Gdynia Aquarium is one of the interesting attractions in Gdynia

The Gdynia Aquarium is open at different times, depending on the season.

• From April to May from 9:00 to 19:00.
• In June, from 9:00 to 20:00.
• From July to August from 9:00 to 21:00.
• In September, from 9:00 to 19:00.
• From October to March from 10:00 to 17:00.

The Aquarium is closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and on the first day of Easter.

The MIR Gdynia Aquarium and a teaching room with lots of interesting information

At the very beginning, I was greeted by the enormous jaws of a prehistoric shark. The mouth that once housed them must have been gigantic and could easily swallow you whole—assuming, of course, the nasty teeth didn’t grind you into a paste first. A little further on, you’ll find the educational hall, one of the newer sections of the Gdynia Aquarium.

This area showcases marine specimens along with a wealth of information about them. It’s here that you can see the oldest findings and memorabilia dating back to the days of the Marine Fisheries Institute. You’ll find information about marine reptiles, mammals, and various species inhabiting aquatic environments across our planet. There are also skeletons of animals and their preserved bodies on display. It’s a great spot, especially for those who enjoy delving into the available information, which is presented in abundance and laid out in an accessible and engaging way.

MIR Gdynia Aquarium and Marina Hall

In this section of the aquarium, you’ll learn about the life and entire ecosystem of Puck Bay, specifically the part closer to the shore. This is a remarkable and unique area, quite different from the rest of the Baltic Sea. Due to its shallows and the limited inflow of seawater to the coastline, the entire region acts as a melting pot of biodiversity, unmatched anywhere else along our coastline.

Beyond the informational displays, you’ll find aquariums and water tanks housing typical inhabitants of this part of the Baltic. These include shrimp and sticklebacks—slender fish so thin they resemble blades of seagrass among which they live. Accompanying them are tiny fish called three-spined sticklebacks, a common prey for larger predatory fish. Pay special attention to the flatfish known as plaice, a lazy creature that spends most of its life on the seabed. Its body is so flat it looks as if it’s been stepped on. This unique adaptation allows it to blend seamlessly into the sandy bottom, often becoming almost invisible. Nature truly has some astonishing designs.

The Baltic Hall in the Gdynia Oceanarium

Did you know that the Baltic Sea is the youngest sea on Earth? I didn’t, until I visited the Baltic Hall at the Gdynia Aquarium. At the centre of the hall, there’s a massive three-dimensional map of the Baltic Sea floor. This display reveals just how shallow our sea is compared to other bodies of water. Because the Baltic lacks deep areas and has limited water exchange with other seas and oceans, it boasts a unique character and fascinating inhabitants.

In addition to the map, the hall provides plenty of information about the creatures that call the Baltic home, offering insights into the distinctive ecosystem of this remarkable sea.

At the interface of water and land

This is one of the most fascinating sections of the Gdynia Aquarium, as it showcases the inhabitants of freshwater bodies in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. What makes these creatures extraordinary is their ability, developed over millions of years of evolution, to live both in water and on land.

Here, you can observe live short-snouted crocodiles, which naturally inhabit streams and shallow ponds in rainforest areas. Interestingly, this species feeds not only on small animals and fish but also on fruit. Although short-snouted crocodiles are not large, they remain dangerous and aggressive reptiles—don’t be fooled by their seemingly friendly appearance!

Another intriguing creature is a small fish from Asia that hunts tiny insects by shooting water above the surface. It’s so skilled at this that it can hit an insect sitting on a branch over two meters away with a precise jet of water.

You’ll also encounter the impressive alligator gar, a massive fish that can grow up to three meters long and weigh well over 100 kilograms in the wild. With its size and sharp teeth, it’s capable of preying on snakes and even turtles.

However, my favourite from this part of the Gdynia Aquarium is the Mexican axolotl. This creature is fascinating not only for its appearance but also for its incredible abilities. It’s one of the few animals capable of regenerating limbs and transforming into an entirely different creature—a salamander.

The axolotl is a highly valued laboratory animal, aiding in the study of the limitations of transplantation and genetics.

Equally fascinating is the alligator snapping turtle, a resident of nearby tanks and a native of Canada. This species is among the most aggressive turtles in the world. Despite this, in its natural habitat, it can lie in wait for prey, buried in soft mud near the shore, remaining motionless for hours on end.

