SEA LIFE Birmingham
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
ENTRY
from £19
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Birmingham
What it’s like
Sharks, otters and a walk-through ocean tunnel in the middle of Birmingham, all under one roof.
You walk through a glass tunnel with sharks and turtles gliding overhead, which is the bit most kids remember on the way home. There's a colony of Gentoo penguins diving about in their icy enclosure, tanks of clownfish and sea otters, and a VR experience if yours fancy a go at an underwater adventure that isn't behind glass.
It's all indoors, so a rainy Tuesday in Birmingham is exactly when to go. Everything's pushchair accessible, though there's nowhere to leave the buggy if you'd rather not wheel it round, and the site is wheelchair friendly throughout too.
Tickets are timed slots, ten minutes apart, and you have to book online before you go. Prices start at £19 online, but turn up on the day without booking and it jumps to £28, so sort it in advance if you can. Under 2s go in free. There's no café on site, but Brindleyplace right outside has plenty of places to eat once you're done.
One thing to know: once you leave, you can't get back in, so plan your visit as one straight run rather than nipping out for lunch. Weekends and school holidays fill up fast, so book those slots early.
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- 1 hour before closing
- Booking
- 10-minute timed slots required
- Food
- No on-site café. Restaurants and cafés in close proximity in Brindleyplace
- Pushchairs
- Fully buggy/pushchair accessible but no on-site storage facilities
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair accessible throughout
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs (guide dogs) permitted
- Worth knowing
- Under 2s go free
- Book online in advance; on-the-day tickets cost £9 more per person
- No re-entry once you leave, so plan for one continuous visit
- There's a Midlands Adventure Pass covering four attractions for £49, valid to 22 October
- Wheelchair access is capped at 10 at a time for groups
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
From £19 a person if you book online in advance. On the day, without a booking, it's £28.
Do we need to book ahead?
Booking online is essential, in ten-minute timed slots. Weekends and holidays have limited capacity and can sell out.
Are under 2s free?
They go in free, no ticket needed.
Can we leave and come back later in the day?
You can't re-enter once you've left, so it's a one-visit trip.
Is there parking nearby?
The aquarium sits in Brindleyplace in the city centre.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
There's disabled access throughout, and one carer goes free per disabled guest if you pre-book and bring proof of disability. Wheelchair groups are capped at 10 at a time.
What about buggies?
The whole centre is buggy accessible, but there's no storage if you want to leave yours at the door.
Is there somewhere to eat?
There's no café inside, but Brindleyplace outside has restaurants and cafés close by.
Can we bring the dog?
Assistance dogs are welcome. Other dogs are only allowed by donation request.
What if we need to change our ticket time?
You can reschedule for free up to 24 hours before your slot.
Experiences
360° Ocean Tunnel
indoorsA 360 degree walk-through tunnel where sharks, a giant turtle, rays and tropical fish swim overhead and underneath.
VR Experience
indoors
Animals
Clownfish
Gentoo Penguins
Penguins housed in the Penguin Ice Adventure zone.
Sea Otters (Ozzy and Ola)
The UK's first sea otters, named Ozzy and Ola.
Sharks
Turtles
Areas to explore
Jelly Invaders
indoorsA zone featuring a display of jellyfish.
Marine Mammal Rescue Facility
indoorsHome to the UK's first rescued Alaskan sea otters, Ozzy and Ola.
Penguin Ice Adventure
indoorsAn icy home where Gentoo penguins dive beneath freezing waters and play.
Reef Edge
indoorsA zone with a magical assortment of reef creatures.
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