The Two Oceans Aquarium is a marine education and conservation centre situated at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips to help you plan your visit.
The Aquarium is included in the Go City Cape Town Pass, which can save you big money if planning to visit several Cape Town attractions.
This guide was updated in March 2026 and includes the new 2026 pricing structure and the updated daily feeding schedule for the I&J Ocean Exhibit, which now features enhanced interactive educational displays.
Quick facts for your visit
| Category | Details |
| Opening hours | Daily 09:00 – 18:00 |
| Ticket prices | Adult: R265; Child (4–13): R120; Child (14–17): R195 |
| Address | Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8002 |
| Nearest transport | MyCiTi Bus (V&A Waterfront stop) or Red Bus (Stop 1) |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 hours |
Two Oceans Aquarium opening hours
The aquarium is open 365 days a year from 09:00 to 18:00. This includes all weekends and public holidays. Last entry is permitted at 17:30, though visitors should arrive earlier to see the full range of exhibits.
Two Oceans Aquarium ticket prices
Standard day tickets for adults are priced at R265. Tickets for children aged 14 to 17 are R195, and tickets for children aged 4 to 13 are R120. Children under the age of 4 enter for free. South African pensioners (65+) and students with a valid South African student card pay a discounted rate of R195.
The Two Oceans Aquarium is included in the Go City Cape Town Pass. Other attractions included in this pass are the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and Groot Constantia Wine Estate.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
Why book the Go City Cape Town Pass?
- 🚠 Table Mountain Cableway: Enjoy included access to Cape Town’s most famous landmark, providing breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, the Atlantic, and the Twelve Apostles.
- 🚌 Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: Navigate the city effortlessly with a City Sightseeing bus ticket, connecting you to major sites like Camps Bay, the V&A Waterfront, and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
- 🍷 Wine & Wildlife Experiences: Choose from a variety of unique activities, including wine tastings at Groot Constantia, sunset harbor cruises, or visits to the Two Oceans Aquarium.
- 💰 Huge Savings: Save significantly on total admission costs compared to purchasing individual tickets at the gate for each attraction.
- 📱 100% Digital & Easy: Manage your entire trip from your smartphone—simply show your pass at any of the 80+ participating attractions for instant, paperless entry.
How to get to the Two Oceans Aquarium
The aquarium is located within the V&A Waterfront precinct. Visitors can use the MyCiTi bus (routes 104 or 113) to reach the V&A Waterfront stop. The City Sightseeing “Red Bus” stops directly outside the aquarium at Stop 1. Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber can drop passengers at the designated drop-off zone on Dock Road.
5 great Cape Town experiences to book
- ⛰️ Combine the region’s natural highlights on a Table Mountain, Boulders Penguins and Cape Point day tour.
- 🚌 Take the genuinely useful hop-on, hop-off city tour, with an optional harbour cruise.
- 🏛️ Go on a hassle-free Robben Island tour, with pre-booked tickets and transfers.
- 🦁 See the Big Five at the Aquila Game Reserve on a day trip including lunch.
- 🧗 Go ziplining at the foot of Table Mountain.
Parking at the Two Oceans Aquarium
Extensive paid parking is available at the V&A Waterfront. The Portswood Square and Victoria Wharf car parks are the closest options to the aquarium entrance. Parking fees are calculated based on the duration of stay, and payment stations are located at the exits of each parking garage.
How long to spend at the Two Oceans Aquarium
A typical visit takes between two and three hours. This timeframe allows for viewing all major galleries and attending at least one scheduled feeding presentation or animal talk.
Accessibility at the Two Oceans Aquarium
The aquarium is fully wheelchair accessible. Ramps and lifts provide access to all levels and exhibit areas, including the underwater tunnels. Accessible toilets are available on the ground floor and the first floor. A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available at the information desk for visitor use at no extra charge.
Inside the the Two Oceans Aquarium
The aquarium showcases marine life from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The Kelp Forest Exhibit is one of the few living kelp forests in the world, featuring local fish species and swaying giant kelp plants.
The I&J Ocean Exhibit features a 10-metre-long tunnel where visitors can view rays, turtles, and various fish species from below. The Predator Exhibit houses ragged-tooth sharks and provides a viewing gallery for scheduled shark feeds.
The Penguin Exhibit is home to a colony of African penguins and northern rockhopper penguins. This area includes a beach and a nesting area where visitors can observe the birds’ natural behaviours.
The Touch Pool and Microscope Exhibit allows visitors to interact with marine invertebrates like anemones and starfish under the guidance of staff. The Diversity Gallery explores the different marine habitats found along the South African coastline through a series of smaller, specialised tanks.
Practical visitor tips
| Category | Advice for visitors |
| Timing | Arrive before 11:00 to observe the morning penguin feeding sessions. |
| Crowds | School groups often visit on weekday mornings; afternoons are generally quieter. |
| Layout | Follow the one-way route markers to ensure all galleries are visited in sequence. |
| Entry process | Purchase tickets online in advance to skip the queue at the onsite ticket office. |
| On-site logistics | Use the “Bootleggers” coffee shop inside the aquarium for food and beverage breaks. |
Frequently asked questions about the Two Oceans Aquarium
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Two Oceans Aquarium suitable for children? | Yes, it features interactive exhibits, a play area, and puppet shows for younger visitors. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Two Oceans Aquarium? | No, but online booking is recommended for faster entry during peak holiday periods. |
| Is the Two Oceans Aquarium open on Sundays? | Yes, the aquarium is open every Sunday from 09:00 to 18:00. |
| Are bags allowed at the Two Oceans Aquarium? | Yes, but there are no formal locker facilities for large luggage items on-site. |
Things to do near the Two Oceans Aquarium
The V&A Waterfront offers several other attractions within walking distance:
- The Cape Wheel: A giant observation wheel offering views of the city and harbour.
- Robben Island Museum: The gateway and ferry terminal for tours to the historic prison island.
- Zeitz MOCAA: A major museum of contemporary African art located in a converted grain silo.
- Springbok Experience Rugby Museum: A museum dedicated to the history of South African rugby.
More Cape Town travel
Other Cape Town travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- The story of the world’s first heart transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital.
- Exploring the natural side of Cape Town.
- How to see the Boulders Beach penguins and Cape of Good Hope in one day.
- A practical guide to visiting the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
- A guide to tackling Chapman’s Peak Drive in Cape Town.
