If you haven’t already been (shame on you) then a trip to the aquarium in Almuñécar could be just the break the families been looking for. Now I’ve been to a lot of aquariums in my time and I have to say that I was actually very impressed with this one. The majority of species on display are native to the Mediterranean so it’s really educative too and will make snorkelling off the beach next time much more interesting. Being the biggest aquarium in Andalusia it holds an impressive one and a half million litres of water and boasts a spectacular 17-metre, shark tunnel. Now if that’s not enough too impressive even the most nonchalant of kids then I don’t know what is!
A journey around the aquarium takes you on a trip through the underwater wonderlands, starting off on the ground floor with a walk through the evolution of the seas. Here you’ll find species from all over the world starting with the pulsating jellies who scientist believe were the first ever living organisms of the oceans. There’s even a little mini tank for the jelly babies.
As vertebrates developed the next couple of tanks house cuttlefish and octopus and I recommend that you take a couple of minutes to watch each tank carefully as many of the creatures are very well hidden. The best way to spot an octopus for example is to look out for all of the empty shells of his dinner.
Also not to miss on this floor are the bamboo sharks and their eggs (look closely and you can even see the little foetus’ wriggling around inside) and the gorgeous seahorses with their curly tails clinging onto the reeds. Look out for the pregnant one lolling around on the bottom somewhere too, male of course (at least someone in nature got it right).
The second floor takes you on a different journey, this time submerging you into the seas of the Mediterranean. In the shallow rock pools learn about sea tomatoes, blennies, crabs and anemones that are common to our shores. Moving along the tanks you submerge deeper and deeper beneath the surface and the waters begin to get cooler and darker and the fish uglier and more monstrous like.
But the best is yet to come and the grand finale takes you through the awesome shark tunnel. There’s an eerie, magical feeling as you walk through with bull sharks cruising overhead and rays gliding effortlessly around.
The staff at the Aquarium is excellent and I highly recommend my guide Magüi, who was super enthusiastic, knowledgeable and obviously loves her job. All information is available in both English and Spanish and if you go on the 12th of this month too there’s activities planned for the kids outside with face painting and colouring-in competitions.
What to bring: Camera, but remember no flash.
Cost: 12 euros for adults, 9 euros for under 13’s and pensioners.
Opening hours: 10.30 to 22.00 seven days a week (until the 13th of September). www.acuarioalmunecar.es
[mappress] [nggallery id=20]