Two Oceans Aquarium: What to See and Do

The Two Oceans Aquarium is the heart and soul of Cape Town’s recreational relationship with the ocean. Since it opened in 1995, this unique and fascinating world of water creatures has offered us an insight into the ‘other home’ on our doorstep – a home of which many of us have very little knowledge.

The Two Oceans Aquarium lets us come eye to eye with turtles, sharks and rays, brightly coloured marine life in weird and wonderful forms, hilarious penguins, and any number of wondrous and mesmerising animals, plants and environments. Visitors can also enjoy a wide range of interactive experiences – dive in to our guide!

Two Oceans Aquarium: Your ticket to sea life

The Two Oceans Aquarium provides a safe home for a variety of sharks, penguins, turtles, and several species of octopuses, moray eels, crabs and jellyfish. There are plenty of ways to see, meet and interact with all these creatures – ask one of the friendly aquarium staff members or learn more about which animals you can see here.

Cost: General entry allows you to see the animals. R280 (adults), R210 (pensioners, students, and children age 14-18), R130 (children 4 – 13 years). FREE for children aged 3 and under. Book general entry here.

When: Daily, 9.30am to 6pm
Where: Two Oceans Aquarium, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Marine Sciences

High school students who love the ocean and the creatures within it can take Marine Sciences as a real, accredited Grade 10 to 12 subject, and applications are open now. The syllabus is written by the Aquarium’s experienced Ocean Campus team and approved by the Department of Basic Education, giving learners a deep understanding of marine biology, oceanography, ecosystems, and our relationship with the oceans.

Classes are run online, with self-assessments, live tutorials, and even hands-on practical experiences at the Aquarium, allowing students to get up close and personal with the ocean’s fascinating inhabitants.

Parents can find more information and register their children for the course via the website.

Get to know Blue

Back in 2018, South African authorities learned about an illegal shipment of four ragged-tooth sharks (raggies) at the airport. These rare critters are protected under South African law, which allowed the young sharks to be rescued and their illegal export was stopped. In the following days, it was ruled that the four would be rehabilitated and monitored at the Two Oceans Aquarium

They were named after the velociraptors from Jurassic World: Delta, Echo, Blue, and Charlie. Delta and Echo, essentially newborns, recovered quickly and were released back into the ocean soon after. Blue and Charlie, unfortunately, had to stay at the Aquarium’s Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit as evidence of the court case against their traffickers.

While there, the two became fan favourites among Aquarium visitors, while also serving as important ambassadors for the dangers of illegal shark trafficking. After years of care and support by the veterinary team, Blue was released back into her home waters happy and healthy earlier this year, after nearly doubling in length and more than sextupling in weight. She was outfitted with an acoustic tag, allowing scientists to track her migration and habitat use and gather important information about raggies that can help the rest of her species.

Blue’s story emphasises the importance of proper care for our ocean-based neighbours and how severely unlicensed capture can affect these creatures. As always, the health and safety of marine life, even scary-looking sharks, is vitally important to our co-existence with the ocean and its inhabitants. Those interested can learn more about Blue’s inspiring story via a short YouTube documentary here.

Dive with the Aquarium’s own PADI Dive School

The Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School offers three incredible all-weather scuba diving experiences for qualified scuba divers (Open Water-equivalent or higher). Choose between a dive with ragged-tooth sharks in the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit, swim with giant stingrays in the I&J Ocean Exhibit, or weave between the massive sea bamboo fronds in the Kelp Forest Exhibit, peeking at plenty of sea creatures.

Those who haven’t ever dived before can try out the three-hour, no-commitment Discover Scuba Diving training session, and discover whether diving is for them. These sessions count towards a full PADI Open Water Diver certification, the world’s most widely recognised diving qualification. More information is available on the website.

Cost: Prices vary based on experience and equipment. Active Aquarium members get 25% off.

Qualified scuba divers – R1 190 (all equipment provided) | R895 (when bringing own gear).
Refresher course – R1 890 (equipment provided) | R1595 (when bringing own gear).
First-time divers – R2595

All bookings can be made on the website.

When: Daily, 9.30am to 6pm
Where: Two Oceans Aquarium, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

The Dirty Skirts & Lost//Youth

The final of the three After Dark concerts showcases up-and-coming duo Lost//Youth alongside scene veterans The Dirty Skirts.

Lost//Youth are the most eclectic of all the After Dark-featured artists, pairing an alt-rock guitarist with an ethereal folk singer. The result is a unique musical experience, with their 2026 single, howl, mixing indie guitar riffs with spoken word poetry into a track that’s difficult to comprehend and even more difficult to put down.

