SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium Seoul: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

We knew from the start that we wanted to visit at least one aquarium during our time in Seoul. There are a few options around the city, so we checked what each one offered because our number one priority was obvious. Penguins. We wanted to see them and experience the whole place through that penguin-loving lens. In the end, we chose the SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium inside the COEX Mall in Gangnam, since we were already planning to explore the area. Here is everything you need to know about visiting the SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium in Seoul, including tickets, what we saw there, and whether it is worth adding to your itinerary.

How to Get to SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium in Seoul

Getting to SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium was surprisingly easy for us, even with our usual “let’s hope we take the right exit” energy. Since the aquarium sits right inside the COEX Mall in Gangnam, we hopped on the subway and rode Line 2 to Samseong Station. The moment we stepped out, we just followed the signs that guide you through the underground walkway straight into the mall. And if you prefer taxis, dropping “COEX Mall” into the app takes you right to the entrance without any confusion.

Tickets and Opening Hours to SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium

The aquarium is open 365 days a year. If you would like to explore the wonderful underwater world of SEA LIFE COEX, Seoul, please check the opening hours before visiting.

Daily: 10am – 8pm (Last entry 7pm). 

*The above opening hours may change depending on site and weather conditions.

Before heading to the aquarium, we checked the ticket options online because it is usually cheaper and faster than buying at the entrance.

• Adult (13+): ₩27,000 online / ₩35,000 regular price
• Child (3–12): ₩24,000 online / ₩31,000 regular price
• Couple (2 Adults): ₩51,000 (online offer) / ₩70,000 regular price
• Family (2 Adults + 1 Child): ₩74,000 (online) / ₩101,000 regular price
• Infants (under 36 months / under 3 years): Free admission (with valid ID/passport)
• Plushies: Free admission

After checking, we ended up buying our tickets online through Klook. It was quick, easy, and a little cheaper than buying them on the spot. The best part was skipping the ticket line completely and waddling straight in, which gave us more time to waddle, film, and, of course, look for the penguins. If you like keeping things simple, booking online is definitely the way to go.

The aquarium is open every day, usually from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (with the last entry at 7:00 PM), which makes it easy to fit into your Seoul plans. We chose a weekday slot to avoid the crowds, and it made the whole visit feel much more relaxed.

Always check the official website for any changes. 

We can only confirm that the best time to visit the aquarium is on a weekday, ideally in the morning, right after opening, or later in the afternoon, before closing. These times are much quieter, which means fewer crowds. Weekends and holidays can get busy, especially around midday, so planning outside those peak hours makes the experience far more relaxed and enjoyable.

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Facilities and Amenities at SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium

• • Restrooms are available on multiple floors
  • Lockers for storing bags and jackets
  • Stroller-friendly paths throughout the aquarium
  • Elevators and ramps for full accessibility
  • Photo spots and themed backdrops for pictures
  • Gift shop with plushies, souvenirs, and penguin items
  • Cafés and food options are inside the COEX Mall, steps away
  • Clear signage in Korean and English
  • Free Wi-Fi inside COEX Mall
  • Seating areas for short breaks during your visit

Our Waddle Inside the Aquarium

What made this visit extra easy for us was the fact that the aquarium sits right inside the COEX Mall. We were already wandering around the area, checking out the famous Starfield Library and the Gangnam sculpture, so slipping into the aquarium felt like a natural next step in our little Gangnam adventure. Once inside, we were ready to explore the tanks, wander through the themed zones, and of course, focus on the stars: the penguins. Yes, there are plenty of other animals to see, but you already know which ones stole the show for us.

As we entered, everything went smoothly. Since we had already bought our tickets online, we skipped the entire ticket line and waddled straight to the entrance, where they scanned the QR code—no hassle, no waiting, just in and ready to explore. The first room we stepped into was the jellyfish zone, filled with glowing jellyfish floating in illuminated tanks. The colors shifted softly, creating a dreamy, magical atmosphere throughout the space. It was such a beautiful and calming way to start the visit, and it immediately pulled us into that underwater mood.

