Oceans Aware presents : The Shark Lab, Aquarium and Research Facility in Mossel Bay, South Africa
About The Shark Lab Aquarium
Who are we, what do we do? On this page all your questions about The Shark Lab Aquarium are answered, and remember to check out the Meet The Sharks page to learn more about our residents.
Welcome to The Shark Lab Aquarium and Research Facility
The Shark Lab is operated by Oceans Aware (a Division of Oceans, an organization dedicated to the exploration, discovery, understanding and conservation of marine life in Africa).
The Shark Lab aims to enlighten children and adults about the wonders of Africa's Sharks! Designed to be an intimate aquarium, guests are welcomed and given personal tours by the Shark Lab's Aquarists Prince and Nico, who will lead you through the facilities tanks and research experiments in a one-on-one journey of discovery.
As a duel purpose Aquarium and Research facility, guests can learn and experience the research conducted by the Oceans Research team, including the great white shark research of Ryan Johnson, host of National Geographic's Sharkville and The Secret Shark Pits.
How to find us
Though we have the ideal location situated right next to the Sea at the point of Mossel Bay, we can be rather tricky to find! Below you fill find a map, and photographs of nearby landmarks which will help you to find The Shark Lab Aquarium.
(Please click an image to enlarge)
1, Getting to Mossel Bay
Mossel Bay is located along the Garden Route, off the N2 road.
2, Finding the Point
You'll find the point right beneath the lighthouse at the far end of Mossel Bay.
3, Enter Big Blue Carpark
Once you've entered the Big Blu Carpark, continue to walk straight ahead passed the large Shark Lab sign, and onwards to the smaller one.
4, Make your way towards the Arch
Once you reach the smaller sign, look to your left and you'll notice a small passage leading to two archways.
5, Walk through the arch, looking left
When walking through the arch, exit via the left passage and be on the lookout for a building
6, After the arch, turn left
When facing the building you will see a small sign for the Shark Lab. Just infront of this is a small set of stairs, walk up these.
7, Up the steps, Carcharias shop ahead
Proceed up the stairs and straight ahead until you face the Carcharias gift shop. Look to you right and you'll see a door leading you to...
8, Next to the shop, The Shark Lab!
...The Shark Lab Aquarium and Research Facility!
Opening hours & entrance fee's
The Shark Lab Aquarium and Research Facility is open everyday from 9:00am until 5:30pm
Entrance Fees
10 Rand Per Adult
7 Rand per Child (up to 12 years old)
Groups and Tours
For interested groups (minimum of 5 people) and school groups, the Shark Lab organises a wide variety of programmes aimed at introducing them to sharks offering both a theoretical and practical insight:
- Lectures on shark biology and conservation for all ages
- Lectures on the white shark research done by the Oceans Research team in Mossel Bay
- Shark dissections: an educational and visual experience into the anatomy of a shark *
- The colouring corner, where kids can learn about the ocean in a colourful way while watching documentaries featuring the Oceans Research team.
Tours, lectures and dissections can be offered in English, Xhosa, Sotho, Afrikans, Italian and others.
* The sharks utilised for educational dissections are obtained from the dead by-catch of commercial fishing vessel. We do not support fishing activities who target shark and rays species.
