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A day at the Oceanogràfic

The Oceanogràfic of the City of Arts and Sciences is a marine centre in which the major seas and oceans of our planet are reproduced within a surface area of 110,000 m2 and a volume of 42 million litres of sea water.

The underwater voyage begins in tropical waters where you will discover the spectacular coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific region and the Caribbean and the colourful fish that live there.

You will then enter temperate waters by crossing an impressive 70-metre long tunnel in which you will find yourself surrounded by curious animals such as the horseshoe crab,one of the most ancient species, the guitarfish and the green moray. On the other side of the tunnel we come to the seals, the kelp forests in which a wide variety of starfish can be seen, and the sea bottoms of the Izu peninsula in Japan where the undisputed star animal is the Japanese spider crab, a species that can reach a length of 4 metres.

From the Temperate Zone we pass to the Wetlands, huge sphere inhabited by birds, fishes, and turtles characteristic of Mediterranean marsh and South American mangrove swamps, but not before coming to the aquariums holding the fascinating sea horses and sea dragons which look as if they have escaped from a cartoon series.

The Mediterráneo tower includes a representation of several marine environments such as that of our native Posidonia with its characteristic species, the sea bottom of ports and its fauna, a striking cuttlefish aquarium where you can admire this animal's mastery of the art of camouflage, and a fun installation that we call "the breaker", where you can enter an acrylic bell and feel from the inside how a waves breaks against a rocky cliff.

The next stop is that of the Islands where the sea lions come into the limelight, followed by the impressive Red Sea aquarium which is 17 metres long and where the visitor can contemplate species such as the Napoleon fish, the blacktip shark, or the surgeonfish, our "Dory" from the film "Finding Nemo".

From the warm waters of the Red Sea you will make the change to a polar environment, starting with the Antarctic region where you can observe the amusing gait of the King penguin, the most elegant of animals as their plumage resembles a tailcoat. A tunnel that simulates passing inside the Earth from the Antarctic to the Arctic regions will lead you into an igloo where our friendly belugas Yulka and Kairo live together with our "little" walruses.

Once you leave the polar environment you can immerse yourself in theOcéanos Tower, an incredible underwater passageway used by imposing sharks that will pass above your head and by other animals such as the sunfish, and the ray, among many others that will welcome you through the acrylic glass.

Finally, you can enjoy a fantastic dolphin show put on by the keepers of the dolphinarium. The sessions are known for their bioeducational nature and take place several times a day; in the high season there are four plus the star session, the Nights of the Oceanográfico at 22:45 h which combines synchronised swimming with dolphins.

You can also request a guided tour. Cross all the seas and discover the secrets kept by the Oceanográfico, secrets that will be revealed by our guides during your guided tour.

If you come this weekend

As well as enjoying the aquariums of the Oceanográfico which represent the principal marine ecosystems of the planet, if you come at the weekend don't miss the opportunity of enjoying the "Animalia Passport". This activity consists of a monographic guided tour on the world of mammals.

In groups of 15 the participants visit firstly the dolphinarium installations where they can get to know the kitchens and the type of food dolphins need. Moreover, the visitors can enter one of the swimming pools to interact with the animals and hear an explanation from a specialised instructor on the morphology of these mammals. The "Animalia Passport" visit continues in the area set aside for the sea lions", where they can be observed from just a few metres away and where visitors enter the technical area of the installation to hear a talk from a keeper in order to find out more details about them.

This is a very practical and interesting way in which especially children can get to know all the details of the life of these engaging animals.

Other interesting ideas for having fun in the Oceanogràfic on weekends are "Trainer for a day", "Visit the other side of the aquarium", or "Penguin Encounter".

Whould you like to sleep whith sharks?

Have you ever slept surrounded by sharks? Have you ever travelled in a single night through the Océanos, through the Mediterranean Sea, the Arctic, Antarctic, and Tropical areas? We offer you the opportunity to spend an adventurous night at the Oceanográfico with your friends, your parents, or your school. After a supper and a previous activity, you will have the chance to sleep surrounded by sharks in the Océanos Tower that represents a voyage through the Atlantic Ocean and where species such as the bull shark and the grey shark can be seen together with the sawfish and the sunfish, among others.

This suggestion from the City of Arts and Sciences is intended both for schools and for groups of friends with small children and families who want to experience a different and special day out with their children. Moreover, the next day you get to know the remaining installations of the Oceanográfico and perhaps also visit the Science Museum and attend a projection session at the Hemisfèric.

Guided tours

Cross all the seas and discover the secrets of the Oceanográfico, secrets that our guides will reveal during your guided tour.

To find out the prices of guided tours, consult our page of charges.

The Ocenográfico and more (combined tickets)

You can combine a visit to the Oceanográfico with one to the Hemisfèric or the Science Museum. Or you can go to all three. The City of Arts and Science gives you the possibility of buying a single ticket with which you can visit the Oceanográfico, the Science Museum, and also a projection at the Hemisfèric, either on the same day or on different ones whether consecutive or not.

Those visitors who wish to get to know our aquariums and marine species but are also interested in more interactive science can supplement their visit to the Oceanográfico with one to the Science Museum (Museum + Oceanográfico combined ticket) at a special price.

By the same token, Oceanográfico visitors who wish to be enveloped by the spectacular MAX Cinema may buy a combined ticket to both enclosures and attend the screening of a film as well as visiting the bioeducational exhibitions of the Oceanográfico.