Discover a world of underwater wonders at Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium, where you’ll witness penguins, turtles, sharks and much more glide gracefully through its waters.

A perfect day out for the family, the aquarium has something for everyone – from soft play areas to education centers. Purchase your Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium tickets today and get ready to dive into an unforgettable experience.

Here's all you need to know about Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium, one of the most exciting theme parks in Auckland.

How much do Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium tickets cost?

Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium ticket prices vary depending on several factors, including your age and if your visit is during peak time or not. Children from 3 to 15 years old have a reduced ticket price and children under 3 have free entry.

Weekends and school holidays are considered peak time and weekdays are off-peak time. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect:

Standard Pass

A standard pass includes admission during the allotted time slot selected and access to all zones inside the aquarium.

Adult peak time ticket: NZ$45 (US$26)
Adult off-peak ticket: NZ$36 (US$21)
Child peak time ticket: NZ$32 (US$19)
Child off-peak ticket: NZ$26 (US$15)
Under 3s: Free

Flexible Pass

Flexible passes can be purchased and used at any time.

Adult ticket: NZ$47 (US$27)
Child ticket: NZ$34 (US$20)
Under 3s: Free

Group Passes

You can choose a group pass if your party is a group of more than 10.

Adult ticket: NZ$34 (US$20)
Child ticket: NZ$21 (US$12)
Under 3s: Free

Family Passes

A family of four includes two adults and two children.

Family of four peak time ticket: NZ$145 (US$84)
Family of four off-peak ticket: NZ$116 (US$67)
Weekday pass with a child under 3: NZ$30 (US$27)

The flexible, group and family passes are only available via the official website.

Who is eligible for discounts?

Discounts of up to 22% are available for students and seniors (65+).

Both groups (10 or more people) and families have the option to purchase group tickets for Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium at a reduced price – NZ$34 (US$20) per adult and NZ$21 (US$12) per child.

Carers for persons 3 years old and above with a disability are eligible for free entry.

Is it possible to visit for free?

You can visit Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium for free on your birthday. You must bring a photo ID with proof of your date of birth to qualify. If the Aquarium happens to be closed on your birthday, you can visit for free either the day before or after your birthday.

Simply reserve a ticket online via the pre-booking page, show your ID at the arrival desk and receive your free pass.

Should you book in advance?

You must book ahead of your visit to Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium. You can pay upon arrival when using the official website but you need to have booked a time slot via the pre-booking page. This is to manage numbers and ensure your experience is pleasant for all.

What will you see inside?

There’s plenty to see inside Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium and you can easily spend over three hours exploring.

Penguins

There are two types of penguins found in the aquarium – the King and Gentoo penguins. The King is the second largest of the 17 species of penguin and is easily recognizable by the yellow markings on their face. Gentoo penguins are far smaller and are known for having cheeky personalities. Plenty of other wildlife can be seen too, including jellyfish, turtles, sharks and stingrays.

Turtle rescue

You’ll find plenty of exhibits inside the aquarium including the Turtle Rescue Centre, New Zealand’s only rehabilitation center for rescued turtles. For over 20 years Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium has cared for sick turtles that wash up on New Zealand’s beaches. Once the turtles are back to full health, they are released into the wild.

Play areas

For little ones, there is Shipwreck Shore, an indoor playground where children can play and adults can have a break! Don’t forget to visit the Amazing Creations zone too, where you can create your own sea creatures. Using a huge interactive projector, your drawings will come to life and swim in front of you.

At the Rockpools you’ll have the opportunity to get hands-on. You can see and touch starfish and learn more about these incredible creatures.

Historical exhibits

History fans will love Scott’s Hut, a walk-through replica of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s Antarctic hut complete with authentic memorabilia of his experience in the coldest place on Earth.

Other must-visit areas are the Antarctic Ice Adventure, NIWA Southern Ocean Discovery, the Shark Tunnel, Shipwreck Discovery and the Seahorse Kingdom.

How to get there?

Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium is just a 10-minute drive (6 kilometers) from downtown Auckland. For those driving, parking is available but there are limited spaces and during peak hours the car park fills up quickly.

There are several public bus routes available including the Auckland Transport TāmakiLink public bus service. TāmakiLink Buses run from Britomart Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium every 15 minutes, 7 days a week. They are wheelchair and pushchair accessible.

What are the opening times?

Running seven days a week, Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium is open between 9:30 AM and 5 PM, with the last entry at 4 PM.

Is it wheelchair friendly?

Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium is wheelchair accessible throughout its premises. There are four designated accessible parking spaces available.

Both sets of staircases have a wheelchair lift and there are two accessible toilets available at the entrance and exit. Wheelchairs can be borrowed from the admission area for use.

When is the best time to visit Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium?

The best time to visit Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium to avoid the crowds is during off-peak times on weekdays and outside of school holidays, which are in late December to late January, mid-April, early July, late September to early October.

Travel tips

Interactive Exhibits. Take advantage of interactive exhibits and talks to make the visit more educational and engaging.
Celebrate your birthday. If you happen to visit Auckland and it's someone's birthday, be sure to redeem your free entry to the aquarium.
Free photos. Your general admission ticket includes 10 free digital photos at different photo stops in the aquarium, which is a great opportunity to make some memories with the whole family.

Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium: Tickets