Sealife Centres are amazing across the UK, but Blackpool's is so conveniently placed that it instantly earns a star before you've even set foot across the threshhold! The fun fronting, complete with mermaids, is in keeping with the shiny happy seaside nature of Blackpool's Promenade, and can't fail to lure you in. Once inside, it's a fair size, and for the standard price of about 14 pounds for an adult and under a tenner for a child you can get lost for hours in here. From sharks to delicate little seahorses, the Sealife Centre is split into different "oceans", so you can explore creatures of the deep blue according to location. I adore the massive tank tunnel you can walk under, since it allows you to gaze in wonder at the sharks over your head. Unless you were a diver with a death wish, when would you ever be able to afford that experience otherwise? The coral creatures are equally as beguiling, with their fascinating vibrant colours. I've been here a few times with my family and I've always enjoyed it. The staff are really friendly, and if you arrive at the right time of day you can get the chance to become interactive. I once had a starfish curled around my hand during one of the lecture times. Absolutely awesome, it's a true asset to Blackpool and is one of the main components of why Blackpool's promenade is so great. read more

This is one of a chain of aquariums found all over the country. Their flagship exhibit, and the one you see on all the pictures, is the bit where you walk through a tunnel under a tank full of sharks. While that's great, to be honest it isn't my favourite bit of this place. For me the best bits were the ray pool and the sea horses. The rays live in a pool area where you look down on them from above. And they look back at you They are very interested in the visitors, so you can easily find yourself virtually eye to eye with one of these creatures as it raises itself out of the water to watch you. The seahorses are amazingly diverse, from classic seahorse shapes to some that are quite incredible. Other exhibits show the variety of life found in various watery environments (including that off the coast of Blackpool), and a display of shark egg cases with live baby sharks visible inside. Definitely an excellent aquarium, with lots to see. read more

I think SeaLife Blackpool is probably the best chain aquarium I have ever visited. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, the exhibits are really interesting and largely interactive: great for kids. Each year the attraction gets a new exhibit, and parts of the displays get a total overhaul. For 2008, the newest exhibit is 'Suckers' in honour of their housing their first ever hexapus: Henry (an octopus born with only 6 legs due to the effect of sea pollutants - but don't worry he's happy and healthy, but maybe a little shy!) Their collection of seahorses is extensive, and visitors are encouraged to assist with the aquarium's data collection on these fascinating little creatures. The most famous exhibit here has to be the shark tunnel, themed with a sunken pirate galleon. The cafe is pretty basic, and slightly overpriced, but as you could probably onle spend a couple of hours in here, you probably won't need to use it. There is a small kids soft play area for the little ones, and the gift shop is bright, colourful and overflowing with stuff children seem to love! read more

This is a nice place to take the children if you're in the area - but I do think it's way over priced for what it is. They have some really nice displays and the children love walking round looking at all the different fish. We've been a few times, and the children have always enjoyed it. I have to say, though, since I went to the Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire, I don't think I'd bother with the Sea Life Centre anymore - it's just not in the same league. Mustn't forget - it has a cafe and of course a gift shop! read more

This is an excellent way to pass the time and keep the children busy. The exhibits and range of ocean dwelling critters are fantastic. Beautiful fish with fantastic colours. DON'T just wander around aimlessly, read the information on each of the tanks, read the text on the walls this way you will learn something as well as passing time. Time has been taking to make this information informative and interesting just take time to read it. read more

This is an excellent way to pass time, especially with the kids and especially if the good old british weather hits Blackpool! There are so many beautiful fish and sea creatures its not just the kids who are quiet in fascination here. I would just say though, if you've been to any of the other sea-life centres you maybe a little disappointed in comparison, but it is on a much smaller site and would still recomment a visit. read more

The sea life centre in Blackpool is not as good as some I have visited but it is better than others and the long and the short of it is that it is worth a visit. Kids will love it where as adults may get bored sooner, it is expensive to visit but I think it is almost worth what you spend and if it is bad weather as it so often is in Blackpool then this is as good a place to visit as most available. read more

