Ocean research has a long tradition in Kiel with outstanding international findings in the late 19th Century. The Geomar Institute operates world-wide in all ocean basins, specialising in climate dynamics, marine ecology, biogeochemistry, and ocean floor dynamics and circulation. The Aquarium of the Institute is small with only 16 basins with species from all around the world, but nevertheless worth a visit. Highlight of the aquarium is without a doubt the seals, which can also be observed in their external basin all year long. Open daily: 9am – 6pm