10 Awesome Aquariums You Can Sleep In

If you own a fish tank at home, you know that looking at the aquatic life can be soothing and even hypnotic. In fact, studies have shown that watching a healthy aquarium reduces feelings of stress and anxiety up to 12%. That’s probably why you see so many fish tanks in high-stress environments such as hospitals and dental offices. In addition to lowering your stress, a fish tank can also help you sleep better. The fish’s natural environment is often considered a calming one, and having a routine of cleaning and feeding can help with sleep.

But what if you could actually sleep inside an aquarium? Many aquariums around the world are taking their experiences to a whole new level, offering guests the opportunity to spend the night in some pretty incredible places. From sharks to sea turtles, here are 10 awesome aquariums you can sleep in.

Sleep in the Deep

A popular aquarium experience, the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s Sleep in the Deep allows guests to explore the museum after it closes to the public and enjoy a fun-filled night of learning and adventure. Guests can participate in activities such as a scavenger hunt, 4-D immersion films, and a behind-the-scenes tour. During the evening, guests can also view the aquarium exhibits without the daytime crowds and get up close to underwater creatures like sand tiger sharks and roughtail stingrays. The next morning, guests can enjoy a continental breakfast and take part in an exclusive dolphin enrichment session.

The aquarium’s sleepover program was put on hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, but will resume this month. To attend, you must be a member or a group that has a reservation for an overnight visit. You’ll be asked to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccinations before being allowed in.

Sleep in the Deep is recommended for ages 6 and up. A snack, a movie, and breakfast are included. You can also bring a sleeping bag or mat and pillows to sleep in front of the aquarium’s underwater viewing area.

Located in Long Beach, California, the Aquarium of the Pacific is another aquarium that lets guests spend the night slumbering alongside marine wildlife. This aquarium offers both a shark sleepover and a dolphin sleepover, with each experience offering a different set of adventures. During the dolphin sleepover, guests will have the opportunity to interact with the dolphins, learn more about their daily lives and behaviors, and help feed the dolphins in the morning. Guests who choose the shark sleepover will be allowed to enter the dangerous lagoon tunnel, which is packed with sand tiger sharks and sea turtles.

This is a great option for families with young children who want to explore the aquarium’s amazing shark collection and other exotic marine life. The aquarium’s shark sleepover is recommended for kids ages five and up and includes a pizza dinner, an evening of exploration, a scavenger hunt, and the chance to pet the sharks. Kids who stay the night will also have a continental breakfast and the chance to paint a souvenir t-shirt.