×
Two Oceans Aquarium

South Africa🇿🇦 | attractionsTwo Oceans AquariumSwaying kelp tank, ragged-tooth sharks, penguin feedings, rescued turtles | things to do and best time to go

Explore KaapsehoopExplore Zeitz MOCAA

Backpacking in Two Oceans Aquarium
🌟 Highlightattraction ranked #7
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The Kelp Forest tank at Two Oceans Aquarium has a surge machine that makes the kelp sway like it does off the Cape coast, and it is the exhibit worth planting yourself in front of. The aquarium sits in South Africa’s Cape Town, on the V&A Waterfront, a short walk from the harbor. I arrived at midday on a weekend and queued for ages, then raced through the tanks and missed the penguin feeding entirely. Check the daily feeding schedule at the door before anything else. The jellyfish, sharks and kelp are the draw. The touch pool is fine for kids and forgettable for adults. It is pricey for a solo backpacker on a tight budget. Marine-life fans and families will love it. Anyone expecting a wild-animal adventure won’t.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 South Africa Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #7 attraction in South AfricaWhat makes it a must-see attraction

Two Oceans Aquarium is the one place in Cape Town where you can see what lives in the two bodies of water that meet near this coast, the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean, without getting wet. That framing is the point. The Kelp Forest shows the cold-water ecosystem you would otherwise need a wetsuit and a dive permit to see. The Predator Exhibit puts ragged-tooth sharks and big rays in one large tank, which is a safer way to meet them than a cage dive. It also fits an easy rainy-day plan, since the Waterfront has plenty to do around it. If your Cape Town stay includes a day when Table Mountain is under cloud, this is a solid fallback. Marine-conservation work, including turtle rehabilitation, gives the visit some weight beyond entertainment.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Kelp Forest: a tall tank where real kelp sways in simulated surge, with fish from the cold Atlantic coast darting through it.
  2. Predator Exhibit: ragged-tooth sharks, rays and big fish circle in a large tank you can watch from several levels.
  3. African Penguin Exhibit: a colony of the endangered species that also lives on nearby beaches, with scheduled feedings.
  4. Jellyfish Exhibit: softly lit tanks of drifting jellies, calm and slightly hypnotic after the busier rooms.
  5. Ocean Exhibit: the main viewing window into open-water species from the Indian Ocean side.
  6. Touch Pool: a hands-on area for kids to meet starfish and anemones.
  7. Turtle Exhibit: loggerhead turtles that are part of the aquarium’s rehabilitation and release work.
Two Oceans Aquarium pairs well with a Waterfront stroll, so see the Predator Exhibit … read more 👉
  1. Kelp Forest: a tall tank where real kelp sways in simulated surge, with fish from the cold Atlantic coast darting through it.
  2. Predator Exhibit: ragged-tooth sharks, rays and big fish circle in a large tank you can watch from several levels.
  3. African Penguin Exhibit: a colony of the endangered species that also lives on nearby beaches, with scheduled feedings.
  4. Jellyfish Exhibit: softly lit tanks of drifting jellies, calm and slightly hypnotic after the busier rooms.
  5. Ocean Exhibit: the main viewing window into open-water species from the Indian Ocean side.
  6. Touch Pool: a hands-on area for kids to meet starfish and anemones.
  7. Turtle Exhibit: loggerhead turtles that are part of the aquarium’s rehabilitation and release work.
Two Oceans Aquarium pairs well with a Waterfront stroll, so see the Predator Exhibit first and finish with the penguins before heading out for lunch by the harbor.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Two Oceans Aquarium

Cape Town Helicopter Tour: Atlantic Coast

Cape Town Helicopter Tour: Atlantic Coast

4.9(330) 20m
From €216
per personViator
Cape Town Highlights & Hidden Gems Including Tickets and Snack

Cape Town Highlights & Hidden Gems Including Tickets and Snack

4.7(149) 4h
From €82
per personViator
30min Harbour Boat Cruise Cape Town

30min Harbour Boat Cruise Cape Town

4.8(134) 30m
From €8.87
per personViator
Cape Town's Finest City Bike Tour

Cape Town's Finest City Bike Tour

4.9(65) 3h
From €86
per personViator
Cape Town Helicopter Tour: City Hopper

Cape Town Helicopter Tour: City Hopper

4.9(33) 12m
From €147
per personViator
LocalPlaces Understanding Cape Town Walking Tour

LocalPlaces Understanding Cape Town Walking Tour

5.0(25) 4h
From €67
per personViator
Table Mountain, Robben Island and Bo-Kaap Full Day Tour

Table Mountain, Robben Island and Bo-Kaap Full Day Tour

4.7(18) 8h
From €188
per personViator
Cape City + Table Mountain Local Selection Full Day Tour

Cape City + Table Mountain Local Selection Full Day Tour

4.8(17) 8h
From €191
per personViator
Robben Island & Aquarium Tour with Tickets & Transfers Included

Robben Island & Aquarium Tour with Tickets & Transfers Included

4.8(17) 6h
From €145
per personViator
Cape Town eBike City Tour

Cape Town eBike City Tour

4.9(14) 3h 30m
From €83
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Two Oceans Aquarium

