St Paul’s Bay: Malta National Aquarium Entry Ticket

The most memorable part of Malta’s National Aquarium is the walk-through tunnel, where larger fish and small sharks pass above you. The building’s starfish-shaped shell gives the visit a distinctive setting, while the tanks cover both Maltese waters and marine life from farther afield.

I like the clear links to Malta’s landmarks and the strong educational side, especially the talks and feeding sessions. I also like that you can move at your own pace, with no group tour pushing you along. The main limitation is size: some visitors will finish in 30 to 60 minutes, while families and keen readers may stay two hours or more.

Key points to know before you go

• The main tunnel is the star attraction: Watch sharks and larger fish move overhead in the central tank.
• Fifty-one tanks cover more than fish: Expect jellyfish, reptiles, frogs, amphibians, insects, freshwater species, and Mediterranean marine life.
• The exhibits connect nature with Malta: Tank themes draw on local historical landmarks and recreate underwater habitats.
• Scheduled talks add real value: Feeding sessions, including piranha and shark presentations, can make a short visit feel much more rewarding.
• Allow one to two hours: You can move quickly, but careful reading, talks, children’s activities, and a return lap extend the visit.
• The $20 ticket works best as a flexible family outing: It is less compelling if you expect a huge international aquarium.

Entering the starfish-shaped aquarium

The Malta National Aquarium sits in St Paul’s Bay, inside an instantly recognizable starfish-shaped building. You start at the aquarium itself, scan your ticket at reception, and then explore without a guide or fixed route.

That self-guided format suits Malta’s warm-weather planning. You can visit on a hot afternoon, take your time with the exhibits, and leave when you have had enough. You can also return within the ticket’s 180-day validity period if the booking conditions and availability allow it, though most holidaymakers will simply include one visit in their schedule.

The building is described as clean and well cared for, with friendly staff at reception. Staff members have helped families find shark feedings and pointed visitors toward talks starting soon, so it is worth asking what is scheduled when you arrive.

This is not a formal guided tour. The ticket covers entry only, and the standard visit is independent. If you want a guide, check whether a behind-the-scenes visit is available separately. Some visitors have paid a small extra amount for access to food preparation areas, laboratories, and aquarium back-of-house work.

Fifty-one tanks, from Malta to the wider world

The aquarium’s 51 display tanks are arranged around different habitats and themes. You will see saltwater and freshwater fish, jellyfish, reptiles, frogs, other amphibians, and insects. The variety helps keep the visit moving, especially for children who may lose interest if every room contains the same type of fish.

The displays are tied to Malta’s historical landmarks. That gives the aquarium more local character than a row of unrelated tanks. Instead of presenting marine life as a generic collection, the exhibits connect each setting to Malta and its surrounding sea.

Look closely at the information panels. They explain the animals and the way each habitat has been recreated. If you only glance at the fish and continue walking, the aquarium can feel brief. If you stop to read the details, compare species, and look for smaller animals, the visit becomes more substantial.

The setting is generally tidy and calm, although that depends on the time of day. Early arrival is useful during busy periods. Crowds can make the viewing windows harder to reach, and some visitors have found the noise distracting. Families with young children may want to arrive near opening time before the aquarium fills.

The walk-through tunnel and larger marine life

The main tank tunnel is the aquarium’s strongest visual moment. You walk underneath the water while larger fish and small sharks pass above and around you. It is easy for children to understand why this part is special: the glass puts you inside the action without requiring a boat, snorkel, or swimming ability.

The tunnel is not enormous, so do not compare it with the vast walk-through tanks at major world aquariums. Still, it offers the kind of photo opportunity that gives the $20 entry fee a clear focal point.

Shark feedings can add another layer to the visit. Timing matters, so ask at reception about feeding sessions and talks. A family that arrives just before a shark presentation may get far more from the same ticket than a family that arrives between scheduled activities.

The feeding talks are also useful for adults. They explain animal behavior and conservation rather than simply pointing out names. Piranha feeding has been a particular highlight, and talks about individual animals, including one called Casper, have also received warm attention.

Jellyfish, frogs, reptiles, and smaller creatures

The aquarium is not only about the central tank. Jellyfish provide a slower, more atmospheric stop, while the reptile, amphibian, and insect displays add variety between the larger fish tanks.

This mix works well for families with children of different ages. A young child may focus on movement, colors, and the tunnel. An older child can read about habitats and human threats to marine life. Adults who enjoy natural history may spend more time with the smaller displays than expected.

The amphibian section is a useful reminder that the aquarium is broader than its name suggests. You may find frogs, reptiles, and insects alongside marine and freshwater species. If your main interest is fish, the range of non-marine animals breaks up the route. If you are hoping for a large frog collection, though, the selection may feel limited.

The displays explain how human activity harms marine habitats and outline the aquarium’s environmental message. This gives the visit a purpose beyond entertainment. The conservation material is especially helpful for families because it turns a pleasant outing into a simple lesson about responsibility toward local waters.

How long should you plan for?

The honest answer is anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours.

A quick adult visit, with limited reading and no long stops, can take about 30 to 60 minutes. That is the main value concern. At $20 per person, a very short visit may feel expensive if you are expecting a major attraction.

Most people should plan for one to two hours. That allows time to view the tanks, walk through the main tunnel, read selected panels, and see at least some of the smaller displays. Families may take longer because children return to favorite tanks, pause at interactive points, and need breaks.

