Welcome to Galway Atlantaquaria

Engage, Educate And Inspire

Ireland’s largest native species aquarium. Visit us and discover the diversity of life in our oceans, rivers, lakes and canals.

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Learn about the wonderful and varied species
and their habitats. Be inspired to play your
part in protecting our shared planet.
Mum and Son looking at fish,
OUR zoo & AQUARIUM

Visit Our Aquarium

Discover Ireland’s largest native species aquarium — a fun and educational experience for all ages. Plan your family day out today and explore everything Atlantaquaria has to offer. Download our BROCHURE.

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Animals & Exhibits
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EXPLORE

OUR MOST POPULAR
ANIMALS AND EXHIBITS

From the sharks that swim in our seas to freshwater fish that glide along our rivers and under the surface of our tranquil lakes, not to mention the colourful and exotic creatures from warmer climates – there is so much for you to encounter on a visit with us.

ocean zone

Ocean Zone

Get up close with the aquarium’s largest predators in the Ocean Zone, a deepwater exhibit that is home to Bream, Wreckfish, Bass, and Smoothhound, a common species of shark found in Irish waters. Wreckfish are often found in caves and shipwrecks and can live for over 70 years and reach almost 100 kilos! While Wreckfish and Sharks enjoy deeper waters and colder temperatures, Bream prefer warmer, shallower waters. 

Did you know?

With the current increase in ocean temperatures species like Bream have become more common in Irish waters.

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Small Octopus traversing the substrate.

Octopus

The Octopus is an incredible animal, considered to be the most intelligent of all invertebrates – animals with no backbone – capable of exploring, understanding and remembering its environment. A master at camouflage, the octopus can hide in very small spaces which means that sometimes it can be difficult to spot! The Octopus is part of the Cephalopod family, which includes Squid and Cuttlefish.

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waterfall

Waterfall

Our freshwater exhibit is home to Perch and Rudd. Perch live in slow-flowing rivers and deep lakes and use the stripes on their bodies to camouflage themselves in the weeds. They ambush unsuspecting prey by unleashing a burst of speed. As a smaller species, Rudd prefers safety in numbers and is often part of a large shoal. A Rudd’s mouth points upwards which is how they like to feed, often taking its food from the surface of the water.

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clownfish

Clown Fish

Clownfish get their name from their bright orange colouring and white stripes. These colourful fish come from warmer, tropical ocean regions. They live near coral reefs which provide them with food, such as shrimp, shellfish and seaweed, and protection. To make them feel at home, we heat their seawater all year round. Clownfish can change from male to female. If the chief female in a family unit dies, the chief male will turn into a female to take her place!

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biodiversity

Tropical Zone

Our Tropical Zone has Stingrays, Cichlids and Red-Bellied Piranhas. Piranhas are native to the Amazon Basin in South America. They prey on aquatic and land animals and have razor-sharp teeth that cut into their prey with ease. Piranhas have a ravenous appetite when hungry, so we make sure to feed ours every day to keep them calm and relaxed.

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ray pool 1

Ray Pool

The Ray Pool is home to our Rays, small species of shark including Dogfish and large flatfish such as Turbot. The most common Ray in Galway Bay is the Thornback. The Ray’s skeleton is made of cartilage, not bone, and they lay eggs known as Mermaid’s Purses. Rays spend much of their time buried in the sand to hide from predators and to hunt for their prey. To allow them to breathe under the sand, they have a small hole – called a spiracle – behind each eye that helps give them oxygen.

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EMBARK ON A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY AND
LEARNING WITH THE ATLANTAQUARIA TEAM.

DISCOVERY & LEARNING

WE WANT TO ENGAGE,
EDUCATE & INSPIRE.

Educating our visitors about marine and freshwater life by sharing our passion, knowledge and expertise. Our comprehensive discovery, investigation and learning programme offers formal and informal learning opportunities – both online and in-person – in a fun and engaging way.

From school tours to virtual classrooms to community events and corporate team building, there is something for visitors of all ages and abilities.

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learn waves 2x
Aquarium staff talking to people,
feeding experiences at the Aquarium,
Marine and Freshwater experiences,
Friendly Staff talking to child,
VIRTUAL TOUR

VIEW OUR VIRTUAL TOUR TO
ENJOY THE AQUARIUM AT HOME

Sit back and enjoy the virtual guided tours and ‘Think Tank’ Quiz.

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Testimonials

What people are
saying about Our aquarium

Amazing place for kids. My toddler had a wonderful day at the aquarium. Its not very far from the center. You can walk or take a bus to the location. It is located at such a beautiful place, just across the vast ocean

Debotri Dhar Chowdhury, June 2025

Very good, just very good, I don’t want to spoil anything.

Harry_MAN_pl, July 2025

DAILY EVENTS

What’s on today

Please ask at reception for a more detailed explanation of what’s on today.

PLAN YOUR VISIT
An Aquarium team member smiles at a small child looking at some biofacts on a table.
Talks and Experiences

Our team plan a selection of small talks and engagements for the public each weekend, bank holidays, and during the school holidays. Topics usually focus on native species, conservation and animal adaptions. We are also here to stop and chat and answer your questions. Visitors can also take part in self guided challenges such as scavenger hunts and Fishy Fun Quiz which is available at Reception. Talks are advertised at reception daily. For special events see here.

TOURS & VIP EXPERIENCES
A family with an Aquarium member of staff feeding the fish.
FEEDING Experiences

Our team provide a number of Feeding Experiences that the public can watch and explore. They include the feeding of our Freshwater animals and Exhibits, Our Big Fish Feeding Tour, which includes the Ray Pool and Our Small Fish Feeding Tour. Feeding Tours take place regularly, and are advertised at reception daily. Our Animal Team are also happy to stop and chat and answer your questions.

NEWS

Whats new at Galway Atlantaquaria

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