Meet our world famous little penguins, who is Penguin of the Month on your visit?
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National Aquarium of New Zealand

4.3
·4k reviews·Napier, New Zealand

Discover marine wonders and native wildlife at New Zealand's National Aquarium, featuring an underwater tunnel and unique kiwi encounters.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Daily, 2 PM

Big tank feeding time

CrowdMedium
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Meet our world famous little penguins, who is Penguin of the Month on your visit?

National Aquarium of New Zealand

Best Time

Daily, 2 PM

Big tank feeding time

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover marine wonders and native wildlife at New Zealand's National Aquarium, featuring an underwater tunnel and unique kiwi encounters.

4.3
(4k reviews)

"A well-kept and satisfying place to visit, loved seeing fish in their natural habitat. Reddit"

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Book Penguin Feeding Early

Limited to 4 people daily! Book this popular experience well in advance. 🎟️

⏰ Check Daily Feeding Times

Don't miss diver feeds, seahorse snacks, and more! Schedules vary daily.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.3 · 4,435 reviews

Type

Aquarium

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Penguin Feeding

Penguin Feeding

An intimate experience feeding the resident penguins, often a visitor favorite. Limited spots available.

Reddit
Underwater Tunnel

Underwater Tunnel

Walk through a mesmerizing tunnel surrounded by stingrays, diverse fish, and other marine life.

Reddit
Kiwi Exhibition

Kiwi Exhibition

See New Zealand's iconic native bird, the kiwi, in a dedicated, active exhibition.

InstagramReddit
Seahorse Feeding

Seahorse Feeding

Witness these unique creatures 'slurp' their food like tiny underwater vacuums.

Instagram
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Planning Your Visit

Book Penguin Feeding in Advance

Spots for the popular penguin feeding are extremely limited (only 4 per day!). Book well ahead to avoid disappointment. It's a highlight for many visitors and offers a personal experience with the birds. Reddit

Check Feeding Schedules

The aquarium hosts various feeding sessions, including divers feeding fish and stingrays, and seahorse feeding. Check the daily schedule upon arrival to catch these engaging and informative shows. TikTokInstagram

Best Times

When
Daily, 2 PM
Why
Big tank feeding time
Crowd
Medium
When
Morning
Why
Kiwi birds are active
Crowd
Low
When
Weekends
Why
More feeding shows
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Napier Day 🤘🏻 #napiernz #hastingnz #nzmustdo #roadtrip #newzealand #travel #nztravel #aquariumcheck #winerytour
@lily.wheresnext
5.4K likes • 93K views

🎯 Book Penguin Feeding Early

Limited to 4 people daily! Book this popular experience well in advance. Reddit 🎟️

⏰ Check Daily Feeding Times

Don't miss diver feeds, seahorse snacks, and more! Schedules vary daily. TikTokInstagram

Can you imagine that these beautiful places are just around the city center of Napier,North Island of New Zealand #PureNz #exploreNZ #travelNZ #ThepinoytravellerinNewZealand
@pinoytravellerinnz
5.4K likes • 133.7K views
Seahorse Supper Time! Ever seen a seahorse slurp its food like a tiny underwater vacuum? 🐴🌊 These magical creatures don’t have teeth or stomachs, they use their snout like a straw to suck up teeny prey in the blink of an eye! Watch our graceful seahorses in action as they feed—it's like nature’s ballet with a twist of science! 🎥💙 Catch the feeding frenzy in our latest video here at the National A...
nationalaquariumnz
2 likes • 42 views

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking to see all the exhibits. Reddit :athletic_shoe:

📸 Capture the Magic

Plenty of photo ops, especially in the underwater tunnel and with the penguins. Instagram

Welcome to the @nationalaquariumnz 🐟🐠🐡 The National Aquarium of New Zealand, formerly Napier Aquarium, is a public aquarium on Marine Parade in Napier, New Zealand. It was started in 1957 and moved to its present location in 1976. It is owned by Napier City Council 🇳🇿 From underwater runners to their very own resident kiwis, there’s something for everyone here 🫧 #travelgram #instatravel #travel...
itsgrantmartin
14 likes • 1.7K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Book Penguin Feeding Early

Limited to 4 people daily! Book this popular experience well in advance. Reddit 🎟️

⏰ Check Daily Feeding Times

Don't miss diver feeds, seahorse snacks, and more! Schedules vary daily. TikTokInstagram

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking to see all the exhibits. Reddit :athletic_shoe:

📸 Capture the Magic

Plenty of photo ops, especially in the underwater tunnel and with the penguins. Instagram

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for Families

Kids love the interactive feeds and seeing diverse marine life. InstagramReddit

What Travellers Say

4.3
(4k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors generally praise the National Aquarium for its engaging exhibits, particularly the penguin feeding and underwater tunnel. While some note it's a smaller aquarium, the personal feel and informative staff are frequently highlighted. Occasional disappointment arises from the absence of certain expected species like sharks in the tunnel. Reddit

"Exceptional visit here as we booked very early in advance to do the penguin feeding which is limited to a group of 4 a day only.
Staff at penguin feeding were very informative and friendly and great hosts to help us feed the penguins.

