10 Aquariums To Visit With Kids In Korea

Most people, especially kids, have some interest in exploring the world around them and that includes the depths of the seas. What better way to cultivate that interest and learn about our sea friends than to visit a nearby aquarium?

There are aquariums around Korea and they are pretty easy to tack on to most itineraries and really provide hours of fun for children and the adults that they bring along. Need something to do indoors during monsoon season or looking for what to do during winter in Korea? This is it.

Want something fun to do in Seoul? Something fun to do in Busan? Something fun to do in Daegu? These spots should be on your list. From the popular COEX Aquarium to the more unknown in Bucheon, here is a list of aquariums in Korea if you’re a marine life lover.

From the smallest of crabs and marine life to the whales and sharks, you’ll be astounded at what you can find here. An aquarium is always a great addition to any day that is maybe too hot and humid or rainy. Or, if you just want something new and different that you haven’t seen yet, then head to one of these great aquariums in South Korea.

Watch the fish swim by or maybe see a mermaid performance. See a shark eat its meal or maybe feed a sea creature. Whatever you do, you’ll enjoy a stop at any one of these aquariums.

Want to check out info for a specific aquarium? You can skip around here:

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Aqua Planet Ilsan (아쿠아플라넷 일산)

Aqua Planet is a company that promotes the preservation of the ecosystem and through their aquariums, of which there are three in Korea, they hope to foster a healthy interest and respect for the creatures that aren’t readily accessible in everyday life. Head in to the first section to see jellyfish that reflect the neon lights in the tanks and walk through a tunnel tank and look up to see sharks, sting rays, and manta rays.

From the first section, you’ll walk up to find the massive “Deep Blue Ocean” tank. Various lectures and educational classes are held here so the space is large fitting to the tank. There is a lot to see but of course the kids love the touch pool the best and from there, you can actually head to a petting zoo which has more than just the marine life. There are birds to feed and farm animals on the roof space as well. There’s even a pony that the children can ride.

Address: 282 Hallyu World-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 고양시 인산서구 한류월드로 282)
Tickets: Buy tickets here for a discount.
What to See Nearby: Ilsan Lake Park, One Mount Snow Park

Aqua Planet Yeosu (아쿠아플라넷 여수)

Aqua Planet Yeosu is the second largest aquarium in Korea and is a prominent tourist spot in Yeosu in the southern province of Jeollanam-do. The aquarium has had a record million visitors each year since it opened. There are around 34,000 marine creatures from 280 different species including a beluga whale and a Baikal seal, both of which are quite rare to see here.

Visitors can walk through the Aqua Forest which is a display of Amazon forests under natural light and using eco-friendly solar energy. Children can find the touch pool and Archer fish experience zone here. From there find the Ocean Life themed area and head into the 360 degree dome tank.

The facility in Yeosu provides fun for everyone in a variety of ways. Visit the aquarium but also don’t miss a visit to the Alive Museum. Outside, visitors can see the Hanwha Group’s photovoltaic power generation and then head up to the Aqua Terrace food court to eat indoors or outdoors. You could also choose to head down to the Beans & Berries cafes that provides a front row seat to the fish in their tanks RIGHT NEXT to the tables.

Address: 61-11 Odongdo-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 여수시 오동도로 61-11)
What to See Nearby: Yeosu Maritime Cable Car, Hyangiram Hermitage, Odongdo

Aqua Planet Jeju (아쿠아플라넷 제주)

Aqua Planet Jeju features the largest aquarium in East Asia and is home to over 5,000 marine creatures. Enter the aquarium to meet marine life typical of the area and then head further in to see fish from all over the world. There are sea creatures and marine mammals, giant crabs, eels, and whale sharks for kids (and adults) to enjoy.

After checking out the spacious tanks, visit the performance hall to learn more about harbor seals, dolphins, and walruses and meet some of the famous “diving women” that Jeju is known for. From there you can head to a petting zoo where the kids can get a little wet in the petting pool, watch the playful otters in their tunnels, and waddle like the penguins.

Address: 95 Seopjikoji-ro, Seongsan-eub, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do (제주도 서귀포시 성산읍 섭지코지로 95)
Tickets: Buy tickets here for a discount.
What to See Nearby: Udo Island Submarine, Jeju Venice Land

Lotte World Mall Aquarium (롯데월드몰)

The aquarium at Lotte World Mall in Seoul’s Jamsil area is a two-floor underwater world, that will please visitors of all ages. There are dozens of tanks that contain over 55,000 marine animals from 650 different species. There are 13 different habitat zones, arranged along an 840-meter self-guided route. You begin in a Korean river habitat, continue on through tropical rivers, the Amazon, the oceans and finally, end up in Antarctica.

As you wander through the aquarium, you’ll see local fish from the Han River, playful sea otters, piranhas, neon jellyfish, turtles, stingrays, sharks, and sea lions housed in a huge array of underwater tunnels and tanks, with the two beluga whales and penguins from Antarctica definitely the stars of the show.

Address: 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul (서울시 송파구 올림픽로 300)
What to See Nearby: Lotte World, Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky
Hop On/ Hop Off Bus: If you’ll be traveling via the Seoul City Hop On/Hop Off Bus, know that it also stops here. You can buy the ticket for this bus here. And to get more information about the bus, here is a guide to the Hop On/ Hop Off Bus In Seoul.

Play Aquarium Bucheon (플레이아쿠아리움 부천)

Play Aquarium Bucheon is an experiential aquarium for visitors to see, touch, and feed rare animals that aren’t often seen in Korea. The program includes an underwater mermaid performance daily. (Shows not available on Mondays and Wednesdays, but are about every hour/ every other hour starting from 11:00am to 5:00pm Tuesdays through Sundays.)

