Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium | Auckland

Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium is one of Auckland’s top family attractions, featuring a diverse range of marine life, interactive exhibits, and New Zealand’s largest collection of sharks and penguins. Located on the waterfront of Ōrākei, just minutes from the city center, it offers an immersive underwater experience.

Key Highlights of Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium:

1. Shark Tunnel – New Zealand’s First Underwater Viewing Tunnel

• The Shark Tunnel is one of the aquarium’s most famous attractions.
• Visitors walk through a glass tunnel surrounded by sharks, stingrays, and large fish.
• Species include sand tiger sharks, wobbegong sharks, and broadnose sevengill sharks.

2. Antarctic Ice Adventure – Home to New Zealand’s Largest Penguin Colony

• A huge Antarctic exhibit featuring king penguins and gentoo penguins.
• Visitors can see penguins up close in a sub-Antarctic environment with real ice and snow.
• Penguin Encounter Experience allows guests to go behind the scenes and feed the penguins.

3. Seahorse Kingdom and Ocean Discovery

• One of the world’s largest seahorse breeding programs.
• Displays of colorful reef fish, jellyfish, moray eels, and tropical marine life.

4. Turtle Rescue Centre

• A dedicated facility for rehabilitating injured sea turtles.
• Visitors can learn about conservation efforts to protect endangered marine species.

5. Stingray Bay

• A large, open pool with giant stingrays swimming gracefully.
• Visitors can watch stingrays being fed by divers.

6. Interactive Rock Pools

• A hands-on experience where visitors can touch starfish, sea cucumbers, and sea anemones.

7. Shark Cage Adventure (For the Brave)

• An optional Shark Dive Xtreme experience, where visitors can swim with sharks in a controlled environment.
• No diving experience needed, making it one of the most thrilling activities in Auckland.

Interesting Facts

• Founded in 1985 by marine archaeologist Kelly Tarlton, the aquarium was one of the first to use curved glass tunnels for underwater viewing.
• It houses over 30 live animal exhibits with thousands of marine creatures.
• The penguin exhibit replicates Antarctic conditions, including temperature-controlled snow and ice.

Visitor Information

• Opening Hours: Typically open daily from 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM, but hours may vary.
• Admission: Entry fees apply; discounts available for families and online bookings.
• How to Get There: Located a 10-minute drive from Auckland CBD, with a free shuttle bus running from downtown.
• Best Time to Visit: Early mornings or weekdays for fewer crowds.

Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium is a must-visit for its incredible marine life, interactive exhibits, and conservation programs, making it one of Auckland’s best attractions for families, nature lovers, and adventure seekers.