Aquarium de La Réunion, Public aquarium in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Saint-Paul, Reunion.
The Aquarium de La Réunion occupies a low building on an artificial island in the marina of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, marked by an "AQUARIUM" sign and a steel truss walkway. Inside, five exhibit areas reproduce volcanic rock slopes, coral gardens, reef crevices, the open sea and marine conservation. Its tanks hold 600,000 litres of seawater for about 2,000 animals of roughly 200 species, including ten shark and ray species.
The aquarium opened in 2000 on an artificial islet in the marina of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and is run by a private company. Since about 2005 it has guided school classes and opened the Boutique de la Mer shop. Cyclone Béjisa destroyed the entrance hall in 2014; it was rebuilt by 2016. In September 2022 pupils from the École de Carosse marked out a marine teaching area in the nearby harbour.
The tour is narrated for children by a polyp mascot, and the interactive scenography was designed by French artist Pierre Luu. Since about 2005 school classes have been guided through the tanks, and in September 2022 pupils from the École de Carosse marked out a marine teaching area in the nearby harbour.
The aquarium sits on an artificial islet in the marina of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, on the left bank of the Ravine Saint-Gilles. Explanatory panels at the tanks are in French only, though the online offer also exists in German. A 70-seat projection room shows documentaries and doubles as a conference room.
The tour ends with the open-sea section, where a sunken ship is recreated in the large tank and sharks swim among the fish. The five display areas also include a basalt arch and a shipwreck modelled on volcanic rock, and the aquariums hold 600,000 litres of seawater.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,672 contributors worldwide.