A journey from the jungle to the deep ocean

Water provides the narrative thread at Poema del Mar, a major aquarium beside the Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Its route moves through terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems across three main environments —Jungle, Tropical and Deep Ocean— and brings together more than 550 animal species. The experience unfolds gradually, beginning among vegetation and freshwater before reaching tropical waters and the darker world of the deep ocean.

The scale of the aquarium is an important part of the experience. Its habitats contain more than nine million litres of water and represent 35 marine and river ecosystems, complemented by over 2,000 plant specimens originating from Africa, Australia and Asia. Fish, reptiles, amphibians and other species are presented within environments designed to explore the relationship between water, biodiversity and habitats around the world.

What to see at Poema del Mar

The first part of the route introduces environments shaped by freshwater and dense vegetation. In the Jungle zone, plants, waterways and animal life create a setting where visitors can explore how species interact with humid habitats. The landscaping is not simply decorative: it helps establish the ecological context and makes the transition towards the marine sections feel like part of one continuous journey.

The experience then moves into the Tropical environment, where warm-water biodiversity takes centre stage. Colourful marine life and reef ecosystems reveal the variety of forms found beneath tropical seas. It is a highly visual part of the aquarium, but also one where slowing down and looking beyond the largest species can reveal some of the most intricate details of underwater life.

The atmosphere changes considerably in Deep Ocean. Larger tanks, darker surroundings and major marine species create a different sense of scale from the earlier sections. Its defining feature is a vast curved viewing window covering more than 250 square metres, measuring 36 metres in length and seven metres in height, designed to provide a panoramic view into the underwater environment.

• • Jungle, with terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems
• • Tropical, focused on warm-water biodiversity
• • Deep Ocean and its panoramic viewing window
• • More than 550 species across the aquarium

Discovering aquatic biodiversity

Beyond the immediate impact of the largest tanks, the route introduces ecosystems from different parts of the world and shows how aquatic life changes with depth, temperature and water conditions. This structure makes Poema del Mar suitable both for family visits and for anyone interested in marine biology who wants time to observe species that receive less attention than the aquarium's largest inhabitants.

Plant life also has an important role in the experience. More than 2,000 specimens help represent habitats connected with Africa, Australia and Asia, particularly through the earlier stages of the route. Water and vegetation share the focus here, illustrating that aquatic biodiversity extends beyond the open ocean to rivers, wetlands and environments where land and water meet.

Education and conservation are woven into the aquarium's approach. The visit encourages guests to understand the diversity and fragility of aquatic ecosystems while observing the animals themselves. For families, this creates opportunities to learn about habitats, adaptation and conservation without separating educational content from the visual experience of moving through the aquarium.

Poema del Mar in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Its setting beside the Port of Las Palmas gives Poema del Mar a particularly appropriate location. The aquarium stands on Muelle Sanapú, close to Santa Catalina and the capital's busy port district. Visitors staying in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria can therefore incorporate the aquarium into a day in the city without travelling to another part of the island.

The connection with the sea begins before entering the building. Travellers arriving by ferry or cruise ship at Puerto de la Luz can see the aquarium from the port area, while visitors starting around Santa Catalina can reach it on foot. This makes the location especially convenient both for city breaks and for travellers arriving in Gran Canaria by sea.

How to get to Poema del Mar

The aquarium is located at Puerto Muelle Sanapú, Avenida de los Consignatarios s/n, 35008 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. From the Santa Catalina area it can be reached on foot; Poema del Mar estimates a walk of around eight minutes from the Las Palmas de G.C. (Santa Catalina) bus stop to the main entrance.

Urban bus routes 12, 21, 45, 47 and 60 stop close to the aquarium. From Gran Canaria Airport, Poema del Mar recommends routes 60 or 91 to Santa Catalina, followed by the approximately eight-minute walk to the entrance. Public transport schedules and routes may change, so current information should be checked before travelling.

Visitors driving from Gran Canaria Airport have a journey of approximately 25.7 kilometres, with the aquarium estimating a driving time of around 25 minutes under normal conditions. From Agaete, the stated distance is approximately 35 kilometres, with drivers following the GC-2 towards Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Tickets for Poema del Mar

Planning ahead allows you to select your preferred date and check admission conditions before arriving at Muelle Sanapú. At entradas.com, you can check availability for official Poema del Mar tickets and prepare your visit to the aquarium in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Admission is organised by visit date and entry time, so it is worth checking the selected details carefully before completing a purchase. The aquarium is open 365 days a year, although opening times and admission arrangements can change. Checking the current information for your chosen date makes it easier to coordinate the aquarium with other plans in the city.

Tips for planning your visit

The aquarium is designed as a progression through its three main environments, so the experience works best when visitors take their time through the full route. The largest tanks naturally attract attention, but smaller habitats can be equally rewarding when you stop to observe individual species, behaviour and the details of each ecosystem.

Food and drink options are available if you want to pause during the visit. Néstor Restaurant overlooks Deep Sea and also features the Poema del Mar series by Canarian artist Néstor de la Torre. Nemo Snack Bar, located beside the Reef exhibition, provides another option for a shorter break during the aquarium route.

Families can make the experience more engaging by alternating panoramic viewing areas with time spent identifying individual animals and exploring the information provided throughout the aquarium. The combination of wildlife, vegetation and large underwater displays allows different age groups to follow the route at their own pace, while the indoor setting also makes it a practical option regardless of the weather outside.

Useful information about Poema del Mar

Where is Poema del Mar?
The aquarium is located at Muelle Sanapú, Avenida de los Consignatarios s/n, 35008 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, beside the Port of Las Palmas and close to Santa Catalina.

What can you see at Poema del Mar?
The aquarium houses more than 550 species and is divided into three main environments: Jungle, Tropical and Deep Ocean, covering terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Where can I buy safe, official tickets for Poema del Mar?
You can check availability and purchase tickets through entradas.com, an official ticket sales channel.

How can I get to Poema del Mar by public transport?
Urban bus routes 12, 21, 45, 47 and 60 stop close to the aquarium. From Gran Canaria Airport, routes 60 and 91 connect with Santa Catalina, around an eight-minute walk from the entrance.