OCEANOGRAPHIC MUSEUM MONACO
(continues our previous article)
In the Shark Lagoon: blacktip reef sharks, a nurse shark, a hawksbill sea turtle, moray eels and a majestic giant guitarfish live side by side. A grandiose spectacle which visitors can view from four different angles.
Without flippers or air cylinders, you are as immersed several metres beneath the surface, surrounded by the treasures of a reef pass. On one side of the Lagoon, discover an explosion of colours with hundreds of species of tropical fish; on the other you view the awesome predators.
The Djibouti reef: This coral ecosystem, unique in the world, was created in 1989 and is home to reef-building corals of which the oldest colonies are now over 20 years old.
In the new 600 m² area on the Museum’s panoramic terrace, facilitator will unveil the characteristics of the African spurred turtles, ancient reptiles now under threat of extinction. Seven specimens, from Mali, live in this especially dedicated area.
During school holidays, the facilitators are present at several different times in the day in front of the landscaped enclosure to explain the turtles’ way of life, their eating habits and to answer all your questions.
Children, as well as their parents, will be entertained in the fun area boasting a 15 metre long game in the form of a whale skeleton while a lounge terrace completes this open air area.
One of the highlights of a visit to the Monaco Oceanographic Museum, is an opportunity for children to get up close to the fauna and flora of the Mediterranean.
For 45 minutes, the teams invite you to observe and touch different species living in a pool open to the public, adding anecdotes about the hermit crab shell, the catshark’s eggs, the crab’s pincers and the cuttlefish’s ink.
A fun activity to experience with the family, during school holidays .
To Book at the ticket desk, 5 € Extra
THE AQUARIUM IN GENOVA
Many different packages are offered here, both for learning and amusing:
The AcquarioVillage pass allows you to visit all the Costa Entertainment facilities at the Porto Antico at a special price.
The AcquarioVillage ticket is valid for a year from the date of purchase and it is up to you to use it in one day or over more days in the course of the year:
- Acquario di Genova and Tropical Garden – Wings flapping: 12.000 specimens of 600 different species .plunge into some of the world’s most fascinating humid environments and explore the Acquario di Genova. A longer-than three-hour experience of living in Pianeta.
- Galata Museo del Mare: The history of the sea among galleys, steamers and 6.000 original items. Find out what binds man to the sea both above and beneath the water.– the largest Maritime Museum in the Mediterranean
- Submarine S 518 Nazario Sauro: the first “museum ship” that you can visit in the water in Italy.
- Museo Nazionale dell’Antartide: To learn about an unknown and charming land.
- Biosfera: An ecosystem of million years ago, among extraordinary species of flora and fauna.
- Bigo: The Panoramic Lift to walk 40 metres above the sea.
Acquario Segreto
Make the most of this opportunity to go behind the scenes and see what is going on. And, once the 90 minute guided tour is over, you can continue to explore the public exhibits on your own.
Acquario Guidato
Accompanied by one of the experts, explore a very particular route through one of the most extensive exhibits of aquatic bio-diversity in Europe.
Notte con gli Squali
Spend a night with the sharks. Sleep right in front of their tank and then see the transformation Acquario undergoes at dawn. If you are aged between 7 and 13, join the expert guides for the adventure of a lifetime and find out all about the nocturnal behaviour of these magnificent animals.
CrocierAcquario
This package includes not only a visit to Acquario di Genova but also a half-day cruise that follows the routes taken by marine mammals through the heart of the Cetacean Sanctuary. A chance to find out all the secrets of marine animals and environments.
MARINELAND ANTIBES
The Marineland ticket entitles you to view these attractions, from the time the park opens until it closes. The ideal way to have fun or learn something new between two shows.
Antarctica
What are the differences between penguins and razorbills ("pingouins" in French)? Do they always live in cold places? Are they under threat? Do they reproduce at Marineland? You can put all these questions and more to the keeper.
Polar bears
Marineland's polar bears live in an enclosure covering an area of 2,200m², divided into 3 zones: 2 living areas and a maternity area known as the nursery.
Shark tunnels
The shark tunnel offers visitors a unique chance to come face to face with Jaws
Aquariums
Make your way from the small aquarium, home to starfish, shrimps, king crabs and clown fish in their environment of multicoloured anemones and corals, to the reef slope, inhabited by monstrous green moray eels and other strange creatures, such as the humphead wrasse. Don't miss the ray pool, where live also dogfish and other fish and invertebrates.
Penguins
Marineland is home to several species of penguin; the colonies which live together at Marineland were raised in the park and have been reproducing here for many years.- This marks an outstanding success in animal breeding terms,
Sea lions
Several species of sea lion have made their home at Marineland: South American sea lions, California sea lions and Cape fur seals.
CETACEAN SANCTUARY
The sanctuary is located in the Ligurian basin of the Mediterranean Sea. In this area all the cetaceans occurring in the Mediterranean can be found at regular intervals. It is believed to be the main feeding ground for Fin Whales in the Mediterranean basin.
The sanctuary was established on 25 November 1999 and is the first (and currently the only) international / High Seas MPA in the world covering areas of the Mediterranean seas of France, Italy, and the Principality of Monaco.
[Editor note: the photos are from the Facebook site of the Oceanographic Museum Monaco[
Sources:
Judit Neuberger
International editions: