St Paul’s Bay: Malta National Aquarium Entry Ticket

The best part of Malta’s National Aquarium is the walk-through tunnel, where sharks and larger fish pass above you in the main tank. The aquarium also packs in a submarine simulation, themed habitats, reptiles, frogs, insects, and a separate floor about Malta’s history and objects recovered from the sea.

I like the freedom to move at your own pace, and I like the staff talks, especially when you can catch feeding sessions such as the piranhas or sharks. The building is clean, easy to navigate, and a good refuge from a hot afternoon. The main drawback is its size: some people finish in 30 to 45 minutes, so the $20 ticket offers better value if you read the displays, attend talks, or have children with you.

Key Points Before You Go

• Walk beneath sharks and large fish: The main tank tunnel gives the aquarium its most memorable moment.
• See 51 display tanks: Exhibits cover Mediterranean and international marine life, along with reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
• Plan around the talks: Feeding sessions and short educational presentations add useful context and make a shorter visit feel fuller.
• Allow 1 to 2 hours: You can move faster, but careful reading and the interactive features extend the visit.
• Expect a family setting: Young children have plenty to watch, while adults can focus on conservation, habitats, and Malta’s maritime past.
• Use the whole building: The aquarium is not just a series of tanks. There is also a submarine simulation, a restaurant, a gift shop, and a Malta history floor.

Entering Malta’s Starfish-Shaped Aquarium

The Malta National Aquarium sits in St Paul’s Bay inside an unusual starfish-shaped building. You start at the aquarium itself, scan your ticket at the entrance, and then follow the displays at your own speed. There is no guided tour included, which is useful if you prefer to linger at one tank or move quickly past another.

The route is easy to follow, and the setting feels tidy and well cared for. The exhibits are arranged around Malta’s historical landmarks, giving the aquarium a local identity instead of presenting a generic collection of fish tanks.

Each display aims to recreate part of an animal’s natural underwater environment. The result is more useful than simply looking at fish through glass, since the information panels explain what you are seeing and connect the animals to their habitats.

You will find both saltwater and freshwater species. The collection includes Mediterranean marine life and animals from other parts of the world, with more than 250 species across 51 tanks. That number sounds huge, but the aquarium itself is not huge. Think of it as a compact, focused afternoon activity rather than a full-day attraction.

The Main Tank Tunnel and Underwater Views

The walk-through tunnel is the aquarium’s clear centerpiece. You pass through the main tank while sharks and larger fish move overhead, giving children a good reason to slow down and look up. It is also the best spot for photographs, although flash photography is not allowed.

The tunnel does not take long to cross, but it gives the visit a strong visual high point. If you arrive with young children, this is likely the moment they will remember most. It is also a helpful place to pause if the smaller tanks begin to blur together.

The displays around the main tank include detailed information about the animals and their environments. You can simply enjoy the movement and color, or stop to read about the species. Your choice affects the length of the visit quite a bit.

Crowding can change the experience. At busy times, people may gather around the larger tanks, making it harder to get a clear view. Arriving near opening time was useful for one family, while another found the aquarium crowded enough that viewing some exhibits became difficult. No opening hours are provided with this ticket, so check the current schedule before setting out.

Fish, Jellyfish, Reptiles, and Smaller Creatures

The aquarium gives you more than fish. Along the route, you can see jellyfish, reptiles, amphibians, frogs, and insects. This variety helps keep the visit interesting for children who may not spend long studying one type of fish.

The jellyfish displays offer a slower, calmer change from the larger tanks. Reptiles and amphibians add a land-based element, while the insects broaden the collection beyond the usual aquarium fare. The selection is not enormous, and some people will wish for more frogs or a wider range of fish, but there is enough variety for a pleasant visit.

The level of detail is one of the better features here. If you read the panels, you will learn about the animals as well as the conditions they need. Families can keep moving, while adults and older children can stop for the environmental information.

The aquarium is clean throughout, and the animals appear well cared for. That matters in a relatively small attraction, where poor presentation would be obvious. The rooms feel orderly, and the route is straightforward.

