St Paul’s Bay: Malta National Aquarium Entry Ticket

The big draw here is the walk-through tunnel, where sharks and larger fish pass above you in the main tank. I like the clear, Malta-focused design, with displays shaped around local landmarks, and I like that the visit mixes marine life with frogs, reptiles, insects, and conservation lessons. The route is easy to follow, and you can set your own pace.

I also like the scheduled talks and feeding sessions, especially the piranha and shark presentations. Staff can point you toward the next talk, which matters if you arrive with young children. The catch is size: some people finish in 30 minutes, while careful readers and families may spend two hours or more.

Key points to know before you go

• Walk beneath sharks and large fish: The main tank tunnel is the aquarium’s most memorable feature.
• 51 tanks, more than 250 species: Expect Mediterranean and tropical fish, jellyfish, amphibians, reptiles, and insects.
• Malta-themed galleries: Several displays connect the animals and habitats with local landmarks and the island’s maritime setting.
• Talks add real value: Plan around shark or piranha feedings and short animal presentations.
• Allow one to two hours: Children, readers, and anyone joining talks may stay longer.
• Easy booking terms: The $20 ticket is valid for 180 days, with cancellation allowed up to 24 hours before the visit.

Inside Malta’s starfish-shaped aquarium

Malta’s National Aquarium sits in St Paul’s Bay inside a distinctive starfish-shaped building. You start at the aquarium itself, not with a guide or group tour, so the visit feels relaxed from the first room. Scan your ticket at the entrance and follow the marked route through the exhibits.

The building’s shape gives the place a bit of character before you even reach the tanks. Inside, the exhibits are clean and well cared for, with information panels explaining the animals and their habitats. The route is suitable for a short outing, but you can slow it down by reading the labels and checking the daily talks.

This is not one of Europe’s giant aquariums. That is worth knowing before you pay. The $20 price makes better sense if you treat it as a focused family activity in St Paul’s Bay, rather than a full-day attraction. If you move quickly, you could be out in 30 to 45 minutes. With children, talks, photographs, and careful reading, one to two hours is a more useful estimate.

The main tank tunnel and larger fish

Save your attention for the main tank. The walk-through tunnel lets you look upward as fish move over the glass, with sharks among the most exciting sights. It gives young children a clear focal point, and it is also the part adults tend to remember most.

The tank is not described as an enormous ocean tunnel, so keep expectations sensible. It is large enough to create that underwater feeling, but the aquarium as a whole is compact compared with major city aquariums. If the room is crowded, you may need patience to get a clear view through the glass.

Try visiting close to opening time if you want a quieter first look. The aquarium can become busy later in the day, and crowding makes the smaller viewing areas less comfortable. The tunnel is also a good place to pause while children take in the scale of the fish above them.

Mediterranean habitats and Malta’s local setting

The aquarium gives useful attention to marine life connected with Malta and the Mediterranean. The displays recreate different underwater environments rather than placing every fish in a bare tank. That makes the information easier to understand, especially when you compare the habitats from one gallery to the next.

The tanks are themed around Malta’s historical landmarks. This adds a local layer that many aquarium visits lack. You are not simply moving from one anonymous tank to another. The setting reminds you that Malta’s identity, trade, food, and daily life have long been tied to the sea.

Expect a mix of saltwater and freshwater fish. The collection also includes jellyfish, reptiles, frogs, and insects, so the visit is broader than the name National Aquarium might suggest. Some people would like more fish species, but the range is enough to keep the route varied, especially for families.

The information panels are one of the stronger parts of the visit. If you read them, you can turn a quick circuit into a proper learning session. Younger children may prefer the large tanks and moving animals, while older children can get more from the habitat notes and conservation material.

Jellyfish, amphibians, reptiles, and insects

The smaller animal displays help break up the fish tanks. Jellyfish provide a calm, almost hypnotic pause, while the amphibian and reptile areas give you something different to look for. Frogs and insects are included too, although the amount of space given to each group can vary.

If frogs are your main reason for coming, keep expectations modest. The collection has frogs, but it is not presented as a specialist frog exhibition. The same applies to anyone looking for a huge range of unusual species. You will see plenty of different animals, but the aquarium’s strength is the overall mix and the clear route, not an enormous collection.

The displays are tidy, and the animals appear well looked after. That matters in a smaller aquarium, where poor presentation would be obvious. Here, the tanks and public areas are generally kept in good order, which makes the visit comfortable even when you are moving at a slower pace.

Talks, feedings, and the submarine simulation

Check the day’s schedule when you arrive. The short talks can change the feel of the visit from simple sightseeing to a more useful introduction to animal care and marine conservation. Staff are described as friendly and willing to direct families toward upcoming presentations.

Shark feeding is a particularly good target if you are visiting with a child who loves sharks. A piranha feeding is another feature worth timing. These sessions are brief, but they give you a better sense of animal behaviour than a static tank can provide.

There is also a small submarine-style simulation. It presents the sensation of travelling down to the ocean floor and includes a crashing-submarine theme. It is not the main reason to buy the ticket, but it adds a playful break for children and gives the visit a more interactive edge.