It cost around £25 pound for the 4 of us so it wasnt bad in price. The staff couldnt do enough, they were so helpful and know there job! They were so willing to explain about the fish etc and guide you round. The new pirate ship was great a pirate tells a story my 3 year old thought it was fantastic, his imagination ran wild! It is so nice to see that the sealife centre not only entertains but teaches about conservation, environment and effect on our sealife by how we live our lives. read more

I've been to various Sea Life Centres in the UK including the main purpose-built national one in Birmingham and the older Victorian-era one in Brighton. I have to say I found the Blackpool one the best, even though the Birmingham one is supposed to be a showcase. It's quite pricey to get in but you can usually find discount vouchers out there, especially at various Blackpool B&Bs - if you're not staying in one trying calling at the tourist information centre and they'll probably have some kind of discount voucher. I found the staff to be the friendliest here, which is typical of Blackpool, and walking underneath the shark tank is really exciting. I like the interactive section where you could touch some of the sealife. It's all very well-organised and informative. read more

At first i was a little wary of going to the Sealife Centre, i dind't really think it was going to be my thing. I was very worried about the price as it does seem very expensive for what you think it is. After putting all that aside we decided to go. I was very surprised with how good it was. The layout is good and ensures that you don't miss anything. The staff are very knowledgable. Throughout the day they put on talks about the various types of fish, i found this very interesting but felt that it was a bit too much at times for young children. Overall it's a very good day out. read more

Compared to many other sea life centre's I did find that this one was quite poor. Feeding time at the sharks seemed a rather poor affair, and i hope they are fed much more substantially after the crowds have gone home. Wasn't an overly clean experience, and not massively disabled friendly, or push chair friendly for that matter. There was a lift, but by the time you've seen the sign for it, you've already pushed your way through the incredibly heavy door and I;'m not sure you can even go back in that way. The octopus room was good, but added on at the end almost as an after thought, and the music was far too loud in there to be able to stay in for long and actually enjoy the experience. We saw many exhibits with dead fish in, which certainly somewhat soured the experience read more

i have visited this sealife centre a few times over the last year, mostly due to having a number of buy one get one free vouchers. if i didnt have them i wouldnt have been atall as i find £12 per adult very steep. The aquaurium is right on the sea front near the tower, there is no specific parking but there is lots avaialable within the town at a cost. the aqurium is on the first floor but there is a lift for prams and wheel chairs. it is accessible inside with ramps aswell as steps. Its clean and well maintained and very informative. there are regular talks about the marine life aswell as quiz question for kids. at the end of the aquarium theres a free play area with seperate toddler section, a cafe and a gift shop and toilets. the way out is via a large amount of steps but you are permitted to exit via the entance and use the lift if you need to read more

I find sealife centres so interesting and fun but relaxing too i go to Blackpool 2 or more times a year and i always visit the sealife centre theres so much going on and a new exhibit every year so it never gets old and its price is very reasonable please pay this a visit its worth it read more

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There are hundreds of fish, crustaceans and more. I got to feed the Blonde Manta Rays and there were scuba divers who swam (and scratched the bellies of!) sharks. It is definitely someplace that big and little kids alike would enjoy. read more

The Sealife Centre is located just slightly further along than Blackpool Tower on the main stretch and so if you can't find it just head for the tower and you'll stumble upon it eventually! Queues can often be quite long, i think we waited about 30 minutes and that was on a rainy weekday! So is probably best to get their early to avoid queuing. Once inside there are some really interesting and exciting things to see, with the bridge where the sharks swim above you a particular highlight. However it seems that the cafe and shop takes up more room than some of the aquariums and for the price you pay i'd recommend you visit Blackpool Tower instead which once inside also has an aquarium. It may be smaller than sealife centre but the Tower also has alot more to offer besides and I think is probably more value for your money. read more

The sea life centre is pretty expensive ,even for a family of four discount. We paid near enough £35 for what amounted to only 45 minutes entertainment. If you are looking for relaxing 45 minutes though then this is the place to go. The numerous tanks offer fish from all around the world, which unless you are a millionaire you will never get to see all the different fish in there natural enviroments. Each tank has a plaque attached informing you of the fishes natural habitats and feeding requirements. At the end of the tour there is an area set aside where you can actually handle various sea animals, such as jellyfish and eels.all under the expert guidance of an assistant who gives an informative talk on each animal. If the price was lower then I would have given this 5 stars,but sadly that is not the case. read more

