Information
Landmark: Underwater World PattayaCity: Pattaya
Country: Thailand
Continent: Asia
Underwater World Pattaya, Pattaya, Thailand, Asia
Overview
Underwater World Pattaya is a sleek, modern aquarium with a 100‑meter underwater tunnel, where you can watch sharks glide past, stingrays sweep the sand, and bright coral fish flicker in the blue light.In Pattaya, it’s a top spot for families, blending hands-on activities with learning and plenty of fun-think kids giggling as they try a puzzle or feed the koi.Underwater World Pattaya, Thailand’s first modern aquarium, opened in 2003 in South Pattaya along Sukhumvit Road.It’s home to over 5,000 marine creatures from more than 500 species, from tiny seahorses to graceful rays gliding overhead.Doors open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry at 5:30), with tickets at about 500 THB for adults, 300 THB for children between 90–130 cm, and free for kids under 90 cm.Visit in the morning or early afternoon to dodge the biggest crowds.Here’s what to see and do: the aquarium unfolds in distinct themed zones, each alive with its own kind of sea life, from darting silver minnows to slow, drifting jellyfish.First.In Touch Pool Zone A, visitors can roll up their sleeves and gently run their fingers over starfish and other marine creatures.You’ll see starfish clinging to rocks, sea cucumbers drifting slowly along the sand, small rays gliding like shadows, and even slender bamboo sharks cruising past.Perfect for kids eager to get nose-to-glass with darting fish and swaying seaweed.Number two.The coral reef bursts with life, sheltering clownfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish that flash like little sparks in the clear blue water.Showcases stunning artificial coral reefs, where bursts of orange and purple create a lively underwater scene.Three.The Open Ocean Zone is the star of the aquarium, with a 100-meter acrylic tunnel that arcs overhead like a shimmering blue ribbon.It gives you a full 360° view of the ocean world, where sharks glide past, stingrays sweep the sand, and massive fish drift in the blue.Overhead, sand tiger sharks glide past, blacktip reef sharks slice through the water, and massive groupers drift by like slow-moving shadows.Number four.The Giant of Siam Zone features massive freshwater fish, some as long as a canoe, from Thailand’s winding rivers and still, green lakes.You’ll find giant catfish, sleek freshwater stingrays, and the massive arapaima-one of the largest freshwater fish on Earth, with scales like polished armor.Five.In the Jellyfish Zone, glowing creatures drift through the water as soft, colorful lights ripple across their bodies.It’s a perfect spot to snap photos and unwind as jellyfish drift past, their pale bells pulsing like slow heartbeats.Number six sat there, simple and bare, like a lone digit scrawled in pencil on a scrap of paper.In the Koi Fish Feeding Zone, visitors can toss pellets to bright Japanese koi gliding through the shallow pond.You can buy special food to hand-feed the koi, watching their bright scales flash as they crowd near the surface.Unique moments that stand out, like the warm scent of fresh bread in the morning.Watch as skilled divers slip into the tunnel and hand-feed sharks, stingrays, and other massive sea creatures, their movements slow and sure in the blue-lit water.We feed them at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and again at 3:30, when the sun slants low across the yard.Number two.For thrill-seekers, you can slip into the tank and swim among sleek sharks and graceful rays gliding past just inches away.You’ll need to book ahead, and it’s open to certified divers as well as beginners who’ve completed training.Number three.Visitors can step up to the water’s edge and drop pellets to koi, turtles, and a few other curious marine creatures in marked feeding spots.It’s a great way for kids and families to have fun-think laughter, bright colors, and a little friendly chaos.Nearby Attractions: Pattaya Floating Market - a lively Thai-style marketplace set on the water, where you can browse handmade souvenirs and savor the smell of sizzling street food.Pattaya Dolphin World offers lively dolphin shows and hands-on encounters the whole family can enjoy, from splashes at the front row to feeding these playful creatures.Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark bursts with colorful, themed slides and lively attractions, from twisting tubes to splash zones that smell faintly of chlorine.Arrive early so you can wander through the attractions while the air’s still cool and the crowds haven’t arrived.Check the feeding schedule, and time your visit so you can catch the thrill of sharks snapping up their lunch and stingrays gliding in for theirs.Bring your camera-you’ll find plenty of amazing shots waiting inside, from shimmering schools of fish to jellyfish glowing like tiny lanterns.Wear comfortable shoes-you’ll be covering a lot of ground, including winding paths and a 100-meter tunnel that echoes with each step.In short, Underwater World Pattaya is a must for anyone who loves the sea, with hands-on exhibits and fascinating lessons-like watching bright clownfish weave through swaying coral.safe