As we continued our waddle through the aquarium, we stepped into a space designed like a traditional Korean village. It felt unexpected but really charming, with wooden details and lanterns that made the whole room feel warm and familiar. Right in there was a big tank full of koi fish, all of them swimming around like they were waiting for visitors. They were incredibly active and clearly very hungry, so of course, we found the small machine where you can buy koi food. Feeding them turned out to be such a fun activity, simple but surprisingly entertaining, the kind of moment that makes you pause and smile before moving on to the next zone.

Then we continued through more zones, passing all kinds of fish tanks, from massive sharks gliding calmly through the water to tiny, colorful fish darting between corals. Every room felt different and full of surprises, and one of our favorites was the one that looked almost like an art gallery, with tanks framed like paintings. As we waddled through, we also noticed how lively the whole place was. You can buy snacks and drinks, try VR experiences, and explore little activity corners along the way. There was always something happening, not just the sea animals themselves, which felt much bigger and more interactive than we expected.

Among the highlights is also the Deep Blue Sea Tunnel. Waddling through it felt like stepping under the ocean with sharks and rays gliding overhead; it was a bit surreal. The tunnel is built inside a massive tank containing around 2,000 tons of water. Even though the tunnel wasn’t as long as we originally imagined, it was still magical to watch the fish swim above and around us for the first time.

Finally, after waddling through all the themed zones, we reached the part we had been waiting for the most: the penguins. Fittingly, the penguin exhibit is the very last stop of the aquarium, almost like they saved the best for the finale. The moment we waddled in, we felt that familiar excitement because this was the heart of our whole visit. The enclosure is bright, and full of personality, and you can watch the penguins swim, dive, and waddle around their themed habitat. Although we could watch them dive and swim, the glass of the tank was quite dirty, which made it hard to take close-up photos. Several penguins are living here. Spending time with them was easily our favorite part of the entire aquarium, a perfect ending that tied our little penguin-focused adventure together.

Did you know that SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium once created one of the most unusual indoor habitats in Korea by designing a “Penguin Playground” themed like a tiny Korean fishing village? The idea was to give visitors a glimpse of how penguins might interact with a human-made coastal environment. It is one of the few aquariums in Seoul where penguins waddle through a setting inspired by local culture, offering a fun and unexpected twist compared to traditional penguin exhibits.

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After spending time with the penguins, we reached the end of the exhibit and, as expected, the exit led us straight into the gift shop. It was packed with plushies, souvenirs, and all kinds of penguin-themed treasures. Choosing just one penguin to take home was difficult; they were all adorable, but after a bit of indecision and a lot of laughing, we finally managed to pick our favourite. It was the perfect ending to our little penguin adventure inside the aquarium.

How Long Does SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium Take

Most spend around 1.5 to 2 hours inside SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium, which we found to be the perfect amount of time for a relaxed visit. It gives you enough space to enjoy each zone without rushing, watch the animals, take photos, and enjoy the themed areas at your own pace. If you plan to film, feed the koi, or spend extra time with the penguins as we did, you should give yourself a little more time. In general, two hours is a comfortable estimate for most travelers. It depends on how long you stop at each tank.

Things to Do Near SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium

• • Starfield Library, the iconic open library perfect for photos
  • SMTOWN, K-pop merch, photo zones, and fun entertainment
  • Bongeunsa Temple, a peaceful historic temple just across the street
  • COEX Mall shops, fashion, lifestyle, bookstores, and endless browsing
  • Megabox cinema, catch a movie right inside the mall
  • Nearby cafés, great for a break, coffee, or dessert after the aquarium

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Overall, the aquarium is surprisingly large for being inside a mall, and we were impressed by how much there is to see. It is a great place to spend a relaxed afternoon indoors, especially if the weather turns rainy or you need a break from the busy streets of Seoul. With its colorful zones, interactive moments, and, of course, the penguins waiting at the very end, it is an easy and enjoyable activity to add to your Seoul itinerary.

Pack your bags and explore the marine life in SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium.

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