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Which Aquarium to visit : Sydney or Manly?

Last updated on September 26, 2017 by Claire / this article contains affiliate links (Info)

Sydney Sealife Aquarium or Manly Sealife Sanctuary? Your time is short and you want to decide which Sydney aquarium to visit? Here is a detailed comparison and many photos to help you choose based on your expectations: animals, locations, atmospheres...

Welcome to the Battle of the Sydney aquariums!

Which aquarium to visit in Sydney Australia?

THE RULES OF THE AQUARIUM BATTLE

In this guide you will find how I think those 2 aquariums compare in regards to Atmosphere, Installations, Exhibits, Location, Accessibility & price. And then I am sharing some of my best-of photos (well it is still aquarium photos so the quality is not exceptional) & moments for each one.

And if you want to see more animals while in Sydney don’t forget to also check the zoos/wildlife battle: Taronga zoo vs Wildlife Zoo vs Featherdale!

Before telling your all about those 2 aquariums, let’s start with a picture of my favorite animal at those aquariums: the Shark saw

Amazing shark photo

COMPARISON OF THE AQUARIUMS

Here is a table summarizing my opinions regarding the Sydney Sealife Aquarium and the Manly Sealife Sanctuary in regards to the following criteria:

  • Atmosphere
  • Set up
  • Animal variety – exhibits
  • Location
  • Accessibility
  • Price
comparison aquariums Sydney Manly

My preference is slightly going towards Sydney but I also really enjoyed Manly and my time strolling along the beach after.

I have only assisted to one talk. It was in Manly and was really great. I learned a lot but in a light and fun way. And their love for the animals shines through.


Best of – Sydney Sealife Aquarium

A platypus

The first of at the Sydney aquarium is the Platypus exhibit. And I LOOOOOOVE Platypus. I was actually lucky enough to see one in the wild when I went on a tour to spot wild Australian animals. It is very exciting to see on in the wild but you actually only see its back from far away. Here I saw it swim, eat a shrimp and scratch itself (which was quite funny ) I don’t have great photos as they move fast and it is quite dark for the camera but I have a wonderful memory!

platypus at Sydney Aquarium

Installations

The aquarium as some great installations to get up close with the animals:

Installations at Sydney Aquarium

Interactive displays

Great barrier reed display at Sydney Aquarium

Discovering the great barrier reef

Rock pool at Sydney Aquarium

The rock pool to touch some animals

installations at Sydney Aquarium 4

All the space you need to observe

installations at Sydney Aquarium 5

Surrounded by water!

Smaller fishes

Kind of Nemo at Sydney Aquarium

Finding Nemo

Nemo's friend at Sydney Aquarium

Finding Nemo's friend

The Shark tunnel

And the amazing tunnels to get surrounded by sharks and rays…

Tunnel at Sydney Aquarium
Ray at Sydney Aquarium 2
Ray at Sydney Aquarium
shark at Sydney Aquarium 2
Beluga at Sydney Aquarium
shark at Sydney Aquarium

And the slightly awkwardly placed food court when you get out:

Food court Sydney Aquarium

Really, at an aquarium?


Best of – Manly Sealife Sanctuary

Installations

Not as varied as Sydney but still well designed for a great viewing experience

displays at Manly Aquarium
Tunnel at Manly Aquarium

Tunnel

Manly Aquarium’s tunnel had some great sharks, giant turtles!

shark at Manly aquarium
Turtle at Manly aquarium
Ray at Manly aquarium
Turtle at Manly aquarium 2

Happy loved animals

jellyfish at Manly aquarium
smiling fish at Manly aquarium
fish at Manly aquarium

So have you made your decision?

PREVIOUS LOCATION: 

KEEPER FOR A DAY, TARONGA

NEXT LOCATION: 

BATTLE: WILDLIFE PARKS

Australia destination guide travel planning addict

  Pint it!

Which Aquarium to visit - Australia - Sydney Sealife or Manly Sealife Sanctuary

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Renuka says

    February 9, 2014 at 4:21 PM

    Although I am not much of a aquarium loving traveler, I enjoyed this post. Nice pictures. 🙂 I have been to Sydney and Manly, but didn’t discover this side. Next time!

    Reply
  2. Madagascar holidays says

    February 24, 2014 at 3:12 PM

    If I had the chance to visit Sydney, this aquarium is the first thing I will visit. It’s so amazing!

    Reply
    • Claire Robinson says

      February 27, 2014 at 10:30 AM

      Not if, when… 🙂

      Reply

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