Joanna James
Offering visitors a glimpse of life underwater, the world's finest aquariums surpass all expectations of what a marine sanctuary can encompass. Here are eight of the world's most awe-inspiring aquariums in terms of size, design, and creature inhabitants.
As one of Asia's premier holiday hotspots, it should come as no surprise that Singapore is home to one of the world's most impressive aquariums. Showcasing more than a hundred thousand underwater creatures, the S.E.A. Aquarium is divided into more than 50 habitats that mimic the natural environment in which the resident species dwell underwater. The many interactive exhibits and the conservation programs in place make S.E.A. Aquarium a big hit with families.
Ranked as the largest aquarium in the world, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan is considered the finest marine life sanctuary on the planet due to its extensive collection of marine species that number well over 740. Visitors can catch a glimpse of the elusive whale shark and countless other rare and majestic marine species during a trip to this expansive enclosure.
The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is perhaps best known as the home of the globe's largest sand shark collection but there's more to this desert aquarium than its most impressive inhabitants. Offering travellers the chance to engage in a glass-bottom boat tour as well as submersible simulators, it is little wonder a trip to the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is ranked among the best things to do in Dubai.
Having opened its doors to the public back in 2005, the Georgia Aquarium was the biggest in the world until 2012. As the only aquarium to contain a whale shark exhibit outside of Asia, a trip to the Georgia Aquarium is a must for those who are vacationing in Atlanta.
A whopping 12,000 marine inhabitants call the Aquarium of Genoa in Italy their watery home while nearly 1.2 million visitors tour the venue each year. Spread out across 70 water tanks, the Aquarium of Genoa is housed within a structure that resembles a cruise liner or ship set to sail.
Divided into 16 exhibits, the fascinating inhabitants of Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan are contained within 27 massive tanks that are home to creatures that are native to the Pacific Ocean's Ring of Fire region. Its newly-built Interactive Area is the main draw for nature lovers who wish to engage in one-on-one encounters with marine life.
Spread out over 110,000 square metres, the iconic Oceanográfic Aquarium is among the biggest such complexes in all of Europe. Listed among the top aquariums in the world on travel portals such as My Entertainment Hub and others, no visit to Europe would be complete without a stopover at this mammoth compound.
With more than 16,000 creatures to its name, the Ripley's Aquarium of Canada also showcases freshwater species, unlike most aquariums, which devote more tanks to saltwater species.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
