Happiness and celebrations! The Two Oceans Aquarium turns 16 years old on Sunday. We opened our doors for the first time in November 1995 and since then we’ve become one of the top tourist attractions in Cape Town.

Pay us a visit on Sunday to help us celebrate! Our divers will be holding up a special poster – underwater – during feeding time at 15h00. Here are 16 reasons to celebrate our birthday.

16 reasons to celebrate

Pencilled surgeon

1. Fins! What’s your favourite Aquarium fish? From sharks to showy sargassum, it’s pretty impossible to pick one.
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   Rockhopper penguins photo courtesy Steph C Kay
3. Feathers! Penguins, oystercatchers, bulbuls and more … There’s lots happening above the water, too. You can even meet a rockhopper penguin with our Penguin Encounters.
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   Arum lily frog photograph by Helen Lockhart
5. Frogs! Jump for joy – Frogs: Beyond the Pond houses the beautiful and the bold of the amphibian world.
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7. We’re tops when it comes to sustainable management! This year, the Heritage Environmental Management Company awarded us Platinum status in recognition of our committed green policy – a landmark achievement.
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   Photograph by Ingrid Sinclair
9. Seal of approval. Even those creatures that don’t live within our walls get our attention. The SAPPI Seal Platform for injured seals and our work with sunfish and turtles (when required) means we’re reaching out wherever and whenever we can.
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11. Parties among the clownfish! Conferences, corporate events, and weddings are a smash hit at the Aquarium.
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    Photograph by Geoff Spiby
13. Diving with sharks – no cage required! Where else can you meet a ragged-tooth shark face to face without a cage?
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    Photo courtesy kydekin
15. Photo opportunities. Photographers love the challenge of taking photographs at the Aquarium (we’re also regularly used for fashion and film shoots). Have a look at our Flickr group and submit your own pics!
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17. Sustainable seafood. Eating at Shoreline Café means you’re guaranteed a scrumptious, guilt-free seafood meal. We are the first restaurant in Africa to obtain Chain-of-Custody certification from the Marine Stewardship Council.
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19. Reaching out. Our Outreach: Oceans in Motion van (complete with solar panels) travels through the Western Cape taking marine education to those who can’t come to us.
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21. Environmental education is our forte. Hundreds of school groups visit our Discovery Centres every year, where learners are introduced to the wonderful world of marine biology. Educational sleepovers, Young and Junior Biologist courses, Grade 12 Life Sciences exam preparation and more happens at our Environmental Education Centre.
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23. Oceans of opportunities for members! Our Solemates gain access to all sorts of sea-sational benefits. Besides being able to visit the fish as often as they wish, members get sleepovers, special events, free sea water and discounts on parties, diving, functions and so much more. Our family membership special is running until the end of November – you can save up to R220! No kids? Membership for individuals is also discounted online.
24. Discounted tickets online: Pay less for tickets and skip the ticket office queue by buying your day pass online – convenient and affordable!
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26. New exhibits all the time. Vacs from the Sea, a new temporary exhibit, opens on 15 November 2011. Local artist and originator of Plastikos Simon Max Bannister partnered with Electrolux on its Vacs from the Sea maritime conservation initiative and created an artwork using an eco-friendly vacuum cleaner as his canvas and incorporating recycled plastic gathered from beach clean-ups that took place at Muizenberg and Hout Bay in September 2011.
27. Prestigious parasites! Two Oceans Aquarium Aquatic Animal Health researcher David Vaughan received a prestigious accolade from the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAZAAB) – The Bernard Harrison and Friends Award for Best Professional Development – for his work in aquatic parasite research.
28. Bringing the world’s aquarium professionals to African soil for the first time! We can’t wait for the 2012 International Aquarium Congress, happening in September next year. It will draw top aquarium professional from around the world for this congress, which happens every four years.
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    Photograph by Dagny Warmerdam
30. Spreading the word: For us, getting the word out about issues facing the ocean is of vital importance. Through our outreach work and our strategic partnerships – like teaming up with the 5 Gyres Institute and educating visitors about endangered creatures like the African penguin and western leopard toad – we aim to spread awareness to every corner of the word!

Stay in touch: For daily Aquarium updates, follow us on Twitter (@2OceansAquarium) and become a fan on Facebook.