National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
What to Expect
National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
Dive into an extraordinary underwater journey at SEA LIFE Birmingham, home to the UK's only sea otters and a spectacular 360-degree Ocean Tunnel. Explore diverse marine life, from playful penguins to majestic sharks, through immersive exhibits and interactive feeding experiences. It's a fantastic, family-friendly destination for all ages, offering unique encounters and educational talks about ocean conservation.
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What People Are Saying
Visited on a Saturday with pre-booked tickets and went straight in. It was as busy as you would expect on a weekend.
Theres a route to follow and as long as you are patient in certain places you can see everything (unless creatures are hiding)
There are some additional options like photos taken and a VR experience included in the admission charge.
There is quite a bit to see and different areas.
There are toilets at the start and halfway through, there is a shop at the end but no cafe.
It takes around 60-90 mins to go round but we didnt do any photos or VR.
It does look a bit tired and dated in places and the enclosures look a bit on the smaller side especially for the Penquins and Sea Otters.
We used Tescos Clubcard vouchers to pay but our tickets would have been £55.00 which is steep for what you get but, if you used all the things offered it might seem better value for money
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Great aquarium! They have penguins and otters among lots of other sea creatures. The entire set up was very different from most aquariums. It was kind of like walking around a mountainous island. Quite interesting. Unfortunately, we paid the full price since we didn't know that it was cheaper to buy the tickets in advance.
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Quick Facts
When & Where
Birmingham, United Kingdom
The Water's Edge, Birmingham B1 2HL, UK
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Ratings & Reviews
Visited on a Saturday with pre-booked tickets and went straight in. It was as busy as you would expect on a weekend. Theres a route to follow and as long as you are patient in certain places you can see everything (unless creatures are hiding) There are some additional options like photos taken and a VR experience included in the admission charge. There is quite a bit to see and different areas. There are toilets at the start and halfway through, there is a shop at the end but no cafe. It takes around 60-90 mins to go round but we didnt do any photos or VR. It does look a bit tired and dated in places and the enclosures look a bit on the smaller side especially for the Penquins and Sea Otters. We used Tescos Clubcard vouchers to pay but our tickets would have been £55.00 which is steep for what you get but, if you used all the things offered it might seem better value for money
Great aquarium! They have penguins and otters among lots of other sea creatures. The entire set up was very different from most aquariums. It was kind of like walking around a mountainous island. Quite interesting. Unfortunately, we paid the full price since we didn't know that it was cheaper to buy the tickets in advance.
It was am awesome experience! I'll be honest when I first went in, I thought it was quite small, however it is extended at the back so it was indeed quite spacious. Easily took us 2-3 hours to explore the entire place at a slow pace with a 5 month old. The penguins were adorable at the start, the amount of fish in each aquarium space was quite adequate. I did wish we could see the otters though, only managed to catch s tiny glimpse in the room at the far back. The area with the jellyfish was so mesmerising. There were different photography stations located at multiple areas. You could take photos at each station, and at the end you could choose which pictures you'd like to buy and what package. Overall there was a lot of cleanliness, tanks were clean, the walkways were clean too. We ended up going at a busy weekend, but still could easily manage to get around with a baby pram. There was however a pram parking area, if you will, to store the prams if you'd rather do that. Definitely worth a trip.
National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham: A Submerged City Escape The National SEA LIFE Centre in Birmingham offers an engaging and surprisingly intimate exploration of the underwater world, making it a perfect family outing in the city centre. While its footprint is smaller than some coastal aquariums, it packs a real punch, particularly with its signature attraction: the UK's only 360-degree Ocean Tunnel. Walking through this clear acrylic tunnel is genuinely jaw-dropping, providing an immersive experience as sharks, rays, and the beloved giant green sea turtle, Molokai, glide directly overhead and beneath your feet. This highlight alone justifies the visit, offering incredible photographic moments and a true sense of being submerged. Beyond the ocean tunnel, key exhibits include the playful Gentoo penguins in their icy habitat and the charming sea otters, Ozzy and Ola, who reside in the Mammal Rescue Facility. Interactive elements like the rock pool, where visitors can gently touch a starfish, keep younger guests highly engaged. Other sections, like the jellyfish displays and the Clownfish Kingdom, are vibrant and well-presented. While tickets can be pricey, seeking out available discounts or utilizing combination passes with nearby attractions like LEGOLAND Discovery Centre offers better value. Allow about 90 minutes to two hours for a comfortable tour. Despite sometimes being busy, the SEA LIFE Centre remains a truly "splash hit" and a memorable journey into marine conservation and discovery.
There is a helpful little tip for visiting - in the corner of the gift shop there is a lift back up to the toilets. These are back at the beginning of exhibition so you can head round again to pick up any bits you missed! It is a great half day out with the kids. The centre feels like it could do with some updating and refresh on some of the side activities but the exhibits are all great, and the feeding / talk times flow quite well through your visit. The staff are all super friendly and helpful, our daughters especially loved the roaming pirate!
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