St Paul’s Bay: Malta National Aquarium Entry Ticket

Small aquariums can still make a big splash. Malta’s National Aquarium gives you a pleasant, family-friendly look at Mediterranean sea life and creatures from farther afield, with 51 display tanks, more than 250 species, and a walk-through tunnel beneath a large central tank. I especially like the clear educational displays and the way the exhibits connect with Malta’s landmarks. The aquarium also does a good job explaining threats to marine habitats, rather than treating the fish as decoration.

I also like the relaxed format. You enter at your own pace, stop when something catches your eye, and can add scheduled talks or feeding sessions to the visit. The main caution is size: this is not one of Europe’s giant aquariums. Some people can see the main displays in 30 to 60 minutes, while families and careful readers may stay for two hours or more.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• The walk-through tunnel is the star: Sharks and larger fish pass above you in the main tank, making this the most memorable part of the visit.
• You get 51 tanks and more than 250 species: Expect saltwater and freshwater fish, jellyfish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
• The setting has a Maltese theme: Displays draw on local historical landmarks and recreate natural underwater habitats.
• Talks add real value: Feeding sessions and short presentations can make the visit more useful, especially for children.
• Plan for roughly one to two hours: Fast visitors may finish sooner, but reading the information panels and attending talks adds time.
• The ticket costs about $20 per person: That is reasonable for a clean, well-run family activity, though the aquarium may feel short if you expect a large complex.

Entering the Starfish-Shaped Building

The Malta National Aquarium sits inside an eye-catching starfish-shaped building at St Paul’s Bay. That unusual shell gives the visit a clear sense of place before you even reach the tanks. You start at the aquarium itself, with no separate tour group or fixed route to follow.

The ticket is for admission only. You are not joining a guided tour, so you can move at your own speed. That suits families with young children, couples who prefer not to rush, and anyone who wants to stop for every information panel.

The building is wheelchair accessible, which makes the attraction easier for a wider range of visitors. Flash photography, alcohol, drugs, and pets are not allowed. These rules are simple, but the ban on flash matters for the animals and helps keep the viewing areas calmer.

The aquarium can become busy, particularly later in the day. If you prefer a quieter visit, arriving close to opening time is a sensible choice. One visitor arrived about ten minutes after opening and found that the building filled quickly afterward. Crowding can make it harder to get a good view of smaller tanks, especially when children gather around the glass.

Malta’s Marine Life in 51 Display Tanks

The aquarium’s main strength is variety within a modest footprint. Across 51 tanks, you can see species from the Mediterranean and other parts of the world. The collection includes freshwater fish, saltwater fish, jellyfish, reptiles, frogs, amphibians, and insects.

I like that the tanks are not presented as a random parade of animals. The displays are themed around Malta’s historical landmarks, and many habitats are arranged to resemble the conditions in which the animals live. This gives you more to think about than simply identifying fish by color and shape.

The information panels are detailed. If you read them carefully, the visit lasts much longer than a quick walk past the glass. You can learn about individual species, their habitats, and the pressures placed on marine environments by human activity.

This educational side is particularly useful for families. Young children may be drawn first to the movement and color, but the panels and talks give older children something to take away. The attraction also provides interactive points, and some visitors found themselves making a second circuit after attending animal presentations.

The range is good for the aquarium’s size, although it is not endless. If you have visited very large aquariums, you may wish for more fish varieties or additional exhibits. A few visitors felt they had reached the end sooner than expected. That is the main value question here: the aquarium offers a focused afternoon activity, not an all-day institution.

The Main Tank and Walk-Through Tunnel

The walk-through tunnel is the feature most likely to stay in your memory. You pass below a large tank while fish and small to medium-sized sharks move overhead. The sense of being under the water gives the visit a lift, especially for children who may not spend long reading signs.

The tunnel is not enormous, and it can become crowded. You may need to wait for a clear view, particularly when families stop for photographs. Still, it provides the kind of simple, physical experience that makes an aquarium feel special rather than simply instructional.

The large tank also gives you a chance to watch animal movement over time. Instead of looking at a small creature in a single compartment, you see larger species move through open water above you. If you have a child who loves sharks, ask at the entrance about feeding times. Staff have directed families to shark feedings so they did not miss them.

Bring patience if you want photographs. The tunnel and central tanks are popular stopping points, and the experience is better when you allow people ahead of you to finish rather than trying to rush through.

Jellyfish, Reptiles, Frogs, and Insects

The aquarium is not limited to fish. Jellyfish provide some of the most graceful displays, with their slow movement and unusual shapes. Reptiles, frogs, and insects add a welcome change of pace, especially for children who enjoy creatures that do not live underwater.

The amphibian section receives mixed reactions mainly because of its size. You will see frogs and other amphibians, but anyone hoping for a large frog collection may find it limited. One visitor specifically wished for more frogs, while another praised the range of amphibians overall.

The wider mix is useful because it shows how water environments connect with life on land. It also keeps the visit moving. If you have a child who loses interest in fish after ten minutes, the reptiles and insects offer a fresh reason to stop.

The exhibits are clean and well maintained. Several visitors described the building as tidy, fresh-looking, and carefully cared for. That matters in an aquarium, where dirty glass or tired displays can quickly spoil the experience.

Talks, Feeding Sessions, and the Submarine Simulation

The scheduled talks are worth fitting into your visit. Staff presentations cover the animals in an approachable way, and the education team has been praised for its energy and clear explanations. Sessions may include animal feedings, such as piranha feeding, and visitors have also caught shark feedings.

