The building's architecture was inspired by a drop of water, intended to represent the fluid nature of the sea.
The museum complex spans over 25,000 square meters of total floor area.
It features a large-scale replica of the Joseon-era 'Tongsinsa' ship used for diplomatic missions to Japan.
The aquarium system utilizes a specialized circulation process to maintain the health of its diverse marine exhibits.
The site was constructed on the former location of the Busan International Cruise Terminal.
The National Maritime Museum of Korea is the country's third-largest museum, specifically designed to showcase the history and industry of maritime activities. The facility is housed in a distinctively curved, vessel-shaped building located on Yeongdo Island. Visitors can access a three-level aquarium tunnel featuring local marine life and coral reef displays. The permanent exhibition halls cover themes ranging from maritime history and naval vessels to marine biology and ocean exploration. A specialized children's museum is integrated into the facility to provide educational maritime experiences. The exterior grounds include a waterfront park that offers views of the Busan Harbor Bridge and the surrounding coastal landscape. The museum serves as a cultural hub for ocean-related research and public maritime education in South Korea.
The glass-walled atrium overlooking the harbor with the Busan Harbor Bridge in the background.
Focus on the upper floors first to work your way down through the historical exhibits.
Check the daily schedule at the main lobby for interactive science demonstrations held in the Children’s Museum.
Allocate extra time for the outdoor coastal walking path, which is often less crowded than the indoor halls.
Attempting to see everything in a single visit without prioritizing specific maritime history eras or the aquarium.
Closed every Monday and on New Year's Day, Seollal, and Chuseok holidays.
Maintain a quiet volume inside the aquarium tunnel and exhibition halls; flash photography is prohibited near the fish tanks.
