Sochi Discovery World Aquarium, Sochi

Sochi Discovery World Aquarium opened in 2009 and is a fully indoor aquarium, so it can be visited in any season. It is one of the largest aquarium complexes in Russia, housing over 4,000 animals from more than 200 species. They are kept in 30 aquariums with a total volume of about 5 million liters, arranged along a clear and easy-to-follow route.

The walk begins on the second floor, designed like a tropical forest with a small waterfall and a bridge over a koi pond. Visitors can feed the fish here, then continue toward the larger marine tanks below, moving gradually from freshwater to open-sea displays.

The main highlight is the 44-meter underwater tunnel made of 17-centimeter acrylic glass, where sharks, rays, and large fish swim above and beside visitors. Signs are in Russian and English, paths are wide and flat, and some tanks are set low for children. Daily activities include shark feeding, usually around 2:00 PM, and a “Mermaid Show,” with extra options such as animal feeding or a 30-minute scuba dive in the main tank. Most visits last one to two hours, though shows can extend the stay.