SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast is an aquarium at The Wharf Mooloolaba, at Mooloolaba, with a seal presentation, a little blue penguin colony, a touch pool and an 80 metre walkway under sharks, rays and reef fish. It is an easy add-on to a day at the beach.
Many locals still call it Underwater World. It is the same aquarium on the same spot at Mooloolaba, run under the SEA LIFE name since Merlin Entertainments bought it in 2013.
What to see at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
Seal Island
Seal Island is home to resident seals, and a seal presentation explains how they live. You can also go down to Lower Seal Island to watch the seals play and swim underwater. The Seal Kiosk in the Seal Stadium sells quick snacks and drinks.
Ocean Tunnel
The Ocean Tunnel is an 80 metre walkway beneath a 2.5 million litre oceanarium, with 8 shark species and giant stingrays swimming above and around you.
Jellyfish
An interactive jellyfish area has hundreds of jellies, including moon, upside-down and blue blubber jellyfish, and is one of Australia’s largest sea jelly collections.
Little Blue Penguins
The aquarium describes its Little Blue Penguins as the Sunshine Coast’s only colony of these penguins, in a brand new exhibit.
Tidal Touchpool and Seahorse Kingdom
The Tidal Touchpool is an interactive touch pool display, and Seahorse Kingdom is another exhibit to look for on your walk through.
Extra experiences
Shark Dive Xtreme, a guaranteed underwater encounter with sharks, is listed from $299, and a VR experience is also offered. Feed and talk times are included in your admission. Check the SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast website for current prices and what is available on your day.
Tickets and opening hours
The aquarium says to book online to guarantee entry, and general admission includes a digital photo pass with 8 digital photos. Weekends and school holidays are the busiest, so book ahead and arrive at your session time.
Opening hours change with the season and for special events. On the day this guide was checked, the aquarium opened at 9 am, closed at 3 pm and took last entry at 2 pm. It is closed on Christmas Day and Anzac Day. Look at the opening hours page before you go.
Food, toilets and accessibility
- Food: the Aqua Cafe serves food, and the Seal Kiosk in the Seal Stadium sells snacks and drinks.
- Toilets: an accessible bathroom with an adult change table is on the first level, between the male and female bathrooms.
- Wheelchairs: the aquarium is wheelchair accessible throughout. Wheelchairs can be borrowed from Admissions, first come first served, and you leave ID with staff while you use one.
- Levels: ramps connect each level, so take care on them. A medical assistance button is at the bottom of the ramps.
- Dogs: assistance animals are welcome with valid certification and identification.
Parking at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
The Wharf Mooloolaba has over 400 car spaces directly in front of the aquarium. Parking is free for up to 4 hours. There are six accessible parking spaces for visitors who need them.
If the front car park is full, ParknGo Mooloolaba Central has 700 spaces, including 13 accessible spaces, and gives four hours free. It is at the corner of Smith Street and First Avenue, about a 5 minute walk away. More parking is along Parkyn Parade. Details are on the aquarium’s parking page.
Getting there
By car it is about 85 minutes from the Brisbane CBD (about 97 km, without traffic). From Maroochydore or Caloundra it is a much shorter drive.
Translink bus route 600 runs between Caloundra and Maroochydore via Mooloolaba and Kawana. The timetable does not name the stop nearest the aquarium, so check stops on the route 600 timetable or the Translink journey planner.
Planning your visit
- How long: the aquarium does not publish a visit length, so allow a few hours to catch a seal presentation and walk the tunnel without rushing.
- Best time: early in the session on weekends and holidays, which are the busiest.
- Before or after: the aquarium is right at The Wharf Mooloolaba, so Mooloolaba Beach and the Esplanade are close by for a swim or a walk.
Nearby
- Mooloolaba Beach – swimming and the Esplanade, a short walk from the aquarium.
- Alexandra Headland – the next beach north along the coast.
- Point Cartwright – the headland at the southern end of Mooloolaba.
- Moffat Beach – a quieter beach and cafe strip at Caloundra.
- Australia Zoo – the Sunshine Coast’s big wildlife day out.
- Things to do on the Sunshine Coast – more ideas for the rest of the trip.
Browse more in Zoos and wildlife parks or everything in the Sunshine Coast region.
Quick answers
Where is SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast?
It is at The Wharf Mooloolaba, on the Sunshine Coast, with the main car park directly out the front.
Is parking free at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast?
Yes, for up to 4 hours at The Wharf Mooloolaba car park, which has over 400 spaces. ParknGo Mooloolaba Central also gives four hours free.
Do I need to book SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast tickets?
Booking online is the way to guarantee entry, and the aquarium says pre-booking is essential on busy days. You can book on the SEA LIFE website.
Is SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast the same as Underwater World Mooloolaba?
Yes. It is the same aquarium at Mooloolaba, now run as SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast.
Is SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast wheelchair accessible?
Yes. It is wheelchair accessible throughout, with ramps between levels and wheelchairs to borrow at Admissions.
Details can change, so check the official website before you go.
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