Talks, Feeding Sessions, and Interactive Features

Try to time your entry around one of the scheduled talks. The education staff give presentations about the animals, and the sessions are described as clear, friendly, and engaging. These talks add life to the displays because you hear explanations rather than relying only on printed panels.

Feeding sessions can be especially worthwhile. The piranha feeding has been a popular educational feature, and shark feeding has also been available at set times. Staff have helped families find a feeding session when they learned that a child wanted to see the sharks.

Schedules can change, so check what is running when you arrive. The ticket includes aquarium entry, but the supplied information does not promise a particular feeding or talk. If you see one advertised, plan your route around it rather than assuming you can catch it later.

There are also interactive points for children and adults. The submarine simulation is a favorite feature, presenting the sensation of traveling to the ocean floor in a crashing-submarine scenario. Another small attraction simulates time in a pressure chamber. These additions are brief, but they break up the tank viewing and give younger visitors something hands-on to anticipate.

For adults, the talks are the more valuable extra. They help explain conservation and the threats caused by human activity, turning the aquarium into more than a photo stop.

Conservation Information With a Local Focus

The aquarium’s educational purpose is clear. Displays explain the main threats facing marine habitats and encourage environmental responsibility. This is particularly relevant in Malta, an island country whose daily life and identity are closely tied to the sea.

The information is presented for a general audience, so you do not need specialist knowledge to follow it. Children can pick up basic ideas about pollution, habitat damage, and human pressure, while older visitors can spend more time with the details.

I appreciate this part of the visit because it gives the animals a wider context. You are not only looking at a shark, jellyfish, or fish in a tank. You are also being reminded that the condition of natural habitats affects the animals you have come to see.

The conservation material will not turn the aquarium into a research museum, and the attraction remains compact. Still, it gives the visit a useful purpose and makes the educational talks worth catching.

Malta’s Maritime Past on the Upper Floor

Do not leave after the last aquarium tank. A separate upper floor presents facts about Malta and displays objects recovered from the sea. This section connects the marine collection with the country’s own maritime past.

It is a change of pace from the darker aquarium rooms. You move from living animals and recreated habitats to artifacts and historical information. The extra floor also gives you another reason to stay longer, especially if you are interested in Malta beyond beaches and swimming spots.

The available information does not give a full list of the objects or explain the complete layout, so treat this as an additional section rather than a separate museum visit. It is worth checking as you pass through, particularly if you have already seen the tanks quickly.

How Long the Visit Takes

The advertised activity remains valid for 180 days, but that does not mean you stay for 180 days. Your actual visit may last anywhere from about 30 minutes to more than three hours, depending on your pace and what else you do in the building.

Use these rough timings as a practical guide:

• A quick look at the tanks can take around 30 to 45 minutes.
• A normal visit with some reading takes about 1 to 2 hours.
• Talks, feeding sessions, the submarine simulation, the Malta history floor, food, and a second walk around can stretch the visit beyond two hours.
• Families with children may spend longer because of the interactive features and repeated stops.

The different estimates are not really contradictory. Someone moving straight through may find the aquarium short, while someone who reads each panel and waits for a talk can make an afternoon of it.

If your schedule is tight, the aquarium can fill a spare hour. If you expect a large international aquarium with many halls, you may feel the ticket is expensive for the size. The attraction works best when you treat the extra information and scheduled activities as part of the visit.

Is the $20 Ticket Good Value?

At $20 per person, the ticket is reasonably priced for a family-friendly activity, but value depends strongly on how you use it. The aquarium is smaller than many major city aquariums, so a fast visit may leave you feeling that you paid a lot for a short experience.

I think the price works better if you:

• Stay for an educational talk.
• Watch a feeding session.
• Read the habitat and conservation displays.
• Visit the submarine simulation and the upper history floor.
• Stop for food at the on-site restaurant.
• Travel with children who will enjoy the interactive features and revisit favorite tanks.

The ticket includes entry only. It does not include a tour, and any backstage or behind-the-scenes experience is separate. Extra activities have included food preparation, laboratories, and staff explanations, but you should confirm availability and cost directly if that interests you.