Check the daily schedule when you arrive. The timing can change the quality of your visit. Without a talk, you may finish the main route quickly. With a feeding or presentation, you gain a closer look at animal behavior and a chance to ask questions.

The aquarium also includes a submarine-style simulation. It presents the feeling of traveling downward through the ocean, including a crashing-submarine scenario. This is not a major attraction on the scale of a theme park ride, but it adds a playful break from looking through glass. Children often enjoy it, and adults may find it a fun change of rhythm.

Some visitors have also enjoyed a brief pressure-chamber experience. The attraction seems to include several small interactive elements beyond the tanks, so ask staff what is operating on the day you visit.

If you want more than the standard ticket, behind-the-scenes access may be available for an additional charge. This can include food preparation, laboratories, and areas normally out of sight. It is not part of the standard entry ticket, but it may be worthwhile for serious animal fans or anyone who has already seen the main aquarium.

The Malta History Floor and On-Site Facilities

The aquarium visit can extend beyond marine life. An upper floor presents facts about Malta and displays artifacts found from the sea. This is a useful addition because it ties the aquarium to the island rather than leaving you with a generic collection of tanks.

You may want to allow extra time for this floor if you have an interest in Malta’s past. It also gives adults something to examine while younger children focus on the fish downstairs.

A café and restaurant are available on site, along with a gift shop. The restaurant has received strong praise for its food, and the café gives you an easy place to pause without leaving the attraction. The gift shop sells standard souvenirs as well as Malta-themed items, bracelets, magnets, and toys.

Photo opportunities are available, but check the price before ordering printed pictures. One visitor expected a photograph to be included and found that a single printed photo cost €7. This is a small point, but it is exactly the sort of extra charge that can surprise families.

There are toilets on site. Outside, you will find a park, and bus routes run along the road. The aquarium is also convenient from nearby hotels, and one visitor reported a taxi fare of about €15 from St Julian’s. The exact cost will depend on traffic and your pickup point, so treat that figure as a guide rather than a fixed fare.

Is $20 Good Value?

At about $20 per person, the ticket is fairly priced if you treat the aquarium as a one to two-hour activity with optional talks, the history floor, and on-site facilities. The clean displays, tunnel, animal presentations, and family focus support the price.

The value is weaker if you expect a full half-day attraction with huge tanks and dozens of separate sections. Some visitors completed the main route in around 30 minutes. Others spent two hours reading, watching talks, and returning to favorite displays. Your pace makes a major difference.

I would judge the ticket this way:

• Good value for families: Children can move between fish, sharks, reptiles, frogs, insects, and interactive features.
• Good value on a hot or rainy day: The aquarium gives you a comfortable indoor plan in St Paul’s Bay.
• Fair value for couples and adults: You will appreciate the conservation information and Malta history section, but the visit may feel brief without a talk.
• Less convincing for aquarium specialists: The collection is varied but not especially large, and you may want more species or larger habitats.

The flexible 180-day validity helps if your Malta plans change. You can book now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the visit for a full refund. Starting times depend on availability, so check before you set your day around a particular feeding or talk.

Who Will Enjoy This Aquarium Most?

I would recommend it most strongly to families with young children, especially children who like sharks, frogs, reptiles, or interactive attractions. The route is manageable, the tunnel creates a clear highlight, and the talks give the visit structure.

It also suits anyone with a spare morning or afternoon in St Paul’s Bay. You do not need to commit an entire day, and the restaurant, gift shop, and nearby park make it easy to combine with other plans.

Adults who enjoy conservation will find more depth in the habitat notes and explanations of threats to marine life. The aquarium discusses human activities that damage marine environments and promotes environmental responsibility. That message gives the displays a useful purpose.

I would hesitate if your only reason for going is to see a very large aquarium. You may finish the main route too quickly, especially if you skip the talks. Also consider the crowd level if you dislike waiting for a clear view of tanks.

My Practical Verdict

Book the Malta National Aquarium if you want a clean, easy family activity with a memorable tunnel, friendly staff, animal talks, and a useful conservation message. Allow at least an hour, and closer to two hours if you read the panels, attend a presentation, visit the Malta history floor, and stop for food.

Arrive early if you want more space around the tanks. Ask about shark or piranha feeding times, and check the cost of optional photos or behind-the-scenes activities before paying. At about $20, it is a sensible choice for a relaxed visit in St Paul’s Bay, as long as you understand that its appeal comes from careful displays and family-friendly extras rather than sheer size.

FAQ

Where is the Malta National Aquarium located?

It is located in St Paul’s Bay, Malta, inside a distinctive starfish-shaped building.

How much does admission cost?

The listed price is about $20 per person.

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for 180 days. You should check availability for the possible starting times.

How long should I allow for the visit?

Many people spend about one to two hours there. If you move quickly, you may see the main displays in around 30 to 60 minutes.

Is the aquarium suitable for children?

Yes. It is designed as a family-friendly experience, with a walk-through tunnel, interactive features, animal talks, and a submarine-style simulation.

Is the aquarium wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the aquarium is wheelchair accessible.

Does the ticket include a guided tour?

No. The standard ticket includes entry only. You explore independently, although scheduled talks and feeding sessions may be available.

What animals can I see?

The aquarium displays Mediterranean and international marine life, including freshwater and saltwater fish, jellyfish, reptiles, amphibians, frogs, and insects.

Can I take photographs inside?

Photography is allowed, but flash photography is not permitted. Printed photos may cost extra.

Can I cancel the booking?

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