Underwater World, Pattaya

Underwater World Pattaya is leisure attraction showcasing the rich variety of marine life found around the region. It is located 200 meters south of Tesco Supermarket in South Pattaya. It covers a total area of 4,000 square meters of land and is contained in a structure that replicates a large circus tent. The aquarium presently houses over 4,000 marine animals, encompassing more than 200 different species from the area as well as some rare creatures from abroad. They are all in the ecosystem of underwater world.

In Underwater World Pattaya, visitors are taken on a "voyage to the bottom of the sea", which begins at the sandy beaches and shallow rock pools at the water's edge. From here, you descend into a pedestrian tunnel, passing brightly colored corals and all kinds of exotic ocean-dwellers along the way. The tunnel is 100 meter long and is made of 6.4-centimetre-thick acrylic. It allows you to witness the homes of great shoals of fish, prowling predators and a host of other creatures that inhabit the ocean depths.

Underwater World Pattaya also plays an important role in education and marine conservation. School visits are actively supported, and new educational programs are constantly being developed.

A lot of thought has been put into the architectural design of the Underwater World. The structure, similar to a large circus tent, enables the place to have natural light that nurtures the algae. The showcase of Underwater World begins at the "Touch Pool" area, which is a shallow pool that allows visitors to observe and interact with underwater animals such as bamboo sharks, stingrays, starfish, and many species of fish, seaweeds, coloured corals and archer fish. Children and adults alike can touch sea cucumbers and other aquatic life in this pool. More adventurous tourists can volunteer to feed the animals (by paying a fee of around 2500 baht, with gear).

The acrylic underwater passageway is divided into 3 zones. The first part is the "Reef Zone". This features coral reef and an abundance of colourful fish that are relaxing to watch. The next zone is the "Sharks and Rays", displaying sharks, sting rays, ray sharks and turtles among other creatures from the sea. The last is the "Shipwrecks Zone" featuring various kinds of fish that are edible.

Visitors looking for closer encounters with the residents of the deep sea can try snorkeling or scuba diving within the aquariums. There is a feeding show which usually takes place at around 2pm.This is interesting to watch as experienced divers feed fish like sting rays and sharks.

Visitor’s must-see the rare shovelnose ray, a hybrid between a shark and a stingray. There are three of them at the aquarium that were purchased from local fishermen, who normally kill them for consumption.

The Underwater world, built in 2003, is a popular tourist attraction. Underwater World is open from 9.00 a.m. 6.00 p.m. There’s a souvenir shop at exit if you wish to take a memento back home. Hotel pick-up/drop off from any hotel in Pattaya (South Pattaya) is provided. So if you’re planning to visit Pattaya be sure to check out this modern marvel to encounter the creatures of the deep at a close distance. There are numerous hotels to choose from in Pattaya to make your stay a comfortable one.

About The Author
Paromita Banerjee loves to write articles on how to book economical and (http://www.relaxingretreat.blogspot.com)low-priced hotels in your favorite destination spots and how to find reasonable hotels in (http://www.flyingbythenight.blogspot.com) Thailand that will soothe your senses and give you peace of mind.