Coral reef in the Gdynia Oceanarium

A coral reef is truly a metropolis of marine life. It’s no wonder they are often called the “tropical forests of the oceans.” The largest coral reef in the world is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Coral reefs form from the skeletons of reef-building organisms, meaning that in a way, they are enormous skeletons made up of the bones of millions of creatures.

Although coral reefs constitute a small portion of the ocean floor, they are home to 25% of all marine species, especially those caught by fishermen. Few realize that the existence of coral reefs supports the lives of over 500 million people. Unfortunately, global warming is contributing to the destruction and death of corals. Increasing ocean pollution also hinders the growth of reefs.

At the Gdynia Aquarium, various creatures from coral reefs have been gathered. These include seahorses, rather unattractive fish called unicornfish, and much more beautiful species like zebrasoma, which are named for their zebra-like stripes. There are also the stunningly vibrant yellow pensetniks, similar to parrotfish and yellow zebrasomas. Every child is sure to love the clownfish, a star in the movie Finding Nemo.

Water Animals of the World

In the spacious hall, home to various aquatic creatures from around the world, you’ll meet the inhabitants of nearly every body of water on Earth, though the Pacific is most prominently represented. My personal favourite is the stingray, not only because of its cool name but also because of its fascinating behaviour. This creature can remain motionless for hours on the seabed, patiently waiting for an unsuspecting prey to swim by. When a fish gets too close, the stingray strikes quickly, using its venomous barb on the tail to deliver a lethal blow. It’s a very dangerous animal, so it’s best not to get too close.

Next door lives another dangerous predator, the horn shark, which waits for its prey among rocks and crevices on the ocean floor. Unlike other sharks, it has a fascinating pattern and markings on its body, somewhat reminiscent of predatory cats. And of course, there’s that terrifying mouth—definitely not something you’d want to encounter on your path.

Another shark residing in one of the tanks is the epaulette shark. It’s a true lazybones; instead of swimming, it spends its time in water currents, allowing it to breathe without the need to move. It also enjoys walking along the seabed, using its fins like legs. You’ll also find moray eels, which are very dangerous and aggressive creatures, known as excellent nocturnal hunters.

Look out for the small, colourful fish called platexas, which drop to the seabed like leaves to hide from predators. There’s also the ugly, horror-like creature known as the scorpionfish, and its neighbour, the batfish, which isn’t much more attractive. The batfish lacks beauty and has venomous spines that can kill an adult human.

On the other hand, I was quite fond of the gray needlefish, a clever creature that lives near large predators that offer it protection. It’s a rather large fish with a face that always looks surprised. In the aquarium, it’s accompanied by colourful cardinal fish, which are unique in that they give birth to live larvae instead of laying eggs.

However, the most beautiful residents of the World’s Aquatic Animals section in the Gdynia Aquarium are the anemones. These creatures attach themselves to the substrate and attract small fish with their charming appearance, only to devour them mercilessly. Some of these animals can move slowly and clumsily in moments of danger. Starfish are almost as enchanting as anemones. In the aquarium, I saw, among others, the sunflower starfish, one of the largest found in the seas.

Amazonia and the creatures living in the currents of the queen of rivers

The section of the aquarium showcasing creatures from the Amazon is rich and fascinating. The entire room has a tropical atmosphere, with warmth and humidity. Did you know that the Amazon Basin is one of the most biodiverse areas on our planet? The surrounding rainforests are often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth.”

In the aquariums set up here, you’ll see beautiful stingrays and strange silver arowanas, which, when hunting, can leap out of the water and perform the most bizarre acrobatics. Due to this agility, they’ve earned the nickname “water monkeys” from the local people of the Amazon. Other inhabitants include cichlids, the only fish in the world that lovingly and selflessly care for their young.

The Amazon is not only home to fish, but also reptiles and amphibians. In one of the aquariums, I watched as a massive green anaconda was being fed. This giant snake can weigh up to 250 kilograms.

The Cold Sea is the last section in the MIR Gdynia Aquarium

In the room named the Cold Sea, the atmosphere of the North Atlantic is recreated, home to many species of animals. Here, you’ll see large wolf fish, lobsters, giant shoals of silver sprats, and even a small devil ray that can swim in water just shy of freezing. There are also large stingrays and starry sharks, along with their odd relatives, the spotted sharks.

The most beautiful residents of the sea, in my opinion, are jellyfish. In the Gdynia Oceanarium, there’s a large aquarium dedicated to these creatures, specifically the Atlantic nettle, whose long and delicate tentacles can sting painfully. An interesting fact is that the Gdynia Aquarium is the only place in Poland where these creatures are bred and propagated.