SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
4
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium is New Zealand’s most famous aquarium! It is home to New Zealand's only sub-Antarctic penguins and offers a myriad of opportunities to get up close and personal with incredible marine life from the Pacific and Southern oceans. For a truly incredible experience, take the plunge on an Animal Adventure jump into the shark Cage and go snorkeling with massive sharks or jump on the ice and get up close and personal with the King and Gentoo penguins!
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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  • slusignan
    Montreal, Canada107 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful; great displays; love the penguins.
    This is a great place to see live penguins and the walk-through aquarium is wonderful; full of large fish, stingrays, sharks. It was not crowded when we went so we could appreciate it better. We found it a bit pricey as it's not a very large Aquarium and would only take you less than an hour to tour.
    Kia ora. Thank you for leaving us a review about your visit with us. We are sorry to hear that you found us too expensive. As we are home to thousands of animals, our running costs are very high and we try our best to limit how much of this is passed onto our guests. Unlike other Auckland attractions, we do not receive any Government funding and so we rely on the proceeds from our ticket sales to cover the running costs. Due to the entire attraction being underground, we do not have the space to expand our aquarium much more. I hope you were able to enjoy all of the different zones we have inside the attraction, including the largest colony of sub-Antarctica penguins as well as New Zealand’s one and only Turtle Hospital! A great way to add time and value to your visit is to listen to one of our education talks that we do almost hourly throughout the day. We hope to SEA you again soon! Ngā mihi SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's :)
    Written 9 April 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 25 March 2023
  • SachdevSnacker
    Wellington, New Zealand13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Experience
    Great fun had at Kelly Tarltons on out visit up to Auckland. Kids especially loved the penguins and checking out the sharks. Best aquarium experience we have had. Very busy during the school holidays so best to book tickets online to skip the queue. Trip through the aquarium takes 2 - 3 hours depending how much you want to interact at each attraction. Quite pricey but worth it for the experience. Was definitely one of the favourite things we did while on our Auckland holiday.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 10 July 2023
  • tekohiwi
    Whitianga, New Zealand505 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must do
    Neither of us had been for over 10 years so we saw quite a few changes but all were great. It’s an awesome attraction for young and old and so well done. Plenty to see and the cafe was well stocked and well priced. Definitely needs to be on your list when visiting Auckland.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 2 November 2023
  • Relax597254
    922 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A little expensive
    Visited on a weekday, no queue. The entrance is small but they made an effort to put conspicuous signages. Find it a little expensive at NZD45. Saw a good mix of animals from penguins, stingray, jellyfish.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 10 November 2023
  • Traci N
    Adelaide, Australia2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mum & adult daughter break
    Visiting from Australia which coincided with the massive Auckland flood in January 23. . Had a cruise cancelled so we decided to pop in to aquarium. Loved it. It was quite spectacular to see the high water levels against the glass, then watch it disappear. Beautiful experience for my marine bio student daughter seeing the rays and turtles & sharks. A great experience, and LOVE the moving ice tunnel!!
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 7 December 2023
  • Brittany
    Sevierville, Tennessee168 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great for kids!
    My son had a blast from the moment we walked in! Compared to the aquarium near us in the U.S., this one was quite a bit smaller but still a lot to see and learn! There was plenty to keep my son interested, as well as a playground near the end. We weren't planning on visiting the aquarium but there was so much rainfall, we needed an indoor activity and I'm very glad we chose to go! We picked up a stuffed animal penguin "Pang" that my son still plays with to this day.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 29 December 2023
  • jojo
    Navi Mumbai, India1,767 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing underwater tunnel
    Truely amazing underwater views tunnel from Entry to Exit showing about 30 live awesome animal exhibits and wondrful habitants display. It was wonderful experiennce enjoyed penguins, fish,cafe, views, kids games, shops etc.A Day with the Life of Penguin Keeper was most liked. It was properly maintained and especially kids enjoyed most.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 7 February 2024
  • Tour41587119905
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent experience.
