Discover the strange and wonderful creatures that inhabit Thailand’s lakes, rivers and seas with a visit to the Phuket Aquarium!
If you’re visiting Thailand, there’s a good chance that Phuket will be high on your list of favorites. In the south of the country, the island offers heavenly beaches, tropical forests, Buddhist temples, lagoons and turquoise waters. Its exceptional seabed is ideal for snorkeling and diving. A visit to the Phuket Aquarium will introduce you to the aquatic world of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Located at the southernmost tip of Cape Panwa, surrounded by breathtaking bays and islands, the venue is part of the Phuket Marine Biology Centre (PMBC). From room to room, you’ll learn more about the lives of one hundred and fifty species from marine and freshwater habitats.
The Phuket Aquarium is an ideal family excursion. Children who are too young to dive will enjoy getting to know the multicolored fish. The place is air-conditioned and uncrowded. The visit is the perfect way to keep the kids busy on a rainy day or to escape the afternoon heat. Find all the information you need for your visit here!
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History of the Phuket Aquarium
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The Phuket Aquarium was established in 1983 as a unit of the renowned Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC). It reports to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Attached to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), the research institute was officially opened in 1966 as a cooperative venture between the Thai and Danish governments. It is one of Thailand’s oldest scientific institutions.
The PMBC regularly presents studies on tropical reef ecosystems. It also promotes the development of responsible commercial fishing. Its patrol and research vessel, the Chakthong Thongyai, the pride of the region, conducts campaigns in the Andaman Sea. Every year, the center organizes a summer university, welcoming student researchers from all over the country.
The Phuket Aquarium raises public awareness of the region’s aquatic and coastal environment. It attracts 300,000 visitors a year, including 40,000 foreign tourists. Although relatively modest in size, a visit to the aquarium is as educational as it is entertaining. It combines interactive exhibits and entertainment for young and old alike.
What to see and do at the Phuket Aquarium?
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A visit to the Phuket Aquarium allows you to discover the different habitats of aquatic fauna: forest streams, mangroves, coral reefs, deep seas… Over thirty aquariums of tropical freshwater and saltwater creatures delight tourists. Along the way, you’ll come across groupers, eels, crabs, shrimps, sharks and brightly-colored fish.
The tour allows you to appreciate the fascinating strangeness of the underwater world. Thanks to interactive screens, audio and video aids, you’ll learn many interesting things about local underwater life. All information is available in Thai and English. In addition to the names of the animals, the panels cover their environment, reproduction, species relationships and conservation issues.
The different basins
The Phuket Aquarium has thirteen tank areas. The tour starts with skeleton models of fish from the Andaman Sea and around the world. This is followed by small aquariums showing different deep-sea animals. The following rooms show the freshwater fish found in the rivers of the surrounding forests. The tour continues with panels recounting the legends of the mermaids (enjoy the unusual mermaid waving at you as you pass).
A little further on, you’ll have the chance to meet the clownfish, which you probably know from Nemo! The other aquariums plunge you into the life of corals and invertebrates, fish used for fishing in Thailand, as well as the mysterious creatures of deep waters, those that never see the sun.
The tunnel
The highlight of a visit to the Phuket Aquarium is undoubtedly the giant tank with its tunnel through which you can observe marine animals from all sides. Under this glass dome, you’re immersed in the ocean, surrounded by stingrays, groupers, napoleons and sharks.
Here‘s a tip: come at lunchtime on weekends, so you can watch the meal being served! As you leave the tunnel, eight giant groupers await you. Human-sized, they’ve been living in the aquarium for over twenty years! The last room features an exhibition on the December 2004 tsunami. Several photos show the damage caused in the immediate vicinity of the aquarium.
Turtle hatchery
Once you’ve visited the Phuket Aquarium’s main building, take a tour of the turtle nursery and hatchery. A pleasant nature trail takes you there. Sea turtles are raised in large tanks before being released back into the wild. The Phuket Marine Biology Center also takes in injured turtles and provides them with medical care. It is estimated that, in the wild, only one turtle in a thousand will survive to adulthood due to the human threat. The hatchery thus contributes to maintaining the sea turtle population. The site raises visitors’ awareness of the need to protect this endangered species. To carry out its protection missions, the institution works with other organizations such as the Mai Khao Foundation.
How do I get to the Phuket Aquarium?
A visit to the Phuket Aquarium can easily be included in a day trip to the Cape Panwa region in the south of the island. Its scenic roads, tranquil beaches and viewpoints are well worth the detour. With this in mind, the best way to get to the aquarium is by car or motorcycle.
However, there are other options for getting there:
- By bus: The Songthaew bus line runs from central Phuket to the aquarium.
- By cab or tuk tuk: the journey takes an hour from Patong and costs around 1,000 baht round trip.
- By car: The aquarium is on Sakdidet Road, at the very end of Cape Panwa, near the naval command base of the Thai Navy’s Third Zone. If you come by car, signs point the way to the aquarium along the footpath.
Tip: after your visit, take advantage of the end of the day to stroll along the waterfront. The area is full of charm, with street vendors and couples strolling hand in hand. For a breathtaking view of Cape Panwa, head to the Baba PoolClub at the Sri Panwa Villa Resort. The location is not cheap, but the panorama is breathtaking. The landscape is still quite wild, and the blue of the ocean merges with the lush vegetation.
Phuket Aquarium opening times & prices
SCHEDULES
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The Phuket Aquarium is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (please note that the ticket office closes at 4 p.m.).
RATES
- Adult : 180 baht
- Under 18s: 100 baht
- Children under 108 cm: Free
- Thai citizen: 50 baht adult / 20 baths child
GOOD TO KNOW
So that you have all the information in your head, here are the last things you need to know before visiting the Phuket Aquarium:
– Strollers are allowed inside the aquarium;
– It takes two hours to visit all the rooms;
– To watch the fish dinner, come at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday;
– There’s also a store where you can buy a few souvenirs;
– The aquarium has a snack bar for drinks and snacks;
– Electronic cigarettes are banned nationwide.