Las Palmas: Poema del Mar aquarium skip-the-line ticket

What you will see

Poema del Mar is the aquarium of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, run by the Loro Parque group. It's laid out as 35 ecosystems running from freshwater to the deep ocean, split into three main areas.

The Jungle

Rivers, deltas, mangroves and the Amazon rainforest, with freshwater species.

Arrecife

A recreated coral reef and the most striking piece of the visit: a 400,000-litre water cylinder you can walk all the way around, with tropical fish swimming around you.

The deep sea

The final area, with the huge curved window onto the main tank, where you'll see sharks and rays, plus a deep-sea exhibit with around 3,000 specimens of up to 40 species. El Veril shows the species of Canary Islands waters, the same ones you'd see diving around the island.

How it works

Pick your date, show your booking at the ticket office and go straight in without queuing to buy. The ticket is valid all day and the route is self-guided: there's no guide and no set visiting time.

Practical tips

• From Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés it's about 50 km to the port of Las Palmas, by car or by bus. Spend the rest of the day in the city: the Vegueta old quarter or Las Canteras beach.
• It's the perfect plan for cloudy or calima days, when the beach doesn't appeal.
• Canary Islands residents get a special price at the ticket office, so this ticket isn't worth it for them.
• Under-3s go free.

Who I recommend it for

• Families with children, especially on non-beach days.
• Anyone staying in Las Palmas or spending the day in the capital.

Who I don't recommend it for

• Anyone who doesn't want to see animals in captivity.
• Visitors based in the south with only half a day: the journey eats up much of the time.