The aquarium is celebrating 30 years of conservation and education around one of the most fascinating features of our world – the ocean!
Cape Town, South Africa (13 November 2025) — Many of us (especially in Cape Town and surrounds) have walked through those glass tunnels at least once before. Perhaps as a child, excitedly wanting to see everything at once, or years later with your own kiddies.
It’s where we first saw penguins, jellyfish and turtles. Where we marvelled at a ragged-tooth shark, or realised, usually with our noses pressed to the glass, that the ocean is an entire world on its own. A fascinating one that must be protected.
Two Ocean Aquarium’s commitment to helping people notice the ocean has shaped almost everything they’ve done for three decades. They’ve educated, played an active role in conservation, and connected communities with the sea.
“It is incredible to think that the Two Oceans Aquarium is a quarter of a century old. It has grown into a much-loved and well-respected facility with conservation, education and research at its heart. We have many achievements to celebrate and these achievements have been made possible by our visitors, our members who have chosen to become part of the Aquarium family, our partners who have assisted us in growing the Aquarium’s reputation locally and internationally, and our staff and volunteers who have dedicated themselves to saving the ocean. Thank you for all your support over the years and we look forward to even greater achievements in the next 25 years,” shares Michael Farquhar, CEO of the Two Oceans Aquarium.
From the start, the aquarium chose to showcase the marine life that actually lives off the southern African coast. That decision shaped what followed. If people could see what’s truly here, they might care more about protecting it.
In 2018, the Aquarium formalised the work many visitors never see by creating the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation. Through it, they’ve taught thousands of learners marine science, rehabilitated injured and stranded sea turtles, and helped manage Cape Town’s coastline through everyday conservation work.
Somewhere along the way, it also became one of those local institutions that families grow up alongside.
“The Aquarium is many different things to many different people, which makes marketing and operations both a supreme joy and a challenge. On the one hand, we are a familiar, loved and trusted space for local families – as exhibited by our large annual membership base. On the other hand, we are seen as a world-class tourist attraction known for its values and educational messaging. In between, we are a place where you can scuba dive, receive a classroom lesson, see a puppet show, watch live music or attend a corporate function. Above all, our goal is that every single person who visits the Aquarium, leaves with more love and respect for our life-giving ocean,” shares Ingrid Sinclair, Marketing Manager of the Two Oceans Aquarium.
Today they’re celebrating a huge milestone. Mascots will be running around. Visitors can join in for feeding time. There’s going to be special puppet shows for kids, and the team will do a special birthday banner dive (we’ll share it here, later on).
Here’s to 30 years of showing us why the ocean matters and why it’s worth protecting!
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