Largest Aquariums in the World Ranked by Size in 2026
Published: 14 Mar 2026
The largest aquarium in the world in 2026 is Chimelong Spaceship in China, featuring one of the biggest aquarium tanks ever built. From giant whale shark habitats to massive underwater tunnels, the world’s largest aquariums attract millions of visitors every year.
In this guide, we rank the top 10 largest aquariums in the world by total water volume, including famous attractions like Georgia Aquarium, S.E.A. Aquarium, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. You’ll also discover which aquarium has the biggest tank, the largest indoor aquarium and what makes each destination unique.
Quick Facts About the World’s Largest Aquariums
- Largest aquarium in the world: Chimelong Spaceship, China (75.3 million liters)
- Biggest aquarium tank in the world: Chimelong Spaceship
- Largest indoor aquarium: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is widely considered one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world
- Largest aquarium in Europe: L’Oceanogràfic
- One of the most famous aquariums in the USA: Georgia Aquarium
- Aquariums known for whale sharks: Georgia Aquarium and Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
Top 10 Largest Aquariums in the World by Water Volume (2026)
Here is a list of the top 10 largest aquariums in the world ranked by total water volume and their global locations.
| Rank | Aquarium | Location | Total Water Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chimelong Spaceship | Zhuhai, China | ~75.3 million liters |
| 2 | SeaWorld Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi, UAE | ~58 million liters |
| 3 | Chimelong Ocean Kingdom | Zhuhai, China | ~48.75 million liters |
| 4 | S.E.A. Aquarium | Singapore | ~45.2 million liters |
| 5 | L’Oceanogràfic | Valencia, Spain | ~41.6 million liters |
| 6 | Georgia Aquarium | Atlanta, USA | ~41.6 million liters |
| 7 | Moskvarium | Moscow, Russia | ~25 million liters |
| 8 | The Seas with Nemo & Friends | Florida, USA | ~21.6 million liters |
| 9 | Aqua Planet Jeju | Jeju, South Korea | ~20 million liters |
| 10 | Shedd Aquarium | Chicago, USA | ~18.9 million liters |
NOTE: This ranking is based on total water volume across all tanks, which is the most consistent way experts compare the largest aquariums in the world.
Which Aquarium Has the Biggest Tank in the World?
The biggest aquarium tank in the world is located inside Chimelong Spaceship in China. Its massive open-ocean habitat is designed to hold tens of millions of liters of water and supports large marine species such as whale sharks, manta rays and giant groupers.
The tank is built to replicate a deep-sea environment at large scale, making it one of the most advanced ocean habitats ever created in a public aquarium.
Other aquariums known for extremely large tanks include:
- Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo – known for its large acrylic viewing tank inside Dubai Mall
- Georgia Aquarium – famous for its Ocean Voyager habitat
- S.E.A. Aquarium – known for its massive Open Ocean viewing panel
Biggest Aquariums in the World Ranked by Size
Below are the world’s largest aquariums in the world, ranked by total water volume and overall size.
1. Chimelong Spaceship
Chimelong Spaceship is the largest aquarium in the world by total water volume. It contains approximately 75.3 million liters of water, making it home to one of the biggest aquarium tanks ever built.
The aquarium features whale sharks, manta rays, giant groupers and thousands of marine species in a large open-ocean habitat. Its main viewing areas include massive acrylic panels and a 360-degree underwater tunnel.
Chimelong Spaceship is part of the larger Chimelong resort complex in Zhuhai, which includes theme parks and marine attractions.
Key Fact: It holds the largest aquarium tank in the world by water volume.
Fun Fact: The underwater tunnel is designed to give a 360-degree ocean view and is one of the longest aquarium tunnels in the world.
2. Sea World Abu Dhabi
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world and a major marine attraction on Yas Island, UAE. It contains approximately 58 million liters of water across multiple climate-controlled marine habitats.
Unlike traditional aquariums, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is fully indoors and features a large multi-zone ocean environment with sharks, rays, penguins and thousands of marine animals. The design allows visitors to move through different ocean ecosystems inside a single enclosed structure.
It is widely regarded as one of the largest indoor aquarium complexes in the world due to its scale, controlled environments and extensive marine habitats.
Key Fact: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is considered one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world by total water volume.
Fun Fact: The aquarium is designed with multiple climate-controlled ocean zones, allowing cold-water and warm-water species to live in separate but connected indoor habitats within the same building.
3. Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom ranks among the largest aquariums in the world and is often listed as the third largest by total water volume, with its main tank holding about 48.75 million liters.
Located in Zhuhai, China, it is part of a large resort complex that combines marine exhibits with entertainment attractions. The main aquarium habitat is designed to simulate a deep ocean environment and supports large marine species such as whale sharks, manta rays and various reef fish.
Instead of a traditional aquarium layout, the structure uses wide viewing panels and tunnel walkways that let visitors observe marine life from multiple angles in a continuous open-water setting.
Key Fact: This aquarium is widely recognized as the third largest in the world by water volume.
Fun Fact: It is one of the few aquariums in the world designed to keep whale sharks in a large shared ocean habitat alongside other large marine species.
4. S.E.A. Aquarium
S.E.A. Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world and a major marine attraction in Singapore. It holds approximately 45.2 million liters of water and is home to more than 100,000 marine animals across hundreds of species.
The aquarium is best known for its massive Open Ocean habitat, which features an enormous viewing panel that allows visitors to observe sharks, rays, and large schools of fish in a wide, open-water setting. The design focuses on creating a continuous marine environment rather than separate small tanks.
Located in Sentosa, it is part of a larger resort destination and is considered one of the most important aquariums in Asia due to its scale and species diversity.
Key Fact: It has one of the largest single aquarium viewing panels in the world.
Fun Fact: The aquarium’s main viewing panel is so wide that it would take over 20 people holding hands to span its length, giving visitors a real sense of the incredible scale of this underwater world.
5. L’Oceanogràfic
L’Oceanogràfic is a marine attraction located in Valencia, Spain and forms part of the City of Arts and Sciences complex. It is often listed as the largest aquarium in Europe based on total water volume, measuring about 41.6 million liters.
Rather than operating as a single continuous tank, the site is divided into separate architectural zones. Each zone represents a different marine environment, such as polar waters, temperate seas and tropical ecosystems.
These zones collectively house a wide range of marine life, including beluga whales, dolphins, penguins, sharks and multiple reef species. Each habitat is designed independently to reflect natural conditions instead of combining all species into one central space.
Key Fact: It is commonly recognized as Europe’s largest aquarium by total water volume.
Fun fact: L’Oceanogràfic is designed to replicate the world’s major ocean ecosystems, making it one of the few aquariums in Europe where visitors can experience Arctic, Antarctic, Mediterranean and tropical habitats all in one place.
6. Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium is located in Atlanta, USA and is one of the largest aquariums in the world by total water volume, holding around 41.6 million liters across its main marine exhibits.
It is especially known for its large ocean habitats that contain whale sharks, manta rays, beluga whales, and thousands of other marine species. One of the most notable features is its massive underwater viewing area, which allows visitors to observe large marine animals swimming in open-water conditions.
The aquarium is structured around several major exhibits rather than a single central tank, each designed to represent different marine environments and ecosystems.
Key Fact: It is one of the largest aquariums in the United States and is globally recognized for its whale shark habitat.
Fun Fact: Georgia Aquarium’s Ocean Voyager tunnel is one of the longest in the world, letting visitors feel like they’re walking through the open ocean.
7. Moscow Oceanarium
Moskvarium is a large aquarium and marine life center located in Moscow, Russia. It contains approximately 25 million liters of water and is one of the most important aquatic attractions in Eastern Europe.
The facility includes a wide range of marine habitats featuring sharks, dolphins, beluga whales, rays, and thousands of fish species. In addition to its aquarium exhibits, it is also known for its large marine performance arena where live shows take place.
Unlike traditional aquariums focused only on observation tanks, Moskvarium combines educational exhibits with structured marine performances and interactive displays.
Key Fact: It is one of the largest aquariums in Europe and Asia region by total water volume.
Fun Fact: Moskvarium hosts one of Europe’s largest marine performance halls, where dolphins and sea lions perform in a theater-style arena designed to seat thousands of visitors.
8. The Seas with Nemo & Friends
The Seas with Nemo & Friends is a large aquarium attraction located in Florida, USA and is part of EPCOT at Walt Disney World. It contains approximately 21.6 million liters of water and is designed as both an aquarium and themed ride experience.
The exhibit features tropical fish, sea turtles, rays and other marine species within a large man-made lagoon. The design combines real aquatic habitats with storytelling elements inspired by the “Finding Nemo” film.
Unlike traditional aquariums, this attraction blends a ride system with a functioning marine habitat, allowing visitors to view sea life during a guided underwater-style journey.
Key Fact: It is one of the largest man-made aquarium habitats in a theme park setting.
Fun Fact: The Seas with Nemo & Friends was designed so that over 5,000 fish can swim in the main tank at once, giving visitors a miniature “ocean experience.”
9. Aqua Planet Jeju
Aqua Planet Jeju is one of the largest aquariums in South Korea and contains around 20 million liters of water. It is located on Jeju Island and showcases marine life from both local and global ocean environments.
The aquarium includes sharks, rays, penguins and reef fish across multiple large tanks and underwater tunnel systems. Its layout focuses on replicating natural ocean ecosystems rather than using a single central tank.
The facility is designed to highlight marine biodiversity in a controlled environment, with separate zones for different species and habitats.
Key Fact: It is the largest aquarium in South Korea by total water volume.
Fun Fact: Aqua Planet Jeju is the largest aquarium in South Korea and features a massive main tank designed to simulate a complete ocean habitat, including coral reefs and deeper marine zones.
If you enjoy visiting massive attractions like aquariums
Read also: Largest Malls in the World.
10. Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium is located in Chicago, USA and holds approximately 18.9 million liters of water across its marine exhibits. It is one of the oldest and most well-known aquariums in the United States.
