North Sea Oceanarium

Aquarium In The Ferry And Fishing Port Of Hirtshals Built Around One Of Northern Europe'S Largest Tanks, Holding North Sea Shoals, With Seal Feeding And Outdoor Pools · Hirtshals, North Denmark Region

The North Sea Oceanarium in Hirtshals, at the very top of Jutland, is one of the largest aquariums in Northern Europe, opened in 1998 and built around a giant tank of roughly 4.5 million litres that recreates the open North Sea. Through a huge window and from several levels you watch shoals of herring, mackerel and other fish swim together, with larger fish and rays moving through, and, at times, sunfish - confirm if they are on display. Around it are smaller tanks of coastal and deep-water life, touch pools, exhibits on the fishing industry and life at sea, and outdoor pools where harbour seals are fed at set times each day. Hirtshals itself is a working fishing and ferry port, with ferries to Norway, so the oceanarium sits in a town where the sea is a daily reality. People come with children, on rainy days and on the way to or from the ferry. The honest caveat: it is far from Copenhagen, entry is fairly expensive, and the highlight is really one big tank, so it suits a half day rather than a special trip.

Nordsoen Oceanarium, Willemoesvej, Hirtshals, Hirtshals, North Denmark Region, Denmark

The oceanarium is usually open every day of the year, with longer hours in summer and school holidays and shorter hours in winter; it may close or have short hours on some days around Christmas and New Year - check the current schedule. Seal feeding and diver feeding in the big tank take place at set times each day, posted at the entrance - confirm. From Copenhagen take the train to Hjorring via Aalborg, roughly 4.5-5 hours, then the local train to Hirtshals, about 20 minutes, and walk roughly 15-20 minutes. By car it is roughly 5 hours. Tickets are sold at the entrance and often online.

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