Description

The Ultimate Undersea Safari
There's a world of underwater adventure just waiting to be discovered at the award winning Blue Reef Aquarium. Enjoy close encounters with graceful sharks and rays. Stroll among the colourful inhabitants of a coral reef in a spectacular underwater tunnel. Meet our family of adorable otters in their riverside home and come face to face with some of the world’s most amazing amphibians from deadly poison dart frogs to curious iguanas.

More than 40 living displays bring the wonders of the aquatic world to life. With informative talks and feeding demonstrations the aquarium is a spectacular experience whatever the weather.

Blue Reef is a great place for visitors of all ages to discover more about the wonders of the deep.

Don’t miss

Blue Reef Nursery
Blue Reef’s dedicated team of aquarists is actively involved in pioneering captive breeding programmes for a wide range of native and tropical species. Our Nursery displays provide the perfect environment from everything from captive bred clownfish to special coral propagation units. Other recent breeding successes include sharks, rays, seahorses, pipefish, banggai cardinal fish, cichlids, cuttlefish and many more.

Local Species
Blue Reef celebrates the incredible diversity of British marine life. Our seas are amongst the richest and most diverse marine habitats in the world and this exciting feature highlights many of our unsung local heroes – including colourful cuckoo wrasse, ‘walking’ gurnards, bizarre pipefish and giant conger eels.

Tropical Paradise
The centrepiece of the aquarium is the spectacular coral reef housed within a giant ocean display. Hundred of other brightly coloured creatures populate this bustling undersea city. You can enjoy really close encounters from inside the amazing underwater walk-through tunnel running through the centre of the reef.

Special Events
Blue Reef has a busy calendar of events to keep the whole family entertained. Among the 2006 programme you could follow a treasure trail during Pirates Weekend, learn more about protecting seahorses, sign up to save sharks, take part in a beach clean or create a piece of fishy-themed artwork for October’s Big Draw. A full programme of events can be found on the website.

Facilities

• Seafront Cafe
• Gift Shop

Prices

• Adults: £9.40
• Children: £7.40 (3 - 14)
• Under 3s: free
• Senior: £8.50
• Student: £8.50
• Family: £30.80 (2 Adult and 2 Children)
• Family: £38.00 (2 Adult and 3 Children)

Directions

By road:
Follow the brown signs from the M27/A27 to the seafront. Local signs along the seafront will direct to the Aquarium.
For satellite navigation use the postcode PO5 3PB.
Car parking is along the Esplanade.

By Public Transport:
Trains - to Portsmouth Harbour Station

Bus - The 700 bus from the interchange at the Harbour Station will drop you off at the Aquarium. Alternatively buses to Southsea Centre from anywhere in the city will bring you to easy walking distance.

Air - the nearest airport is Southampton at Eastleigh, trains run from the airport to Portsmouth

Opening Times

Open daily from 10am - only closed on Christmas day.