Malta National Aquarium Entreeticket

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your visit left you with these concerns. Animal welfare is the highest priority at the Malta National Aquarium, and we appreciate the opportunity to provide some context regarding our octopus exhibit. Octopuses are indeed highly intelligent animals, which is why their care requires careful consideration of their natural behaviours, environmental enrichment, and welfare needs. While the exhibit may appear small from a visitor's perspective, it has been specifically designed by aquatic animal specialists to meet the biological and behavioural requirements of the species housed within it. It is important to note that octopuses are naturally solitary animals that spend much of their lives seeking shelter within crevices, caves, and rocky habitats. In the wild, they often establish a den and repeatedly return to it, venturing out primarily to hunt, explore, or respond to environmental stimuli. For this reason, the provision of secure hiding spaces, environmental complexity, and enrichment opportunities is often more important for their welfare than simply providing large open areas. Our octopus habitat is continuously monitored by our aquarists, who assess feeding behaviour, activity levels, health indicators, and overall welfare. In addition, we regularly provide enrichment activities and problem-solving challenges designed to stimulate the octopus both mentally and physically. These enrichment exercises encourage natural behaviours such as exploration, hunting, manipulation of objects, and puzzle-solving, helping to keep this highly intelligent animal engaged and active. The use of enrichment and behavioural stimulation is widely recognised as an important aspect of modern cephalopod husbandry. Similarly, our jellyfish displays are designed around the unique biological requirements of these delicate animals. Jellyfish require specialised circular water flow systems known as kreisel tanks, which prevent them from becoming trapped against surfaces and allow them to move safely within the water column. While these exhibits may seem minimalistic, they are specifically engineered to provide the conditions necessary for their wellbeing. We understand that visitors can have different perspectives on what constitutes an appropriate habitat, and we welcome constructive feedback. Our animal care team remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of welfare, guided by veterinary advice, international aquarium best practices, and ongoing monitoring of every animal in our care. Thank you again for sharing your views.

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are sorry that your visit left you with concerns regarding our animal habitats. Animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do, and all our exhibits are designed with the specific needs of each species in mind. While some visitors may perceive certain habitats as small, it is important to understand that enclosure design is based on a combination of animal welfare requirements, species-specific behaviours, environmental enrichment, water quality management, and veterinary guidance rather than simply maximising space. With regard to our turtle enclosure, we would like to provide some additional context. The turtles in our care are not wild-caught animals. They are orphaned or surrendered individuals that were donated to the Aquarium by private owners who were no longer able to provide appropriate care for them. Rather than leaving these animals in unsuitable conditions, we accepted them into our collection to ensure they receive proper nutrition, veterinary attention, environmental enrichment, and long-term care from trained professionals. Their habitat has been specifically designed to provide suitable swimming areas, basking opportunities, appropriate water conditions, and shelter, while allowing our animal care team to closely monitor their health and wellbeing. The turtles are regularly assessed by our aquarists and veterinary specialists to ensure they remain healthy and exhibit normal behaviours. Across the Aquarium, we also implement enrichment programmes tailored to different species. These include environmental changes, feeding challenges, and interactive activities that encourage natural behaviours and provide mental stimulation. Our goal is not only to care for the animals physically but also to promote their behavioural wellbeing. We understand that visitors can have different views on animal habitats, and we genuinely appreciate feedback that allows us to explain the work that goes into caring for the animals entrusted to us. The Malta National Aquarium remains committed to maintaining high standards of animal welfare, conservation, education, and responsible animal husbandry. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Thank you so much for this nice review

Thank you for your thoughtful and balanced review. We appreciate that you described the aquarium for what it is rather than comparing it unfairly to much larger international facilities. The Malta National Aquarium is indeed designed as a compact and accessible attraction, and we are pleased to hear that you found it well presented and particularly suitable for families with children. We’re especially glad you highlighted the educational aspect of the visit. A great deal of effort goes into ensuring that the displays, explanatory panels and interactive elements remain informative without becoming overwhelming, so it is encouraging to hear that both children and adults found the content engaging. In addition to the aquarium exhibits, which include 54 tanks and around 250 species, visitors can also explore the marine underwater heritage area, developed together with Heritage Malta, which adds a cultural and educational dimension linked to Malta’s underwater archaeology and maritime history. Thank you as well for mentioning the promenade and surrounding area. The aquarium was intentionally developed as part of a wider seafront destination, including Pjazza San Pawl, the promenade and nearby leisure areas, allowing visitors to combine the aquarium with a more relaxed outing around Qawra and Buġibba. We also appreciate your honest comments regarding the dining experience. Preferences on restaurants and pricing naturally vary from person to person, but it is useful for us to receive direct feedback on both La Nave Bistro and the outdoor café area. We’re pleased you still found a comfortable place to relax and enjoy the seafront atmosphere after your visit. Thank you again for taking the time to share such a detailed review.

Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. You raise a fair point regarding noise levels, particularly when large school or organised groups are visiting at the same time as independent guests seeking a quieter experience. Educational visits are an important part of the Malta National Aquarium’s role, and guided explanations are intended to help younger visitors engage with the exhibits and conservation themes. However, we understand your observation that the use of microphones in enclosed areas can sometimes affect the atmosphere and reduce the sense of calm that many visitors expect from an aquarium environment. Your suggestion regarding alternative systems such as audio guides or quieter communication methods is constructive and appreciated. Balancing educational group visits with the comfort of individual visitors is something we continuously assess, especially during peak periods and school activity days. For context, the Malta National Aquarium includes 54 tanks and around 250 species, with a focus on Mediterranean marine life alongside selected tropical and freshwater exhibits. The experience also includes the marine underwater heritage area, developed together with Heritage Malta, adding a cultural and educational layer linked to Malta’s underwater archaeology. We are pleased that despite the issues you mentioned, you still considered the visit a positive experience overall. Thank you again for taking the time to provide detailed and constructive feedback.

Thank you for your review and for sharing your perspective. We understand your comparison with much larger aquariums such as San Sebastián, Monaco and La Rochelle, and we recognise that expectations can naturally be influenced by those experiences. The Malta National Aquarium is more compact in scale, with 54 tanks and around 250 species, focusing strongly on Mediterranean marine life alongside selected tropical and freshwater exhibits. We are pleased, however, that you appreciated the thematic décor and presentation throughout the aquarium. Considerable effort has gone into creating an immersive environment that complements the exhibits and makes the visit visually engaging, particularly for families and younger visitors. In addition to the aquarium itself, the experience has also been expanded through the marine underwater heritage area, developed together with Heritage Malta, which explores Malta’s underwater archaeology and maritime history through modern interpretation and digital displays. Regarding the duration of the visit, many guests spend between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours depending on their pace and level of interest in the educational content and interactive elements. As for the surrounding area, perceptions of destinations are always subjective. Qawra and Buġibba remain among Malta’s most visited coastal areas due to their promenade, waterfront setting, restaurants and accessibility, though we appreciate that not every location appeals equally to every visitor. Thank you again for taking the time to leave your feedback.