Discover the strange and wonderful creatures that populate the lakes, rivers and seas of Thailand by visiting the Phuket Aquarium!
If you stay in Thailand, there is a great chance that Phuket is in good place among your favorite places. In the south of the country, the island offers heavenly beaches, tropical forests, Buddhist temples, lagoons and turquoise waters. Its seabed is exceptional and suitable for snorkeling and diving. Visiting the Phuket Aquarium will allow you to know the aquatic world of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Located at the southernmost tip of Cape Panwa, surrounded by bays and breathtaking islands, the place is part of the Phuket Marine Biology Centre (PMBC). From room to room, you will learn more about the lives of the hundred and fifty species from marine habitats or freshwater.
The Phuket Aquarium is an ideal family trip. Children too young to scuba diving will have the pleasure of knowing the multicolored fish. The place is air-conditioned and not crowded. The visit is therefore a perfect way to take care of the children on a rainy day or to escape the heavy heat of the afternoon. Find here all useful information for your visit!
History of Phuket Aquarium
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The Phuket Aquarium was created in 1983 as a unit of the famous Phuket Marine Biology Centre (PMBC). It depends on the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. Founded in the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), the research institute officially opened in 1966 as cooperation between the Thai and Danish governments. It is one of the oldest scientific institutions in Thailand.
The PMBC regularly presents studies on tropical reef ecosystems. It also works for the development of responsible commercial fisheries. His patrol and research vessel, the Chakthong Thongyai , pride of the region, carries out campaigns at the sea of Andaman. Each year, the centre organizes a summer university and welcomes research students from all over the country.
The Phuket Aquarium makes it possible to raise public awareness of the region’s aquatic and coastal environment. It attracts three hundred thousand visitors per year, including forty thousand foreign tourists. Although it is relatively small, its visit is as educational and entertaining. It combines interactive exhibitions and animations for small and large.
What to see and do at the Phuket Aquarium?
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Visit the Phuket Aquarium to discover the different habitats of the aquatic fauna : forest streams, mangroves, coral reefs, deep seas... More than thirty aquariums of tropical creatures of fresh water and sea water make the happiness of tourists. At the same time, you will cross merous, eels, crabs, shrimps, sharks and fish in bright colours.
The visit allows to measure the fascinating strangeness of the underwater world. Thanks to Interactive screens and audio and video formats , you will learn many interesting things about local underwater life. All information is available in Thai and English. In addition to the names of animals, the panels address their environment, their reproduction, the relationships between species and conservation problems.
The different basins
Phuket Aquarium counts 13 basin areas . The visit starts with models of skeleton fish from the Andaman Sea and from around the world. Then, small aquariums have different seabed animals. The following rooms show the freshwater fish found in the rivers of the surrounding forests. The walk continues with signs reminiscent of the legends of the mermaids (please enjoy the unusual mermaid who greets you by the way).
A little further, you will have the opportunity to meet the clown fishes, which you surely know through Nemo ! The other aquariums immerse you in the life of corals and invertebrates, fish used for fishing in Thailand, as well as mysterious creatures of deep waters, those that never see the sun.
The tunnel
The highlight moment when visiting the Phuket Aquarium is undoubtedly a giant basin crossed by tunnel from which the marine animals are observed on all sides. Under this glass dome, you are immersed in the ocean, in the middle of the pastenague rays, merous, napoleons and sharks.
A tip : come at lunch time on the weekend, you can attend the distribution of the meal! When you get out of the tunnel, there are eight giant mobs waiting for you. They have been living in the aquarium for more than twenty years! The last room exhibited on the tsunami in December 2004. Several photos attest to the damage caused in the immediate vicinity of the aquarium.
Turtle hatchery
Once the visit to the main building of the Phuket Aquarium is completed, take a tour to the nursery and turtle hatchery . A pleasant path in nature leads you there. Marine turtles are raised in large basins before being released. The Phuket Marine Biology Centre also collects those who are injured and their medical care. It is estimated that, in nature, only one per thousand turtle will survive in adulthood because of the human threat. The hatchery thus contributes to the maintenance of the population of marine turtles. The site sensitizes the visitor to the protection of this threatened species. To carry out its protection missions, the institution works in partnership with other organizations such as the Mai Khao Foundation.
How to get to the Phuket Aquarium?
Visiting the Phuket Aquarium can easily be included in a day dedicated to the Cape Panwa region, south of the island. Its panoramic roads, quiet beaches and views are worth a visit. With this in mind, the best way to get to the aquarium is to opt for the car or motorcycle.
There are, however, other options to visit:
- By bus: The Songthaew bus line allows you to go from the centre of Phuket to the aquarium.
- By taxi or tuk : the journey lasts one hour from Patong and costs about 1000 bahts return.
- By car : The aquarium is located on the Sakdidet Road, quite at the end of Cape Panwa, near the naval command base of the third area of the Thai Navy. If you come by car, signs indicate the aquarium along the path.
Council : after your visit, enjoy the end of the day to walk on the seafront. The place is full of charm with its street vendors and couples who walk hand in hand. For a breathtaking view of Cape Panwa, go to the Baba PoolClub from Sri Panwa Villa Resort. The place is not given, but the panorama is grandiose. The landscape is still quite wild and the blue of the ocean is confused with lush vegetation.
Schedules & Rates of Phuket Aquarium
HORARI
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The Phuket Aquarium is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (attention, ticketing closes at 4:00 p.m.).
RATES
- Adult 180 baht
- Under 18 100 baht
- Child under 108 cm : Free
- Thai Citizen : 50 adult baht / 20 children baths
BON A LEARN
To get all the information in mind, here are the last things to know before visiting the Phuket Aquarium: - The strollers are allowed in the aquarium enclosure; - It takes two hours to visit all the rooms; - To attend the fish meal, come at 11am on Saturday and Sunday;
- A store allows you to buy some souvenirs; - The aquarium has a snack where you can drink a drink and eat; - Electronic cigarettes are banned throughout the country.
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