Primorsky Aquarium (Oceanarium)

Приморский океанариум

Russia's largest aquarium, shaped like a shell on Russky Island, from Baikal seals to Sea of Japan fish, with dolphin, beluga and walrus shows.

The Primorsky Aquarium is a research aquarium run by the Russian Academy of Sciences. It opened on Russky Island in 2016, and its building is shaped like a giant white seashell. It covers 37,000 square meters and is the largest aquarium in Russia and among the largest in the world. The exhibits are arranged by Russian and Pacific waters: the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk halls (king crabs, salmon, giant octopus), the Lake Baikal hall (freshwater Baikal seals), the Amur River hall, the tropical ocean hall (coral reef and a 70-metre underwater tunnel), the polar hall (penguins), and galleries on Earth's evolution and ecology.

The most popular attraction is the dolphinarium show featuring dolphins, belugas, walruses and sea lions. It lasts about 40 minutes and takes place one to three times a day, typically at 11:00 and 15:00. It is closed on Mondays and requires a separate ticket. Adult admission costs about 1,000 rubles and shows about 800-1,000 rubles. Tickets can be bought online or on site, and the aquarium is crowded on weekends and holidays.

There is a café inside, and the lawn outside faces the bay, with views of the Russky Island Bridge.

Getting there: take bus No. 15 from the city center (the terminus is at the aquarium, about 50 minutes), or take a taxi for about 500-700 rubles. From the Far Eastern Federal University campus, you can walk or take a campus shuttle.

Note: closed on Mondays. Show tickets sell out in peak season, so it is best to book online a day in advance. The aquarium is large, so allow at least three hours. A Chinese guide map is available.

Primorsky Aquarium (Oceanarium)

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