.Slowly dissecting the water with webbed feet are Far Eastern freshwater turtles – Chinese trionics. With the help of soft edges of their shell, these inhabitants of rivers and lakes in the south of the Far East and the countries of southeast Asia burrow into the mud in case of danger. In addition to trionyx, of the turtles you will see red-eared and European swamp turtles.
.
There is a section devoted to representatives of South America – the Amazon River basin. Among them are discus and scalaria, which in their homeland are found in lakes and reservoirs formed during the rainy season. In one of the aquariums you can see bloodthirsty piranhas – voracious predators with sharp teeth and powerful jaws.
.
The hall is decorated with artificial tropical trees with vines and wooden bridges connecting separate thematic zones. The semi-darkness of the hall gives mystery to the atmosphere, enhancing the impressions of what you see. There is a sound accompaniment – the noise of a waterfall and murmuring brook, birdsong and splashes of water. Soft light comes from aquariums, where fish swim carefree among algae against the background of beautiful rocks and stones.
.
Relatively brightly lit only open pond, stylized as a Japanese pond, with koi carp, also called brocade carp, scurrying back and forth. This type of domesticated ornamental fish, the first mention of which can be found in Japanese writings XIV-XV centuries, received as a result of selection of one of the subspecies of Amur carp. Presumably, they were brought to Japan by Chinese settlers.
.Crossing the bridge to the other side of the hall, visitors get to another open “pond”, which is a flooded rainforest: trees go into the water with their roots, between which swim Koi carp. The pond is separated from the path by an original fence made of logs and intertwining ropes. Walking a little further through the “darkness” of the jungle, you will find yourself at the aquarium with voile-tails and glass catfish, named so for their transparent body, on which it is convenient to study the structure of the fish skeleton. So ends acquaintance with the freshwater inhabitants of the oceanarium Sochi, which, in addition to those mentioned, there are still a lot.
.Inhabitants of the seas and oceans
“In Search of Nemo” – this is the name of the exposition familiarizing visitors with the inhabitants of the sea and ocean depths. It begins with an amazingly beautiful grotto inhabited by fish and sponges attached to rocks. The multitude of air bubbles rising from the bottom sparkle and shimmer, creating a stunning spectacle.
.Moving on, you find yourself in front of a huge full-wall aquarium. You can admire its inhabitants through a viewing window of 24 square meters, which is the largest in Russia. In the depths you can see a fragment of the bow of the sunken ship. At the bottom in front of it are scattered amphorae, a barrel fastened with iron hoops and almost covered with sand, ship cannons, and between them lies a human skeleton. Above these sunken remains of the shipwreck periodically swim sharks, not at all frightening the small fish scurrying everywhere.
.
In one of the thirteen small aquariums of this hall, in addition to jellyfish, there are tropical seahorses, much larger than their Black Sea relatives. Swimming absolutely vertically, in this position they really look more like a chess horse than a fish. Many visitors linger long at the aquarium, looking at these marine animals, amazing and the fact that the offspring they carry in their pockets males.
.
Here you can see many other fish living in different corners of the Earth, as well as visit the exposition “In the footsteps of oceanic epochs”. It is thematically divided into zones: the world of the ancient sea, the world of the transition period, the world of the coastal ocean zone and the world of the deep ocean. Each of them is provided with additional materials in the form of sculptures, 3D-paintings, interactive tables that help to better understand the picture of the formation of the world’s oceans.
.Underwater Tunnel
Having familiarized yourself with the inhabitants of relatively small aquariums, each of which is interesting and worthy of attention, you move on to the most exciting part of the journey through the oceanarium in Sochi. This is a huge marine aquarium with a volume of about three thousand cubic meters with a transparent 44-meter tunnel at the bottom. The sight is truly mesmerizing: visitors are surrounded by water on three sides.
.
It is noticeable that many people slow down for a while in front of the tunnel, apparently afraid to enter under this seemingly fragile vault. Fears are in vain: it is made of durable acrylic glass 17 centimeters thick. The tunnel consists of two parts and passes under the aquarium twice in different places. Here you can get a better look at the exposition with the mysterious name “Shipwreck Remains”, the acquaintance with which began with that very huge viewing window.
.
