Last updated May 2026
The National Aquarium of New Zealand is Napier’s headline Marine Parade family attraction — a substantial public aquarium with native NZ wildlife (kiwi, tuatara, little penguins, native lizards) alongside marine species in a 1.5 million litre oceanarium tunnel where stingrays, kingfish, snapper, hapuku and sharks swim overhead. Open daily 9am–5pm with diver hand-feeding and penguin-feeding shows through the day. One of the top-visited paid attractions in Napier.
Practical Information
| Address | 546 Marine Parade, Napier South |
| Hours | Daily 9am–5pm (including most public holidays); closed Christmas Day; last entry 4.30pm |
| Cost | Adult and child entry fees apply; under 3s free; concession pricing for seniors, students and groups |
| Combined ticket | Napier Discover Pass (family pass ~$180) covers multiple attractions — available at Napier i-SITE |
| Daily highlights | Penguin feeding 9.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm; reef-fish feeding 10am; oceanarium diver hand-feeding 2pm |
| Guided tours | Daily 10.30am and 2.30pm — bookings recommended |
| Parking | Free along Marine Parade |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible throughout |
About the Aquarium
The National Aquarium of New Zealand sits on the southern Marine Parade in Napier — originally the Napier Aquarium and renamed in 2002 when it took on its current National Aquarium status. The facility combines a public aquarium of native and exotic species with a small native-wildlife area featuring kiwi, tuatara and native lizards. The headline experience is the 1.5 million litre oceanarium with its 50-metre underwater walking tunnel, where visitors walk beneath swirling shoals of fish, stingrays and sharks.
The aquarium is owned and operated by Napier City Council. Annual visitor numbers are substantial — the aquarium is one of the top-visited paid attractions in Napier and a foundation of the Marine Parade family-attraction cluster (with the Marine Parade playground, skate park, pump track and Sound Shell all within walking distance).
What You’ll See
| Oceanarium tunnel | 1.5 million litre tank with a 50 m underwater walking tunnel — stingrays, kingfish, hapuku, snapper, sharks |
| Native wildlife | Kiwi, tuatara, native lizards |
| Little penguins | Resident colony with three feeding sessions daily |
| Turtles | Sea turtle care and display |
| Reef fish | Tropical and NZ reef species in dedicated tanks |
| Alligator | Resident alligator in dedicated enclosure |
| Piranhas | Display tank with South American piranhas |
| Coral reef and Asian paddy field exhibits | Themed display sections |
Daily Activities
The daily timetable is one of the best parts of a visit — feeding times and diver shows happen at fixed times through the day:
- 9.30am — Little penguin feeding
- 10.00am — Reef fish feeding
- 10.30am — Guided tour (booking recommended)
- 1.30pm — Little penguin feeding
- 2.00pm — Oceanarium diver hand-feeding (the headline daily show)
- 2.30pm — Guided tour (booking recommended)
- 3.30pm — Little penguin feeding
Allow 1.5–2.5 hours for a full visit, more if you want to catch multiple feeding times.
What Visitors Often Say
Reviewers consistently rate the National Aquarium of New Zealand as one of Napier’s top family attractions — the 1.5 million litre oceanarium tunnel with sharks, kingfish and stingrays overhead gets the most enthusiastic mentions, alongside the resident kiwi, tuatara and little penguin colony. The daily feeding shows are mentioned often as the highlight of a visit.
The most common practical tips: time your visit around the daily feedings (penguins at 9.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm; reef-fish 10am; oceanarium diver hand-feeding 2pm) — they’re the most popular parts of the experience. Allow 1.5–2.5 hours minimum, more to catch multiple feedings. Combined Napier Discover Pass options work out cheaper if you’re doing multiple attractions in one trip.
Where to Learn More
National Aquarium of New Zealand — official site — current ticketing, daily timetable, animal information and special events.
Wikipedia — National Aquarium of New Zealand — overview with history, facility details and species list.
Hawke’s Bay NZ — National Aquarium — regional visitor guide with current ticketing and visitor tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the National Aquarium of New Zealand?
546 Marine Parade, Napier South — on the southern end of Marine Parade.
What are National Aquarium opening hours?
Daily 9am–5pm including most public holidays. Closed Christmas Day. Last entry 4.30pm.
How much does the National Aquarium cost?
Adult and child entry fees apply, with under 3s free. Concession pricing for seniors, students and groups. Check the official site for current rates.
What animals are at the National Aquarium?
Sharks, stingrays, kingfish, snapper, hapuku, sea turtles, little penguins, kiwi, tuatara, native lizards, an alligator, piranhas, plus reef-fish and themed displays.
How long does an aquarium visit take?
1.5–2.5 hours for a full visit, longer if catching multiple feeding times.
What time are the feedings at the National Aquarium?
Penguins 9.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Reef fish 10am. Oceanarium diver hand-feeding 2pm.
Is the National Aquarium kid-friendly?
Yes — one of Napier’s top family attractions. Under 3s free; combined Discover Pass options for multi-attraction days.
Combine an aquarium visit with the wider Marine Parade attractions — see the Things to Do hub. The free Marine Parade Pump Track and Marine Parade playground are right next door.
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