The building also has a cafe or restaurant and a gift shop. The food has received strong praise, while the shop sells souvenirs such as magnets and animal toys. Keep an eye on photo charges: printed photos may cost extra, and one visitor was surprised by a €7 charge for a single picture.

Families, Accessibility, and Crowds

This is one of the easier Malta activities to recommend to families. The aquarium is wheelchair accessible, the route is simple, and there are animals at many heights and sizes to keep children interested. A toddler may enjoy the movement of the fish, while an older child can follow the conservation information or watch a feeding.

The experience can also work well for children with different attention spans. One child finished in about 30 minutes, then walked back through the aquarium for another look. You can do the same because the exhibits are compact and easy to revisit.

Noise and crowding are the main comfort issues. One visitor found the place noisy, and several comments point to busy periods when it became harder to see the tanks. People standing close to the glass can also make the route feel less relaxed.

If your child is sensitive to crowds or noise, an early visit may be the better choice. You can then take your time before more people arrive. The aquarium has a park outside, which gives families a place to pause before or after the visit.

Getting There and Building a Malta Day

You meet at the Malta National Aquarium in St Paul’s Bay. The aquarium is near bus routes along the road, and taxi access is also practical. A taxi from St Julian’s has been described as costing about €15, though fares can change.

The location makes this easy to pair with other time in St Paul’s Bay. You can visit the aquarium, use the nearby outdoor space, and stop for food without needing a full-day plan. The on-site restaurant is convenient if you want to avoid another transfer.

The ticket is valid for 180 days, with availability and starting times checked at booking. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. These terms are useful if weather or transport affects your Malta schedule.

Who Should Book This Aquarium Visit?

I would choose this for families, couples looking for a relaxed indoor activity, and anyone with a spare afternoon in St Paul’s Bay. It is also a sensible choice on a hot day, when an air-conditioned attraction is welcome.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy reading exhibit panels, joining short talks, and taking your time with smaller creatures. Children who like sharks, submarines, reptiles, or interactive features should have plenty to occupy them.

I would hesitate if you have visited several large aquariums and expect a full-scale attraction. The selection is good for the building’s size, but it is not vast. If your main goal is to see hundreds of different fish varieties, you may finish sooner than expected.

Should You Book the Malta National Aquarium?

Book it if you want a clean, accessible, family-friendly attraction with a strong tunnel display, useful talks, and more than just fish tanks. Plan for at least an hour, and preferably two if you want the educational sections, feeding sessions, submarine simulation, and Malta history floor.

Skip it if you are looking for a major all-day aquarium or if your itinerary has no room for a compact attraction. The $20 price is fair when you use the full building, but less convincing for a quick walk-through.

My practical choice would be an early visit, followed by a talk or feeding session, then lunch at the restaurant. That approach gives you the best chance of seeing the main tank without a crowd and makes the ticket feel like a proper St Paul’s Bay outing.

FAQ

Where is Malta’s National Aquarium located?

The aquarium is in St Paul’s Bay, Malta. You start the activity at the Malta National Aquarium.

How much does the entry ticket cost?

The listed price is $20 per person. The ticket includes entry to the Malta National Aquarium only.

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for 180 days. You need to check availability for the available starting times.

How long should I allow for the visit?

Allow about 1 to 2 hours for a normal visit. A quick visit may take around 30 to 45 minutes, while talks, feeding sessions, the history floor, and other features can keep you there longer.

What can I see inside the aquarium?

You can see Mediterranean and international marine life in 51 display tanks, with more than 250 species. The collection includes freshwater and saltwater fish, jellyfish, reptiles, amphibians, frogs, and insects.

Is there a walk-through tunnel?

Yes. The main tank has a walk-through tunnel where you can see larger fish and sharks swimming above you.

Is the aquarium wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The aquarium is wheelchair accessible.

What restrictions apply inside?

Flash photography, alcohol, drugs, and pets are not allowed.

Can I cancel the ticket?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.