🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Songkhla Aquarium sits at the seaside tip of Laem Son On in Songkhla town and is run by Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya. It brings several aquatic ecosystems together in a single building, and a full loop takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours. The floors are flat and stroller-friendly, so it is an easy Songkhla outing with young children and a cool break from the sun for the whole family.
Highlights for kids
The building is split into zones by water type, so you can walk through it in a logical order, from freshwater fish beside a mock waterfall, to a brackish mangrove section, to the big saltwater tank that is the star of the show. Curious kids tend to get most excited about the large fish and the colours of the reef species.
- Ocean tunnel — walk beneath the big tank while sharks, rays and reef fish swim overhead. It is the part kids love most and the busiest photo spot.
- Big saltwater tank and giant grouper — a giant grouper weighing over a hundred kilos, plus nurse sharks, leopard sharks and sea turtles that children can watch up close through the glass.
- Freshwater and brackish zones — a mock waterfall and mangrove ecosystem with freshwater fish, presented simply so kids can learn as they go.
- Diver feeding sessions — at certain times divers go into the big tank to feed the fish while kids watch through the panoramic glass. This is a fish-feeding demonstration rather than a trained-animal show; ask for the session times at the ticket counter.
Best time to bring the kids
Weekdays are quieter and easier to walk than weekends. It runs fairly cool inside, so pack a light layer for small children and bring water and a snack in case they get hungry. If you want to catch a diver feeding session, ask for the times at the counter before you go in so you can pace your walk to match.
Know before you go
- Opening hours — Monday to Friday roughly 09:00-17:00, and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays roughly 08:00-20:00 (hours can change seasonally, so check the venue's page before you travel).
- Approximate admission — around 100 baht for Thai adults, 50 baht for children and students, and 200 baht for foreign visitors. Seniors aged 70 and over, people with disabilities, and monks and novices enter free. Prices are approximate, so confirm on site.
- Getting there — at the tip of Laem Son On in Songkhla town, near Samila Beach and the mermaid statue, about 30 to 40 minutes from Hat Yai. There is parking, and you can arrive by songthaew, taxi or Grab.
- Good for which ages — young children through primary-school age. The route is indoor and air-conditioned with flat floors, so strollers are easy and babies are fine too.
Is it safe and worth it?
The indoor walkway has flat floors and is safe for children, though the tunnel and tank areas are fairly dark, so hold small kids' hands and keep them from tapping on the glass. Admission is inexpensive for the chance to see marine life up close and stay out of the heat as a family. When you are done, Samila Beach is right nearby for a stroll.
Want more ideas for the rest of your Songkhla trip?
See the Songkhla travel guide →