13 things to do at the Two Oceans Aquarium this holiday

Enjoy an unforgettable Seaster Eggsperience with your loved ones at the Two Oceans Aquarium this holiday – we’ve lined up 13 egg-citing things for you to do with your family!

1. Count the Nemos!

Our Western Clownfish Exhibit is one of our most popular, home to a family of colourful Western clownfish (or “Nemos” as they are fondly known). Children and adults alike can sit in the middle of the exhibit as though submerged underwater – it’s an experience like no other!

Ask your loved ones to snap a picture while you enjoy this immersive opportunity!

2. Spot the octopus!

The common octopus may be tricky to find – after all, it is a master of camouflage! Renowned for its rapid colour changes, the octopus can adapt its body colour to match that of the surrounding environment within seconds.

Spend some time in the Diversity Gallery, where you might have to look extra carefully to find our outstanding octopus.

3. Discover Scuba Diving!

Keen to totally immerse yourself in our underwater world? Our PADI Discover Scuba Diving course is perfect for you!

If you’re interested in scuba diving, but unsure if you want to enrol in a scuba certification class, PADI Discover Scuba Diving is the perfect way to test the waters. In a very short time, you’ll learn basic scuba skills and take your first breaths underwater in our I&J Ocean Exhibit!

4. Get your face painted!

Jasmine the Face Painting Fairy is back at the I&J Children's Play Centrefrom 10h00 to 15h00 every day from 29 March to 1 April! Children can get their faces painted with every colour of the rainbow.

Hop along with your kids to the I&J Children's Play Centre!

5. Watch the ragged-tooth sharks having lunch!

Arguably the most exciting feeding time at the Two Oceans Aquarium is of the ragged-tooth sharks in the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit!

Every Saturday at 12h00, our scuba divers enter the exhibit to feed our ragged-tooth sharks lots of yummy hake! Viewers at the impressive main window can ask questions and learn about the lifestyles of sharks.

Visit the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibitat 12h00 this Saturday to see the sharks being fed!

6. Enjoy a Penguin Experience!

Ever wanted to get up close and personal with our Northern rockhopper penguins? Well, a Penguin Experience allows you to do just that!

A Penguin Experience is a chance for up to two people to join one of our Penguin Keepers for an informative, fun, and exhilarating face-to-face experience with our feathered friends. During this time, you’ll learn how the penguins are cared for at the Two Oceans Aquarium, discover their stories, and have the chance to meet the penguins behind the scenes.

7. Watch the African penguins being fed!

The African penguins are some of the cutest residents at the Two Oceans Aquarium. Every day at 11h30 and 14h30, the colony is fed delicious meals of fish by our Penguin Keepers at the Penguin Exhibit. And, while you watch the African penguins enjoy their meal, you can learn about their habits, lifestyles, and the risks they face in the wild.

Watch feeding time in the Penguin Exhibitat 11h30 and 14h30 daily.

8. Laugh and learn at a puppet show!

Our puppet shows are sure to be a favourite with your kids this holiday!

Children between the ages of 3 and 9 will love meeting all our characters: Geo and Beauty, Sally the Seal, Henry the Seahorse, Exo the Crab, Peter the Penguin, Bruce the Shark and Dolly the Dolphin, Tinks the Tortoise, Bella the mommy turtle, Lilly the Leopard Catshark, Whiskers the Mouse, Edgar the Eagle, and many more…

Puppet shows take place daily in the I&J Children's Play Centreat 10h30, 13h30 and 15h30.

9. Take a picture in the I&J Ocean Exhibit tunnel!

Did you know that the ten-metre-long transparent tunnel in the I&J Ocean Exhibitis the first of its kind in South Africa?

The I&J Ocean Exhibitis home to many beautiful species and is a "fan favourite" at the Aquarium. Whether viewed from the magnificent tunnel or the giant viewing window, this exhibit provides a unique glimpse into South Africa's warmer water marine life.

You definitely need a picture in the tunnel!

10. Watch the rockhopper penguins waddle!

Every day, the rockhopper penguins enjoy a swim in the Kelp Forest Exhibit. They end their swim at around 11h30 every day, after which they waddle (accompanied by a Penguin Keeper) back to their beach in the Penguin Exhibit.

The next time you’re at the Aquarium, make sure to be at the Penguin Exhibitat 11h30 and you may catch the rockhoppers waddling back to their beach!

11. Sway with the kelp forest!

The Kelp Forest Exhibitis the perfect space to stop and smell the roses (or kelp) …

During an exciting Aquarium visit, this tranquil exhibit is the best spot to have a break, enjoy a snack, watch the kelp sway back and forth, and try to spot a gully shark!

12. Peek behind the scenes at the Two Oceans Aquarium!

Ever wondered about the inner workings of the Two Oceans Aquarium? Join a guided Behind-the-Scenes Tour and get the answers to all your questions!

A member of our Curatorial team will guide you through areas of the Aquarium where very few members of the public ever go to see what goes on during the daily running of the Two Oceans Aquarium. Step behind the “staff-only” access doors and into the areas where water pumps are humming, food for the animals is being prepared, divers kit up and much more!

13. Unearth a coelacanth fossil!

Alongside the Coelacanth Exhibit, kids get to enter the world of marine archaeology and dig up a life-sized coelacanth fossil!

Halfway through your Aquarium visit, this interactive activity is a fun way to keep your kids energised and engaged.

What are you waiting for? You can explore the Aquarium in a ton of egg-citing new ways this holiday! Ready, set, hop!