Some of the displays include touch points and other interactive features for children and adults. The exact experience may depend on what is operating on the day, so think of these as extras rather than guaranteed headline attractions.

Conservation without a heavy lecture

The aquarium explains how human activity threatens marine habitats and why conservation matters. This is useful context for the animals in front of you. You can see the fish, then connect them with the larger issue of protecting the waters where they live.

The message is practical rather than academic. You are encouraged to think about environmental responsibility, local habitats, and the effects of human activity. That makes the aquarium a worthwhile stop for families who want an educational outing without turning the entire visit into a classroom.

I would especially recommend reading these panels if you are already interested in Malta’s coastline. The aquarium cannot replace seeing the sea itself, but it can give you a clearer sense of what lives there and what puts those habitats at risk.

The Malta history displays beyond the tanks

The aquarium experience includes more than fish. An upper floor presents information and objects connected with Malta’s maritime past, including artefacts found in the sea. This section gives the visit an extra local dimension and can hold the attention of adults who move quickly through the tanks.

The historical material is not the same as visiting Malta’s major museums, so do not plan your day around it alone. Still, it is a useful addition, particularly if you want to connect marine life with the island’s long relationship with the water.

The starfish-shaped building, the Malta-themed tanks, and the maritime displays work together well. They make this feel like a Malta attraction rather than a portable collection of fish that could be anywhere.

How long should you plan to stay?

For a fast look, 30 to 45 minutes may be enough. That is realistic if you do not stop at every information panel and if you miss the talks. Some children may also move quickly, especially if they are more interested in the tunnel than in smaller tanks.

I would plan on 90 minutes as a sensible minimum. That gives you time to see the main route, pause at the tunnel, look at the reptiles and amphibians, and read some of the habitat information. Add extra time for the submarine simulation, scheduled feedings, photographs, and the upper-floor displays.

Two hours is easy to fill if you take an interest in the details. Some families stay longer because children want to return to the largest tanks. The route is compact enough that you can walk back through selected areas without making the visit feel repetitive.

Food, the shop, and the surrounding area

A cafe and restaurant are available at the aquarium complex. This is handy if you want to make the visit part of a relaxed afternoon rather than a quick indoor stop. One restaurant meal was described as a strong part of the outing, but the ticket itself covers aquarium entry only.

The gift shop sells the usual souvenirs, along with Malta-themed items and animal toys. Small souvenirs can be reasonably priced, while larger plush toys cost more. Printed photographs are also available for an extra fee, so check the price before assuming a photo is included.

There is a park outside, and the aquarium is on a road served by buses. St Paul’s Bay gives you options for adding a walk or another local stop before or after the aquarium. The attraction can also work well as a break from hot weather, wind, or a less settled day.

Is the $20 ticket good value?

At $20 per person, this is fair value if you use the aquarium as a one to two-hour activity and catch at least one talk or feeding. The large tunnel, the range of animal groups, and the Malta-related displays give you more than a quick row of fish tanks.

The value is weaker if you expect a huge aquarium or a full afternoon of nonstop attractions. A fast visit can feel short for the price, especially for adults travelling without children. In that case, make sure you are interested in the talks, conservation displays, or the local history floor before booking.

The flexible ticket terms help. You can reserve now and pay later, and the ticket remains valid for 180 days, subject to available times. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance. Wheelchair access is available.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the aquarium most strongly to families with young children, couples looking for an easy indoor activity, and anyone staying in or near St Paul’s Bay. The tunnel, submarine simulation, feedings, and interactive points give children several things to focus on.

It also suits adults who prefer a calm, self-guided visit. You are not tied to a guide, and you can read as much or as little as you like. The staff talks add structure without forcing you into a group.

You may want to skip it if you have already seen several large aquariums and expect a long, high-tech attraction. It is compact, and more fish variety would improve the collection. Crowds can also make the viewing areas feel tight, so morning is the safer choice for a quieter visit.

Do not use flash photography, and leave pets, alcohol, and drugs outside. These simple rules help protect the animals and keep the galleries pleasant.

Should you book Malta’s National Aquarium?

Book it if you want a well-organized family outing with a memorable tunnel, helpful talks, and a clear conservation message. The aquarium is not huge, but it makes good use of its space and adds Malta-themed displays that give the visit a local feel.

I would schedule it for one to two hours, arrive early, and check the feeding times before you begin. At $20, it is a reasonable choice when you want an easy St Paul’s Bay activity, especially with children or on a day when you need time indoors. If your priority is scale, rare species, or an all-day attraction, choose with care.

FAQ

Where is Malta’s National Aquarium located?

The aquarium is in St Paul’s Bay, Malta, inside its distinctive starfish-shaped building.

How many tanks and species are on display?

The aquarium has 51 display tanks and more than 250 species, including freshwater and saltwater fish, jellyfish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.

How long does a visit usually take?

A quick visit can take about 30 minutes, while a careful visit with talks, feedings, and the extra displays usually takes one to two hours or longer.

Is the aquarium suitable for children?

Yes. It has a walk-through tunnel, interactive points, a submarine simulation, animal talks, and feeding sessions that suit families.

Is the aquarium wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the aquarium is wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel the ticket if my plans change?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the visit for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, and the ticket is valid for 180 days, subject to availability.