Phuket Aquarium สถานแสดงพันธุ์สัตว์น้ำ ภูเก็ต

Phuket Aquarium is located at the very end of Cape Panwa, just follow the road down until you meet the sea and turn to the left along the sea road. Operated by The Marine Biology Department, who do a lot of work in saving injured marine life and testing water quality around Phuket, if you turn up on the right day you might even see a rescue operation in action. This year they have had several missions to save dolphins and turtles, sometimes successful, sometimes not. In some cases like the turtle that arrived just after my visit it can mean major surgery, in this case leg amputation carried out by their capable team.

Thanks to Phuket Aquarium on facebook (click to see the rest of the album)

Their website offers a lot of useful information, photos and videos (mostly in Thai) and during working hours there are webcams in several locations that can be seen on their website just look for the Closed Circuit TV link http://www.dmcr.go.th/phuketaquarium/?page_id=360&lang=en

The Aquarium has been open for years and despite refurbishment not so long ago it is looking a bit tired, however on my recent visit (September 2012) there were signs of work going on so things should be looking good soon! All said it is still a fun experience and all for a 100Baht entrance fee. On Saturdays and Sundays there is a feeding show at 11am. 

Upside Down Jellyfish

I thought they looked a bit like giant snowflakes! 

Giant Grouper

Difficult to appreciate the size in a photo- let's just say my head would fit in it's mouth!

Behind the Aquarium building is a nature trail and their nursery. Personally I found the nursery the best bit of my visit. Instead of looking in big tanks you could bend over small fish tanks to see anemones, clam shells, starfish and a variety of fish being segregated for breeding purposes.

The highlight of my visit to the Nursery had to be the baby seahorses, at first they looked like the mosquito larvae you see in stagnant water, but at a closer look you could see their seahorse shape. The lady who looked after the Nursery told me that only a few would survive which is very sad after all they do to look after them. There was also a tank with seahorse parents ready to give birth, holding on to a piece of floating string with their tails.

I also found the low level tanks containing anemones and clams fascinating. Clams are a protected species and are getting hard to see in coastal waters so it was wonderful to see just how colourful the shellfish inside actually is.

The Nursery also has the duty of looking after sick fish and we had a good laugh at one fish that was lying down on it's side at the bottom of the tank looking really unwell. Then just when we started feeling sorry for it, it took off on a somersaulting swim around the tank! Apparently it has been there for months, sick no - maybe just a little bit crazy! 

The Aquarium closes at 16.30 pm so due to my late arrival I didn't have time to follow the rest of the nature trail which meant I missed the turtle nursery (and the souvenir shop) so I guess it's another trip back again soon!