Shark tunnelValid 1 month
TicketBenalmadena Aquarium Visit
★ 4.1 · 477 reviews
- 180º tunnel with sharks
- Touch pool and bio-beach
- 477 reviews at 4.1
- Free cancellation
$24per person
Check availability→ Sharks, turtles and a touch pool
Benalmadena Aquarium: What the Ticket Covers
The Benalmadena aquarium is a walk through the sea. It starts in the Mediterranean, runs through a 180-degree tunnel with sharks and a green turtle, and ends among tropical freshwater fish. On the way, children can touch a starfish. The ticket costs $24 per person and stays valid for a month. Here is what it covers, and how it fits with a day on the water.
Quick answer
The short answer. Book the Benalmadena aquarium if you are travelling with children who want animals up close. For $24 per person you get the shark tunnel, the touch pool, the otters’ feeding session, quiz trails and talks, on a ticket valid for 1 month. It is rated 4.1 from 477 reviews: a solid score from a lot of visitors.
Benalmadena aquarium at a glance
- Ticket price
- $24per person; check child prices on the listing
- Rating
- 4.1 out of 5from 477 reviews
- Ticket validity
- 1 monthcheck availability for starting times
- The route
- Mediterranean to Amazoniathrough a 180º shark tunnel
- Hands-on
- Rockpooltouch a starfish or a hermit crab
- Access
- Wheelchair accessibleas stated on the listing
- On site
- Food truck and shopa food truck and a marine shop
- Cancellation
- Free cancellationreserve now, pay later
Zone by zone
The route through the aquarium, stop by stop
The listing sets out the route from the Mediterranean to the Amazonia zone. Stops it does not place in order are marked “Along the way”.
| Stop | What you meet | Where it comes |
|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean area | The first zone, where the journey starts | First |
| Windows into the ocean | Clownfish, seahorses and jellyfish | Along the way |
| Interactive rockpool | Starfish, hermit crabs and other creatures to touch | Along the way |
| 180º submarine tunnel | Sharks and a green turtle all around you | In the middle |
| Amazonia freshwater zone | Colourful tropical species | Last |
| Otters | A feeding session | Before you leave |
The tunnel
Walking under sharks: the 180-degree tunnel
The glass arches over your head, and the sharks swim on the other side of it.
Halfway through the route comes the part most visitors remember: a 180-degree submarine tunnel. The glass curves over and around the walkway, and the listing says sharks and a green turtle surround it. In the photo at the top of this page, a shark rests on the sandy floor just beyond the curve of the window.
Before the tunnel, the route starts in the Mediterranean area, with windows into the ocean for clownfish, seahorses and jellyfish. After it, the visit ends in the Amazonia freshwater zone, full of colourful tropical species. Keep an eye on the otters: their feeding session is the one to catch before you leave.
In the photos
Inside the aquarium: the turtle and the open pool
Two frames from inside: the green turtle passing the tunnel glass, and a low pool built at a height small children can see into.
The green turtle
The turtle glides past the tunnel glass, close enough to see the pattern on its shell.
At child height
A long, low pool of fish with no lid on top, at the eye level of a small visitor.
With children
What keeps children busy along the way
The listing puts a lot of hands-on time into the route. This is what it names.
- Touch a starfish
The interactive rockpool lets you feel a starfish, a hermit crab and other creatures.
- The bio-beach
An interactive bio-beach, which the listing describes as unique to Spain.
- Creature feeds
The listing points to creature feeds; the otters’ session is the one to catch before you leave.
- Quiz trails and talks
Quiz trails and talks along the route, for children who like questions as much as fish.
- Child prices
Check child prices on the listing before you book; the $24 shown here is per person.
Is it worth it?
Is the Benalmadena aquarium worth $24?
For families, yes. $24 per person buys a visit you can shape around your children: the touch pool, the feeds, the quiz trails and the tunnel. Because the ticket stays valid for 1 month, you can keep it for the day that suits you instead of fixing one now.
Read the score for what it is. The Benalmadena aquarium is rated 4.1 out of 5 from 477 reviews: a good result from a large number of visitors. Come for sharks over your head, a starfish in your hand and a green turtle at the glass. Travelling without children? The tunnel and the turtle still make it a good change of pace from the beach.
Before you go
Five things to know before you buy
The practical points, all taken from the listing.
- Pick your day later
The ticket is valid for 1 month. Check availability on the listing to see starting times.
- Pay later if you prefer
You can reserve now and pay later, which keeps your plans flexible.
- Cancel if plans change
The ticket comes with free cancellation.
- Wheelchair users
The listing marks the visit as wheelchair accessible.
- Food and souvenirs
There is a food truck and a marine shop on site.
Our verdict
Who should book the aquarium
Book it if you travel with children. The Benalmadena aquarium gives them sharks overhead, a starfish in the hand and an otter feed, for $24 per person on a ticket that lasts a month. Without children? Go for the tunnel and the turtle, and spend the other half of the day at sea.
Make a day of it
Pair it with a boat trip
The aquarium fills part of a day; the sea can fill the rest. The boats on this site leave from Puerto Marina, and you can compare all six on our home page. Our top pick is the private boat with drinks at $191 for the whole boat, up to 10 people, with snorkel gear and dolphin watching on its list.
Book direct
Book the Benalmadena aquarium or our top pick
The aquarium ticket is per person; the private boat price is for the whole boat, up to 10 people.
Our top pick1 - 6 h
1 - 6 hBenalmádena: Private Boat:Drinks/Snacks, Activities&Dolphins
★ 4.8 · 178 reviews
- 1 to 6 hours, Private boat for your group
- Snorkel gear and fishing rods
- Longest tour here
- Free cancellation
$191per group, up to 10 people
Check availability→ Common questions
Benalmadena aquarium questions, answered
How much is the aquarium ticket in Benalmádena?
The ticket on this site costs $24 per person. Check child prices on the listing before you book. You can reserve now and pay later, and the ticket comes with free cancellation.
How long do you need at the aquarium?
The listing gives no set length. The ticket is valid for 1 month, so you choose the day; check availability for starting times. Leave time for the whole route, from the Mediterranean area through the tunnel to the Amazonia zone, and for the otters’ feeding session before you leave.
Can you touch the animals?
Yes, in the interactive rockpool: the listing names starfish and hermit crabs among the creatures you can touch. There is also an interactive bio-beach.
Is the aquarium wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The listing marks the visit as wheelchair accessible.
Is there food at the aquarium?
The listing mentions a food truck and a marine shop on site.
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