Skip the queues and head straight into Europe’s largest aquarium, home to 1,600 species across 85 aquariums and terrariums.

Your trip begins in the 18-meter-long submarine tunnel, where sharks and manta rays sweep past at eye level. Along the way, meet penguins in their icy enclosure and catch California sea lions during a lively training show, part of the aquarium’s long-running “Des rivages et des Hommes” (Seaside and Man) exhibit.

Step into the Voyage en Haute Mer exhibition, anchored by a spectacular 10-million-liter Malpelo coral-reef tank, the largest in Europe. Hammerhead sharks, manta rays, Caribbean corals, and shoals of tropical fish create an awe-inspiring seascape. This UNESCO-recognized habitat is so faithfully recreated that it functions as a breeding ground for endangered marine life.

Nausicaá blends spectacle with science. At the Touch Pool, you’ll gently interact with catsharks and thornback rays. Elsewhere, visit coral nurseries, jellyfish labs, and interactive marine science stations designed to connect guests with real-world conservation work. Families can also try the Grand Large augmented-reality experience (launched in 2022) to “dive” alongside ocean giants.

As Europe’s largest coral breeding center, Nausicaá offers something rare: the chance to see marine life reproducing in carefully maintained habitats. With a little luck, you might see the birth of fantail rays.

Walk through a 23-meter acrylic tunnel beneath the Malpelo tank, where sharks, rays, and other water creatures glide.  above and around you. This immersive 360° view is often described as the aquarium’s most special moment, and is meant to be a replica of the seabed of the Colombian island of Malpelo.

Step into a tropical underwater world with tanks designed to replicate a Caribbean reef. Live coral gardens host an array of colorful fish, while interactive touchscreens explain how reefs thrive and why they matter.

Watch African penguins waddle and dive in their walk-through gallery, then head next door to the amphitheater for the daily sea lion show. California sea lions show off their agility during feeding sessions led by their keepers.

Perfect for families, these areas include hands-on rockpool touch-tanks, glowing jellyfish pavilions, and a virtual reality corner for kids. Themed temporary exhibits highlight global ocean issues in fun and engaging ways.

Learn about the threats facing the world’s oceans through multimedia displays on pollution and climate change. You can also peek into the aquarium’s coral nursery, where baby corals are being carefully grown and studied.