SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World

About SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World

SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World is a large indoor aquarium on the B1 and B2 floors of Siam Paragon in Pathum Wan, right by BTS Siam. It opened in 2005 as Siam Ocean World and is now run by Merlin Entertainments. It covers about 10,000 square metres and holds around 5 million litres of water, and is often described as the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia. Inside it is dark and cool, with blue-lit tanks.

The route runs through themed zones including a rainforest area, coral reefs full of clownfish, a jellyfish room, a Shark Walk with a 4-metre sand tiger shark, a penguin area with gentoo penguins and a 270-degree ocean tunnel where sharks and rays pass overhead. There are daily feeding shows, touch pools, a 4D cinema and a glass-bottom boat ride as paid add-ons. Tickets are mid-to-high priced: online deals start around US$32 to US$45, and booking ahead is cheaper than the counter.

It is a good date for a hot or rainy day because it is cool, easy to reach and you can pair it with dinner or shopping at Siam Paragon. The jellyfish room and the tunnel are the romantic parts. Plan on 2 to 3 hours. Go on a weekday morning or later in the afternoon to avoid school groups and families.

Why it works for a date

• 270-degree ocean tunnel with sharks and rays
• Beautiful jellyfish zone
• Cool indoor escape from the heat
• Easy to combine with Siam Paragon

Good to be aware of

• Some visitors found it small for the price
• Pushy sales of package tickets at the counter
• Animal welfare concerns raised by some reviewers; long waits for the glass-bottom boat

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