Sobela Ocean Aquarium — Attraction in Kansas City

Amazing experience! The aquarium is named after the grandchildren of Shirley and Barnett Helzberg, who generously donated to make this world-class facility possible. The aquarium opened in September 2023 and it is home to nearly 8,000 animals in 34 habitats that tell the story of how ocean currents connect animals across the globe.

The aquarium is divided into six zones, each with a different theme and atmosphere. The first zone is the warm coastline, where you can see colorful fish, anemones, urchins, tamarin monkeys, and toucans in a Caribbean island setting. The second zone is the warm shallows, where you can touch giant hermit crabs, starfish, and horseshoe crabs in a lagoon touch pool. You can also see sea turtles and small sharks swimming in a large tank. One of the highlights of this zone is Tortellini, a green sea turtle who was rescued after being hit by a boat. She has a weighted backpack on her shell to help her swim normally.

The third zone is the warm reef, where you can admire the beauty and diversity of coral reefs and their inhabitants. You can see clownfish, tangs, angelfish, butterflyfish, and many more. You can also spot a giant Pacific octopus, one of the most intelligent and curious creatures in the ocean. The fourth zone is the cold coast, where you can meet the adorable sea otters, who are playful and energetic. You can watch them swim, dive, groom, and eat in their spacious habitat.

The fifth zone is the cold deep, where you can explore the mysterious and fascinating world of the deep sea. You can see bioluminescent fish, jellyfish, squid, and eels in a dark and eerie environment. You can also see a variety of sharks, including sand tiger sharks, nurse sharks, and zebra sharks. The sixth and final zone is the global gallery, where you can see some of the most unique and rare animals in the ocean. You can see seahorses, pipefish, leafy sea dragons, cuttlefish, and more.

The Sobela Ocean Aquarium is not only a fun and educational attraction, but also a conservation leader. The aquarium supports many conservation projects and initiatives to protect the ocean and its wildlife. The aquarium also educates guests about the importance of the ocean and how we can help preserve it for future generations.

I highly recommend visiting the Sobela Ocean Aquarium if you are in Kansas City or nearby. It is a wonderful experience for all ages and interests. You will be amazed by the beauty and diversity of the ocean and its creatures. You will also learn a lot about the ocean and how it connects us all. The Sobela Ocean Aquarium is truly a gem in the heart of...

Great aquarium! It’s practically brand new, and has some pretty good tanks with lots of fish, sharks, and jelly’s!

They were doing online reservations in order to see the aquarium when I went so if you want to go check online in advance to see if you need to book a slot to enter...

Amazing family friendly place. Definitely go during the week. That way it’s less crowded. It is also a great place to meet family and friends! Lots of cool sea creatures, and it is very well. Set up...