You can stretch the visit with scheduled talks, feeding sessions, and a second walk around the route. One family spent more than three hours at the aquarium, helped by the talks, restaurant, and additional areas. The attraction is compact enough that a second lap does not feel difficult.

Noise and crowding are the main timing issues. The aquarium can become busy after opening, and crowded viewing points may slow you down. If your child is sensitive to noise or does not linger at exhibits, an early visit is the safer choice.

Interactive features and the submarine simulation

Some parts of the aquarium are designed to involve more than looking through glass. Interactive points appear throughout the visit, giving children and adults small chances to engage with the displays.

A submarine simulation is another popular feature. It presents the sensation of traveling underwater and includes a short pressure-chamber style experience. It is not a replacement for a real underwater excursion, but it gives the visit a playful change of pace, especially for children.

The exact mix of interactive features may not matter to visitors focused on marine biology. For families, it can make the difference between a quick look around and a satisfying half-day activity. You should treat these extras as part of the entertainment rather than the core reason to buy the ticket.

The aquarium’s education team also helps. Talks are described as lively and easy to follow, with staff explaining animals in a friendly way. There are no named guides attached to this entry ticket, and you are not assigned to a tour group, but staff interaction is available during scheduled presentations and at reception.

The upper floor, restaurant, and gift shop

The aquarium visit can include more than the tank route. A separate upper floor presents facts about Malta and objects connected with the sea. This is useful if you want some local context after the marine exhibits, although it is not the same as visiting a full-scale museum.

A restaurant and cafe are available on site, giving you the option to make the aquarium part of a longer outing. Food quality has received particularly strong praise, but the ticket itself is for aquarium entry, not a meal. Check the restaurant’s current opening arrangements if dining is important to your plan.

The gift shop is another practical stop for families. It sells the usual souvenirs, including magnets and animal toys. Prices vary, and photo products may cost extra, so ask before assuming a printed picture is included.

Outside, there is a park area, and buses run along the road. The aquarium is also accessible by taxi from St Julian’s, with one visitor putting the ride at roughly 15 euros. These details make the site easy to pair with other St Paul’s Bay plans, though the entry ticket does not include transport or a wider tour of the area.

Is the $20 ticket good value?

At $20 per person, value depends on how you use the visit.

For a family that stays 90 minutes to two hours, joins a talk, watches a feeding session, and uses the interactive features, the price is reasonable. The clean setting, friendly staff, varied animal displays, and tunnel give you several distinct parts of the experience rather than one room of tanks.

For an adult who walks through in half an hour, the price feels less attractive. The aquarium is smaller than many major city aquariums, and some displays could offer more species variety. You are paying for a compact, well-presented attraction, not an enormous marine park.

The ticket’s 180-day validity adds flexibility, especially if you are booking before your Malta plans are fixed. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the visit and a reserve-now, pay-later option also reduce the risk of committing too early. These terms are useful, but they do not change the basic value calculation: plan to stay long enough to use the talks and displays.

Wheelchair access is available. Flash photography, alcohol, drugs, and pets are not allowed. Those rules are simple, but remember the flash restriction if you are hoping to photograph the tunnel or jellyfish.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the aquarium most strongly to families with young children, visitors looking for a calm indoor activity, and anyone interested in Malta’s marine environment. It is also a practical choice when strong sun or poor weather makes outdoor sightseeing less appealing.

Children can see sharks, jellyfish, reptiles, frogs, and insects in one compact visit. The route is manageable, and the tunnel gives them a clear highlight. Staff may also help you find a feeding session, which is worth asking about if your child has a favorite animal.

Adults should book if they enjoy reading exhibit information or plan around the talks. The conservation message, local themes, and habitat displays give the aquarium more substance than a simple photo stop.

I would be cautious if you have already visited several very large aquariums and expect the same scale here. You may find the route short and the range of fish somewhat limited. In that case, book only if you want a convenient St Paul’s Bay activity, a family-friendly indoor break, or a closer look at Malta’s marine life.

My verdict on Malta National Aquarium

The Malta National Aquarium is a pleasant, well-run attraction with a strong tunnel, good staff interaction, and enough variety to keep a family interested. Its best features are the walk-through tank, scheduled talks, feeding sessions, and links between marine life and Malta.

Its weakness is clear: it is not very large. Your visit can feel short if you move quickly or skip the talks. Go early, ask about the day’s schedule, and allow at least 90 minutes if you want the ticket to feel worthwhile.

Book it if you want an easy family outing in St Paul’s Bay, especially with children or on a hot day. Think twice if you are seeking a huge aquarium with an extensive collection. The $20 price is fair when you treat the aquarium as a compact educational attraction and take time with what is there.

FAQ

Where is Malta’s National Aquarium?

It is located in St Paul’s Bay, Malta. You start the activity at the Malta National Aquarium.

What does the entry ticket include?

The ticket includes entry to Malta’s National Aquarium. It does not include a guided tour.

How many tanks are inside the aquarium?

The aquarium has 51 display tanks containing more than 250 species.

What animals can I see?

You can see Mediterranean and other marine life, freshwater and saltwater fish, jellyfish, reptiles, amphibians, frogs, and insects.

Is there a walk-through tunnel?

Yes. The main tank has a walk-through tunnel where you can see larger fish and small sharks above and around you.

How long should I spend at the aquarium?

Plan on about one to two hours for a normal visit. A quick visit may take 30 to 60 minutes, while talks, feeding sessions, careful reading, and a second walk can extend your stay to three hours.

Is the aquarium wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel or postpone my booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The ticket is valid for 180 days, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Check availability for the times offered.