Valencia Aquarium Oceanografic

This is the largest aquarium in Europe, with the capacity to house 45,000 living creatures from 500 different species. The planet's main marine ecosystems are represented here.

Its avant-garde architecture, the layout of the different aquaria and its scientific, recreational, and educational objectives bring the marine world to the public, raising awareness about protection of its flora and fauna. It serves, moreover, as a platform for scientific research.

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How long does it take to visit the Oceanogràfic?

Visiting the Oceanogràfic takes at least three to four hours. If you also want to attend the dolphin show, you'll need a bit more time. Several dolphin shows are held daily, each lasting around an hour.

The Oceanogràfic is made up of different buildings, housing examples of the most important ecosystems from each of the planet's seas and oceans:

Mediterranean:

This shows a portion of the Mediterranean’s biological wealth through an exhibition of nine aquaria, each in a different format depending on the habitat presented, with around 7,400 examples of fish and invertebrates.

Wetlands:

A spectacular 26 metre high sphere simulates the environments of two of the most unique wet zones on the planet: American mangrove swamps and Mediterranean marshes.

Temperate and Tropical:

You are invited to make a journey from the temperate regions of the Pacific and Atlantic to the warm waters of the Indian and Caribbean via aquaria connected by a fantastic 70 metre long underwater tunnel, the longest in Europe.

Oceans:

With a volume of 7 million cubic metres, this aquarium is the largest of all the aquaria in the Oceanogràfic, and one of the largest in the world. It depicts a journey through the Atlantic, from the Canary Islands to Bermuda, through a tunnel where you can view species such as the sand shark and the cow shark among others.

Antarctic:

A colony of penguins is the protagonist in this recreation of a rocky cliff, with areas for laying eggs and raising young.

Arctic:

The Arctic area is found under a great dome in the style of an igloo. In it, rocky cliffs and blocks of ice make up the habitat of walruses and beluga whales, one of the most unique marine mammals on the planet.

Islands:

Located outdoors, this installation takes its inspiration from the islands located along the South American coastline, characterised by the presence of large colonies of Patagonian sea lions.

Red Sea/Underwater Auditorium: 

A large room crowned with a roof shaped like a scallop shell. Inside is the 466 person capacity auditorium, with a spectacular aquarium portraying the Red Sea creating the backdrop.

Dolphinarium: 

This is one of the largest dolphinariums in the world, with 26 million cubic metres of water, and a depth of 10.5 metres. With a total of 5 pools, this facility can house groups of about 30 dolphins, making it the largest in Europe.

Crocodile Exhibit

A large open-air space featuring an area dedicated to crocodile nesting.

Underwater Restaurant:

Located in the centre of the complex, this is the most emblematic building of the Oceanogràfic, given the peculiarity of its roof. Designed by Félix Candela, it brings to mind a figure similar to a water lily. It has a large aquarium on the lower floor. 

Furthermore, in the Oceanogràfic we find the Education and Research Building, the Area for the Recovery and Conservation of Marine Fau, the Access Building, as well as shops and catering outlets.

What animals and species live at the Oceanogràfic?

The Oceanogràfic is home to 500 different species of all colors, sizes, and shapes. Some come from the sea, others from rivers or lakes, and some have even been rescued. Here you’ll encounter shimmering fish, amazing sharks, traveling turtles, magical jellyfish, curious birds, and many more fascinating creatures.

🐠 Fish

• Colorful and curious: Clownfish, Blue tang, Pufferfish, Pineapplefish, Boxfish (yellow and horned), Napoleon wrasse, Leaf fish, Bishop fish, Guitarfish, Pirate fish.

• Large or special: Sharks like hammerhead, zebra, bull, nurse, carpet..., Mosaic ray, Razorfish, Sea bass, Mojarra, Barracuda.

• Camouflage and oddities: Red scorpionfish, Wrasse, Pardete, Salema.

🦑 Marine Invertebrates

• Jellyfish such as the glowing jellyfish, fried egg jellyfish, white-spotted jellyfish, edible jellyfish, and mosaic jellyfish.

• Other invertebrates: Portuguese man o’ war, Anemone, Sea nettles (from Japan and the Pacific), Rock octopus, Common lobster, Mantis shrimp, Crabs (giant spider and horseshoe crab).

🐢 Aquatic Reptiles

• Turtles: Loggerhead, Green, Mediterranean, Aldabra giant, Hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley.

• Terrapins: European, Florida, Leprous.

• African slender-snouted crocodile.

🐬 Marine Mammals

• Dolphins, seals, and sea lions.

• Belugas: Including Plombir and Miranda, two rescued belugas.

🐧 Aquatic Birds

• Penguins: Always a favorite.

• Other interesting birds: Scarlet ibis, Spoonbills (white and roseate), Cormorant, Herons (cattle egret, green heron, little egret), Black-crowned night heron, Hawaiian goose, Common shelduck, Horned coot, Glossy ibis.

🐸 Amphibians

• Common frog, Gallipato (Spanish ribbed newt).