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Your guide to SEA LIFE Aquariums
Everything you need to know about the UK's favourite aquariums
The premier aquarium around the UK, SEA LIFE centres have devoted themselves to teaching visitors all about aquatic life and conservation. With over 50 locations around the world, including ones at Alton Towers and Legoland Windsor, SEA LIFE seeks to show guests all that our oceans have to offer. From sharks to jellyfish to coral reef inhabitants, there’s an aquarium near you with a host of creatures for you to learn about and see up close. Here is everything you need to know about SEA LIFE before your big trip to the oceanic abyss.
What is SEA LIFE Aquariums?
What types of animals can you see at SEA LIFE?
Experiences at SEA LIFE Aquariums
Ticket types and costs
Food and drink options
Is SEA LIFE accessible?
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Getting to SEA LIFE
What is SEA LIFE Aquariums
History
The first SEA LIFE centre opened in Oban, Scotland in 1979, under the ownership of David Mace. It was the first of its kind, and its success led to the openings of SEA LIFE centres in Weymouth, Portsmouth, St. Andrews, Hastings, Hunstanton and Great Yarmouth by the 1980s. By the 2000s SEA LIFE had expanded to include some of the UK’s most well-known aquariums, including the historical Brighton Aquarium, London Aquarium and Blackpool.
Present Day
There are over 50 SEA LIFE Aquarium locations worldwide, with 15 of those in the UK. Lovers of marine life can enjoy aquariums, seal sanctuaries, and other marine conservatories across the country.
What types of animals can you see at SEA LIFE?
You can see the following marine animals at SEA LIFE:
- Sharks – Each branch of the SEA LIFE Aquariums has an assortment of species of sharks that guests will be able to see, such as Black Tip Reef sharks, Sand Tiger sharks, Nurse sharks, Zebra sharks and more. Each location has a different shark line-up, so check the SEA LIFE website to find out which species live at your local aquarium.
- Penguins – There are 14 Gentoo Penguins at the London Aquarium and 17 at the SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham.
- Coral Reef Inhabitants – SEA LIFE London has the UK’s longest Coral Reef display, offering guests a chance to see living coral, as well as clownfish, yellow tangs, blue tangs and sea goldies. While the London location has the biggest coral reef display, SEA LIFE aquariums across the UK offer guests the chance to see coral reef inhabitants – check the SEA LIFE website to find out which species live at your nearest aquarium.
- Rainforest Species – Guests will be able to see Dwarf crocodiles, terrapins, Pacu fish, Leaf-cutter ants, Red-bellied Piranha, Snapping turtles and more. Check the SEA LIFE website to see what Rainforest Species live at your favourite aquarium.
- Rays – While the PR of stingrays took a hit after Steve Irwin, there is still a lot to learn about the elusive creatures. Guests can learn about Native Thornback, Blonde and Painted Rays at SEA LIFE Birmingham; Honeycomb Whiptail Rays and Blue Spotted Stingrays at SEA LIFE Blackpool; and Cownose Rays at SEA LIFE Manchester.
- Piranhas – Guests can see Red-bellied Piranha at SEA LIFE London, Blackpool and the SEA LIFE centre at Chessington World of Adventures.
- Turtles – A marine-lover’s favourite, guests can see an array of species of turtles across all SEA LIFE UK locations. Check the so check the SEA LIFE website to find out which species live near you.
- Seahorses and pipefish – Various pigmy seahorses and Pot-bellied seahorses live across the UK SEA LIFE aquariums. Plus, pipefish and seadragons.
- Jellyfish – Majestic and extraterrestrial, you can enjoy these ancient creatures across many SEA LIFE locations. Species of jellyfish at the aquariums include Moon Jellyfish, Lion’s Mane, Japanese Sea Nettle and more.
- Rockpool creatures – The rockpool sections allow guests to see and touch shark eggs, study starfish, view sea anemones and much more, with the help of a hand SEA LIFE guide.
- Octopus – Famous for their tentacles (and clairvoyant powers?), Octopus are ready and available to see up close at SEA LIFE Aquariums.
- British Water Inhabitants – Part of the conservation efforts for local waters, the British Water Inhabitants include the Undulate Ray, Gurnard fish, pipefish and many more.
Experiences at SEA LIFE Aquariums
SEA LIFE Lates
Tailored for guests aged 18 and over, SEA LIFE Lates allow visitors to experience the wonders of marine life under the night sky. Enjoy a complimentary drink on entry, with a kid-free atmosphere that lets you experience all the wildlife at a slower pace. This is available on select nights throughout the month – find out more here.
Tricks and Treats
Spend halloween with the “spooktacular” Trick and Treats team, who will teach you all about the wonders and spooky tales of the marine life around the aquarium. Trick and Treats at SEA LIFE normally runs from mid-october to early november. Find out more here.
Santa’s Grotto
Father Christmas swaps his reindeer and elves for rays and turtles this festive season, where each child who visits the grotto will leave with a present. Tickets to meet Santa cost £8.50 for all children, except Merlin Pass-holders, who can pay a discounted price of £6.50. To learn more about Santa’s Grotto dates and information, click here.
Quiet at the Aquarium
Sometimes the big crowds and music blaring from overhead speakers can be a sensory overload for guests. For people who prefer to visit during quiet times, you can book tickets for Quiet at the Aquarium. This experience allows guests to come in an hour earlier, where there are fewer people around with no music playing. This experience helps accommodate guests with autism and sensory issues – find out more here.
SEA LIFE Blackpool Beach Clean
More than just an aquarium, SEA LIFE prides itself on being a hub for conservation and environmental best practices. At SEA LIFE Blackpool, people of all ages can get free tickets to the SEA LIFE beach clean and join in on the conservation efforts around the local area. To sign up for the beach cleans, email [email protected] for more information.
Ticket types and costs
There are four types of tickets available for SEA LIFE Aquariums:
- Standard ticket – Guests can book a Standard Ticket, which start from £28 for adults at SEA LIFE London, £16 for adults at SEA LIFE Manchester and Brighton, £26 for adults at SEA LIFE Birmingham, and £14 for SEA LIFE Blackpool. Children’s tickets (for guests aged 2–14 years) range from £5.50 to £28 depending on the location. Check the SEA LIFE aquarium location before booking to confirm your prices. Children under the age of two go free.
- Anytime Entry – Sometimes limiting yourself to a specific timeslot is too much pressure. For people who need more flexibility, you can book an Anytime Entry ticket, which price from £33 for adults and £30 for children (aged 2–14 years).
- Entry & VR – Enjoy a SEA LIFE virtual Reality experience to accompany your tour of the aquarium. With prices starting from £32 for adults and £29 for children aged 2–14.
- SEA LIFE & Attractions – Each location has a package ticket which includes local attractions, such as the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Shrek’s Adventure, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and more, alongside access to the aquariums. Check out the SEA LIFE website for more information.
Food and drink
London
There are no food or drink establishments inside London aquarium, and guests are asked to refrain from bringing any outside food or snacks into the venue. However, there are vending machines around building which provide light snacks and drinks.
Manchester
At SEA LIFE Manchester, you can find Ernie’s Shell Shack, which is a small coffee hut that sells hot and cold drinks, snacks and cakes. Guests are asked to refrain from bringing outside food and drink into the aquarium.
Blackpool
There is a small cafe located towards the exit of SEA LIFE Blackpool, which sells drinks and light snacks. Guests are asked to refrain from bringing outside food and drink into the aquarium.
Brighton
There is a small coffee shop opposite the Ray Pool at SEA LIFE Brighton, which sells light refreshments. Guests are asked to refrain from bringing outside food and drink into the aquarium.
Birmingham
Sea Life Birmingham does not have food and drink options on site, and guests are asked not to bring outside food into the venue.
Are SEA LIFE Aquariums accessible?
Yes, they are! Each SEA LIFE aquarium offers a free carer or companion ticket alongside a full-price ticket for guests who require accessibility provisions.
- London –You can contact the accessibility team for SEA LIFE London at [email protected] or call 0207 967 8025. For a full accessibility guide, click here.
- Manchester – Guests can contact the accessibility team for SEA LIFE Manchester at [email protected] or call 0161 749 2875. For a full accessibility guide, click here.
- Blackpool – Visitors can contact the accessibility team for SEA LIFE Blackpool at [email protected] or call 01253 621 258. For a full accessibility guide, click here.
- Brighton – You can contact the accessibility team for SEA LIFE Brighton at [email protected] or call 01273 604 234. For a full accessibility guide, click here.
- Birmingham – You can contact the accessibility team for SEA LIFE Birmingham at [email protected] or call 0121 643 6777. For a full accessibility guide, click here.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
All Merlin attractions have robust safety procedures to make sure all guests have the best experience possible. Guests will undergo bag checks prior to entry, and the following items are prohibited:
- Any weapons
- Fireworks and/or smoke bombs
- Glass bottles
- Sharp objects including knives, penknives, scissors, corkscrews and metal nail files
- Toy or replica guns
- Intoxicating liquor
- Illegal substances and/or legal highs
- Skateboards, scooters and rollerblades
- Drones
- E-scooters
Getting to SEA LIFE Aquariums
London
SEA LIFE London aquarium is located at SEA LIFE London Aquarium, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB. As it’s in central London, there is no on-site parking but the aquarium has agreements with Q-Park Car Park and National Theatre Car Park, which both offer discounted rates for SEA LIFE visitors. The aquarium is easiest to access via tube or train (Westminster, Charing Cross and Waterloo stations), or by bus.
Manchester
SEA LIFE Manchester is located at SEA LIFE Manchester, Trafford Palazzo, Trafford, Manchester, M17 8AS. You can access the venue via train into Manchester Piccadilly station, then taking either the X50 or 250 bus from Piccadilly Gardens to the aquarium. If you’re travelling by car, there is free parking located at the Trafford Centre next to the venue. You can also access the venue via tram.
Blackpool
SEA LIFE Blackpool is located at SEA LIFE Blackpool, Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 5AA. Guests travelling by car can park at Central Car Park (FY1 5QB) – prices for parking may vary. To access the venue via train, the closest station is Blackpool North, which is a 20-minute walk away. To get there via tram, guests can access any seafront tram line to the Central Pier stop, right where SEA LIFE is located.
Brighton
SEA LIFE Brighton is located at SEA LIFE Brighton, Marine Parade, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 1TB. The closest train station is Brighton Train Station, which is a 20-minute walk away from the venue. Alternatively, you can take any bus route that goes into Brighton Town Centre, then head to the seafront. If you’re travelling by car, you can park under the Waterfront Hotel, which costs £5.50 per hour.
Birmingham
The National SEA LIFE centre Birmingham is located at The Water’s Edge, Brindleyplace, Birmingham, West Midlands, B1 2HL. The easiest way to get there is by tram – the aquarium is just a 2-minute walk from the Brindleyplace tram stop. Alternatively, guests can access the venue by train (closest stations are Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Snow Hill) or by bus routes serving Broad Street. Guests arriving by car can park at either the Utilita Arena South Car Park or the Brindleyplace Q-Park.
Get tickets to SEA LIFE Aquariums here