Penguins were our favourite exhibition.

The big turtle was great.

Kiwi Exhibition was great to see them walking around active.

2pm feeding time in the big tank was also a great watch especially the stingrays."

Travis McAllan

"Love this place! Some awesome specimens of fish. Got to watch the penguin feeding and later the big fish feeding. Great way to enjoy a few hours. They also have kiwis"

Tony Johnson

"Enjoyable and educational place to spend some time. We live out of town and make sure to visit every few years. We always enjoy ourselves. The staff are friendly. The facility is well maintained, with clear signage, good sized corridors, adequate toilets, a café and gift ship. The displays are clean and it is easy to see the occupants. This trip we particularly enjoyed seeing the kiwi and the penguins. We visited on a week day and it was not too busy."

M B

What People Like

Penguin feeding experience
Underwater tunnel
Informative staff

What People Dislike

Smaller than expected
Missing certain animals

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The National Aquarium of New Zealand is located on Marine Parade in Napier. It's easily accessible by car, with parking available nearby. Public transport options also serve the area, making it a convenient destination within Napier. TikTokInstagram

Yes, the aquarium is generally wheelchair accessible, with ramps and wide pathways to accommodate visitors. Reddit

There is parking available along Marine Parade and in nearby streets. It can get busy, especially during peak times, so arriving early is recommended. Reddit

Absolutely! The aquarium is situated along Napier's scenic Marine Parade, making it a pleasant walk from the city center. Instagram

Yes, it's a prominent attraction on Marine Parade, a well-known street in Napier, and is clearly signposted. Instagram

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticket prices can vary, and it's best to check the official website for the most current pricing. Some social media posts mention prices around $50 per person, but free entry events have also occurred. Instagram

While not always mandatory, booking tickets in advance is highly recommended, especially for special events or the limited penguin feeding sessions. InstagramReddit

The aquarium typically opens daily, but hours can change seasonally. It's advisable to check their official website for the most up-to-date opening and closing times. Reddit

Keep an eye out for special promotions or events, as the aquarium has offered free entry nights in the past. Family passes or group discounts might also be available. Instagram

Refund policies can vary. It's best to review the terms and conditions at the time of booking or contact the aquarium directly for their specific policy. Instagram

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Don't miss the penguin feeding, the underwater tunnel with stingrays and fish, and the Kiwi exhibition. The large turtle is also a popular sight. InstagramReddit

Yes, the aquarium hosts daily feeding sessions, including divers feeding the main tank and seahorse feeding. Check the schedule upon arrival. TikTokInstagram

Yes, a highlight is the underwater tunnel where you can walk through and be surrounded by marine life like stingrays and various fish. Reddit

Limited interaction is possible through scheduled feeding sessions, like the penguin feeding, which offers a unique opportunity to get up close. Reddit

You can see a wide variety of saltwater and freshwater fish, stingrays, turtles, penguins, frogs, lizards, and New Zealand's native kiwi. InstagramReddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, there is a cafe on-site where you can purchase refreshments and snacks. Reddit

Generally, outside food and drinks are not permitted inside the aquarium, but it's always good to check their specific policy. Reddit

Being on Marine Parade, there are several cafes and restaurants in Napier's CBD within walking distance, offering various cuisines. Reddit

Information on specific dietary options at the cafe is not widely available, but typical cafe fare is usually offered. Reddit

Prices at aquarium cafes can be slightly higher than average, but it offers convenience. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Yes, photography is generally allowed, but flash photography might be restricted in certain areas to protect the animals. Instagram

The underwater tunnel offers incredible photo opportunities with marine life. The penguin enclosure and the kiwi exhibit are also great for pictures. InstagramReddit

Video recording is usually permitted, but be mindful of other visitors and any specific rules regarding commercial use. Instagram

While personal use is fine, check with the aquarium if you plan to use photos or videos for commercial purposes or extensive social media campaigns. Instagram

A camera with good low-light performance is ideal. Many visitors use their smartphones effectively, especially with the ambient lighting. Instagram

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