School’s Out, Sharks In: Winter School Holidays at the Two Oceans Aquarium

Kids can dive into an underwater adventure at The Two Oceans Aquarium this school holidays, with a variety of events, competitions, and activities to keep them busy. With a dedicated Children’s Play Centre, daily animal feedings, and a late-night sleepover with the sharks, here’s everything parents, kids, and guardians need to know.

Feeding Time Fun at the Two Oceans Aquarium

One of the most exciting times at the Two Oceans Aquarium is Saturdays at noon, when scuba divers enter the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit, right in front of the iconic main window, to feed the ragged-tooth sharks. The viewing experience is one of the most dynamic parts of any Aquarium visit, with young visitors allowed to ask questions about the animals as they dive for food.

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at noon, it’s time for the rays, musselcrackers, and tropical fish to get their food, with onlookers seeing some of the Aquarium’s most unique animals. Finally, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at noon, kids and guardians should head to the Kelp Forest exhibit, where the smaller sharks (including gullies and pyjama sharks) and fish get their daily meals.

Penguin lovers can also enjoy a Penguin Experience – a chance for up to two people to join one of the Penguin Keepers for an informative, fun, and exhilarating face-to-face experience with the Surf’s Up stars. During this time, you can learn how the penguins are cared for at the Two Oceans Aquarium, discover their stories, and have the chance to meet the penguins behind the scenes. Find out more on the website.

Kids’ Activities and Entertainment at The Two Oceans Aquarium

The Children’s Play Centre offers a variety of fun, ocean-themed crafts for the little ones to enjoy and take home. This school holiday, little ones can let their imagination run free with the Aquarium’s Art of the Ocean colouring-in sheets. Even better, they stand a chance to win a year-long membership to the Aquarium for up to four people or an exclusive Penguin Experience for three.

These young artists must take a photo of the artwork (with or without themselves in it), post it on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, follow and tag the relevant @2OceansAquarium account, and use the hashtag #ArtOfTheOcean. Only children under 18 are allowed to enter, with the competition running until 26 July, after which one winner is chosen.

The daily puppet shows are back: kids get to meet the Aquarium’s mascots, including Bruce the Shark, Tinks the Tortoise, Sally the Seal, and Peter the Penguin in educational, interactive experiences. The shows take place daily at the I&J Play Centre at 10.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

Special Offers at the Two Oceans Aquarium

Free birthday entry: Guests can enjoy a free visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium anytime during their birth month. All interested parties should bring an SA ID to show their birth date.
Membership Upgrades: Families who love visiting the Aquarium can buy a year-long membership that includes exclusive perks, outings, discounts, and unlimited free entry for an entire year. Memberships can be bought separately or on-site after buying a ticket, at a discount.

Members’ Sleepover

Members can also join the annual Members’ Sleepover, where those with a passion for the ocean can spend time in the Aquarium, watch a movie, fall asleep next to sting rays, and wake up to a Sunday buffet breakfast. Attendees see the Aquarium, its exhibits, and animals in a completely new, after-dark atmosphere.

Kids get to use their imaginations as they make ocean-inspired crafts, enjoy a marine-themed movie, have their faces painted as their favourite underwater animal, and take part in an exciting adventure to find animals throughout the Aquarium.

Guests must please remember to bring their dinner, snacks, and drinking water; a sleeping bag and mattress; toiletries; and a change of clothes. Light sleepers are encouraged to bring along earplugs and face masks.

Cost: R395 (adults) | R380 (kids 2-17). Email [email protected] to secure a spot.
When: 18 July 2026 | 6.30pm (Sat) – 8am (Sun)

Trash Bash

Kids with a true love of nature and the ocean can join the Aquarium’s regular Trash Bash, an initiative dedicated to tackling plastic pollution and raising awareness of its harmful effects on marine ecosystems. Volunteers gather to clean up various beaches across the Mother City, making a real difference in the environment and its health while enjoying a social day at the beach.

For more details, follow the Two Oceans Aquarium’s Facebook page or contact Heather Wares at [email protected].

When: 18 July | 19 September | 14 November 2026
Where: Monwabisi Beach (18 July) | Sunrise Beach (19 September) | Sunset Beach (14 November)

The Two Oceans Aquarium has a ton to offer kids this school holiday. Whether it’s having a sleepover with the fish, entering an exclusive competition for prizes, or just a fun day away from the cold weather, it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination in the heart of Cape Town.

Cost: R130 per child (4 – 13 years) | R210 per child (14 – 17 years & students). Get tickets online.

Where: Two Oceans Aquarium, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
Opening times: Monday – Sunday | 9am – 6pm

Website: www.aquarium.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @2oceansaquarium
Facebook: @TwoOceansAquarium