When the Two Oceans Aquarium first opened its doors 24 years ago, we could not possibly have imagined how far we would come. Our scope and mission have expanded beyond our wildest dreams - and we have a multitude of passionate staff members, volunteers, visitors and partners to thank for helping us continue towards our vision of healthy and abundant oceans for life!

Vincent Calder, our longest-serving team member, blows out our birthday candles - 24 candles for 24 years since our doors opened!

Another year under the Aquarium's belt means more to us than simply displaying 8 000 animals to half a million visitors every year!

It means reaching 100 000 local children through environmentally-minded and sustainability-conscious education and outreach programmes every year. It means rescuing over 500 stranded and distressed sea turtles, seals and seabirds. It means putting on 1 000 puppet shows, doing 2 000 public presentations, and helping penguins climb stairs 9 000 times. A year means pumping almost half a billion litres of seawater, doing over 4 000 scuba dives, and getting to know more than 350 unique species.

It means creating half a million memories, half a million connections with the underwater world, and half a million reasons to protect it.

Our team - the real heroes

Accomplishing any of this would be impossible without an incredible team of diligent and passionate people who care about the ocean's creatures and protecting South Africa's environmental heritage whole-heartedly. We kicked off our 24th birthday by celebrating the achievements of our long-serving team members:

Two Oceans Aquarium CEO Michael Farquhar congratulates staff on 24 years of excellence, attributing our success to our unique combination of caring for our animals, caring for our visitors and caring for each other.

Honouring 25 years of service (yes, that's longer than the Aquarium's been open!):

Vincent Calder

25 years ago today, Vincent started working at the Two Oceans Aquarium. As an aquarist at first, which the attached picture demonstrates, and then as the Technical Manager. His dedication and contribution to the Aquarium, especially the staff, has been immense. Long may it continue! (That's Vincent on the right, together with some of the Aquarium's earliest staff).

Honouring 20 years of service:

Renée Leeuwner

Mandy Van Dugteren 

Honouring 15 years of service:

Candice Gray

Gwen Burgess

Honouring 10 years of service:

Xavier Zylstra

Wafiqah Slamong

Kevin Spiby

Jenny Labuschagne

Tersia Greenstone

Honouring 5 years of service:

Zingisa Mgumane

Kirshia Govender

Chanelle Naidoo

Donovan Samuels

Shanet Rutgers

Phumlani Tlamme

Simon Leigh

Peter Mhlawuli

Celebrate your birthday with us!

Exactly one year ago, we introduced free birthday visits to all South Africans. 8 087 locals have already chosen to celebrate with us - so we've decided to keep the deal going: South Africans and permanent residents can visit the Aquarium for free on their birthday or on one of the six days afterwards. We are your Aquarium after all.