In total, there are two aquariums on the territory of the city of Sochi, which I know about. One is in the Big Sochi Riviera Park, not far from the dolphinarium, and the second is in Adler. By the way, Adler also has its own dolphinarium within walking distance of the aquarium. And it just so happened that the Riviera has a cool dolphinarium and «so-so» aquarium, and in Adler, on the contrary: the largest aquarium in the Russian Federation and not the best dolphinarium. The Adler Oceanarium (aka Sochi Discovery World Aquarium) is my best impression of my trip in April 2018, of course, after the bungee jump in Skypark. And believe me - I have something to compare with: Siam ocean world and Aquaria KLCC, For example.
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Oceanarium in Adler
For a person who is not yet experienced with this kind of attractions, it will be at least interesting, and as a maximum - delight and shock awaits him. And I was rather skeptical, given the experience of visiting aquariums in other countries and a sufficient number of negative reviews on the Internet. I don’t know what people didn’t like. Only if the price.
The Oceanarium in Adler is an extremely positive place and I strongly recommend it to visit with boys and girls of an early age. If it is still difficult to surprise a teenager, after all his computer games and modern films, then the baby sticks to the transparent walls with screams «Pirates! Hidden treasures! Shark!» and does not want to listen to the grumbling guards who constantly demand to move away from the glass. The entertainment is perfect for both the lonely and the bored, as well as for the family outing..
Inside the aquarium (and this is the first impression, right from the doorway) there is a very comfortable temperature. After the hot Krasnodar sun - here, «the very thing» to set the mood. In the lobby there is a cafe area, a play area with computer entertainments and automatic machines, cash desks and turnstiles at the entrance. Inspection of the aquariums begins from the second floor, where you are taken by an elevator, and at first the sight is not particularly impressive. The entire second floor is a very beautifully designed jungle-style hall with ponds and a waterfall. There are many aquariums with different, cute and not so, fish. In the middle of the hall there is a machine for the sale of capsules with carp food «koi» - 50 rubles apiece. Nice, but very boring.
It's a bit dark inside and flash photography is prohibited, but there are many decorative fence posts everywhere, where you can safely put the camera and shoot with long exposure, although this makes fish and all moving objects blurry. So set yourself up in advance that you will not have a very photo-productive first floor, and you will make all the main photos from the Adler Oceanarium on the floor below. Owners of weak or old photographic cameras in the aquarium will, in principle, be uncomfortable.
Oceanarium in Adler
When you feel a little discouraged and are about to leave the hall, a pleasant surprise awaits you. After a black corridor with drawings on the walls, which are made with neon paints and illuminated by ultraviolet lamps, you find yourself not in a shop with souvenirs (the classic completion of such attractions), but on the first floor of the building, with huge aquariums all over the wall. Behind the glass you can see a sunken pirate ship, chests and cannons, rays, fish and turtles - a real underwater world in its rich, multi-colored variety. You are definitely guaranteed to get stuck for ten minutes - the spectacle is mesmerizing and disarming, you immediately forgive the oceanarium for its entry price and take out a camera that was lying idle.
But this is not the end yet, because after the pirate ship the next stage of emotions awaits you - underwater tunnels.
After going around a large aquarium, passing by jellyfish, anemones and small animals, you find yourself in front of the entrance to a semicircular tunnel - a road through the water column, in which the inhabitants of the sea live their lives. And here the real pleasure begins, with an open mouth and eyes, with surprise as in childhood, when you want to poke your finger at everything and scream «mom, look - SHARK!». Adults, of course, behave with restraint, and children go crazy and look at their amazement - this is a touching bonus from the aquarium for parents. The tunnel is quite long, with turns and continuation, ends with an aquarium with sharks and a model of shark jaws hanging from the ceiling.
This layout is repeated in an enlarged size in the next room, where guys with cameras lurked in ambush, taking pictures for money. Alas, you will not be allowed here to shoot with your camera. Opposite the photo-merchants there are a couple of aquariums with interestingly painted backgrounds, a la tropical island, and - the end of the exposition with turnstiles. The exit is possible only irrevocably, as warned by the inscription near the doors. So, if you put off some interesting shots for later, it's time to go back and take them. After the turnstiles, you find yourself in a large hall with souvenirs (how unexpected!) And the exit from the aquarium will be near a large pirate standing on the street.
Schedule and tickets
In summer, the Adler Oceanarium is open from 10:00 to 20:00, and is open seven days a week - high season. The rest of the year - from 10:00 to 18:00, and their days off are on Monday and Tuesday.
Ticket prices: adults - 700 rubles, children (from 4 to 11 years old) - 450 rubles, discount - 350 rubles. For children under 4 years old, admission is free. If you want a guided tour, then cook 50 rubles per person.
The aquarium also conducts half-hour diving sessions, for 4000 rubles, plus - photography of the dive for an additional 700 rubles.
An entertaining show program is held twice a day at 11:00 and 15:00 «Underwater fairy tale» featuring marine fairy-tale characters.
Another entertainment for tourists is feeding sharks and turtles, which is held daily from 14:00 to 15:00.
How to get there
You can get to the Adler Oceanarium by car, but you will have to look for parking. There is a small space next to the building, but I did not understand how to get there, so I went the simple way - I stood in the parking lot near the neighboring clinic. Free and 300 meters from the entrance to the Oceanarium. Moreover, in the same parking lot there was an aunt with tickets, who paid me a ticket at a price of 700 rubles and told me where to go.
If you go here by bus, then you need a stop «Sanatorium Izvestia». Bus numbers: 60, 105, 105k, 117, 118, 124C, 125, 125P, 125s, 134, 173.
On the map
Adler Oceanarium
Adler Oceanarium
The largest aquarium in Russia, Sochi Discovery World, was opened at the end of 2009. 29 halls, a transparent underwater tunnel where you can walk, a sea pool where you can do scuba diving, a professional photo studio. Shows are held daily in the aquarium: shark feeding and «Underwater fairy tale» - featuring mermaids.
More about Oceanarium.
The largest aquarium in Russia, Sochi Discovery World, was opened at the end of 2009. 29 halls, a transparent underwater tunnel where you can walk, a sea pool where you can do scuba diving, a professional photo studio. Shows are held daily in the aquarium: shark feeding and «Underwater fairy tale» - with the participation of mermaids. More about the oceanarium.
