Underwater World

Underwater World

Opened in July 2003 Underwater World Pattaya is the newest and biggest oceanarium in Asia. It covers a 19,200 sq.m. area and is situated in a huge marquee-like structure just south of Pattaya on the Sukhumvit Highway. On entering Underwater world, visitors are taken on a sensational journey to the bottom of the sea. From sandy beaches and rock pools on the shore, they descend past spectacular coloured corals and all kinds of extraordinary marine creatures until they reach the impressive centerpiece of the attraction: a 100 metre long, acrylic, pedestrian tunnel that winds through a wide-ranging underwater environment, containing a multitude of oceanic species. Here the visitor can experience sea life close up, with shoals of fish, marauding predators and numerous other kinds of sea creatures passing all around them. The aquarium itself is home to in excess of 4000 aquatic animals, ranging from more than 200 varieties from the local region, to a large number from other parts of the world.

Among the many attractions at Underwater World is the Touch Pool, where visitors can interact with a selection of animals found around Thailand's coastline. There is a reconstruction of an old stone temple and waterfall, with beautiful Japanese Koi carp swimming in its fresh water pool. The tropical coral reefs, with all their inhabitants, from the tiniest shrimp to shoals of brilliantly coloured fish are on show here. The striped clownfish and other anemone fish are displayed living in each of their own particular species of anemone. Blue ring angelfish, electric blue damselfish, butterfly fish, stingrays, large brown stingrays, shovelnose rays, giant groupers, huge nurse sharks, leopard sharks, blacktip reef sharks and the rare sharkray, with its sharks body and fattened and rounded rays head, are just some of the sea creatures represented here too.

Underwater World also plays an important part in marine conservation, plus educational programmes are continually being developed. It is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day and makes an outstanding day out for the whole family.