The Institute of Marine Science at Burapha University is both an aquarium and a research body, and the displays lean academic in a way commercial aquariums do not — labels give scientific names, habitats and the animal's role in the system rather than just a common name.

What is on show

• Tanks arranged by Thai marine ecosystem — reef, shallows and deeper water
• A walk-through fish tunnel in the newer building
• The jellyfish gallery, which is what most people photograph
• A natural history museum holding preserved specimens and skeletons

When to come

Open Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays. It is the obvious fallback on a wet day or when the sun makes the beach unbearable, and takes one to two hours to walk.

Admission is modest compared with private aquariums, but prices and hours change — check with the institute before you travel.