What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• Well worth a visit

  Fearless33789519467,,Jan 25, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Terrific outing with family. Good signage and activities for kids. Clean tanks, healthy frogs, penguins and fish. Loved the walk-through area where rays swim over you, big and small fish swim past. Absolutely loved our visit. Plenty of bathrooms and well appointed seating.

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Historically full of fun and fish

  William L,,Jan 16, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  This was a childhood favourite of mine, and an activity that the kids were looking forward to. We arrived just after 2pm for the penguin feeding, they are adorable and very active, maybe because there was food? We then caught the 3pm fish feeding in the main tank, that was a fish frenzy as the scuba divers hand fed the variety of fish and rays they have. After that the kids speed through the rest of the exhibits in a rush to find food for themselves. After so many years this place seems to have not changed much, it was a bit bland on revisiting putting a damper on the original excitement. But I think if this is going to be your first time you would enjoy it as much as we did years ago?

  

  

• Fun morning

  michieldekoning,,Jan 15, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  The museum is not big. Had a nice morning here though. Feeding the fish is a real show. Also nice to watch the penguins and of course the kiwi. The museum is well organized and well cared for. It also has a shop and coffee shop. Very suitable for children.

• Uncomfortable viewing

  Teabag 11,,Dec 30, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  2.00

  Visited the aquarium due to there being nothing else to do on a wet and windy day in Napier. We all felt so uncomfortable with the tiny tanks most of the sea creatures were in - way too small, not enough vegetation, nowhere for them to hide away from thousands of people peering at them all day. The sea turtle tank - absolute disgrace. For such a huge animal, the tank is pathetic. I see other people have complained about it too so when are they going to do something about it?? And the massive South American fish who come from a habitat a million times bigger than what they are in is just abysmal. Feel really guilty for financially contributing to their prisons.

• A nice aquarium

  Smoltman,,Dec 12, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  This is a small aquarium but it had lots to offer. Some reptiles, some fossils, great exhibits and of course the penguins. Friendly staff and a nice coffee shop. Takes about 90 minutes to go through. One of the highlights was walking through the tube to see the fish.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Could Be Better..

  RochelleC650,,Dec 10, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  I wish I could rate this higher especially because this is New Zealand's national aquarium showcasing NZ fish species & our native bird the Kiwi etc. The main aquarium appeared fine with schools of fish swimming overhead. The tank appeared clean but very little space for the divers in the tank to manouever. I noticed tanks appeared to feature little in the way of plants and enrichment items. Some featured only one inhabitant when surely they could do with a friend? Either there own species or another if aggression (territorial) or mating control were an issue? Staff appeared to have picked up some last minute plants from the local plant nursery and were in the process of planting out some exhibits when we arrived. All four of us felt uncomfortable with Terry the Turtle's environment - his tank appeared very, very small & the diver descending into it carrying a control/safety stick? made the tank look tiny. Terry didn't appear that impressed by the intrusion and had his back turned to the viewers and appeared to be seeking some sort of refuge (that he couldn't find as there was none). His only mate in the tank appeared to be a black fish, but maybe understandable as he is apparently territorial and has fought other turtles and had a flipper damaged in the process. Would like to see him in a larger more interesting tank with maybe a cave like structure for him to seek time out. The penguins tank appeared barren and I'm sure could have done with plants/stimulating environment/relaxation spaces. Feels like the aquarium ran out of money big time! To the animals detriment. The kiwi house could be improved upon dramatically I'm sure. Very dark & a bit unsafe to navigate for more mature visitors. Surely technology could be used to navigate this better and provide better conditions for the Kiwi? Night vision etc? The government needs to step up and ensure this is the amazing national treasure it could be. International and local visitors should be coming away 'Wowed!' and more importantly, the sea life and animals living here should be in a more suitable environment to match their requirements.

• Underwhelming

  977stepht,,Dec 1, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  Being a National aquarium, I did expect more. The exhibits themselves were ok, but lacked depth in the information provided. The turtle tank was heartbreaking - it appeared to be a very small tank for such a big beautiful creature. I would say less focus on prehistoric times and exhibits, and more of a focus on larger spaces for the animals that live there.

  

  

• Turtle torture

  Road02742740988,,Oct 20, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  Sea turtle misery cant stand this aquarium. The enclosure is so small the turtle looks miserable. The place is dark and dank. not a good look for Naper. Time to wrap it up and send it the way of marineland

• Not bad

  Culture49329109380,,Oct 17, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  Lovely place to see some aquarium. Honestly, not many species. But it has few kiwis, which is beyond my anticipation. The place is more suitable for kids and locals, not very suitable for foreigners.

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Loved feeding the penguins!

  Curiosity41090161680,,Sep 21, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  The penguin experience was wonderful. I had a great time feeding the penguins and even my partner, who came along just for me, really enjoyed it also.

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