Booking choice: The SEA LIFE London ticket, timed entry with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Book this Compare the options below
The first Sea Life Centre opened in Oban, Scotland, in 1979. The chain now belongs to Merlin Entertainments, which in 2023 described 50 aquariums and six sanctuaries, including the Beluga Whale Sanctuary in Iceland run by the SEA LIFE TRUST, under its BREED, RESCUE, PROTECT programme. SEA LIFE Brighton, opened in 1872 as the Brighton Aquarium, is described as the oldest continuously operating aquarium in the world.
This guide gives a short profile of ten SEA LIFE aquariums sold on GetYourGuide, then a table to compare them.
The quick answer
It depends on the measure. Bangkok is described as the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, at 10,000 square metres and 5 million litres; Minnesota holds 1.3 million US gallons with a 300-foot tunnel. Neither is among the world's largest aquariums, and no SEA LIFE is.
What is SEA LIFE?
A chain of aquariums owned by Merlin Entertainments, with about fifty sites. Each ticket is for one building.
Merlin's 2023 figures describe more than 20 million guests a year and over 180,000 creatures across the chain. In early 2025, trade press reported that Merlin was exploring the sale of several aquariums, with London, Birmingham and Manchester not for sale. SEA LIFE is not connected to SeaWorld; see SEA LIFE vs SeaWorld.
Which SEA LIFE is the biggest?
By water volume and floor area, Bangkok and Minnesota stand out among the ten here. By species, London lists more than 500 and Melbourne more than 550.
Bangkok is given as 10,000 square metres and 5 million litres, and is described as the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia. Minnesota holds 1.3 million US gallons, which is in the same range. Arizona, by contrast, covers 26,000 square feet. None of these is among the world's largest aquariums, which is worth knowing before you plan a day around one.
Southeast Asia's largest aquarium, in the basement of Siam Paragon.
Book thisWhat is SEA LIFE London like?
The flagship, in County Hall next to the London Eye, with 14 zones over 3 floors and the Shark Walk.
The London listing describes more than 500 species, 65 displays and 10 shark species under the glass Shark Walk, plus gentoo penguins in Polar Adventure. The operator estimates one and a half to two hours. Details in our SEA LIFE London tickets guide.
The SEA LIFE flagship on the South Bank: Shark Walk, gentoo penguins and 14 zones on a timed ticket.
Book thisWhat are the SEA LIFE aquariums in Australia like?
Sydney is known for Pig the rescued dugong and the Penguin Expedition raft ride; Melbourne for its 2.2 million litre Oceanarium.
Sydney, at Darling Harbour, has nine zones and 13 shark species on the official count; Dugong Island is currently closed and Pig is in Day and Night on the Reef. Melbourne, on the Yarra, has 12 zones, king and gentoo penguins, a crocodile and a 4D cinema. Both are compared in SEA LIFE Sydney vs Melbourne.
What are the SEA LIFE aquariums in the United States like?
Orlando has a 360-degree ocean tunnel at ICON Park, Arizona has rescued green sea turtles in Tempe, and Minnesota has a 300-foot tunnel at Mall of America.
- Orlando: more than 5,000 creatures, a 360-degree ocean tunnel, a Jelly Wall and the Coastal Rockpool; one to two hours on the listing.
- Arizona: 26,000 square feet at Arizona Mills, a 360-degree tunnel and a 161,000-gallon turtle display with the rescued turtles Ziva and Donna; LEGOLAND Discovery Center is next door.
- Minnesota: opened in 1996 as UnderWater World; a 300-foot tunnel in four sections (Sturgeon Lake, Wild Amazon, Shark Cove and Rainbow Reef), more than 10,000 animals; about an hour on the listing.
Mall of America's aquarium: a 300-foot tunnel in four sections, with free parking at the mall.
Book thisWhat is SEA LIFE Bangkok like?
