Cretaquarium - Thalassokosmos is located 15 km east of Heraklion. It started its operation in 2005, but it has been renovated recently and many educational programs and innovative services have been added. It is one of the largest European aquariums and its 62 tanks with 2,000 marine creatures offer visitors the opportunity to explore the Mediterranean seabed.
The tour starts with the dark areas in the great depths. These areas are very interesting with many caves and rocks and hold many surprises. The visitor can observe dasky groupers, red corals, crayfish, gorgonians, skates etc. In the second part, light succeeds darkness and in large tanks inspired by the seabed in Matala and Vai with sand and mud and colorful rocky reefs and formations, the visitor sees greater amberjacks, groupers, santer seabreams, sea basses, etc. The third part is dedicated to coastal habitats, the most productive ecosystems in the world. The colors here are inexhaustible and the customization of the sea animals is amazing. The muddy and sandy bottom, full of marine plants, is home to parrotfish, rainbow wrasses, anemones, crustaceans and echinoderms. In the fourth part of the tour, the visitors get the chance to observe, up close, the marine life in shallow open tanks.
An extra behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium will answer questions such as how animal food is prepared, the tank check process, the tanks for quarantine for new arrivals and sick animals, and how certain creatures reproduce and grow.
There is provision for the experiential exploration of the seabed and its creatures by groups of young children. Through playing, children have fun and learn about the marine environment. Also, with the e-tour, it is possible for friends of Thalassokosmos and groups located in remote areas and abroad to take a guided tour of the Aquarium, as it would be done in an on-site tour.
The aquarium remains open all year round, from 09΄30 to 16΄00 in winter and until 19΄00 in summer. Ticket prices range from €6 to €12 with special prices for groups, students and pensioners.
(more articles about Crete on www.gomega.gr)