  • Summer (December to February): Cape Town runs 17 to 27°C (63 to 81°F) with long daylight and dry southeast wind. School holidays fill the V&A Waterfront and the aquarium queues, and beds cost the most.
  • Autumn (March to May): Temperatures sit at 14 to 24°C (57 to 75°F), the wind eases, and crowds thin after Easter. Prices drop noticeably.
  • Winter (June to August): Expect 7 to 18°C (45 to 64°F), cold fronts and rain. This is when indoor tanks make the most sense, and weekday visits are quiet.
  • Spring (September to November): Days warm to 12 to 23°C (54 to 73°F), with whales visible from the coast and moderate crowds.
Weekday mornings right at opening are the calmest in any season, and the Waterfront is rainproof enough to pair with other indoor stops.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
South Africa - Two Oceans Aquarium

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutSouth Africa Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
The digital guide (457 pages) contains:
✅ 125 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 7, 14 & 21-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

The City Bowl and Gardens area is the best base, with the aquarium at the V&A Waterfront roughly 10 to 15 minutes away by car or MyCiTi bus. Long Street and surrounding blocks hold the highest concentration of backpacker hostels, bars and cafés, so solo travelers meet people easily. It is lively at night, so keep valuables close and take a ride-hailing car after dark instead of walking long distances.
Green Point and De Waterkant are calmer, safer-feeling and closer to the Waterfront, which suits travelers who want quiet evenings and an easy walk or short ride to the aquarium. Expect dorm beds … read more 👉
The City Bowl and Gardens area is the best base, with the aquarium at the V&A Waterfront roughly 10 to 15 minutes away by car or MyCiTi bus. Long Street and surrounding blocks hold the highest concentration of backpacker hostels, bars and cafés, so solo travelers meet people easily. It is lively at night, so keep valuables close and take a ride-hailing car after dark instead of walking long distances.
Green Point and De Waterkant are calmer, safer-feeling and closer to the Waterfront, which suits travelers who want quiet evenings and an easy walk or short ride to the aquarium. Expect dorm beds around US$12 to 25 in both areas.
Sea Point has a seaside promenade, a good local feel and cheaper guesthouses, with frequent buses to the Waterfront. Whichever you choose, pick a spot within a few blocks of a bus stop, book early for December and January, and check that the hostel has secure lockers.
Best hostels in South Africa


Best quality hotels in South Africa

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Two Oceans Aquarium costs a backpacker about US$47 to 83 per day, with the entry ticket alone around US$16 to 20. The table below uses high-season rates.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Aquarium entry (adult)US$16 to 20Online tickets are often slightly cheaper than at the door; children and students pay less.
Dorm bed (high season)US$14 to 25City Bowl and Long Street hostels fill fast in December and January.
Dorm bed (low season)US$9 to 16June to August brings noticeably lower rates.
TransportUS$4 to 10MyCiTi bus with a card, or short ride-hailing trips after dark.
FoodUS$10 to 20Waterfront food court meals cost more than city cafés; self-catering helps.
ExtrasUS$3 to 8Shark and ray feeding times are free with entry; optional diving experiences cost much more.
Total Daily BudgetUS$47 to 83Based on one dorm bed, entry, food and local transport.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Two Oceans Aquarium takes 2 to 3 hours for most visitors, and up to 4 if you attend the scheduled feedings and talks. Aim for opening time on a weekday to avoid school groups. Pair it with the V&A Waterfront shops and the Robben Island ferry terminal next door for a full day.
Two Oceans Aquarium is worth the roughly US$16 to 20 adult entry if you enjoy marine life, especially the kelp forest tank and the open ocean exhibit with sharks and rays. It suits rainy days best, when beaches and Table Mountain are closed off. If your budget is tight, the free Waterfront promenade offers seals and harbor views instead.
Two Oceans Aquarium sits at the V&A Waterfront, about 10 to 15 minutes from the city center. The MyCiTi bus runs from the Civic Centre station to the Waterfront stops, with fares around US$1 to 2, or a ride-hailing car costs roughly US$3 to 6 from the City Bowl. Walking from Green Point takes about 20 to 30 minutes along the harbor road.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other South African attractions near Two Oceans Aquarium

Explore more nearby:

  • Zeitz MOCAA—Cut-away silo atrium, rooftop sculpture garden, African contemporary art, Waterfront| 0 km away
  • District Six Museum—Painted floor map, salvaged street signs, ex-resident guides, converted church| 2 km away
  • Iziko South African Museum—Whale Well, Karoo fossils, San rock art casts, planetarium dome| 2 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for South Africa including Two Oceans Aquarium and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all attractions

Or checkout all South Africa has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore South Africa
Country photo of South Africa
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Two Oceans Aquarium

Two Oceans Aquarium is a mistake for travelers who arrive without checking feeding times and then rush the tanks. Go early on a weekday, look at the schedule first, and plan your route around the penguin and shark feedings. I would skip the touch pool unless you have kids and spend that time at the Kelp Forest.

✈️ When did I visit South Africa?
I have visited South Africa, before and after my Zimbabwe trip in 2001.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in South Africa, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story