Everything You Need to Know about The Shore Oceanarium in Melaka
One of my favourite things about visiting Melaka is that it guarantees us a good time with its wide array of family-friendly activities. We’ve been here a couple of times and we STILL think we haven’t scratched the surface of what it has to offer!
During those trips, I’ve had some favourites, and most recently, The Shore Oceanarium Melaka became a contender in my top five! It’s an enjoyable attraction for all ages thanks to its magnificent sea creature-filled aquariums and immersive exhibits.
Keep on reading to find out all the things you can do here, as well as some restaurants to check out for your trip! Moreover, we included value-for-money hotels you should consider staying at and more!
Where is The Shore Oceanarium Melaka?
The Shore Oceanarium Melaka is located in Melaka’s waterfront mall, The Shore Shopping Gallery. It’s surrounded by the Jalan Persisiran Bunga Raya road along the Malacca River.
What is the main street in The Shore Oceanarium Melaka?
The Jalan Persisiran Bunga Raya road is the main street of The Shore, and it can be accessed via Jalan Munshi Abdullah and Jalan Bunga Raya Pantai.
How to Get to The Shore Melaka
By bus: The best way to get to The Shore Melaka by bus is to first head to Melaka Sentral station from your city (e.g., Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, etc.). From there, you can take another bus to The Shore or book a Grab.
By Grab: Grab is also readily available in Melaka and is one of the most convenient ways to get to The Shore, as all you have to do is pin your location and destination.
By taxi: Alternatively, you can take a cab, which can be found as soon as you land at the Melaka Airport. Just be sure to insist on using the metre!
By car rental: There are also several car rental companies in Melaka that will let you drive sedans and SUVs for a more convenient trip around the city.
What to Do and See in The Shore Oceanarium Melaka
Be amazed and weirded out at Fun and Freakish
– Media credit: oceanariummelaka
As much as we want to describe sea creatures as majestic, we can’t ignore the weird-looking ones, which we still love deeply! These unique creatures can be found at the oceanarium’s Fun and Freakish section, where seahorses, jellyfish, and octopuses take centre stage.
Make contact with friendly critters at the Interactive Touch Pool
– Media credit: oceanariummelaka
The Interactive Touch Pool is one of the certified hits among kids in the oceanarium because it’s the only attraction that lets guests make contact with the sea creatures. It features plenty of shallow pools, with their residents ranging from starfish to sea urchins and more.
However, the main star of this attraction is the bamboo shark, and rightfully so! Their intimidating appearance is a far cry from their calm demeanour, making them one of the safest types of shark.
Plus, you’ll have bragging rights for life! You can tell your friends that you’ve ACTUALLY touched a real-life shark—just don’t mention which species it was.
Meet scaly friends at Jungle Quest
– Media credit: oceanariummelaka
Aside from scaly fish species, you can also meet various reptiles at Jungle Quest that are equally awe-inspiring! For starters, it’s home to several species of elusive snakes, but don’t worry because they’re well-kept and laid-back most of the time.
You can also find frogs hopping around in their little biome and hear them exchange croaks with one another. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for something majestic (no offence to the frogs), you can check out the vibrant butterflies in their zone.
Lastly, you can also find small mammals in Jungle Quest, most notably the hedgehog. Their spiky backs and adorable little faces will immediately captivate your hearts, so get ready for your kids to demand a new pet after visiting this zone!
Immerse yourselves in the 3D cinema
– Media credit: clara.cmay
One of the ways that The Shore Oceanarium makes learning fun is by featuring an immersive 3D cinema. One of the films they display here is a documentary about turtles, and it teaches everything from their behaviours to what their day-to-day lives look like and more.
As if seeing these cute little creatures pop out of the screen wasn’t entertaining enough, they also upgraded the experience by adding special effects. Now, you can see and feel bubbles, smoke, wind, and even lightning!
Observe dangerous marine animals from a safe distance
– Media credit: oceanariummelaka
The great thing about this place is that it also informs its visitors about the dangerous marine animals. Secluded in the tanks are some creatures that you need to steer away from when you’re in the ocean, whether it be because of their venom, dangerous behaviour, etc.
One of the most striking creatures in these tanks is the lionfish, which packs quite the venom! Getting stung by this striped fish can cause dizziness, convulsions, numbness, and fevers—plus, they’re harmful to coral reefs!
This zone is also where you’ll find the pufferfish, which has a toxin that’s deadly to humans. With that said, they’re still enjoyable to admire because of their adorable appearance—just don’t let them get close!
