
Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings
Discover a vibrant underwater world at Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings, featuring an immersive tunnel with sharks and reef fish.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, calmer atmosphere

Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings
Best Time
Fewer crowds, calmer atmosphere

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover a vibrant underwater world at Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings, featuring an immersive tunnel with sharks and reef fish.
"Absolutely worth it for the knowledge, atmosphere, and joy of being up close with amazing marine life."

🎯 Book Tickets Online
Save time and potentially money by booking your Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings tickets in advance online.
🚶♀️ Explore with an Explorer's Guide
Enhance your visit with the Explorer's Guide booklet for fascinating facts about marine life.

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Underwater Tunnel
Main exhibit
Walk amongst sharks, reef fish, and rays in this immersive tunnel experience.

Diverse Marine Life
Various tanks
From colorful clownfish to majestic sharks and curious seahorses, discover a world of underwater wonders.

Interactive Displays
Throughout the aquarium
Engage with fascinating facts and learn about the ocean's inhabitants with informative guides.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Key for a Smoother Visit
Accessibility and Family-Friendly Features
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Tickets Online
Save time and potentially money by booking your Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings tickets in advance online.
🚶♀️ Explore with an Explorer's Guide
Enhance your visit with the Explorer's Guide booklet for fascinating facts about marine life.
👶 Great for Little Legs
The aquarium's manageable size makes it ideal for babies and toddlers.
♿ Accessible Experience
Mostly accessible, with helpful staff ready to assist if needed.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Tickets Online
Save time and potentially money by booking your Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings tickets in advance online.
🚶♀️ Explore with an Explorer's Guide
Enhance your visit with the Explorer's Guide booklet for fascinating facts about marine life.
👶 Great for Little Legs
The aquarium's manageable size makes it ideal for babies and toddlers.
♿ Accessible Experience
Mostly accessible, with helpful staff ready to assist if needed.
📸 Capture the Moment
While photos are encouraged, the real magic is experiencing it in person.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings for its engaging exhibits, particularly the immersive underwater tunnel and the variety of marine life. The staff's helpfulness and the aquarium's accessibility are frequently highlighted as positives. While some note the ticket price, most agree the experience offers good value and a delightful afternoon out, especially for families.
"I really enjoyed our visit, the staff were compassionate and knowledgeable on the species they cared for on site. We were lucky to see a feeding and I would highly recommend. The site is accessible for the most part, but may require planning if stairs need to be avoided. However, the staff are quick to help without needing to be asked and it makes the whole experience feel welcoming and supported."
Niamh Kerr
"Hastings Aquarium is such a wonderful experience, especially if you’re a nature and marine life lover like me. I picked up the Explorer’s Guide booklet, and it really enriched the visit – giving interesting facts about the different species and making the whole journey even more engaging.
There’s a fascinating variety of creatures to see: from jellyfish, crabs, prawns, seahorses, and sharks, to stingrays, starfish, eels, octopus, lobsters, turtles, and even clownfish and other colorful tropical species. Each tank is well presented, and you can take your time learning about the animals while enjoying the calming atmosphere.
The facility itself is well thought out – there’s a well-maintained toilet, easy access to fast food joints nearby, and a car park close to the seashore which makes visiting very convenient. What really stood out to me was the picturesque view of the mountains and coastline around Hastings, which adds to the overall experience when you step outside.
Yes, the ticket price might feel a little high at first, but once you’re inside, it’s absolutely worth it for the knowledge, the atmosphere, and the joy of being up close with such amazing marine life. I’m uploading plenty of videos and photos to capture the experience, but nothing beats seeing it in person. Highly recommended for families, couples, or anyone who loves the ocean!”"
Lemmy Morgan
"Lovely afternoon with grandchildren. The aquarium is full of interesting fish and reptiles. Lovely place to visit, followed by a walk into Hastings. Perfect few hours. Chips on the beach. Close to the beach, shops and restaurants. Recommend a visit."
Jan West
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings is located at TN34 3DW. Parking is available to the rear, though charges apply. It's also conveniently close to the beach, shops, and restaurants in Hastings.
Yes, there is parking available to the rear of the Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings, but please note that charges apply.
