World Oceans Day in Sydney

Ready to make a splash for the ocean?

World Oceans Day is celebrated every year on 8 June, bringing people around the world together to celebrate our blue planet and learn how we can help protect it.

At SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, families can dive into the wonder of the ocean right in the heart of Darling Harbour. Come face-to-fin with incredible marine animals, discover amazing conservation stories and inspire your little ocean explorers to care for the sea in fun, hands-on ways.

This World Oceans Day, join us for a celebration of ocean discovery, local conservation and simple actions that can help protect marine life for generations to come.

What is World Oceans Day?

World Oceans Day is a global celebration of the ocean and everything it makes possible.

Held every year on 8 June, it’s a chance to celebrate the beauty of our oceans, learn more about the challenges it faces and discover how we can all help protect it. From colourful reefs and tiny seahorses to turtles, sharks, rays and penguins. The ocean is full of life, wonder and important habitats worth protecting.

It’s also a great opportunity for families to start conversations with kids about marine animals, conservation and how our everyday choices can make a difference.

Why does the ocean need our help?

The ocean is home to some of the planet’s most incredible creatures, but it also needs our help.

Plastic pollution, litter, overfishing and changes to ocean habitats can all impact marine animals and the places they live. World Oceans Day is a reminder to care for our blue planet, not just on 8 June, but every day.

The good news? Helping the ocean can start with simple choices.

Bringing a reusable water bottle, putting rubbish in the bin, learning about marine animals, reducing the use of plastics, choosing sustainable seafood, and supporting conservation projects can all help create positive change.

World Oceans Day 2026 at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

From Monday 1 June to Sunday 21 June 2026, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is celebrating World Oceans Day with conservation-led activities, hands-on learning and family-friendly experiences.

This year, the World Ocean Day action theme is “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet,” encouraging people to learn more about how protected ocean spaces can help safeguard marine life and support a healthier ocean.

At SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, you can dive into the wonder of the ocean, meet incredible marine animals and discover simple ways your family can help protect our blue planet.

During your visit, you can discover:

• local conservation in action through our partnership with Seabin
• how SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium supports the StAR Project
• hands-on activities for little ocean explorers
• sensory and craft activities with Oasense
• simple ways your family can help protect the ocean

Whether you’re planning a day out in Sydney, looking for a meaningful family activity, or wanting to help kids learn more about marine life, World Oceans Day is the perfect time to visit.

Book your visit to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and celebrate World Oceans Day with us.

See local conservation in action

World Oceans Day may be a global celebration, but protecting the ocean starts close to home.

At SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, you can discover real conservation stories connected to Sydney Harbour, Australian marine life and species around the world.

Project Seabin

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is proud to support Seabin™, an innovative project helping remove litter and pollution from Sydney Harbour.

A Seabin acts like a floating rubbish bin, collecting marine litter from the water before it can travel further through our waterways. It can help capture plastics, microplastics, fuel, oil and other floating debris.

During World Oceans Day, guests can learn how Seabin technology works, what kinds of litter are found in our local harbour, and why keeping rubbish out of waterways is so important for marine animals.

Learn more about Project Seabin

The StAR Project

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium also supports the StAR Project, a global conservation program helping protect endangered Zebra sharks, also known as Indo-Pacific Leopard sharks.

Through expert animal care, science and global collaboration, the StAR Project is working to give this incredible species a stronger future.

This World Oceans Day, guests can learn more about how SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium contributes to conservation programs like the StAR Project and why protecting marine animals takes teamwork, care and long-term commitment.

Learn more about the StAR Project.

Young Ocean Explorers

Inspire little learners to care for the ocean through fun, hands-on activities

World Oceans Day is the perfect time for kids to explore, ask questions and discover why the ocean matters.

Throughout the campaign period, families can enjoy child-friendly learning moments designed to make ocean conservation fun and easy to understand.

Activities may include storytelling, educational talks and interactive discovery stations where children can learn about marine animals, ocean habitats and simple ways to help care for the sea.

At the Ocean Explorer Station, little learners can get hands-on with ocean-themed activities while discovering how they can become young champions for marine life.

Learning Through Play with Oasense

This World Oceans Day, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is partnering with Oasense, creating sensory and craft-based activities for children.

Designed to encourage creativity, curiosity and connection, these activities give families a relaxed and engaging way to explore ocean themes together.

Children can create, play and learn while discovering why our ocean matters and how small actions can help protect marine animals.

Activities will run daily during the World Oceans Day celebrations, with experiences designed to be flexible, fun and accessible for young guests.

Simple ways families can help the ocean

You don’t need to live by the beach to help protect the ocean. Little changes at home, at school or on a family day out can all add up.

Here are a few simple ways to get started:

Bring reusables when you head out

Pack a reusable water bottle, lunchbox or shopping bag to help reduce single-use plastics.

Put rubbish in the bin

Litter can travel through streets, drains and waterways before reaching the ocean. Always bin your rubbish and encourage kids to do the same.

Learn about microplastics

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that can be difficult to remove from the environment. Learning what they are and where they come from is a great first step in understanding how to reduce plastic pollution.

Choose sustainable seafood

When buying seafood, look for options that support responsible fishing practices and help protect marine environments. MSC highlights sustainable seafood choices and ocean education as practical ways people can support healthier oceans.

Support conservation projects

Learning about conservation, donating where possible or supporting organisations that protect marine life can help make a difference.

Visit SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Meeting marine animals up close can help kids understand why the ocean is worth protecting. A visit to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is a fun way to learn, explore and be inspired.

Dive into World Oceans Day at SEA LIFE Sydney

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium offers a unique way to experience the wonder of the ocean without leaving the city.

Located in Darling Harbour, the aquarium is an all-weather Sydney attraction where families can explore amazing underwater worlds, meet incredible animals and learn about conservation in a way that feels fun, memorable and hands-on.

During World Oceans Day, your visit becomes more than a day out. It becomes a chance to connect with marine life, discover real conservation stories and inspire children to care for the ocean.

During your visit, you can:

• come face-to-fin with sharks, rays, penguins, seahorses and more
• discover local and global conservation projects
• take part in family-friendly learning activities
• enjoy an indoor Sydney attraction in the heart of Darling Harbour
• help little ocean explorers learn simple ways to protect marine life

Plan your World Oceans Day visit

Celebrate World Oceans Day at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium from Monday 1 June to Sunday 21 June 2026.

Make a day of it in Darling Harbour and enjoy an inspiring visit filled with marine animals, conservation stories and hands-on family activities.

Whether you’re visiting for World Oceans Day itself or joining us during the campaign period, there’s plenty to discover beneath the surface.

Book your tickets online today to guarantee entry.