Watch an underwater mukbang
– Media credit: oceanariummelaka
Feeding time is one of the most anticipated moments in the oceanarium by both the sea creatures and the visitors. During these times, you can find the lit-up eyes of different types of fish as a diver submerges into their tank to feed them their favourite snacks.
It’s a cool thing to witness because, firstly, seeing how fast the schools of fish swim towards the food is impressive. Secondly, some fish would come up to the diver and interact with them, which sort of acts like an underwater theatre.
Admire seashells from all over the world
– Media credit: kellylynn__zzz
The Shore Oceanarium is also home to one of the most impressive seashell collections in Malaysia, featuring over 100 types that came from different countries. Each one is also accompanied by visual aids to help you learn more about them!
However, the main highlight here is the gigantic nautilus shells! They’re not real, but they make for a cool background for photos.
Debunk myths and check the facts about sharks
– Media credit: oceanariummelaka
Sharks are arguably some of the most misunderstood residents of the sea, and it’s nice to see The Shore Oceanarium clear some myths about them.
The place features a specific zone dedicated to learning about sharks, from their anatomy to their behaviour, etc. This zone also plays a video that talks about the importance of sharks and how to protect them.
After all the boring learning stuff (sorry, parents), you can proceed to take fun photos alongside the Megalodon and great white shark replicas!
Cross the aquarium tunnel
– Media credit: courtyardmelaka
When you think of oceanariums, one of the things you can expect to see is an aquarium tunnel, and boy, does this place deliver! Crossing it feels like stepping into another dimension, with colourful schools of fish on the walls and stingrays soaring above your head.
With that said, it’s among the most crowded spaces in the entire oceanarium, but don’t give up! The crowd’s going to thin every once in a while, so that you could take that Instaworthy shot.
Where to Eat and Drink in The Shore Oceanarium
Rock Bottom Malacca
– Media credit: rockbottom_melaka
Address: GF-09 The Shore Shopping Gallery
Phone: +60 11-3716 6625
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Friday and Saturday: 12:00 PM to 1:30 AM
If good food, live music, and cold drinks sound like your cup of tea, then Rock Bottom Malacca is a sound choice! This bar and grill is a total feast for the senses, as it not only treats your ears and taste buds but also catches your eye with its classy, diner-like interior.
Their menu primarily consists of Western staples, often paired with cold beer, wine, and cocktails. One of the standouts that we highly recommend is their sirloin steak due to its exceptional meatiness, perfect grill marks, and tender texture.
You can also treat yourself to some Italian classics, like aglio olio pasta, which features fresh seafood. Also, don’t think that just because it offers alcoholic drinks means you can’t bring your kids, as they also offer burgers, fish and chips, and roasted chicken.
Cafe Chef Wan @ The Shore Melaka
– Media credit: cafechefwan
Address: GF-19, Pinggiran @ Sungai Melaka
Phone: +60 3-7890 6016
Pricing: $$
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Cafe Chef Wan is one of those places you can check out if you can’t decide on which cuisine to eat. It offers an expansive menu consisting of local and international dishes while also featuring an Instaworthy interior—everyone wins!
Starting with the local delicacies, we appreciate that they offer dishes that hit close to home, like the chicken or beef satay, one of Malaysia’s most iconic street foods. If you visit during the rainy season, you MUST try their curry laksa to warm your soul.
As for their international dishes, they offer Korean chicken wings, pizza, banh mi, and shepherd’s pie. To top it all off, you can order their ice cendol to enjoy a sweet and cold treat to wash off the meaty and seafood flavours from your mouth.
Seoul Garden @ The Shore
– Media credit: seoulgardenmalaysia
Address: Level GF 23,193, Pinggiran @Sungai Melaka
Phone: +60 6-228 2258
Pricing: $$
Operating hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Seoul Garden should be your next stop after the oceanarium if the trip has made you work up an appetite. Here, you can grill and eat as much marinated meat as your tastebuds want and your stomach can handle!
For instance, if you opt for the superior package, you can choose from premium slices of meat like beef striploin, short plates, short ribs, and lamb. They also offer seafood that you can either grill or drench in your chosen broth for the hot pot!
Speaking of hot pots, they can be made to your liking as well, thanks to the restaurant’s expansive selection of soup bases and ingredients. From fish balls to tofu cubes, veggies, seafood, and meat, the choices are endless!