The aquarium is easily accessible by public transport as it's located in Hastings, which has good bus and train links. It's also close to the seashore.
Hastings is well-connected by train and road. If you're coming from further afield, consider checking train schedules or driving routes for the most convenient option.
Yes, the aquarium is close to the beach, shops, and restaurants in Hastings. Visitors often combine a trip with a walk into Hastings town.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Ticket prices can vary, but reviews suggest it's worth the cost for the experience. Consider looking for multi-ticket options if you plan to visit other attractions like the castle and Smugglers Cove.
While specific discount codes or 2-for-1 vouchers aren't detailed in the provided information, it's always worth checking the official Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings website or local tourism sites for any current offers.
Booking tickets online in advance is recommended to save time and potentially secure your entry, especially during peak seasons.
Opening hours can vary, so it's best to check the official Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings website for the most up-to-date information before your visit.
Yes, you can visit again the same day as your initial entry, which is great if you want to revisit your favorite exhibits.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can see a fascinating variety of creatures including jellyfish, crabs, seahorses, sharks, stingrays, starfish, eels, octopus, lobsters, turtles, and colorful tropical species.
Absolutely! It's described as the perfect size for little legs, not too big or overwhelming, making it great for babies and toddlers.
The site is accessible for the most part, and staff are quick to help if stairs need to be avoided, ensuring a welcoming experience.
Yes, you might be lucky enough to see a feeding, which is highly recommended for an enriched visit.
The underwater tunnel offers an immersive experience where you can walk amongst sharks, reef fish, and rays, providing a unique perspective.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there is a cafe on-site where you can have lunch.
The aquarium is conveniently located near fast food joints and other restaurants in Hastings, and you can also enjoy fish and chips on the beach.
Information on bringing outside food isn't explicitly stated, but with an on-site cafe and nearby eateries, there are plenty of options.
The cafe offers nice lunch options, and it's a convenient place to refuel during your visit.
While specific prices aren't listed, the cafe is mentioned as a convenient option for lunch during your visit.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, you can take photos and videos to capture your experience. Many visitors upload their content to share.
No specific restrictions are mentioned, but it's always good practice to be mindful of other visitors and avoid flash photography that might disturb the animals.
The underwater tunnel offers a unique perspective for photos with sharks and fish swimming around you.
The lighting can be a challenge in some areas, but with a good camera or smartphone, you can capture some great shots of the marine life.
A smartphone camera is usually sufficient for capturing memorable moments. If you're serious about underwater photography, consider a waterproof camera.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider bringing the Explorer's Guide booklet to keep kids engaged with fun facts about the creatures they encounter. The on-site cafe offers a convenient spot for a bite, or you can opt for classic fish and chips on the nearby beach for a true seaside experience.
couples
Combine your visit with a walk along the nearby beach or explore the shops and restaurants in Hastings for a complete day out. The aquarium is also a great spot to capture some memorable photos together, especially in the immersive tunnel.
Budget Travelers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Underwater World
Beyond the main attractions, the aquarium showcases a fascinating variety of species including jellyfish, crabs, seahorses, eels, octopus, and lobsters. Each tank is thoughtfully presented, encouraging visitors to learn about the different animals and their environments. The Explorer's Guide booklet is a recommended companion to enrich the visit with interesting facts and details about each species.
Recent collaborations, such as the one with Hastings Kelp Project, indicate a commitment to marine conservation and education. This partnership aims to establish growth tanks, display tanks, and a laboratory, further enhancing the aquarium's role in marine science and awareness.
Planning Your Visit: Practicalities and Tips
For families, the aquarium's size is a significant advantage. It's described as being perfect for little legs and not overwhelming for babies and toddlers, making it a stress-free outing for parents. The on-site cafe provides a convenient option for lunch, and there are also numerous fast-food joints and restaurants nearby, as well as the classic option of enjoying fish and chips on the beach.
While ticket prices might seem a bit high initially, many visitors find the experience to be absolutely worth it for the knowledge gained, the calming atmosphere, and the joy of seeing marine life up close. Booking tickets online in advance is a good strategy to save time and potentially money.






Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit