Akvariet i Bergen - The National Aquarium — Attraction in Bergen

I recently visited the Bergen aquarium and was disappointed by quite a few of things, starting with the prices…

I think having a high ticket entry is fine, it could ever be higher in my opinion as that’s how you usally fund such big aquariums, zoos or even museums, and the reasoning for a higher entry price is that you don’t have to markup EVERYTHING else.

You see, I was dumbfounded when I went to go buy a water as it was a very hot day, only to find out it was 58kr. I’ve only seen those prices in airports, those prices don’t belong in an aquarium when you have 100s of people around you with rising temperatures, in my eyes it’s a bit absurd. But let’s take away from the incredibly marked up water prices, a simple juice comes at a staggering 98kr, and a simply small chocolate milk that is usally 14kr in the store was priced at a 40kr price here. Is it justified? I don’t know, but I felt a bit put off when I had to pay over 200kr for 3 waters and a chocolate milk.

Maybe I’m just inexperienced with aquarium or zoo prices in Norway, so I won’t let it affect my review too much. But what will affect it was the actual animal displays.

I understand having small sized aquarium tanks for the small shellfish and even some of the smaller fish, but there was unfortunately several enclosures that had 1-3 big fish in tanks that were the same size as the one for the tiny fish, maybe I’m a bit picky right now but I just felt horrible for the fish to live in such a tiny space. And I know it’s not just a me thing, as in London aquarium the fish have plenty of space and I didn’t feel terrible walking around there.

But forget all the things I’ve written, let’s say all of that is justified. What actually made me want to type out this review was the overly fed penguins and the sea lions/otter area. It almost brought me to tears seeing those 2 sea lions live in such a tiny space, and the penguins aswell didn’t seem to be thriving in their tiny little enclosure.

Now lastly, I do think some of the showcases and facts were cool, yeah some of them were a bit ambiguous like this one «there is a lot of sea weed and algae etx etc, enough for us to harvest a lot each year without harming marine life» I mean yeah cool, but what is a lot 😭.

Either way, I enjoyed some of the smaller enclosures as they had the appropriate sizes for those animals, but all in all I regret coming and spending well over 1000kr on a aquarium I saw in less that 1 hour...

I really love to go to Zoos or botanic gardens with animals (altought they have to be treaded and kept correct and not just at a minimu standard). here i had a very bad feeling as i saw the reptile habits. they were very small. example: Phelsuma grandis cage was only 40cm 70cm and only 100cm height - this is absolut shabby for a so called "zoo". as well the other day gecko - which i couldnt see, it was very dark and the habit only had one (!!!) basking spot on it - which is absolut a no-go for a gecko - and again for a so caled Zoo even worse. as well i think the habits of the reptiles could be done more creative, if i see plastic plants in the corn snake cage or other snake habits i could puke. i mean, its a zoo and should be an example! on the other hand they have a so called "tropical garden" which was, first of all very dirty and a bit stinky, which can not be. I would recommend to reconstruct or redesign this tropical garden so that some of the geckos or other harmless reptiles could get around free in there which would be a lot more easier for you guys and as well it would be better for the anmals. furthermore i've seen some dead fishes (i will attach the images, since you will refuse my statement. one fish was just laying around on the floor sidewards and heavy breathing - other fishes "snuggled" close to him. in summary: the visit made me feel very sad for the animals. some of them showed stranged behaviours, i would say because of boringness and no changes in their habits. some of the habits were just not living, they are dead, with alive animals in it. think about it. 2 stars because you do inform people about nature and our responsibility as humans to look after the nature. i'm not sure, but the sign at the entrance made me a bit angry and confused. it tells that you concern about the animals and all that, but is it really necsecairy to have all these flat screens for animal descriptions? wouldnt it just do a sign which doesnt use electricity, and with the saved money you could give the fishes better habits - more coralls, more changes and possibilities...

Visiting the Akvariet i Bergen was an unforgettable adventure, truly a gem in Norway’s crown. The array of marine life on display is both fascinating and diverse, making it a must-visit for anyone with an appreciation for aquatic wonders.

From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by a vibrant atmosphere and a plethora of exhibits. The interactive touch tanks were a hit, especially with the kids, allowing them to get up close and personal with some of the ocean's most intriguing creatures. The highlight for me was undoubtedly the fish tunnel, offering an awe-inspiring view of these majestic predators in their element.

However, while the overall experience was delightful, there was a noticeable area for improvement. The penguins, one of the main attractions, seemed to have limited space. Observing these delightful creatures in a more expansive and naturalistic habitat would greatly enhance their well-being and the visitor experience. Providing them with more room to roam and play would not only benefit the penguins but also educate visitors on the importance of adequate living conditions for all animals.

Despite this, the Akvariet i Bergen remains a top-tier destination. The staff were knowledgeable and passionate, eager to share insights about the marine life on display. Their enthusiasm was contagious, making our visit both educational and entertaining.

In conclusion, the Akvariet i Bergen offers a wonderfully immersive experience that should not be missed. Just a little more room for the penguins, and it would be perfect. Highly recommended for families, marine enthusiasts, and anyone looking to dive into the wonders...