The sensation of sharks or other large fish slowly moving overhead is inexpressible. Sometimes, leaving behind him air bubbles, swims a mermaid or scuba diver. At the bottom of the sea stars have found refuge, to the rocks attached actinia, in the tentacles of which hide clownfish. Among the rocks, almost merging with the bottom, lurked stingray, gracefully wriggling, slipped through the moray eel. In the water column swoops a flock of small fish. Live-bearing and egg-laying sharks, deep rays and jellyfish, needlefish and shrimp, swordtails and butterfly fish, zebrasomes and splashing fish, various algae – all this can be found here. The oceanarium’s marine collection is amazing in its diversity of species.
.The hall dedicated to the inhabitants of the seas and oceans ends with an open pond, where there are stingrays. Periodically rising to the surface, they swim along the edge of the pond and clap “fins” on the water, as if saying goodbye to visitors, or maybe inviting them to come back here again.
.
Entertainment programs of the oceanarium
Colorful expositions are not the only thing why tourists love Sochi Discovery World Aquarium so much.
.Diving
Those who want to take a closer look at marine life, swim among sharks and moray eels or meet a mermaid can do it by diving into the largest aquarium with reefs and shipwrecks. The entertainment is only available to those over 14 years of age. The cost of a half-hour dive under the water is 4000 rubles. Professional photography with subsequent recording on CD (from 50 photos) – 700 rubles.
.Training in diving is provided by the CMAS system. After passing the course you will be able to fearlessly and safely dive into the abyss of the sea. The cost of training with the subsequent issuance of a certificate:
- 1 star – 21000 rubles (training course from 5 to 7 days);
- 2 stars – 28000 rubles (course – up to 5 days);
.- 3 stars – 36000 rubles (training course from 7 to 10 days).
.Feeding Koi carp
If not counting diving, feeding brocade carp is one of the most interesting entertainment programs of the Sochi oceanarium. Feed for the fish can be bought in a vending machine near the pond. A portion costs 50 rubles. Carp are so voracious that it seems as if they are constantly hungry. In pursuit of a tidbit of fish “climb” on each other’s backs, trying to jump out of the water and grab a finger – the spectacle is quite amusing.
.
Шоу-программы
On the days of the oceanarium from 11:00 to 11:30 and from 15:00 to 15:30 visitors are shown an underwater fairy tale with the participation of various characters. Of course, no show is without Neptune and the Little Mermaid. Watch the show through the main viewing window or by standing in the tunnel.
.With the participation of fairy tale characters can and organize congratulations on your anniversary, wedding day or birthday, declare your love or offer your hand and heart. Organizers will carefully consider all your ideas and help in their implementation.
.
Shark and turtle feeding
If you will be at the Sochi Oceanarium from 14:00 to 15:00, do not miss the feeding of sharks and turtles. By the way, during the feeding, you can see a green sea turtle, which the staff named Masha. She’s been living in the aquarium for a year now and has settled in pretty well.
.Souvenirs
As visitors leave the last exhibit of the Marine Animals Hall and head for the exit, they pass through the gift and souvenir store. The assortment of goods displayed on the numerous shelves will not leave indifferent any, even the most sophisticated visitor. These are all kinds of shells (from small to large shells of tropical seas), hedgehog fish, starfish. There are various beads and necklaces made of fragments of shells; key chains, ashtrays and plates decorated with drawings on the sea theme. You can bring home a small ship as a keepsake, or you may like a larger frigate. Replenish your closet by buying a T-shirt, shorts or baseball cap with the logo of the oceanarium. Ballpoint pens, notebooks, notebooks and notebooks with thematic drawings – this is not a complete list of souvenirs that remind you of the magical journey into the underwater world and the time you spent at the Sochi Discovery World Aquarium.
.Price List
The cost of an adult ticket to visit the Sochi Oceanarium is 700 rubles. Preferential ticket will cost half the price. Children up to four years old can be free, and for a child from four to eleven years old will have to pay 450 rubles.
.Permission for photography will cost 100 rubles. You can use the services of a guide for 50 rubles per person for a group visit.
.
Where to eat
Are you hungry during your visit to the exhibition halls or, on the contrary, do you want to refresh yourself before a long tour of the expositions? Visit the themed café located on the first floor in the foyer before the turnstile. This way, you will be able to have a snack before buying a ticket.
.How to get there
You can get to the Sochi Discovery World Aquarium from Sochi (in the direction of Adler) by buses running on routes #100, 105, 124, 125. From Adler – #60, 105, 117, 124, 125, 134. In both cases, get off at the Izvestia stop. The oceanarium is open to the public all days, except Monday and Tuesday, from 10:00 to 18:00.
. 
