Don't Be Fooled by BXSea Jakarta's 4.9 Rating! Read This Before You Rush Over.
qponx
2026-02-25
Thinking about visiting the new BXSea Jakarta aquarium? This honest review gives you the real scoop behind its high rating. While it features a beautiful underwater tunnel and a fantastic jellyfish photo spot, the venue is also small for its price and gets incredibly crowded. Learn the secret behind its glowing reviews and get essential tips on when to go and how to buy tickets for the best possible experience before you dive in.
A proper aquarium has finally opened in the South Tangerang Bintaro area, and seeing the 10,000+ reviews and high score of 4.9 on Google, I thought, "I absolutely have to check this out!" So I dragged my friend along over the weekend, and the result... Anjay! I almost thought I was at a New Year's Eve night market, it was so crowded I started questioning my life choices. 🫠
To be fair, the experience was pretty good when I first went in. The environment is very new and clean, and the design is on point. That underwater tunnel[1] has to be the MVP of the whole place; watching the giant manta rays and sharks swim slowly overhead, for a moment, it really gave me a chill feeling of walking on the seabed.
And then there's the jellyfish area[2]! Girls, listen to me, this is the best photo spot. The changing lights shining on the transparent jellyfish are unbelievably dreamy, and any random shot looks like a professional photo. The penguin enclosure[3] is also pretty cute, but when I went, I don't know if they were molting, but they looked a bit "suddenly bald" hahaha. There are also mermaid shows on weekends[4], so it should be great for kids.
But! The downsides are just as obvious. First off, the value for money. The weekend ticket price is 175k per person[5], but the whole venue isn't actually that big[6]. We were taking pictures and strolling, and we finished the whole thing in about an hour and a half. For this price versus this size, I can only say it's a bit... questionable.
What shocked me the most was, on my way out, I discovered they have a little "Easter egg": if you give them a five-star review on Google on the spot, you get a free keychain. Anjay, that move is truly mantap👍. I instantly understood where that 4.9 high score came from... You know what I mean. 😉[7]
So, is this place actually worth visiting? I've summarized it for you, so you can decide after reading!
Editor's Guide to Avoiding the Pitfalls (Grab your notebooks and take notes!)
Alright, that's all I have to say. Whether you go for it or not is up to you! For those who have been, come share your thoughts in the comments section! 👇
- Choosing the right day is key: A lesson learned the hard way, absolutely do not go on weekends or public holidays! It's packed shoulder-to-shoulder, and the air conditioning feels non-existent, so the experience plummets[8]. If you want to take good photos and nongkrong, make sure to go on a weekday morning.
- Ticket-buying tips: Don't just foolishly queue up on-site! Buy your tickets in advance on their official website or a travel app. Not only might it be cheaper, but you'll also save time from queuing[9]. Remember, tickets are for single entry, so you can't re-enter once you leave.
- A note for moms: This place isn't very friendly for families with babies. I walked around and couldn't find a nursing room or a diaper changing station[10], so you'll need to prepare in advance.
- Photo etiquette: To protect the little animals, do not use flash when taking photos! Although there aren't many staff members enforcing this, we should be considerate on our own.
- Manage your expectations: Don't imagine it to be a giant like Singapore's S.E.A. Aquarium. Think of it as a quaint little spot inside a mall, perfect for an hour or two of "edutainment" with the kids, and your mindset will be much better.
- In the underwater tunnel, giant rays & sharks glide right overhead. An immersive, totally chill experience [1].
- The Jellyfish Zone is a photo paradise! Shifting lights on translucent jellies create a dreamy vibe for Insta-worthy shots [2].
- The 4.9 rating's “little easter egg”? Leave a 5-star review on-site for a free keychain. Clever, right? [3].
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