Aquário da Madeira, Public aquarium in Porto Moniz, Portugal.
Description
Aquário da Madeira is a public aquarium in Porto Moniz that houses around 90 native fish species in 12 tanks. The building occupies a restored coastal fort and sits on the northern shore of the town.
History
This site was originally the São João Baptista fort, built in 1730 to defend against pirate attacks. The structure underwent restoration in 1998 and transformed into an aquarium that opened to visitors in 1999.
Culture
The facility displays fish species from Macaronesian waters, representing the marine life of Madeira, the Azores, the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde. You can see how these distant island groups share similar ocean ecosystems and creatures.
Practical
The center sits directly on the coast, so visits can feel blustery on windy or rough ocean days. Bring comfortable shoes since access involves stairs and potentially slippery stone surfaces around the fort.
Did you know?
The facility offers something unusual: visitors can go scuba diving among the fish without needing prior certification. A local dive center runs these experiences right at the fort's location.
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This collection covers the main natural areas and cultural sites across Madeira, a Portuguese island of volcanic origin in the Atlantic Ocean. The route connects coastal regions with highland areas, showcasing the diverse vegetation that results from the subtropical climate and varied elevation...
São Vicente Caves
13.9 km
Levada das 25 Fontes
12 km
Aldeia do Mato e Souto
11.9 km
Posto Florestal do Fanal
6.8 km
Risco waterfall
12.6 km
Véu da Noiva Falls
9.1 km
Miradouro dos Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela
1.8 km
Natural pools of Porto Moniz
452 m
Teleférico Achadas da Cruz
4.4 km
Caminho Real do Paul do Mar
13.7 km
Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse
10.9 km
Pico Ruivo do Paul
12.8 km
Porto Moniz Light
315 m
Quinta Pedagógica dos Prazeres
13.1 km
Capela de São Lourenço
12 km
Laje beach
6.6 km
Fanal
7.2 km
Capela de Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte
7.6 km
Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Neves
13.1 km
Chão da Ribeira
8 km
Câmara Municipal de São Vicente
13.2 km
Igreja de São Pedro
9.9 km
Foz da Ribeira da Janela
1.7 km
Igreja de São João Baptista
12.2 km
Fontanário de 1887
660 m
Miradouro do Véu da Noiva
8.7 km
Miradouro da Vila do Porto Moniz
909 m
Foz da Ribeira de São Vicente
12.9 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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