Exploris Aquarium

What it’s like

Seals, otters, sharks and a crocodile under one roof, with feeding times and hands-on extras like feeding capybaras or a shark encounter.

You are working your way past tanks of fish and rays towards the bit everyone remembers, the seals and otters at feeding time. There's a crocodile in there too, and sharks you can get properly close to if you book the Shark Feed Experience with the aquarists rather than just watching through the glass. For something a bit different, there's a lunch experience where you get to meet and feed capybaras, and if your child is properly obsessed with the place, Aquarist for a Day lets them get stuck into the actual work for a session.

Entry is £12, or £32 for one adult and two children, which is the sensible option if you're not going solo. Doors open at 10am and last entry is 3:45pm, so you've got a decent afternoon in even if you turn up after lunch, and it's open every day of the week. Booking's required, which is a small faff if you like to decide on the morning, but it means you're not queuing when you get there.

The Shark Shack restaurant does hot food until 4pm and the bar's open from 11am. It's fully wheelchair accessible with two lifts, and carers get a discounted ticket, though they're upfront that disabled parking spaces are limited, so plan for that if it affects you. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome with harness and ID, but it's not a general dog-friendly wander, only assistance animals get in.

Worth knowing before you build your whole day around it: some areas can close off at short notice for animal welfare reasons, so the odd tank or zone might not be open when you visit. It doesn't happen often enough to plan around, but it's the kind of thing that can catch out a promise you made to a four-year-old about a specific fish.

Facilities

Need to know

Last entry

3:45pm

Food

Licenced restaurant (Shark Shack)

Wheelchairs

Fully accessible, two lifts available, discounted carer tickets offered

Dogs

Guide dogs welcome with harness and clear identification

• Last entry is 3:45pm even though the doors stay open until 5pm
• Some areas can close at short notice for animal welfare reasons
• There's an Evening Beneath the Sea ticket at £25 if you fancy a different kind of visit
• Book ahead, walk-ins aren't the way in here

Plan your visit

Featured in 2 Huddlepin lists

See all Aquariums & Sea Life in Belfast · Things to do in Belfast