开普敦两大洋水族馆(Two Oceans Aquarium)坐落在热闹的维多利亚阿尔弗雷德码头(V&A Waterfront),它是整座城市最不容易踩雷的地方。之所以叫这个名字,是因为南非正好处于大西洋和印度洋的交界点。两股洋流带来的温度差异,造就了完全不同的海底生态,而在这个始建于1995年的老牌水族馆里,你花上两个小时就能把这两种极致的景观一眼看尽。
走进馆内,很多人会被那个巨大的海藻森林展缸震慑住。这是全球仅有的三个展示活体海藻的展缸之一,里面密密麻麻生长着巨大的海竹,水流晃动时,这些海藻像是在跳慢节奏的舞蹈。这里模拟的是开普敦周边冰冷的大西洋海域。你会看到白石首鱼和不少只有在南非近海才能见到的特有鱼类,在这些几十米长的海藻间穿梭。如果赶上周二、周四或周日的中午12点,还能看到潜水员在这里投喂,那场面像极了海底丛林的快闪派对。
转到I&J大展缸,气氛立刻变得温暖明亮,这里展示的是受印度洋暖流影响的亚热带生物。那个10米长的透明隧道是必须要停留拍照的,巨大的绿海龟鲍勃(Bob)经常从头顶慢悠悠滑过。展缸蓄水量高达160万升,除了色彩斑斓的珊瑚礁鱼类,运气好的话还能看到巨大的鳐鱼像风筝一样在水里扇动双翼。这里的互动性很强,尤其是周一、三、五的中午,潜水员会带着食物下水,大鱼小鱼瞬间把人围住,特别热闹。
虽然西蒙镇有企鹅滩,但在这里看企鹅体验完全不同。水族馆里住着非洲企鹅和北跳岩企鹅。最绝的是每天上午11点左右,工作人员会带那群头顶“杀马特”金毛的跳岩企鹅去海藻森林展缸那边“游泳锻炼”。如果你刚好在过道边站着,这些摇摇摆摆的小家伙可能就在你脚边几厘米的地方路过。记得掐准11:30或14:30这两个点,企鹅饲养员会准时喂鱼,这时候每只企鹅为了抢吃的使出浑身解数,简直是大型卖萌现场。
如果喜欢点刺激的,必须去拯救我们的海洋基金会(Save Our Seas Foundation)鲨鱼展馆。这个展缸容量达到了200万升,主角是长相凶猛的沙虎鲨。别看它们露着尖尖的牙齿,其实性格相对温顺。如果你持有PADI潜水证,甚至可以付费申请进入展缸和这些霸主同游。每周六中午12点是这里的重头戏——鲨鱼喂食,看这些深海猎食者精准撕咬鱼饵,那种冲击力在玻璃窗外看都觉得后背发凉。
目前成人票价大约在280兰特左右,如果你是下午3点以后才进场,记得询问是否有“After 3”优惠票,通常能省下不少钱,而且这时候大多数旅行团已经撤了,逛起来更清爽。门票支持全天进出,只要在出口处盖个隐形章,你完全可以中午出去在码头吃顿海鲜大餐,下午再回来接着看企鹅。购票建议直接在官网预订,省去现场排长队的烦恼,扫码就能进,快得很。
码头这边只要有大型邮轮靠岸,水族馆人流量就会爆棚。建议进场前先查查当天的港口排期,或者尽量选在工作日的早上9:30一开门就进去。逛完水族馆,出门左转就是著名的Watershed市场,里面全是南非本土手艺人的文创产品,比一般的纪念品店档次高不少。交通方面,坐MyCiTi巴士104路直接到码头总站下车走几步就到,或者把车停在水族馆对面的地下停车场,每小时停车费也就十几兰特,很方便。
如果不看专门的电影或参加额外体验,走马观花大约90分钟。如果想看完下午11:30的企鹅喂食和12:00的展缸喂食秀,建议预留2.5到3小时。由于展馆内部设计紧凑,就算带着腿脚不便的老人或小孩,半天时间也足够游览完毕。
必须提前预订。无论是持有潜水证的专业人士想进鲨鱼缸,还是初学者想体验PADI水下项目,都需要在官网或电话预约。潜水项目通常包含装备租赁和专业教练陪同,成人单次体验价格从1000兰特到2000兰特不等,取决于具体的展缸选择。
它是开普敦雨天出行的完美选择。整个场馆几乎全是室内空间,即便外面狂风暴雨,馆内依然恒温舒适。V&A码头区域有大量连廊和室内商场,你可以在完全不淋雨的情况下,把水族馆、摩天轮和各种餐厅一次性逛完。
simone john The most majestical experience of a glimpse of the ocean! It's definitely the most breathtaking aquarium I've ever been to. It's not only an educational experience, but it's almost like you're in another world whilst being in there. At each tank viewing area, there are comfortable couches and auditorium style seating - I'd suggest you take a breather, sit for a while, and reflect on how amazing God and his creations are. It's not the biggest aquarium but there is so much to see - we spent about 4 hours here. There is a kids play room, touch pools, and a fossil discovery area which is interactive and exciting for the kids. You're probably thinking this is just for kids, no its not. The kid in us will always remain! It's picturesque, so if you love photography, this is ocean heaven. There are other activities available like scuba diving and snorkeling - visit the website for more details and book in advance. If you live in Cape Town or surrounds, there is an affordable annual membership fee that gives great discounts for the tickets, activities, and unlimited visits. There is no food allowed, but there is a Bootleggers Cafe inside should all the walking work up an appetite - their coffee and cakes are delicious. If you want to stretch your money out or you're on a budget, entry is free on your birthday, including 6 days after. There is also a R60 discount on the ticket price after 3 pm. Enjoy!
Jolene Steenkamp (Jo) The last time my daughter and I visited the Aquarium, she was still in daycare. It's a wonderful place with so much to see, offering a great experience for children of all ages. However, I find the entry photographs to be extremely expensive. It would be nice if locals could pay a reduced rate.
Noelle Marozeau It's small and cozy, but it's a perfect place for a day with kids when it's ugly outside. It has a lot of little nooks and crannies, where your children can let loose and have some time, free to play and have fun. As far as varieties of fish, it's small, nothing extremely interesting for those of you that love to go to aquariums, but it's good for a rainy day. Also, if for some reason you cannot go see the penguins in their natural habitat at the beach.This is a good place to see them up close.
Adepa Brago I recently had the mesmerizing experience of visiting the two oceans aquarium in Cape Town and it was truly breathtaking! As I walked through the doors, I was immediately transported to an underwater world teeming with life and color. The variety of marine life on display and the vibrant fish darting through the coral. The aquarium's clever use of lighting and surroundings created an immersive experience, making me feel as though I was swimming alongside these incredible creatures. The highlight of my visit was watching a school of shimmering silver fish swim in unison, their scales catching the light like a thousand tiny diamonds. It was a truly magical experience that left me in awe of the beauty and wonder of the ocean and its inhabitants. The sharks and penguins are all amazing creatures to witness. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for something magical to experience and enjoy.
Johan Potgieter First visited the aquarium 10 years ago to take my kids there when they were small. It's still amazing, even though it hasn't changed much. My teenagers enjoyed it as much now as back then. Will definitely recommend it. It's a must for anyone who hasn't been there before. Lovely little shop to buy some memorabilia and fluffy toys.