The Two Oceans Aquarium is celebrating its 30th birthday this year! We want you to be part of it!
The Two Oceans Aquarium is celebrating a momentous occasion this year – we’re turning 30 on 13 November! Since opening our doors in 1995, the Aquarium has been an iconic feature in Cape Town, inspiring thousands of visitors to appreciate and protect the ocean.
We’ve certainly evolved since opening in 1995, but our commitment to sharing our love of the ocean has remained throughout! The Aquarium is designed to showcase the beauty and diversity of the oceans off southern Africa. Our awe-inspiring exhibits aim to encourage love, respect, and understanding of our ocean so that people are motivated to take action for its future well-being and to use marine and other natural resources sustainably. And, of course, a visit to the Aquarium is sure to make unforgettable memories with your loved ones!
We’re planning on commemorating our 30th birthday in style, so keep reading to find out how you can get involved!
We're turning 30 – and you're getting the gift!
In celebration of our 30th birthday in 2025, we're giving back to our amazing local community! You asked, and we listened – our free birthday visits are now valid for the entire month of your birthday!
That means you can visit the Two Oceans Aquarium any day in your birthday month for free. Just bring an official document with your South African ID number to redeem your visit.
We've had an incredible 30 years of conservation, education, and awareness.
Here are some highlights:
1995:The City of Cape Town, the original maritime gateway to southern Africa, is an obvious site for a world-class aquarium. Few places in the world are in a better position to feature the rich diversity of life found in two oceans, particularly in contrasting oceans such as the Indian and Atlantic. After eight years of research and 18 months of construction, the long-awaited Two Oceans Aquarium opens its doors on 13 November 1995.
2001:The Aquarium opened one of its first large-scale temporary exhibits called The Living Dead – travelled in time, locked in rock. The exhibit included “living fossils” like crocodiles, iguanas, and giant deep-water isopods. This was an incredibly popular feature!
2004: In collaboration with the AfriOceans Conservation Alliance, the Aquarium released Maxine, a ragged-tooth shark weighing 197kg, back into the ocean. Maxine remains an iconic ambassador for the Aquarium’s research into ragged-tooth sharks, their lifestyles, and their conservation.
2007: The Aquarium received a silver rating for its environmentally responsible operations from the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme on its first audit. We were the second aquarium in South Africa to receive this rating.
2010: Bianca Engel, Deputy Head of Education at the Aquarium, received the award for Best Marine Educator of the Year at the annual National Marine and Coastal Educators’ Network prize-giving evening.
2012: The Aquarium hosted the 8th International Aquarium Congress – the first time it had been held in the southern hemisphere and on African soil.
2014: The Aquarium broke ground on construction for a brand-new exhibit (later named the I&J Ocean Exhibit).
2017: After 20 years at the Aquarium, loggerhead turtle Yoshi was fitted with a satellite tag and successfully released back into the ocean.
2018: The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, the Aquarium’s non-profit public benefit organisation (PBO), is officially launched. The Foundation inspires people to take action for the ocean and builds connections between communities and the marine ecosystem. The Foundation continues the Aquarium's legacy of marine sciences education, conservation, and research efforts.
2019: The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Marine Sciences curriculum was introduced into three node schools.
2020: The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Aquarium to close its doors to the public for the first time in 25 years. However, essential staff remained working to look after the animals and life support systems.
2021: The Aquarium and Foundation celebrated the first Marine Protected Areas Day on 1st August.
2022: The Aquarium’s Dive School was recognised as a PADI Five-Star Dive Centre.
2023: Green turtle Bob was released in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, after eight years of intensive rehabilitation with the Foundation’s Turtle Conservation Centre.
2024: The Foundation launched Ocean Campus, where children and adults can access our exciting, interactive, and unique educational offerings all in one place.
Our story is incomplete... we need your help to fill our timeline!
There is no Two Oceans Aquarium story without you – our community of visitors, parents, educators, ocean lovers, scuba divers, conservationists, and youngsters.
Our 30th year is no different. To celebrate three decades of ocean wonder, we’d like to include your Aquarium memories on our timeline. Precious family moments, funny stories, first dates, fascinating courses, proposals, career inspirations, turtle rescues, memorable experiences, and more – this is your story as much as ours!
Share your tale with us so that we can share it with our community.
We are thrilled to be sharing our 30th year with our wonderful community, our Aquarium family.
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