The Biggest Aquariums In The World

With water accounting for 71% of the earth’s surface, a large portion of the planet remains unexplored. In fact, scientists continue to discover over 2,000 new marine species every year, reminding us of the water’s vast and mysterious depths. Although the majority of humankind will never explore the depths of the sea or dive along the lake floor, aquariums all over the world offer a small glimpse into the underwater world.

As far as record holders are concerned, Chimelong Spaceship, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and Chimelong Ocean Kingdom are three of the largest aquariums in the world— Chimelong Spaceship alone holds over 75 million liters of water across several tanks that house thousands of different aquatic animals to admire.

The 10 Largest Aquariums Around The World

1. Chimelong Spaceship - Zhuhai, China

Designed by Lecacy Entertainment, a California-based firm, Chimelong Spaceship officially opened in 2023 in Zhuhai, China, making it both the largest aquarium and indoor theme park in the world. It has also received a Guinness World Record for having the world’s largest aquarium tank at 56,450,136 liters (12,417,288 gallons). The aquarium contains 38 tanks, housing over 300 different species, including large species such as tiger sharks and orcas. It also has won the Guinness World Record as the largest Living Coral Reef Exhibit, featuring over ten coral tanks spanning an exhibit of 2,848,562 liters (626,595 gallons).

2. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi - Yas Island, United Arab Emirates

After being under construction since 2016, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, on Yas Island, opened in May of 2023, making it the second-biggest aquarium today with 58,000,000 L (15,320,000 U.S. gal). The park contains eight different sea life environments known as “realms,” ranging from arctic to tropical environments. Within the eight “realms,” there are over 150 species of marine animals, 35 interactive experiences and rides, 17 dining options, and 13 retail locations. Some of the diverse animal species include sea turtles, rays, walruses, and dolphins. The aquarium’s largest tank consists of 25,000,000 L (6,604,000 U.S. gal).

3. Chimelong Ocean Kingdom - Zhuhai, China

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, part of the same resort as Chimelong Spaceship, opened in 2014 in Zhuhai, China. It was the world’s largest aquarium until 2023 when both SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Chimelong Spaceship opened. The aquarium is home to around 15,000 fish, which are distributed throughout eight different theme areas. There are also seven thematic restaurants, one of which is an undersea restaurant where visitors can eat while enjoying a panoramic view of various rare marine animals. The aquatic species in the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom include the giant Pacific octopus, polar bears, capybaras, green sea turtles, whale sharks, and sand tiger sharks.

4. S.E.A. Aquarium - Singapore

S.E.A. Aquarium is the fourth largest aquarium in the world, featuring 45,200,000 L (11,940,000 U.S. gal) of tanks. It maintained a Guinness Record for the largest aquarium from 2012 to 2014 until the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom opened. It features over 100,000 marine animals and 1,000 species distributed in 40 different environments. One of the aquarium’s most famous attractions is its 36-meter (39-yard) underwater tunnel that allows visitors to immerse themselves in the water, viewing diverse marine species. Hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, giant groupers, and the red-bellied pacu, a native species to Asia, are a few of the species on display.

5. L'Oceanogràfic - Valencia, Spain

Holding a total of 41,600,000 L (10,990,000 U.S. gal) of water, L'Oceanogràfic in Valencia, Spain, is the fifth largest aquarium in the world. It is also the largest aquarium in Europe and houses around 45,000 animals and 500 species. The aquarium consists of ten different habitats, including a Mediterranean environment, the Arctic Ocean, the Red Sea, and the tropics. The facility uses seawater pumped from La Malva-Rosa beach. It also features the longest underwater tunnel in Europe and is home to key species such as beluga whales, Angel Sharks, Barrel Jellyfish, and Blacktip reef sharks.

6. Georgia Aquarium - Atlanta, USA

With 41,640,000 L (11,000,000 U.S. gal) of water, the Georgia Aquarium is the sixth biggest aquarium in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. It held the world record as the largest aquarium until the S.E.A. Aquarium in Singapore opened in 2012. Today, it houses over 500 species of animals and is one of the only five aquariums in the world to have whale sharks. Since its opening in 2005, over 42 million people have visited the aquarium. The marine animals reside throughout seven different galleries and exhibits.

7. Moscow Oceanarium (Moskvarium) - Moscow, Russia

Featuring a total of 25,000,000 L (6,604,000 U.S. gal) of water, the Moscow Oceanarium, also known as the Moskvarium, is the seventh biggest aquarium in the world. Open since 2015, it consists of three different zones: The Aquarium, the Swimming with Dolphins Centre, and the Aquatic Show Zone. Within the aquarium, there are around 12,000 marine animals and 600 species, divided into 80 different tanks. Some of the most notable animals include dolphins, sharks, rays, and two starfish species that are new to the exhibit: the blue star and the cushion star.

8. The Seas with Nemo & Friends - Bay Lake, USA

The Seas with Nemo & Friends, located in Bay Lake, Florida, contains a total capacity of 21,580,000 L (5,700,000 U.S. gal) of water, making it the eighth biggest aquarium worldwide. It is located in Epcot, one of the Walt Disney World theme parks. Within the pavilion, there are over 60 species of marine animals, including sharks, manatees, dolphins, and tropical fish, totaling around 6,000 animals. Many of the fish have been rescued and rehabilitated in collaboration with a team of Marine biologists.

9. Aqua Planet Jeju - Jeju Island, South Korea

Opened in 2012, the Aqua Planet Jeju Aquarium in South Korea holds 20,000,000 L (5,283,000 U.S. gal) of water, making it one of the biggest aquariums in East Asia and the ninth biggest worldwide. The most notable attraction of the aquarium is its main tank, which contains around 27,000 fish. Three different zones compose the facility: A performance hall, a marine science museum, and an aquarium. The facility breeds large species, such as the giant guitarfish and sand tiger, within the aquarium. Penguins, arapaima gigas, giant groupers, and walruses are some of the other notable animals on display.

10. Shedd Aquarium - Chicago, USA

Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is the tenth largest aquarium in the world, with a capacity of 18,900,000 L (4,993,000 U.S. gal). The museum has undergone various renovations and expansions since it opened in 1930, including a recent addition of 35,000 square feet (3,250 square meters) in animal care space. The aquarium features around 1,500 species, totaling around 32,000 animals. It is also the first inland aquarium to have a permanent saltwater fish exhibit. Approximately 2 million people visit the aquarium every year.

Final Thoughts

Over the past two decades, many new aquariums have opened, continually setting new world records and raising the bar for size. The SeaWorld Abu Dhabi Aquarium, for example, was the world’s largest aquarium for just six months in 2023 before Chimelong Spaceship dethroned it as the largest. This rapid evolution of aquariums emphasizes not only the growing interest in marine life but also the ongoing competition to create ever more impressive and immersive aquatic spaces. In the years ahead, as our curiosity about the marine world deepens and advancements in technology and architecture progress, aquariums will continue to evolve, with perhaps the most biodiverse and largest still to come.