The Oceanographic Park in Valencia is the biggest and largest of its kind in Europe. This was definitely the highlight of my visit in Valencia. If you’re going to visit (and you must!), you’ll have to allot one day for it as there are many things to see and do here.
The Oceanographic Park was designed by Felix Candela and is part of the stunning Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias complex. It covers a total of 42 million litres of water, distributed in different tanks and open air swimming pools, reproducing ecosystems of the planet’s main seas and oceans. Each building is identified with the following aquatic environments: the Mediterranean, Wetlands, Temperate and Tropical Seas, Oceans, the Antarctic, the Arctic, Islands, and the Red Sea, as well as the Dolphinarium with 24 million litres of water and a depth of 10.5 metres.
There are over 45,000 individuals of 500 different species that can be seen in the park which includes dolphins, belugas, walruses, sea lions, seals, penguins, turtles, sharks, rays, sawfish, jellyfish, starfish, sea urchins, and crustaceans of all kinds, as well as wetland bird species such as those inhabiting the Albufera de Valencia and tropical mangrove swamps.
You will see sharks and belugas swimming above your head in the aquarium and penguins walking around in their funny postures. Plus a lot of colorful fishes and totally weird things like the giant spider crab. As someone who dives and is not much acquainted with actual names of sea creatures (I know! I’m getting there!), it was great to be able to know more about them in this oceanographic park.
I so badly wanted to go dive while I was in the park. It was so beautiful and amazing.
And of course, an oceanographic park is not complete without a dolphin show. The one here in Valencia is pretty fun and entertaining. Those dolphins are very smart. I don’t know how long it took them to learn all those tricks!
Now, on with the beautiful pictures!
wow !! fantastic Images
thanks. do share it!
Very interesting! Reminds me of Sea World in San Diego. Love the flamincos.
Yep. You should totally visit soon Debbie!
P.S. How did you end up in my website?
Very cool. I’ve been to Valencia, but I somehow missed this. I’d love to eat in that restaurant. Great pics!
Thanks Chris! You know where to go next time you visit. I highly recommend it!
P.S. I can’t seem to access your website…
This looks amazing! I love the pictures of the seahorses, and that beluga whale looks SO happy. Adorable! I never knew something like this existed in Valencia. Thanks for sharing
Youre welcome Tom. This was one of the highlights of my stay in Valencia. You should definitely go next time.
DJ
Love the photo of the beluga whale! I visited here a few years ago but didn’t go inside the aquarium—instead I just took photos of the building itself which was also amazing.
He’s quite a happy camper haha. Oh yeah, the Calatrava nerdplex ;D
Wonderful photography! I am happy to call Valencia my home and I am very proud of our CAC.
Thanks! Are you a local?