    The first clue that this aquarium was quite compelling was the fact that on a Tuesday midday, most of the patrons were adults without children. The penguin exhibit was very good, with its giant antarctic penguins waddling around. The turtle tank where they rehabilitate injured giant turtles was a bit vacant as only one turtle missing a flipper was residing. The shark tank with its moving sidewalk inside a tunnel was quite good. Many other colorful fish and attractions complete your day. We accessed the aquarium on the TMK bus from Britomart (about 15 minutes). Be aware they are cashless, so bring your credit card!
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 February 2024
  • tekohiwi
    Whitianga, New Zealand505 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great attraction
    Hadn’t been here for over 8 years so it had changed of course but thoroughly enjoyed it. Had lunch at the cafe watching the tide lap against the window. Great displays and highly recommend it. We even saw baby Penguins.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 5 March 2024
  • Stacey S
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic experience!!
    This was only the second time I've been here, the first was when it hadn't been open long and I was very young with my parents, (I'm now 48!!) Absolutely amazing! Awesome that we can see and learn about certain sea life that we wouldn't otherwise get to see. Great educational place regarding Scott's Hut etc. Really impressed!
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 10 March 2024
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles3,073 reviews
Excellent
1,244
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547
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75

Stacey S
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
This was only the second time I've been here, the first was when it hadn't been open long and I was very young with my parents, (I'm now 48!!) Absolutely amazing! Awesome that we can see and learn about certain sea life that we wouldn't otherwise get to see. Great educational place regarding Scott's Hut etc. Really impressed!
Written 10 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tekohiwi
Whitianga, New Zealand505 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
Hadn’t been here for over 8 years so it had changed of course but thoroughly enjoyed it. Had lunch at the cafe watching the tide lap against the window. Great displays and highly recommend it. We even saw baby Penguins.
Written 5 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tour41587119905
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
The first clue that this aquarium was quite compelling was the fact that on a Tuesday midday, most of the patrons were adults without children. The penguin exhibit was very good, with its giant antarctic penguins waddling around. The turtle tank where they rehabilitate injured giant turtles was a bit vacant as only one turtle missing a flipper was residing. The shark tank with its moving sidewalk inside a tunnel was quite good. Many other colorful fish and attractions complete your day. We accessed the aquarium on the TMK bus from Britomart (about 15 minutes). Be aware they are cashless, so bring your credit card!
Written 13 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jojo
Navi Mumbai, India1,767 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
Truely amazing underwater views tunnel from Entry to Exit showing about 30 live awesome animal exhibits and wondrful habitants display. It was wonderful experiennce enjoyed penguins, fish,cafe, views, kids games, shops etc.A Day with the Life of Penguin Keeper was most liked. It was properly maintained and especially kids enjoyed most.
Written 8 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sue H
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
The experience was wonderful and well worth the cost of admission. Regardless of your age you will really enjoy this experience.
Written 5 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul R
8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
Participated in the Shark Dive highly reccomend it to anyone you do not need any experience and the level of instruction and knowledge from Sophie the Instructor was supern
Written 16 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul R
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Participated in the Shark Dive had Sophie as our instructor really enjoyed getting up close to the sharks totally safe and easy to participate with no experience of any kind needed
Written 15 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Prospark
3 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
The whole experience wasn’t too bad. We were expecting a lot more.
The cafeteria didn’t have much to offer and what it did have, wasn’t fresh. The pies were hard and the croissants couldn’t be toasted because they didn’t have one. For NZ the good old fish and chips is a definite must. But not here.
No divers in the aquarium interacting with the sea life.
A mermaid for the kids would of been delightful for the kids.
Written 6 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brittany
Sevierville, TN168 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 • Family
My son had a blast from the moment we walked in! Compared to the aquarium near us in the U.S., this one was quite a bit smaller but still a lot to see and learn! There was plenty to keep my son interested, as well as a playground near the end. We weren't planning on visiting the aquarium but there was so much rainfall, we needed an indoor activity and I'm very glad we chose to go! We picked up a stuffed animal penguin "Pang" that my son still plays with to this day.
Written 29 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

yachty1965
Whangarei, New Zealand14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
The kids had a great time and enjoyed all the things on show
They couldn’t stop talking about it all the way home to Whangarei
Written 27 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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