to the Two Oceans Aquarium. 

Simply stop by, show a valid ID that reflects your date of birth, and your day of exploration at the Aquarium is free. Image: Two Oceans Aquarium

6. DIVES WITH RAGGED-TOOTH SHARKS, STINGRAYS  

Qualified scuba divers can choose from three different scuba diving experiences at The Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School. You can dive with ragged-tooth sharks (no cage required) in the SOSF Shark Exhibit, swim with stingrays in the I&J Ocean Exhibit or discover the ocean wonders in the Kelp Forest Exhibit. Contact dive@aquarium.co.za. 

Never dived before? Not a problem. Get certified with the Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School, or do a half-day PADI Discover Scuba Diving Course and dive in the aquarium’s I&J Ocean Exhibit on the same day.  

The scuba diving adventures and courses are open to anyone older than 10 years (or 12 and up for PADI Advanced Open Water Diver). Image: Two Oceans Aquarium 

7. OVER 8 000 CURIOUS CREATURES   

Marine animals of all shapes and sizes can be found at the Two Oceans Aquarium, with more than 8 000 creatures to see and learn about. You can come face-to-face with predators of the deep, multi-coloured nemos, and curious creatures like the sleeping pufferfish, who camouflage perfectly with the sand.

There are large exhibit windows or you can walk along the viewing ramp. Image: Two Oceans Aquarium

 8. BEHIND-THE-SCENE TOURS

Go behind the scenes for a glimpse into the inner workings of the aquarium. From feeding sessions to animal care routines, the guided tour is your opportunity to see the animals and exhibits from a different point of view. It’s 75 minutes long and can take up to eight people. Book via emailing experience@aquarium.co.za.


Guided tours take place at 10am and 1pm daily. Image: Two Oceans Aquarium

9. EDUCATIONAL PUPPET SHOWS 

Kids between the ages of three and nine can watch interactive and educational puppet shows with some of the ocean’s most lovable characters. Meet Hatch the turtle, Peter the penguin, and Sally the seal at the I&J Children's Play Centre. The shows take place at 10.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm daily. There’s also an arts and crafts section with a marine theme.

The shows are also a great break for parents. Image: Two Oceans Aquarium

10. YOU CAN HOST SPECIAL EVENTS THERE

You may already know the Two Oceans Aquarium for its magnificent glass tank displays. But did you know that their backdrops can be the setting for your next event? Birthdays, anniversary dinner, special events… The aquarium provides a full-service in-house team and kitchen staff, and a variety of cuisine (including halal-certified food). To find out more about booking a venue, email functions@aquarium.co.za.  

The aquarium also offers event planning services, personnel, audio-visual equipment, and full-service amenities. Image: Night Feast

11. AFRICA’S ONLY ABOVE-GROUND KELP HABITAT

The Kelp Forest Exhibit is the only above-ground kelp habitat on the continent. This enchanted underwater forest has fish swimming around kelp two storeys high. There’s species found nowhere else in the world, like the southern mullet, strepies and hottentots. These fish are fed by drop-feeding, so it’s the perfect place to witness a feeding frenzy!

This exhibit is open to the sky, so the kelp plants can receive sunlight to photosynthesise. Image: Two Oceans Aquarium

12. AFTER 3PM SPECIAL

Every day, the aquarium offers visitors a special discount after 3pm. See the magical world of the aquarium at a reduced rate of R190 for adults (usually R250) and up to R140 for kids (usually R185). It’s only valid for tickets bought at the on-site ticket office after 3pm and used on the same day.

After 3 Special tickets cannot be pre-booked or purchased online. Image: Two Oceans Aquarium

13. THEY OFFER EDUCATIONAL COURSES

While the aquarium is all about fun and entertainment, it’s also devoted to educating visitors. You can book school tours or educational lessons in the Discovery Centre. There’s also a marine biology or oceanography course, and a job shadow programme (for Grade 9 to 12 learners). To get in touch, email schools@aquariumfoundation.org.za.

These programmes complement the work done in schools and have been carefully designed to connect with the South African curriculum. Image: Two Oceans Aquarium

14. YOU CAN WORK THERE FOR THE DAY

The aquarium has several versatile spaces for every kind of work event, whether you want to watch over the kelp forest or I&J Ocean Exhibit, or book out a big conference room (screens and wifi available). You can even plan your year-end party at the aquarium. To book a venue, email functions@aquarium.co.za.

There are many things to do at the Two Oceans Aquarium, and many different ways to experience our underwater world. Image: Lara Van Zyl

15. UNLIMITED VISITS, MEMBERSHIPS, DISCOUNTS…

Members get 365 days of unlimited visits, and the annual membership comes with loads of other perks too. 

You also receive discounts on experiences like adventure diving and behind the scenes tours. Existing members can renew their membership at a discounted rate. You can also upgrade your day ticket to a membership, or sign up via aquarium.co.za.

To upgrade your day ticket to a membership after your visit, just keep your ticket stub for proof of purchase. Image: Two Oceans Aquarium

VISIT THE AQUARIUM

Two Oceans Aquarium is open: Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 6pm, Saturday + Sunday, 9am - 6pm
Find it: Dock Road (by the Watershed), V&A Waterfront
Entry fee at Two Oceans Aquarium: R250 for adults, R185 for pensioners and students, free for kids under 3
Cost of membership: R595 for adults, R460 for teens, R292 for kids aged four to 13
Contact on: 021 418 3823, aquarium@aquarium.co.za, @2OceansAquarium

By Khadeeja Adams

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