A large basement aquarium under Siam Paragon, with 11 zones, a 270-degree tunnel, gentoo penguins, otters, a 4D cinema and a glass-bottom boat.
It opened in 2005 as Siam Ocean World and came under Merlin in 2011. The listing gives more than 400 species and 30,000 creatures, opening hours of 10:00 to 20:00 with last entry at 19:00, and feeds and talks between 11:30 and 16:30. The listing also states no re-entry and asks visitors to bring a passport or ID copy.
What are the SEA LIFE aquariums in Europe like?
Munich focuses on sharks, Paris Val d'Europe on king and gentoo penguins, and Benalmadena is a small Mediterranean aquarium on the Costa del Sol.
- Munich (Olympiapark): more than 3,000 sea creatures, over 35 aquariums, an 8-metre ocean tunnel and more than 20 shark species, with a route from the Isar to a tropical ocean.
- Paris Val d'Europe (Serris, next to Disneyland Paris): more than 2,250 creatures, described by the operator as the only king and gentoo penguins in the Paris region, and the Atlantis zone with sharks and turtles; the listing states no re-entry.
- Benalmadena (Puerto Marina): a 180-degree tunnel, a green turtle, an Amazonia zone, otters and a bio-beach rockpool; visitors report about an hour.
How do the ten SEA LIFE aquariums compare?
The table sets out where each is, its signature exhibit and how long to allow, using operator or listing figures where they exist.
Where no time is given by the operator or the listing, the table says so rather than guessing.
| Aquarium | Where | Signature exhibit | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | County Hall, South Bank | Shark Walk, gentoo penguins | 90 minutes to 2 hours (operator) |
| Sydney | Darling Harbour | Pig the dugong, Penguin Expedition | 90 minutes to 2 hours (operator) |
| Melbourne | Flinders St and King St, Yarra River | 2.2 million litre Oceanarium | 90 minutes to 2 hours, up to 3 with talks (operator) |
| Orlando | ICON Park, International Drive | 360-degree ocean tunnel, Jelly Wall | 1 to 2 hours (listing) |
| Arizona | Arizona Mills, Tempe | Green sea turtle display | Not stated |
| Minnesota | Mall of America, Bloomington | 300-foot tunnel in four sections | About an hour (listing) |
| Bangkok | Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Road | 270-degree tunnel, glass-bottom boat | Not stated |
| Munich | Olympiapark | Over 20 shark species, 8-metre tunnel | Not stated |
| Paris Val d'Europe | Serris, next to Disneyland Paris | King and gentoo penguins | Not stated |
| Benalmadena | Puerto Marina, Costa del Sol | 180-degree tunnel, bio-beach rockpool | About an hour (visitor accounts) |
Bangkok's aquarium under Siam Paragon: a 270-degree tunnel, penguins and a glass-bottom boat, open until 20:00.
Book thisFrequently asked questions
Which is the biggest SEA LIFE aquarium?
It depends on the measure. Bangkok is described as the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, at 10,000 square metres and 5 million litres; Minnesota holds 1.3 million US gallons.
Where was the first SEA LIFE?
The first Sea Life Centre opened in Oban, Scotland, in 1979.
How many SEA LIFE aquariums are there?
Merlin's 2023 release describes 50 aquariums and six sanctuaries.
Which SEA LIFE is the oldest?
SEA LIFE Brighton, opened in 1872 as the Brighton Aquarium, is described as the oldest continuously operating aquarium in the world.
Ready to book
Choose your aquarium
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Timed e-tickets on GetYourGuide.
SEA LIFE London Entry Ticket
- Entry to SEA LIFE London Aquarium at your booked time slot
- Mobile e-ticket: scan it at the timed-entry door
- Infants under 2 free, but they still need a ticket; under-16s with an adult aged 18 or over
SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World Entry Ticket
Southeast Asia's largest aquarium, in a mall basement
SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium Entry Ticket
A 300-foot tunnel under the biggest mall in the United States
