The Most Popular Aquarium in the World, Ranked

Choose the aquarium you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:29
Aquariums offer a unique window into the mysterious depths of our oceans, showcasing the beauty and diversity of marine life. For many, a visit to an aquarium is a deeply educational and inspiring experience, fostering a greater appreciation for marine conservation. Knowing which aquariums provide the most enriching experiences can help potential visitors choose where to spend their valuable time and resources. By ranking these aquatic havens, we channel the power of collective insights to guide others in making informed decisions. Through your votes, you contribute to a resource that highlights the most beloved and impactful marine showcases around the globe. This dynamic ranking adjusts with new votes, always reflecting current preferences and discoveries.

What Is the Most Popular Aquarium in the World?

  1. 1
    36
    votes
    Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, USA
    Diliff · CC BY 2.5
    The Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world, with over 120,000 animals of 500 different species. It has a number of impressive exhibits, including the Ocean Voyager exhibit, which features a 100-foot-long tunnel that allows visitors to walk through a tank filled with whale sharks.
    The Georgia Aquarium, located in Atlanta, USA, is a renowned public aquarium that offers visitors an immersive underwater experience. It is one of the most popular aquariums in the world, known for its diverse marine life exhibits and educational programs.
    • Location: Atlanta, USA
    • Size: Over 100,000 square feet (9,300 square meters)
    • Gallons of water: 10 million
    • Exhibit tanks: More than 60
    • Number of species: Over 700
  2. 2
    50
    votes
    The Monterey Bay Aquarium is known for its focus on marine conservation and education. It has a number of exhibits, including a kelp forest exhibit, a sea otter exhibit, and a giant Pacific octopus exhibit.
    The Monterey Bay Aquarium, located in Monterey, California, is one of the most popular aquariums in the world. It showcases a vast collection of marine life and promotes conservation and education about the ocean and its inhabitants.
    • Location: Monterey, California, USA
    • Size: Approximately 34,000 square meters
    • Exhibit Galleries: Over 200 exhibits, featuring a wide range of marine habitats
    • Aquarium Volume: Over 4.5 million liters of water
    • Main Tank: The Outer Bay exhibit, with a capacity of 1.3 million liters
  3. 3
    13
    votes
    The Aquarium of the Pacific is located in Long Beach and has over 11,000 animals of more than 500 different species. It has several exhibits, including a Shark Lagoon exhibit and a Tropical Reef exhibit.
    The Aquarium of the Pacific is a renowned public aquarium located in Long Beach, California, USA. It spans an area of approximately 5 acres and is one of the largest aquariums in the United States. The aquarium showcases a diverse range of marine life, focusing on the Pacific Ocean and the habitats found within it.
    • Location: Long Beach, California, USA
    • Size: Approximately 5 acres
    • Exhibits: Over 100 exhibits
    • Marine Life: More than 11,000 animals representing over 500 species
    • Focus: Emphasis on the Pacific Ocean and its habitats
  4. 4
    8
    votes
    Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Osaka, Japan
    663highland · CC BY 2.5
    The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of the largest aquariums in the world and is known for its impressive whale shark exhibit. It also has a number of other exhibits, including a Pacific Ocean exhibit and a deep-sea exhibit.
    Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of the most popular and largest public aquariums in the world. It is located in Osaka, Japan and offers visitors a unique and immersive experience into the diverse marine life found in the Pacific Ocean. The aquarium showcases an impressive variety of sea creatures from various habitats, including 30,000 marine animals across 620 species.
    • Size: The aquarium covers a total area of approximately 29,000 square meters.
    • Water Volume: The total water volume in the aquarium is around 11,000 tons.
    • Main Tank: The main tank, called the Pacific Ocean tank, is one of the largest in the world, with a capacity of 5,400 tons.
    • Exhibit Floors: The aquarium consists of a total of 16 exhibit floors, each showcasing different aquatic environments and marine life.
    • Aquatic Species: There are approximately 620 species of marine animals, including sharks, manta rays, jellyfish, penguins, and otters.
  5. 5
    13
    votes
    The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is one of the largest aquariums in the world and is located in the Dubai Mall. It has over 140 species of sea life, including sharks, rays, and other fish.
    The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is one of the most popular aquariums in the world, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is a mesmerizing attraction that offers visitors a unique experience of being surrounded by an incredible array of marine life.
    • Size: It is one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world, with a capacity to hold over 10 million liters of water.
    • Main Tank: The main tank is home to more than 33,000 aquatic animals, including over 140 species of marine life.
    • Underwater Tunnel: It features a mesmerizing 48-meter long underwater tunnel, allowing visitors to experience a 270-degree view of marine creatures.
    • Interactive Experiences: Visitors can get up close and personal with various marine species through interactive experiences, such as cage snorkeling and shark diving.
    • Underwater Zoo: The aquarium also includes an underwater zoo, where visitors can explore a diverse range of ecosystems and learn about unique animal species.
  6. 6
    11
    votes
    L'Oceanogràfic, Valencia, Spain
    Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0
    L'Oceanogràfic is the largest aquarium in Europe and is located in Valencia. It has over 45,000 animals of 500 different species, including sharks, dolphins, and sea lions.
  7. 7
    10
    votes
    The National Aquarium in Baltimore is one of the oldest aquariums in the country and has over 20,000 animals of more than 750 different species. It has a number of exhibits, including a Jellies Invasion exhibit and a Shark Alley exhibit.
    The National Aquarium, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is one of the most popular aquariums in the world. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring conservation of the world's aquatic treasures.
    • Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
    • Size: 4.9 acres
    • Number of Animals: over 20,000
    • Number of Species: more than 750
    • Exhibits: More than 20 major exhibits
  8. 8
    12
    votes
    The Vancouver Aquarium is located in Stanley Park and has over 50,000 animals of more than 600 different species. It has a number of exhibits, including a Pacific Canada exhibit and a Canada's Arctic exhibit.
    The Vancouver Aquarium located in Vancouver, Canada is one of the most popular aquariums in the world. It is a public aquarium that showcases a wide variety of marine life, including fish, mammals, and invertebrates. The aquarium is dedicated to conservation, education, and research, and aims to inspire visitors to appreciate and protect the oceans and its inhabitants.
    • Location: Vancouver, Canada
    • Size: 9,000 square meters
    • Opened: June 15, 1956
    • Annual Visitors: over 1 million
    • Exhibit Tunnels: 4
  9. 9
    7
    votes

    Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, Shanghai, China

    Advanced Aquarium Technologies
    The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in Asia and has over 450 species of marine life. It has several impressive exhibits, including a shark exhibit and a coral reef exhibit.
    Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is one of the most popular aquariums in the world located in Shanghai, China. It is a world-class attraction that offers visitors a captivating underwater experience.
    • Size: 20,500 square meters
    • Number of Exhibits: over 450
    • Number of Species: more than 10,000
    • Main Tank Capacity: about 6.6 million liters
    • Tunnel Length: 155 meters
  10. 10
    6
    votes
    Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Okinawa, Japan
    sinnosuke uchida · CC BY-SA 3.0
    The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is located in Okinawa and is known for its Kuroshio Sea exhibit, which features a large tank filled with whale sharks and manta rays. It also has a number of other exhibits, including a coral exhibit and a deep-sea exhibit.
    The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is a renowned public aquarium located in the Ocean Expo Park in Okinawa, Japan. It is considered one of the world's largest and most impressive aquariums, attracting millions of visitors annually.
    • Size: The main tank, known as the Kuroshio Sea, holds 7,500 cubic meters (1.98 million gallons) of water, making it the second-largest aquarium tank in the world.
    • Marine Life: The aquarium houses a diverse range of marine life, including whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, turtles, and a variety of tropical fish species.
    • Coral Reef Exhibition: It features a stunning coral reef exhibition, showcasing over 800 species of coral and providing an educational opportunity to learn about the importance of coral reefs.
    • Dolphin Shows: The aquarium offers entertaining dolphin shows, where trained dolphins demonstrate their agility and intelligence to captivate the audience.
    • Aquarium Tunnel: Visitors can walk through an underwater tunnel that offers a unique perspective of aquatic life, allowing them to observe marine creatures up close.

Missing your favorite aquarium?

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Ranking factors for popular aquarium

  1. Attendance
    The number of annual visitors to the aquarium is a key indicator of its popularity. Higher attendance rates usually suggest a more popular and attractive facility.
  2. Size and variety of exhibits
    The size of the aquarium and the number of exhibits, including different species of aquatic animals, are important factors. A larger variety of exhibits indicates that the aquarium offers a more comprehensive and enjoyable experience for visitors.
  3. Conservation, research, and education efforts
    A popular aquarium should have a strong focus on conservation, research, and education initiatives. This not only helps to preserve and protect aquatic life but also enhances the experience for visitors and raises awareness about the importance of marine conservation.
  4. Reputation and reviews
    Positive customer reviews, high ratings, and the aquarium's overall reputation in the industry can all increase its popularity. Awards, certifications, and recognition from authoritative institutions also add to the aquarium's appeal.
  5. Location and accessibility
    A popular aquarium should be easily accessible by public transportation and located in a tourist-friendly or densely populated area. This ensures a steady flow of local and international visitors.
  6. Amenities and facilities
    The presence of additional facilities such as restaurants, gift shops, and event spaces can enhance a visitor's overall experience and contribute to the popularity of an aquarium.
  7. Interactive and immersive experiences
    Popular aquariums often offer interactive and immersive experiences, such as touch tanks, behind-the-scenes tours, and animal encounters, to attract and engage visitors.
  8. Special events and programs
    Hosting special events, seasonal celebrations, and educational programs can draw more visitors and help to raise the profile of an aquarium.
  9. Partnerships and affiliations
    Collaborations with local and international organizations, such as other aquariums, zoos, and conservation organizations, can boost an aquarium's reputation and expand its network of resources and expertise.
  10. Marketing and publicity
    Effective marketing campaigns and ongoing media exposure play a crucial role in attracting visitors and establishing an aquarium as a popular tourist destination.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular aquarium in the world. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or aquarium is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1713 views
  • 164 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each aquarium once every 24 hours. The rank of each aquarium is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular aquarium in the world

Aquariums have long been a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. These aquatic wonderlands provide visitors with an up-close and personal experience with some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. But which aquarium reigns supreme as the most popular in the world? There are a few strong contenders, but one stands out above the rest. With over 2.2 million visitors annually, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia, USA takes the crown as the world's most popular aquarium. This impressive facility houses a staggering 10 million gallons of water and over 120,000 animals from more than 500 different species. From whale sharks to sea otters, the Georgia Aquarium has something for everyone. So, if you're looking for an unforgettable underwater adventure, this is the place to be.

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