The aquarium features beluga whales, sea otters, sharks, rays and a wide range of freshwater and saltwater species. Its exhibits are divided into themed environments such as the Caribbean Reef and Oceanarium.
Rather than focusing on a single massive tank, Shedd Aquarium is structured as multiple specialized habitats designed to represent different aquatic ecosystems.
Key Fact: It was one of the first aquariums in the world to introduce large-scale indoor marine habitats.
Fun Fact: When it opened in 1930, Shedd Aquarium was considered the largest indoor aquarium in the world, a title it held for many years.
Other notable aquariums worth visiting include Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo (~10 million liters), which is famous for its giant viewing panel and central location in Dubai Mall.
Animal lovers who visit large aquariums may also enjoy exploring the huge wildlife parks
Read Also: Largest Zoos in the World
Which Is the Best Aquarium in the World?
While this guide ranks the largest aquariums in the world by total water volume, the “best aquarium in the world” depends on experience, design, and marine life diversity.
For example, Georgia Aquarium is often considered one of the best aquariums in the world due to its whale shark habitat and large ocean exhibits. In Asia, S.E.A. Aquarium is widely recognized for its massive viewing panels and wide range of marine species.
In Europe, L’Oceanogràfic is frequently highlighted for its unique multi-ecosystem design, while SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is known for combining indoor marine habitats with modern immersive experiences.
How These Aquariums Compare: Size, Animals and Experiences
| Rank | Aquarium | Total Water Volume | Number of Species | Unique Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chimelong Spaceship | ~75.3 million liters | 20,000+ | 360° underwater tunnel with whale sharks and manta rays |
| 2 | SeaWorld Abu Dhabi | ~58 million liters | 15,000+ | Ocean-to-land exhibits; penguins and sharks in one view |
| 3 | Chimelong Ocean Kingdom | ~48.75 million liters | 10,000+ | Combination of theme park rides and massive marine habitats |
| 4 | S.E.A. Aquarium | ~45.2 million liters | 100,000+ | Panoramic Open Ocean viewing panel |
| 5 | L’Oceanogràfic | ~41.6 million liters | 500+ | Multiple habitats: Arctic, Antarctic, Mediterranean, tropics |
| 6 | Georgia Aquarium | ~41.6 million liters | 120,000+ | Ocean Voyager tunnel with whale sharks |
| 7 | Moskvarium | ~25 million liters | 7,000+ | Marine shows in spacious naturalistic habitats |
| 8 | The Seas with Nemo & Friends | ~21.6 million liters | 6,000+ | Ride through tank with tropical fish and rays |
| 9 | Aqua Planet Jeju | ~20 million liters | 3,000+ | Simulated ocean habitats including coral reefs |
| 10 | Shedd Aquarium | ~18.9 million liters | 32,000+ | Abbott Oceanarium with Caribbean and Pacific habitats |
The largest aquariums in the world differ not only in size but also in design, species diversity and visitor experience. Some are built around a single massive ocean tank, while others are structured as multi-building marine complexes.
In terms of total water volume, Chimelong Spaceship in China ranks first, followed by SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. These aquariums are known for their extremely large ocean habitats that can support whale sharks, manta rays, and thousands of marine species.
Aquariums like S.E.A. Aquarium and Georgia Aquarium stand out for their massive viewing panels and highly immersive open-ocean displays, giving visitors a direct view into deep-sea environments.
In Europe, L’Oceanogràfic leads in scale, while in Russia, Moskvarium combines large aquariums with live marine shows.
Overall, each aquarium offers a different strength, some focus on size, others on species diversity and others on immersive visitor experiences.
World’s Largest Aquariums (Final Overview)
The largest aquariums in the world are led by Chimelong Spaceship in China, followed by SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. These marine attractions stand out for their massive water volumes, advanced ocean habitats, and large-scale viewing experiences.
Across different regions, each aquarium offers something unique. Georgia Aquarium is well known for its whale shark habitat, while S.E.A. Aquarium is recognized for its enormous viewing panels and marine diversity. In Europe, L’Oceanogràfic remains the largest aquarium by total water volume.
Together, these aquariums represent the most advanced marine environments in the world, combining size, species diversity and visitor experience.
FAQs About the Largest Aquariums in the World
The largest aquarium in the world is the Chimelong Spaceship located in China. It is widely considered one of the most advanced marine habitats ever built and ranks among the biggest aquariums in the world.
The aquarium with the largest aquarium tank in the world is Chimelong Spaceship. Its enormous central habitat is designed to replicate a natural ocean ecosystem, with sharks, rays and fish swimming in a 360-degree viewing environment.
The second largest aquarium in the world is SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, featuring a massive marine habitat with thousands of sea creatures across multiple ocean zones.
The third largest aquarium in the world is Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China, known for its whale shark exhibits and one of the biggest aquarium tanks in Asia.
China is home to several of the largest aquariums in the world, including Chimelong Spaceship and Chimelong Ocean Kingdom making it the leading country for massive marine attractions.
The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is one of the most famous aquariums in the world, but its total water volume is smaller than the top 10 largest aquariums, some of which exceed 70 million liters.
