The Biggest Aquariums In The World

Beloved by children and adults alike, aquariums are a great source of both entertainment and education. Some aquariums can be as small as a glass bowl, but there are much larger aquariums that can hold an entire ecosystem. Here are some of the world’s largest aquariums.

1. Chimelong Ocean Kingdom

The Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is located in the city of Zhuhai, in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong. Its water volume is 12.9 million gallons, making it the largest aquarium in the world. It contains seven aquatic-themed areas, each of which represents different parts of the ocean. Most popular among the Kingdom’s attractions is the Whale Shark tank, which is the largest aquarium tank in the world all on its own. In fact, the Whale Shark tank alone contains six million gallons of water, or nearly half of the whole aquarium’s water volume. People can view the whale sharks through the world’s biggest underwater dome, or through an acrylic window, which, conveniently, is also the largest in the world.

2. Marine Life Park

Marine Life Park contains 12 million gallons of water, making it the second-largest aquarium in the world. Located in the Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore, the aquarium boasts marine wildlife from more than 800 species. It features ten zones with 49 habitats, and its main attraction is the Open Ocean tank, which contains 50,000 animals.

3. Oceanogràfic

Based in Valencia, Spain, Oceanogràfic is the largest aquarium in Europe, containing 11 million gallons of water, which is sourced from the Mediterranean Sea. The facility is composed of several areas and habitats, and includes an aviary, a crocodile reserve, and a dolphinarium. It also boasts Europe's largest underwater tunnel. 

4. Georgia Aquarium

As its name implies, the Georgia Aquarium is based in the US state of Georgia, in the city of Atlanta. It contains 10 million gallons of water and is the largest aquarium in the US. Visitors have the opportunity to swim and dive with various marine species, including whale sharks, manta rays, and other aquatic species.

5. Moscow Oceanarium

Russia’s capital, Moscow, is home to the Moscow Oceanarium, otherwise known as Moskvarium. The facility contains 6.6 million gallons of water, and boasts over six thousand exhibits. You can also purchase fish and other supplies for your own aquarium at the facility.

6. The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Part of the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World, based in Orlando, Florida, The Sea with Nemo & Friends contains 5.7 million gallons of water. The aquarium features a type of ride, in which visitors board “clamobiles” and go underwater to view the aquarium’s residents and search for Nemo. 

7. Shedd Aquarium

Located in Chicago, Illinois, the Shedd Aquarium is one of the world’s oldest aquariums, having been built in 1929. The facility, which holds 5 million gallons of water, boasts several exhibits, including the Abbot Oceanarium, the Polar Play Zone, and Amazon Rising.

8. uShaka Marine World

uShaka Marine World is located in Durban, South Africa. It has a capacity of 4.6 million gallons of water, and has several attractions, such as Sea World, where visitors can view performances by dolphins and seals.

9. Atlantic Sea Park

Atlantic Sea Park is located in Norway and contains 4 million gallons of water. Children visiting this aquarium can hunt for crabs, feed fish in a touch pool, watch seals being fed, and view scuba diving shows. Visitors can also learn about the deepwater fish in Norway’s fjords.

10. Ambassador Lagoon

The Ambassador Lagoon is located in the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest open-air aquarium in the Middle East and contains 2.9 million gallons of water. Visitors to this aquarium have the opportunity to swim with the facility’s resident dolphins.