Two Oceans Aquarium celebrates double win at V&A Neighbourhood Awards

The Two Oceans Aquarium has two more reasons to celebrate! On 29 October 2026, the Aquarium was honoured with both the Global Ambassador Award and the People’s Choice – Attraction Award at the V&A Neighbourhood Awards.

These awards are a wonderful acknowledgement of the Aquarium’s contributions to the V&A Waterfront precinct, as well as its broader impact on tourism, marine conservation, and ocean education.

The V&A Neighbourhood Awards celebrate the businesses, people, and teams that make the Waterfront an exceptional destination. With approximately 1 000 tenants across the precinct, the awards recognise excellence across a diverse range of industries, from independent businesses to global brands. This year, 24 awards were adjudicated by an independent panel of industry experts and V&A Waterfront leaders.

“Being formally recognised as finalists in this year's V&A Waterfront Tenant Awards was a tremendous honour, and winning not one, but two awards is truly incredible. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire Two Oceans Aquarium team for their dedication, passion, and hard work. These awards are a reflection of the commitment our team shows every day,” says Alichia Nortje, Guest Experience Manager.

Global Ambassador Award: Taking Cape Town to the world

The Global Ambassador Award, part of the Destination Advocate category, recognises tenants that elevate the profile of the V&A Waterfront and Cape Town through their reputation, reach, and contribution to tourism.

For more than three decades, the Two Oceans Aquarium has played a significant role in showcasing the wonders of South Africa's oceans to the world. Since opening its doors on 13 November 1995, the Aquarium has welcomed more than 15 million visitors, inspiring people from across the globe to discover, appreciate, and protect marine life.

Beyond its role as a world-class tourism attraction, the Aquarium has helped position Cape Town as an important destination for marine conservation, research, and education.

In October 2026, the Aquarium hosted the 27th International Zoo Educators Conference, welcoming 187 delegates from around the world to Cape Town. This marked only the second time in the conference's 52-year history that the event was held in Africa.

The Aquarium also founded Marine Protected Area (MPA) Day, a South African initiative that has grown into an international celebration of ocean protection, with participation from countries as far afield as Iceland and Indonesia. Our documentaries showcasing the V&A Waterfront precinct have received Gold and Silver awards at the International Tourism Film Festival Africa, while our ongoing partnership with Mission Blue as co-champions of the False Bay Hope Spot continues to amplify the importance of protecting our oceans.

Through the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, this impact extends even further. From rehabilitating and releasing endangered turtles to reaching approximately 100 000 learners annually through ocean education programmes, our work connects communities with marine conservation and carries Cape Town's ocean stories far beyond the Waterfront.

The Global Ambassador Award is a meaningful recognition of these collective efforts to share the wonders of South Africa's oceans with the world.

People’s Choice – Attraction Award: A favourite among visitors

While the Global Ambassador Award recognises the Aquarium's wider impact, the People's Choice – Attraction Award celebrates something equally special: The connection we have built with our visitors.

Unlike the judged categories, the People's Choice Awards are decided by public vote, recognising the businesses and attractions most loved by customers and visitors.

Since 1995, the Two Oceans Aquarium has created unforgettable experiences for locals and international visitors alike. From first encounters with fascinating marine animals to inspiring a lifelong love for the ocean, the Aquarium has become a much-loved part of Cape Town's tourism landscape.

Winning the People's Choice – Attraction Award is particularly meaningful because it comes directly from the people who visit and support us.

“We would like to thank the public for their support and for voting the Aquarium as this year's People's Choice Attraction. Your continued support means a great deal to us and inspires us to keep creating meaningful experiences for all who visit,” says Nortje.

These two awards are a celebration of the people who make the Two Oceans Aquarium what it is: Our dedicated team, our partners, and the millions of visitors who have shared in our journey over the past 30 years. Thank you for being part of our story and for helping us continue to inspire action for the future of our oceans!