Ocean Berlin: Modern Marine Experience Centre Under Construction
Photo: Courtesy of Ocean Berlin
(eap) A new visitor attraction focusing on marine conservation, education and ocean research is scheduled to open later this year at Rummelsburger Bucht in Berlin-Lichtenberg, Germany. With an investment volume of more than 100 million euro, Ocean Berlin is being developed as a modern marine experience center. At the heart of the facility, a 7.5 million-liter tank is planned as the central feature of the main aquarium and is expected to rank among the largest of its kind worldwide. A coral breeding station and an on-site hotel will also form part of the overall offering. The project celebrated its topping-out ceremony in November last year, with a soft opening scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026.
The flagship project is initiated by the Israeli company Coral World International, which currently operates four aquariums worldwide – in Eilat (Israel), Mallorca (Spain), Maui (Hawaii, USA) and Perth (Australia). Ocean Berlin was founded by marine biologist and environmental activist Benjamin Khan, who has been working with Coral World for many years.
Ocean Berlin positions itself as an educational institution with the long-term objective of communicating the significance and diversity of the world’s oceans while raising awareness for their protection and preservation. More than 400 fish species from various marine regions are planned to be displayed in over 40 tanks – ranging from the Red Sea and Caribbean lagoons to mangroves, the coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef and ecosystems of the North Sea. Interactive features, exhibits and narrative elements will complement the exhibition. Additional highlights include a 20-meter underwater tunnel and a 3D cinema. Furthermore, a sustainability center will be established at the Berlin site, incorporating a publicly accessible coral breeding station. In cooperation with experts and scientists from various universities, the operator plans to develop additional breeding programs. According to its own statements, all marine parks operated by the company adhere to the highest standards of animal husbandry. For the first year of operation, approximately 700,000 visitors are projected in Berlin.
With Aquarium Berlin, located on the grounds of Berlin Zoo and attracting around 3.6 million visitors in 2024, the German capital is home to one of Europe’s best-known aquariums. Sea Life Berlin, by contrast, permanently ceased operations in December 2024, citing economic reasons among other factors. ■