After being forced to cancel their show last year, they’re back. The Dirty Skirts are no mystery to Cape Town’s indie-rock fans, best known during their run between 2004 and 2012. Their career highlights include being nominated for Best Rock Album at the SAMAs for their album Daddy Don’t Disco (2008) and winning Best Alternative Album at the SAMAs (2011) for their album Lost in the Fall.

Cost: Tickets SOLD OUT on the website.

When: Wednesday, 23 September 2026 | Doors open at 6.30pm | Music starts from 8pm
Where: Two Oceans Aquarium, V&A Waterfront

Trash Bash

Trash Bash is a beach cleanup event, hosted at various beaches by the Two Oceans Aquarium. The event is a great opportunity for families to come together, learn about the dangers of plastic pollution, and understand the importance of conservation awareness for biodiversity.

The Trash Bash is an initiative dedicated to tackling plastic pollution and raising awareness of its harmful effects on marine ecosystems. By rolling up your sleeves and participating, you’re making a real difference for the environment while enjoying a morning at the beach.

This month, the Trash Bash falls on International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day, with volunteers joining a global movement to clean our beaches and support our ocean ecosystems. Everyone is encouraged to bring hats, a bucket, and drinking water.

Cost: Free

When: 19 September | 9am – 11am
Where: Sunrise Beach (19 September) | Sunset Beach (14 November)

All About Trash Bash

Young Biologist Course (Grade 10)

These school holidays, let the kids follow their passions and learn more about the underwater world with the Two Oceans Aquarium’s Ocean Campus courses. With different courses designed for different age groups, each course tackles a different area of ocean education, from sustainability to biology.

The next course in the Aquarium’s calendar, this adventure is designed to connect Grade 10 students with the wonders of the marine world. Through coastal explorations, close encounters with marine life, hands-on experiments, and problem-solving activities in an eco-camp context, students gain both knowledge and practical skills while building a deeper appreciation for our oceans.

The course links directly to Life Sciences and Marine Sciences, enriching their school journey, sparking a lifelong passion for the environment, and providing a solid foundation for academic and personal growth. Students also hear from inspiring guest speakers who introduce them to a variety of ocean-related careers. No prior experience is needed, and 40 Grade 10 learners are allowed into the programme. Applications must be submitted by 11 September.

When: 26 September – 2 October 2026. Register here.

All About the Ocean Campus

Daily Programme

The Aquarium’s daily schedule features everything from feeding time to puppet shows.

Puppet shows

Every day, children ages 3-9 can enjoy entertaining and educational marine-themed shows. Crowd favourites like Peter the Penguin, Dolly the Dolphin, and Sally the Seal teach them about the ocean, its creatures, and its importance. There are three of these shows per day – starting at 10.30am, then 1.30pm, and a final one at 3.30pm.

Feeding time

During these sessions, all ages can marvel at learning more about the various sea creatures as they enjoy their daily meals. The animals are often lively and interactive when it’s feeding time, making it the perfect opportunity to arrive at the different exhibits and pay them a visit.

Penguins are fed twice a day, at 11.30am and 2.30pm. Other exhibits are fed on a specific schedule, each happening at 12pm (noon):

Sharks: Saturdays.
Stingrays: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Kelp forests: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

Keeping the daily programme in mind, visitors can plan their journey through the Aquarium and see their favourite exhibits, animals, and shows at the perfect time.

PADI Conscious Dive Career Internship

Designed with beginners in mind, this programme is a full-time, structured journey for anyone who wants to build the confidence, practical ability, and discipline needed to work in the dive industry. Interns gain advanced dive training, hands-on experience at the Aquarium, and exposure to various departments and operations that are key to working in the industry – all in one integrated, cohesive package.

The internship is available to anyone over 18 with a valid driver’s license who is passionate about diving, the ocean, and its conservation. Interested candidates must be willing to commit to full-time work and be comfortable working in a public-facing environment.

Whether candidates want to start their own diving business or even work at the Two Oceans Aquarium itself, this internship programme is an ideal way to start working towards those goals.

Become a professional diver & marine guide in 2026

NEW: Tracey-Lee the Ragged-Tooth Shark at the Aquarium

At the Two Oceans Aquarium, visitors from all over the world flock to get a closer look at some of the ocean’s most beautiful, majestic, and quirky life forms. The newest addition to the group is Tracey-Lee, a 50kg ragged-tooth shark.

Tracey-Lee was carefully transported to her new home by the team at the Two Oceans Aquarium, and will call the space home for a few years before she is released back into the ocean.

For visitors to the Aquarium, Tracey-Lee is an exciting addition to the majestic group of raggies. She is significantly smaller than the other raggies, Jemma, Harper, Blue, and Charlie, which makes it much easier for visitors to spot her as she floats along the bottom of the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit.

Marine Exhibits at the Two Oceans Aquarium

The Two Oceans Aquarium is divided into different exhibit areas:

The Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit allows visitors a close encounter with some of the most misunderstood species in South Africa’s oceans, including ragged-tooth sharks. Stand at the huge window or walk through the viewing ramp to get up close.
The I&J Ocean Exhibit is filled with large rays, mussel crackers, green sea turtles, indigenous fishes and other marine animals.
The Kelp Forest Exhibit is an underwater forest that will have you feeling like you’re in another world where even the tree trunks sway in the breeze and fish swim through the algae fronds.
The Microscope Exhibit is a fascinating collection of delicate tentacles, tube feet, suckers and nippers, where the aquarium’s incredible microscope magnifies marine marvels.
At The Penguin Exhibit you’ll find the friendly and quirky colony of African penguins, rescued Northern rockhopper penguins, and many other animals.
The Diversity Gallery features an exciting variety of marine life from the warm Indian and cold Atlantic Oceans. This is where you’ll see ‘Nemo’ (the Western Clownfish), other brightly coloured fish, and weird-looking plant-like animals called anemones, as well as numerous other sea creatures.

Behind the Scenes Guided Tour

Visitors also have the option to be guided through all the ‘behind the scenes’ aspects of the Two Oceans Aquarium and chat with some of the members of the amazing team. Take a peek behind the closed doors to see the people, systems and little-known areas that keep the underwater world alive. See animals being fed and cared for, and discover a whole new perspective on the creatures and exhibits. Learn from the experts as they share fascinating information about how they make the Aquarium magic happen. Everyone aged 8 and up is welcome to join this tour.

Bookings are limited to 8 people per tour and include general access to the Aquarium’s public areas for the day. Active annual members receive a 25% discount on all experiences.

Cost: R835 (adults) | R655 (ages 8 – 17).

Bookings can be made using the website.

When: 10am and 1pm daily. Arrive 15 minutes early to sign the indemnity form. Tours last 75 minutes on average.
Where: Two Oceans Aquarium Visitor Centre, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Meet the Penguins

Here’s a chance to meet the little ‘suited’ cuties: African penguins (native) and northern rockhopper penguins (rescued). This interactive, educational penguin experience allows one or two people to join the Two Oceans Aquarium bird keeper for a face-to-face meeting with the feathered friends, to learn how the penguins are cared for, and hear the stories of how individual penguins found a home at the Aquarium.

Cost: R1005 (adults) | R810 (ages 8 – 17).

Bookings can be made using the website.

When: Tues – Sun | 10.30am – 12pm
Where: Kelp Forest Exhibit, Two Oceans Aquarium, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Special Offers at the Two Oceans Aquarium

Annual membership

With an annual donation to the Aquarium, members get a ton of benefits that make visits even more enticing. Members can visit the Aquarium any (or every) day of the week for the entire year, for free. They also get several discounts, including 25% off on all tours and diving experiences, and 10% off at the gift shop and the local Bootlegger Coffee. Finally, members receive invitations to exclusive events and access to fresh seawater for use in home aquariums.

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. Guests must please remember to bring their supper, snacks, and drinking water; a sleeping bag and mattress; toiletries; and a change of clothes.

Cost: R395 (adults) | R380 (kids 2-17). Email [email protected] to secure your spot.
When: 27 June 2026 | 6.30pm (Sat) – 8am (Sun)

For more information, visit the website.

Membership (per annum): R670 (adults) | R520 (children 14-17, pensioners, au pairs & students) | R330 (children 4-13) | Free (Children under 4)
Free birthday entry: Enjoy a free visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium. Bring your SA ID along to show your birth date.
After 3pm Special: Buy your ticket at the aquarium ticket office after 3pm for entry on the same day, and you’ll qualify for a discount – find out more here.
Cape Town Unlimited City Pass: This is an affordable bundle of entries providing access to more than 70 top local tourist attractions in Cape Town. Find out more here.

Need to know

The Two Oceans Aquarium is the ultimate sealife destination in Cape Town. Whether booking a tour, meeting the penguins, or simply visiting for the day, there’s always something new to learn about the ocean.

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