There is also a touch pool for children to learn more about starfish and other creatures using almost all of their five senses… not eating, no eating. You can also feed the colorful carp and put on some waterwear to walk through the water and actually “swim” with the fish. Walk through the aquarium’s various themed areas and see the sharks, jellyfish, mammals and learn more about some endangered species.

We enjoyed this aquarium a lot until the very end. The last section is a Jungle Zone and there are some very large tigers and lions that have a very small space with no natural light. It was pretty depressing. I’m not sure why this is a thing at an aquarium.

Address: 2 Jomaru-ro, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 부천시 조마루로 2)
What to See Nearby: Wonmisan Azalea Mountain, Bucheon EcoPark

COEX Aquarium (코엑스 아쿠아리움)

The COEX Aquarium is one of the most famous in Korea and due to it’s location in the world’s largest underground shopping mall, you’ll want to head to the area anyway. The aquarium is also one of Korea’s largest and features over 40,000 creatures from over 650 species.

There are ninety exhibition tanks encompassed within fourteen “discovery zones” under the themes: Story of Korean Fish, Garden of Korea, Fish in Wonderland, Amazonia World, Marine Touch Lab, Mangrove and Beach, Living Reef Gallery, Ocean Kingdom, Marine Mammal Village, Deep Blue Square, Deep Blue Sea Tunnel, Garden of Jelly Fish, and the Penguin’s Playground.

Walk through tunnels and be surrounded by the swimming creatures and then head into the exhibition tanks that house seals, penguins, and local birds. It really is fun… for kids and the adults they’re taking with them.

Address: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 강남구 영동대로 513)
Tickets: Buy tickets here for a discount.
What to See Nearby: Bongeunsa Temple
Hop On/ Hop Off Bus: If you’ll be traveling via the Seoul City Hop On/Hop Off Bus, know that it also stops here. You can buy the ticket for this bus here. And to get more information about the bus, here is a guide to the Hop On/ Hop Off Bus In Seoul.

Gyeongpo Aquarium (경포 아쿠아리움)

Located near the Gyeongpo Wetlands, the Gyeongpo Aquarium offers both indoor and outdoor viewing and experiences. Outside, try your hand at catching fish by hand or sit on a boat and row yourself around the waters enjoying the natural views. Enter the indoor space and you’ll first be greeted by the freshwater tanks and then head into the large fish tanks to see piranhas, eels, jellyfish.

There are undersea tunnels, seals playing games, and a touch pool. Children can learn about the colorful corals and see sharks and rays before learning about how nets can wreck reefs in the ocean. This is a great addition to a trip out to the east coast of Korea.

Address: 131 Nanseolheon-ro Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do (강원 강릉시 난설헌로 131)
What to See Nearby: Gyeongpo Beach, Gramophone Museum, Haslla Art World

Alive Aquarium Daegu (얼라이브 아쿠아리움 대구)

This aquarium looks like quite the experience as it combines sea life with creative viewing. Walk across the “Daegu Sea Cloud Bridge” to look at the tanks from above and then go inside to the “Ceiling Water Tank”, a dome shaped panoramic water tank. From there find the “Sea Miro Water Tank” that combines sea life with colorful lights and mirrors for a truly unique experience. Visitors can see manatees, Humboldt penguins, sea lions, otters, and sting rays among other creatures on this 9th floor aquarium in the Shinsegae Department Store.

Address: 149 Dongbu-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu (대구 동구 동부로 149 신세계백화점 대구점)
Tickets: Buy tickets here for a discount.
What To See Nearby: Seomun Market, Daegu 83 Tower

Danyang Danuri Aquarium (단양다누리 아쿠아리움)

This was also an aquarium that wasn’t on my radar until I searched in Korean. There are just so many things that aren’t promoted or translated enough in Korea still it seems. There is a lot to do in the Danyang area for the adventure seeker. If you want some ideas to fill up a weekend, check out this guide to Danyang.

This aquarium has 127 exhibition tanks with around 22,000 creatures from 187 species and it features the largest freshwater aquarium in Korea. We visited on a recent trip to the area and really loved the stop. It was great to fill our rainy day itinerary and the kids loved it. It was also practically empty. The gigantic freshwater aquarium in the center of the building is absolutely stunning. Kids, and adults, could sit there for quite some time watching the schools of fish swim this way and that.

Address: Danuri Center, 111 Subyeon-ro Danyang-eub Danyang-gun (충북 단양군 단양읍 수변로 111 다누리센터)
What to See Nearby: Mancheonha Sky Walk, Guinsa Buddhist Temple

Busan Aquarium / Sea Life Aquarium (SEA LIFE 부산아쿠아리움)

Located near the very popular Haeundae Beach, if you happen to be in Busan when it’s rainy or perhaps just need a break from the sun on the seashore, head inside to the Busan Aquarium. There are more than 250 species within substantial tanks. Walk through the tunnel, the touch tank area for kids to find starfish and then see a shark. There are a large variety of fish and amphibians and other sea creatures and penguins, too.

There is also an opportunity to take a glass-bottomed boat ride to view the sharks and rays even more up close. It’s a great addition to any trip to Busan.

Address: 266 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan (부산광역시 해운대구 해운대해변로 266)
What to See Nearby: Busan Public Yacht Cruise

Where Else To Take Your Kids For Animal Fun

There are a lot of great family-friendly places to take children and plenty of things to do with kids in Seoul so they can be introduced to animals. If you have animal-interested kids, look into taking a trip out to Alpaca World.

It’s worth noting, I was recently down in Seocheon-gun and saw the name Seaquarium on something so we headed over expecting an aquarium. An aquarium it is not. It was the amazing National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea Seaquarium (국립해양생물자원관) but don’t expect an aquarium if you go here. It’s more of a museum devoted to sea creatures. It’s stunning.

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