This is Elena’s happy place.

*Beautiful blue tang in a large salt water fish tank*

What I didn’t know is just how much Will enjoyed going to the aquarium. At 21, it was still really fun to see the whole experience through his young adult eyes. No longer a child, Will still connects with his inner child and sense of deep wonder exploring all the aquatic wildlife here in Kelly Tarton’s Sea Life aquarium.

*We all had a blast exploring Auckland’s aquarium*

In particular, the King Penguins (the second largest only to the Emperor Penguins) were a highlight of this visit. They get right up to the glass and take interest in all the visitors who come nose to beak with them in their aquarium habitat.

*Never have I been this close to any penguin in my life*

*The jaws of a whale shark are such fun for pictures*

And, of course, there were some new amazing discoveries like these giant lobster and “slipper” lobster which we’d never seen before.

I’m always amazed at how calming watching jellyfish can be. Violet noticed it to. She asked, “How can this jellyfish be alive?” We can see every part of the jellyfish and yet it has a sense of floating around in the water and leaves a magical trace behind it wherever it goes.

Lastly, there were some beautiful sea turtles that you could get right up close to. That also felt magical. Moreso, each turtle is released back into the wild once it has healed and the GPS tracker shows you where it goes, how long it stays and its migration patterns. This has helped researchers protect these beautiful animals in the wild.

*Getting real close to sea turtles and sting rays*

Lastly, Elena, Will, Violet and I spent some quality time under the giant tanks while sharks and sting rays swam over our heads along with several other large species of fish.

*Such a cool part of the experience. This concept started right here!*

Every aquarium has you exit through the gift shop. I like this hat, but not enough to bring it home:

Aquarium Auckland, NZ (February 24, 2026)

Waiheke, NZ (February 23, 2026)