Search
Bakkies, the elephant seal, has returned to the Cape
Cape Town's shores have long played host to some fascinating (and rather large) visitors from the South Atlantic Ocean: Southern elephant seals! Most recently, a repeat visitor, called Bakkies, has returned.
The Two Oceans Aquarium family waddled for the African penguin
On International African Penguin Awareness Day, our Two Oceans Aquarium family waddled together in support of the African penguin!
The remarkable rescue of new turtles, Ginger and Bayleaf
In September 2025, the Turtle Conservation Centre team was reminded just how big and beautiful our turtle community is when two turtles were rescued and transported to us on the very same day.
Where does the Two Oceans Aquarium's kelp forest come from?
For three decades, the Kelp Forest Exhibit has stood as a living, breathing symbol of the Two Oceans Aquarium’s dedication to ocean conservation, marine education, and awe-inspiring natural beauty. This iconic exhibit is more than just a glimpse into South Africa’s underwater forests; it’s the result of thoughtful collection, sustainable practices, and expert care. From harvesting kelp in the wild ocean forests to its careful transport and delicate placement in the exhibit, every step of the journey reflects our deep respect for marine life and the dedicated team working behind the scenes.
Green turtles were downlisted on the IUCN Red List: Why conservation must continue
In October 2025, the green turtle’s (Chelonia mydas) global conservation status was changed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List from Endangered to Least Concern. This is a significant success for one of the ocean’s most iconic species, and it is a result of decades of tireless conservation work around the world. While the global trend is encouraging, the story is not a one-size-fits-all, and localised conservation remains critical.
Wild Ocean: A photographic journey with Peter and Beverly Pickford
Join us at the Two Oceans Aquarium on 30 November for a spectacular evening with acclaimed photographers Peter and Beverly Pickford. Through breathtaking imagery and storytelling, Wild Ocean takes you on an audio-visual deep dive into the beauty and fragility of our planet’s wild seas.
Our Eastern Cape-based Marine Sciences schools embarked on a field trip for Grade 10 learners
At the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Ocean Campus, experiential learning is a core aspect of our teaching philosophy and a huge part of who we are. For the schools across South Africa that offer Marine Sciences, this is no different. The Eastern Cape Marine Sciences learners recently had an incredible, jam-packed field trip in Boknes that brought together 113 Grade 10 learners, 11 teachers, and seven student teachers.
Orbicular batfish
The orbicular batfish is a large, disc-shaped fish with a flattened dusky silver body. Its anal and dorsal fins are symmetrical, giving the adult batfish a spade-like appearance. Its dorsal, anal and tail fins are translucent yellow with black margins, and its pectoral fins are yellow.
Bluefin gurnard
Bluefin gurnards are a common bottom-dwelling fish that is a common throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Sergeant major
The sergeant majors are small, oval damselfish. It has a grey body with a yellow dorsal area.
Steentjie
The steentjie (Spondyliosoma emarginatum) is a blue-grey fish that has an oval-shaped body with several faint yellow horizontal stripes on its flanks and dark blue-grey fins. It has several sets of both incisors and a row of molars. They use this combination of teeth to pick up bottom-dwelling invertebrates and crush their shells. As they mature they become more omnivorous and will graze on algae. During spring and summer months, male steentjies will take on brighter blue and yellow colours and will construct nests in the sand. Once spawning has taken place, the males will remain at the nest to guard the eggs until they hatch. The steentjie occurs in large shoals above shallow, rocky reefs on the coasts of the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal.
Hottentot
The hottentot is a small bronze-grey seabream with small dark fins that occurs along the coast of Angola, Namibia, and the South African West Coast to Cape Point.