Aqua Planet Yeosu on the fourth above-ground floor of the 2012 Yeosu Expo site

The ‘Fourth Above-Ground Floor’ Aquarium Left by the 2012 Yeosu Expo

Aqua Planet Yeosu was established as the main visitor facility of the 2012 Yeosu Expo. It was built near Pier 2 of Yeosu New Port, inside Expo Ocean Park, now the Yeosu Expo site, and is an example of a facility that remained as an exhibition and tourism attraction even after the international exposition themed around the sea ended.

Its official introduction describes it as Korea’s first above-ground eco-friendly aquarium and a four-story above-ground facility. Along with its design concept as an eco-friendly aquarium powered by solar energy, it operates exhibition spaces on each floor, including Ocean Life, Marine Life, and Aqua Forest, and states that it houses around 34,000 marine animals across more than 300 species.

From Opening at 09:30 to Last Admission at 18:00: Set Aside Two Hours

According to the official website, the facility is open year-round from 09:30 to 19:00, with ticket sales and admission ending at 18:00. The official visitor information estimates that viewing the aquarium takes about two hours, so if you plan to see all the exhibits and use the dining facilities on the first floor, it is safest to enter by around 16:00 at the latest.

The main telephone number is 1833-7001, and customer inquiries are available from 10:00 to 19:00. The official website is https://www.aquaplanet.co.kr/yeosu/index.do. Ecology talks and performance programs may vary depending on conditions on site, so it is a good idea to check the program schedule on the website before visiting.

• Hours: Open year-round, 09:30–19:00
• Ticket sales and last admission: 18:00
• Recommended visit duration: Approximately 2 hours
• Main telephone: 1833-7001

₩37,900 Combination Admission Ticket and Free Admission for Children Under 36 Months

As of August 2026, the combination admission ticket listed in the official information includes the aquarium, the Claude Monet exhibition, and Ocean Cinema. The price is ₩37,900 for adults aged 19 and over, ₩34,900 for youths and seniors, and ₩32,900 for children aged 12 and under. The youth rate applies to middle and high school students who bring a student ID or youth ID.

When one guardian purchases an admission ticket, one accompanying direct-family infant under 36 months may enter free of charge, but documentation proving the child’s age is required, and this benefit does not apply to group admissions. Residents of Yeosu, Suncheon, and Gwangyang receive a 25% discount for the resident themselves only; adults must prove residency with an ID card, while children must provide a copy of the resident registration. Visitors with disabilities receive a 30% discount for themselves and one accompanying person when they present a disability registration card or welfare card.

No Regular Vehicles Inside Expo Ocean Park: Start with the 700-Space Outdoor Parking Lot

The address is 61-11 Odongdo-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do. However, Aqua Planet is located inside Expo Ocean Park, where regular vehicles are prohibited from driving within the park. Rather than entering only the building address into your navigation system, set the parking lot address as your destination.

One of the closest options is the outdoor parking lot at 777-1 Sujeong-dong, which accommodates 700 vehicles and is about a five-minute walk from Aqua Planet. The fee is ₩400 per 10 minutes by credit card, with a daily maximum of ₩13,000. Large buses are charged ₩13,000 per day and may re-enter once per day. No separate parking discount is available for Aqua Planet visitors.

• Outdoor parking lot: 777-1 Sujeong-dong, 700 spaces, approximately 5 minutes on foot
• International Pavilion underground parking lot: 61-5 Deokchung-dong, 600 spaces, approximately 10 minutes on foot
• Sky Tower parking lot: 2009 Deokchung-dong, 100 spaces, approximately 10 minutes on foot
• Common fee: ₩400 per 10 minutes, daily maximum ₩13,000

How to Connect Yeosu Expo Station, Odongdo, and Sky Tower in One Route

Aqua Planet is located between Yeosu Expo Station, the Expo site, and Odongdo, making it a convenient stop to connect on a rail trip. Yeosu City’s tourism recommendations also suggest routes such as “Odongdo → Expo site → Aqua Planet → Noktemare” and “Aqua Planet Yeosu → Odongdo → Jinnamgwan.”

For public transportation, it is practical to use Yeosu Expo Station as your base and head toward Expo Ocean Park. The International Pavilion underground parking lot across from the station has 600 spaces and is about a 10-minute walk from Aqua Planet, making it a useful reference point before or after returning a rental car or on the day you arrive by train. If you plan to walk through the park and continue to Odongdo, set aside additional travel time beyond the two hours needed to visit the aquarium.

From Beluga Whales and Baikal Seals to Sea Turtle Conservation

The official introduction states that visitors can see rare animals, including beluga whales and Baikal seals. Beyond simply viewing the tanks, the facility’s exhibition themes are also connected to the sea turtle species-conservation research and rescue, treatment, and conservation activities presented in a separate menu on the official website.

Wheelchairs and strollers may be brought inside the visitor areas. The first-floor Center Plaza and second-floor Aqua Plaza are connected by an elevator, and the third-floor land-animal area can be accessed using the elevator beside the sea lion tank. However, the official FAQ notes that strollers or wheelchairs may need to be folded or carried on some sections of the route, so this should be taken into account if assistance from a companion is required.

First-Floor Aqua Terrace and Second-Floor Main-Tank Café: How to Plan Your Meal Time

The food court at the first-floor Aqua Terrace operates from 09:30 to 18:30, with orders ending at 18:00. It offers Korean, Chinese, Western, and Japanese dishes, with both indoor and outdoor seating. For group meals, approximately 100 outdoor seats and 100 indoor seats are available, for a total of about 200 seats, and reservations are available from 11:30 to 17:00.

The Aqua Café beside the Ocean Life main tank on the second floor is open from 09:30 to 18:30, with orders ending at 18:00, and offers a place to enjoy drinks while looking at the main tank. The first-floor café with ocean views operates from 09:30 to 19:00, with orders ending at 18:00. The transparent boat “Aqua X Boat” operates from 09:30 to 18:00 at the Center Plaza in the central hall on the second floor, while Aqua Candles operates during the same hours in front of the sea lion tank in Marine Life on the second floor.

No Pets Allowed and Five Types of Documentation to Prepare Before Admission

Pets are not permitted in order to protect the displayed animals and maintain the visitor environment. Free admission for infants requires documentation proving age; the youth rate requires a student ID or youth ID; and the senior rate requires an identification card or senior discount card. The resident discount and disability discount also require an ID card and resident registration copy, or a disability registration card or welfare card, respectively.

The annual pass costs ₩130,000 for new applicants and ₩99,000 for renewals, and can only be purchased on site at the first-floor ticket office. The annual pass includes one aquarium admission per day for one year, as well as free admission to special exhibitions and Ocean Cinema. Renewal must be completed from 15 days before the expiration date through the expiration date; the renewal price does not apply after the pass has expired.