Very expensive. Poor value for money

A great place for kids as they can get close to the tanks and watch the fish. Was expensive but you do expect this with it being at a seaside resort but overall i would say it was good value and the sharks were the best part. read more

Not an awful lot there for the money. Does not take very long to go round. Small cafe and shop at the exit. Poor value.The children I took around were not too impressed.Quite expensive. read more

The kids will enjoy it, but it's not very big and it is rather pricey for what you get really. Would be ok if you could use a voucher to make the overall cost lower. It's very easy to find on the front and always seems to have lots of visitors. There is a cafe and a gift shop which are a bit over priced, too. read more

Sea life centre blackpool - well, what can i say, its amazing, the fish are fabulous, the sting-rays are supurb. and the star fish are stunning. if i could give the sea life centre 10*s a would, its amazing, a defo must see. And i wouldnt call it dear read more

I visited Blackpool Sea Life Centre just over a year ago & thoroughly enjoyed it. It took about 3 - 4 hours to have a good look around everything & there was many educational plaques around the place. Blackpool Sea Life Centre had made an effort to make it just that little bit more different & exciting. It was a very busy day when I went & although that's good for trade, it was very cramped & the queues to see various attractions were fairley long. All in all, it was well worth the money & a fun day out for all the family. read more

I remeber when I went here I was only little, but I enjoyed it so much that I can remeber everything. It was so much fun there was lots of activitie to do and its really easy to take in the information. I loved all the creastures and sea life. Its a great place to go with all the family. read more

Good place to go with the kids when the weather is a little wet. Reasonably priced, and the kids just race round looking at everything. The displays are very good and very colourful. The shark tunnel is fascinating and very good. There is food on site, but this is a little pricey, but the kids soft play next to it ensures you can enjoy your cup of tea in a ittle peace read more

great place for the kids, However on the downside, like most of Blackpool its aimed at tourists, and therefore very expensive.

i went here with my family last year and going as a family was cheap there are plenty of fish to keep the kids happy and a couple of skelotons too.it takes around ten minuites to get around i would say.and the exit leads you to a ball pit which is free for the kids and an activety room. read more

an ideal place to take the kids, especially if its raining. it is expensive though. it cost us nearly £30 for 2 adults and a child, and that was with a buy one get one free voucher. 2 groups of people infront of us walked out when they found out how much it cost, so i'd advise looking out for a discount voucher if you really want to go. fantastic for kids, as they can get up close to the tanks. they have stopped the touching of the fish which is a shame, as i use to love the rock pools, and picking up a star fish or crab. the displays are amazing, these include an amazon rainforest, full of tanks filled with piranahs. it is quite scary, my little boy wouldnt let go of me walking through there. they have a huge pirates display with a seating area where they tell a tale of the sea, with a view of a MASSIVE tank, filled with sharks and sunken treasure, which is what you see when you walk through the glassd tunnel after the talk has finished. they have a new octopus exhibit which is great for the kids, it is really bright and colourful. where ever you go in the sea life centre there is always a member of staff there to ask any questions you may have. they also advertise the times of when they feed the fish, so you can watch that. there is also a photo opportunity near the main entrance, to get a pic of your family in the mouth of a shark, which you can then buy at the exit. after the octopus tanks, you come out into the gift shop. here you can find soft toys, sweets, models, kitchen ware and clothing. there is also a soft play are and a cafe, ideal for a sit down after the walk round the centre. id suggest taking your time reading the info and really looking into the tanks, to get your moneys worth. it is a nice treat though, and a guaranteed child pleaser read more

It is just ok. The one in Birmingham is better in our opinion. Blackpool's is quite small and can be done in half an hour max (we've been twice with different sets of children). Very pricey and not as interesting. read more

this is a great place to vist with all the family. the place is full of sealife and is an intresting place. there is the sharks, the stingrays, the fish and the information you can gather on the sealife that you will find there. read more

I would not go out of my way to bring the children here again. It's much louder than the other sea life centres, the tanks aren't as well lit and I believe we saw dead fish during our visit. On the positive my daughter loved watching the shark feeding and got to touch a manta ray. Overall not something to come out of your way for read more