Since it opened in March this year, we have wanted to visit Aquarium Paradise. Not because we haven’t been to an aquarium before, but because of the live mermaid shows that Aquarium Paradise was promoting. I found it to be quite unique and knew my kids would enjoy it.
So, finally, when the opportunity arose, my friend and I picked our kids from school and drove all the way there, through the horrible Bangalore traffic. For those who are still confused about its location, Aquarium Paradise has been built in the long-time empty space between Fun World Amusement Park and Snow City.
Adult tickets to the aquarium are charged for those taller than 140 cms..
The live show days are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The show timings are 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm and 7:40 pm. You can enter any time and wait until the next mermaid show. But once the mermaid show is over, you have to leave the premises. So, enter the aquarium at least an hour before the mermaid show so you can click pictures and admire the various aquatic life.
Sadly, for reasons unknown to us, they don’t have the live mermaid shows on weekends. You can probably take a picture with the mermaids, if you’re lucky, for a charge. They encourage you to take time off work and get there on weekdays to enjoy the show. If you plan to visit on a public holiday, we suggest you call the day before and ask about the live shows.
The 180-foot Marine Life Tunnel is the last attraction before you enter the restaurant area. Like the rest of the aquarium, you will find plenty of rare and exotic fish species here.
When we were done with the aquarium, we were automatically diverted to the restaurant area. We stood there wondering where we had to go to watch the live mermaid shows. Only when we checked with the security guards did we realise that we were in the place from where we would be able to watch the live mermaid show.
Once you are in the restaurant area, it is important to get yourself a chair or sit on the floor. If you don’t have a chair, you will be asked to stand at the back of the hall or to the side before the show begins. For the best view, try and block your space as you will find random people who are unaware, trying to stand in front of you as if they are transparent.
During the show, it is advised to keep the flash off so that everyone can have an uninterrupted view. Too many flashlights may also disturb the fish in the aquarium.
Remember that the mermaid shows are complimentary, so, in case you miss it, you can attend the next one only by buying a new ticket to the aquarium.
Before the live mermaid show, you will see live scuba divers passing through with a school of fish following them. A few minutes later, the live mermaid show begins and usually runs for 10 minutes. There were two mermaids effortlessly floating around above the tunnel; one in pink and one in purple. You may get to see different coloured mermaids on other days.
Nevertheless, it is a lovely show as they float around, twist and tumble with such ease that it makes you want to be a mermaid, too. The kids definitely enjoyed the shows despite the long waiting time of around 1.5 hours, as we entered the aquarium at 5 pm and the shows were at 7:40 pm.
Some of the exotic aquatic life there is colourful and unique. There was a flowerhorn fish that followed my finger wherever it spotted it on the glass. Flowerhorns are known to be intelligent (for fish) as they are interactive. You will also find the upside-down glowing jellyfish in small cylindrical aquariums. My son was quite intrigued with the Albino Pearl Stingrays and Electric Blue Crayfish.
When you reach the compound, you will find plenty of paid parking space there. You can easily park in front of the entrance. Sometimes, due to the busy road outside (Jayamahal Main Road), you may find it difficult to exit.
Don’t rush through the aquarium or make too many fixed plans for the day. Stroll through the corridors, enjoy the live shows and click plenty of pictures to keep as memory.
We were quite impressed with the all-new Aquarium Paradise. A lot of thought was put into building it. In one area you will find a huge snake statue above you. There are plenty of iguana and other statues all over the place. Just hope that they continue to maintain it well for a long time and not abandon it in the years to come (like many other attractions in Bangalore).
You may want to read about tourist attractions in Shimla here.
