
Exploris Aquarium
Captivating aquarium showcasing diverse marine life, reptiles, and a seal sanctuary, perfect for family fun.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing

Exploris Aquarium
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Captivating aquarium showcasing diverse marine life, reptiles, and a seal sanctuary, perfect for family fun.
"An absolutely amazing visit, with a great range of aquatic animals and adorable baby seals!"

Take Your Time
Don't rush! Enjoy each exhibit; the aquarium is compact but packed with wonders. :stopwatch:
Seal View Cafe Lunch
Dine at the cafe for lovely food and a seal view! Reasonably priced too. :sandwich:

Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.3 · 3,045 reviews
Type
Aquarium
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Underwater Tunnel
Ocean Tank
Walk through a mesmerizing tunnel surrounded by a 250,000-liter ocean tank, offering incredible views of marine life.

Seal Sanctuary
Seal Exhibit
Adorable baby seals and adult seals are a major draw, with opportunities to observe them in their dedicated sanctuary.

'Under The Sea' Experience
New Exhibition Area
Explore five unique perspectives of sea life, both above and below the water, in this exciting new exhibit.

Penguin & Capybara Additions
New Exhibits
Discover the charming penguins and fascinating capybaras, recent and popular additions to the aquarium's collection.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Plan Your Visit to Exploris Aquarium
Family Fun & Dining
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Exploris Aquarium opens exciting new underwater exhibition
https://planetradio.co.uk/cool-fm/local/news/exploris-aquarium-opens-exciting-new-underwater-exhibition/ Experience five different perspectives of sea life both above and under the sea 🌊 🐠 🐚 A new `Under The Sea’ experience is open at the Exploris Aquarium in Co. Down and…
Take Your Time
Don't rush! Enjoy each exhibit; the aquarium is compact but packed with wonders. :stopwatch:
Seal View Cafe Lunch
Dine at the cafe for lovely food and a seal view! Reasonably priced too. :sandwich:
Exploris: Northern Ireland's only aquarium to remain open as Executive secures funding for Portaferry attraction
Can someone who is familiar with it explain why I should visit? Is there still a Ferry? That's a selling point in itself. I'm assuming it's more than a half hundred weight of frogspawn and 4 goldfish and one of them wee black fish with the bulbous eyes.
Went to Exploris last week and I must said that I was pleasantly surprised, definitely will recommend it
I haven’t been in ages! What’s it like now?
Kid's Soft Play Area
Little ones will love the dedicated soft play zone. Perfect for a break! :child:
Interactive Map
Kids can collect stamps on their map as they explore. Fun and engaging! 🗺️
Planning for a holiday.. on the Ards Peninsula?
So, I'm not from anywhere near the area and this would be my first visit to NI. Why am I planning this? I have a stressful job. I just want to go somewhere very far away from home so I can completely get my mind off things for a bit. My general plan is: 1) Fly into Belfast 2)…
Tips
from all over the internet
Take Your Time
Don't rush! Enjoy each exhibit; the aquarium is compact but packed with wonders. :stopwatch:
Seal View Cafe Lunch
Dine at the cafe for lovely food and a seal view! Reasonably priced too. :sandwich:
Kid's Soft Play Area
Little ones will love the dedicated soft play zone. Perfect for a break! :child:
Interactive Map
Kids can collect stamps on their map as they explore. Fun and engaging! 🗺️
Gift Shop Finds
Reasonably priced souvenirs and ice cream available in the gift shop. 🍨
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Exploris Aquarium for its engaging exhibits, particularly the underwater tunnel and seal sanctuary. The family-friendly atmosphere, complete with a soft play area and interactive stamp map, makes it a hit with younger guests. The cafe's seal view and reasonably priced offerings are also frequently highlighted as positive aspects of the visit.
"We loved our visit. We took our time walking around and had lunch in the cafe.
I advise you to take your time and enjoy each area. There is a small soft play for younger children which is great too but the main attractions of the sea life, seals, penguins and other animals are greet to view. I would definitely recommend eating lunch in the cafe as it was really lovely and you get a view of the seals from the cafe. We also bought a few things in the gift shop as it was reasonably priced ice-cream is also sold in the gift shop.
Great family day out 😊"
Crew C
"What an absolutely amazing visit to aquarium. Took our 3 month old granddaughter and here face was an absolute picture she loved the under water tunnel . Great range of all aquatic animals and seeing the baby seals was so cute. A great couple of hours was had very well recommended"
Craig Schonenberger
"It was a good experience and some very interesting sites. The aquarium is quite small so does not take that long to go round. There is a soft play area for the smaller children and a lovely restaurant that is reasonably priced."
C MCV
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Exploris Aquarium is located in Portaferry, County Down. Visitors can reach it by car, with parking available. Public transport options include bus services, though check schedules in advance as they can be less frequent. The scenic drive through the Ards Peninsula is also part of the experience.
Yes, there is parking available for visitors at Exploris Aquarium. It's generally convenient for those arriving by car.
Absolutely! Exploris Aquarium is a perfect destination for a day trip, especially for families. It's compact enough to explore thoroughly in a few hours.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Opening hours can vary, so it's always best to check the official Exploris Aquarium website or their social media pages for the most up-to-date information before your visit. Generally, they are open daily.
Ticket prices can vary based on age and any special offers. It's recommended to check the Exploris Aquarium website for current admission fees and to book tickets in advance, especially during peak seasons.
While not always mandatory, booking tickets in advance is often recommended, particularly for weekends and school holidays, to guarantee entry and potentially save time queuing. Check their website for booking options.
Exploris Aquarium may offer discounts for children, seniors, students, or family packages. Keep an eye on their website or inquire directly about any available promotions.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The main attractions include the impressive underwater tunnel, the seal sanctuary, a variety of marine life exhibits, reptile displays, and the 'Under The Sea' experience. There's also a soft play area for younger children.
Yes, Exploris Aquarium is highly recommended for kids! It features a soft play area, interactive elements like the stamp map, and engaging exhibits that fascinate children of all ages.
Most visitors find that Exploris Aquarium can be explored thoroughly in about 2-3 hours, making it a perfect half-day outing. You can spend longer if you wish to linger at exhibits or enjoy the cafe.
Yes, Exploris Aquarium offers interactive elements, such as a stamp map for children to collect stamps as they journey through the exhibits, adding an engaging layer to the visit.
The 'Under The Sea' experience is a newer feature at Exploris Aquarium, offering visitors five different perspectives of marine life, both from above and below the water, providing an immersive encounter with the ocean's wonders.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, Exploris Aquarium has a cafe that offers a range of food and drinks. It's a popular spot for visitors to refuel during their visit.
The cafe typically serves a selection of meals, snacks, and beverages. Visitors have praised the food as 'lovely' and 'reasonably priced'.
Yes, one of the highlights of the cafe is that it offers a view of the seal enclosure, allowing you to watch the seals while you dine. This is a unique and enjoyable feature for visitors.
While specific menus can change, most cafes at attractions aim to offer a variety of options. It's advisable to check the current menu at the cafe or inquire about vegetarian or vegan choices upon arrival.
📸 📸 Photography
Generally, photography for personal use is allowed inside Exploris Aquarium. However, it's always a good idea to check for any specific signage or ask staff about restrictions, especially regarding flash photography which can disturb the animals.
The underwater tunnel offers spectacular photo opportunities with marine life swimming all around you. The seal enclosure and the various themed exhibits also provide great backdrops for memorable pictures.
When photographing through glass or water, try to avoid reflections by positioning yourself at an angle. Using a lens cloth to clean the glass can also improve image clarity. Avoid using flash, as it can startle the animals.











Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit