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. R250 (adults), R185 (pensioners, students, and children age 14-18), R115 (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

Meet the Amazing NEW Shaggy Sponge Crab at the Two Oceans Aquarium

A fascinating addition has joined the exhibits at the Two Oceans Aquarium – the shaggy sponge crab, a true master of underwater camouflage. Amongst the strange and wonderful underwater creatures you can experience, this fluffy and peculiar crab is an exciting new addition to add to your 2025 bucket list!

The shaggy sponge crab has a one-of-a-kind talent for accessorising! To stay hidden from predators, it cuts and shapes sponge or seaweed into a ‘hat’ that it wears on its back. This clever disguise provides the crab with excellent camouflage, making it nearly invisible in its underwater surroundings.

Visit the Two Oceans Aquarium this year and witness this fluffy, bizarre underwater marvel for yourself.

Cost: General entry R250 (adults), R185 (pensioners, students, and children 14-18), R115 (children 4 – 13). FREE for children U4. Book general entry here. Annual memberships are priced at just over the cost of two visits, and allow for unlimited visits, plus benefits.

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

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.

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

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.

Note: If you have not dived in 6 months, a PADI Refresher course is required, which is offered at the Aquarium. The refresher course costs R1 890 (equipment provided) or R1595 (when you bring your own gear). Active members get 25% off.
Haven’t dived before? Take the PADI Diving Course first – book here.

Cost for dive (for qualified scuba divers): R1 190 (all equipment provided). R895 (when you bring your own gear). Active members get 25% off. Book here

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

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.

Cost: R740 (adults), R580 (ages 8 – 17). 8 people max per tour. The price includes general access to the public areas of the aquarium for the day, too. Active annual members receive a 25% discount on all experiences. Book via email: [email protected]

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: R890 (adults), R715 (children age 8 and up only). Book via email: [email protected]

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

School Holidays at the Two Oceans Aquarium

Are you looking for an unforgettable school holiday experience for the whole family? Look no further than the Two Oceans Aquarium. The Aquarium is offering multiple fun activities for kids this school holiday, as well as longer opening hours (open daily from 9am to 6pm in the holidays – 19 March to 7 April 2025).

Let the kids get their face painted by Jasmine, the Face Painting Fairy, from 29 March to 7 April at the I&J Children’s Play Centre, or laugh along with them at the puppet show, featuring character such as Sally the Seal and Henry the Seahorse. Kids can also enjoy watching feeding time for both the sharks and the penguins, or explore the various beautiful creatures the ocean has to offer.

Find out more information on the school holiday website.

Special Offers at the Two Oceans Aquarium

Free birthday entry: Enjoy a free visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium. The special has been extended to include your entire birthday month, valide until 31 March 2026. 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.
Where: Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town

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