Where to Shop in The Shore Oceanarium
The Shore Shopping Gallery
– Media credit: theshoreshoppinggallery
Address: 193, Pinggiran @ Sungai Melaka
Phone: +60 6-288 2062
Pricing: $$
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
The Shore Shopping Gallery is one of the most bustling malls in the area, and it’s also the home of Melaka’s largest aquarium. It’s hailed as the ultimate entertainment and dining destination, and we’re not here to dispute that!
For starters, they offer a wide array of dining options, from fast food chains to must-try cafes, fine dining restaurants, and even a food court! They also know how to keep their visitors entertained by offering a carousel, a racing simulator, and an escape room.
However, the main attraction here (aside from the aquarium) is the Sky Tower observation deck, located on the 43rd floor. The tower is the tallest building in the city, so you can expect to see breathtaking views of Melaka while you’re here.
Vintage Night Market Melaka
– Media credit: vintagenightmarketmelaka
Address: Pusat Transformasi Bandar
Pricing: $
Operating hours: Friday to Sunday: 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM
The Vintage Night Market is your place if you find the joy of finding amazing steals in bins of preloved items. As frugal travellers, thrifting never gets old, especially in night markets like these, where you’ll find retro items from cameras to hats, toys, wallets, etc.
Lately, there’s been a resurgence of vintage band shirts in the fashion scene, but they’re always so expensive. Here, you’ll find these shirts at less than half the usual price!
Another mainstay here is the rows of sneakers that are either original and preloved or brand-new replicas. Regardless, it’s a treat to browse the selection and find shoes that are still in good condition at cheap prices.
Jonker Street Night Market
– Media credit: richardtulsa
Address: Jalan Hang Jebat
Pricing: $
Operating hours: Friday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Of course, you can’t miss Jonker Street Night Market while you’re in the area—after all, it’s only a 7-minute drive from the Oceanarium! I can guarantee that the trip will be 100% worth it, as you’ll experience one of the liveliest places in the city.
Lined with stalls helmed by the most personable locals, this street will immediately immerse you in its sense of community. Whether you’re buying, bargaining, or simply having a conversation, you’ll be charmed by these locals’ attitudes.
Some of the most common items you can buy here include trinkets, handicrafts, scarves, and clothes. There are plenty of stalls and stores to check out, but don’t worry because you can always replenish your energy with some good old Malaysian street food!
Where to Stay in The Shore Oceanarium
Swiss Garden Hotel Melaka
– Media credit: swissgardenhotelmelaka
Address: T2-4, The Shore @ Melaka River
Phone: +60 6-288 3131
Pricing: $$
The Swiss Garden Hotel ticks several boxes, from its convenient location next to The Shore to its fancy facilities and spacious rooms. With that said, it’s a no-brainer if you want to make your stay in Melaka feel like a lavish staycation.
One of the main highlights of staying here is its fantastic dining options that offer both breathtaking views and tantalising food. Among these is the Sky Deli Restaurant, situated on the 42nd floor.
Its many swimming pools are also reasons why people choose to stay here, as they’re great for relaxing, cooling down, and taking in views of the city, including its serene river. Kids will also love the playground and mini water park, complete with slides and rain showers.
The Shore Hotel & Residences
– Media credit: theshoremalacca
Address: Level GF, 193, Pinggiran @Sungai Melaka
Phone: +60 6-282 8200
Pricing: $$
The Shore Hotel & Residences is another great option if you want to stay overnight, right next to the oceanarium. Furthermore, it will treat you to a relaxing staycation with its lavish suites, complete with all modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and en-suite bathtubs.
For friend groups and families, we recommend booking their spacious three-bedroom apartment! This unit will give you all the space you need as well as amenities you wouldn’t typically find in hotels, like cooking stoves, dining tables, kitchenware, etc.
You can also expect the same shared facilities as the Swiss Garden Hotel, including the swimming pools, fitness centre, and fine dining restaurants. Moreover, if you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to prepare your food, you can always head down to The Shore!
Bayview Hotel Melaka
– Media credit: bayview_melaka
Address: Jalan Bendahara, Kampung Bukit China
Phone: +60 6-283 9888
Pricing: $
Bayview Hotel Melaka is a fantastic, budget-friendly 4-star hotel that offers all the amenities you’d want from an overnight stay. For starters, it offers suites that aren’t just fitted with modern amenities but feature beautiful decor as well!
Furthermore, it offers a serene pool area where guests can enjoy the brisk outdoors while doing laps. There’s also a covered heated pool, which is great for relaxing after a whole day of walking in the oceanarium.
Lastly, we also recommend the Bayview Hotel because of its location at Sentral Melaka. This means that some attractions (including the oceanarium), cafes, and restaurants will be easily accessible from here!