Many years ago I got into Seaquarium for free. I didn't intend this, it was just that the entrance was bit chaotic and before I knew what was happening I was inside. The entrance has now changed so there's no chance of sneaking in anymore, however when you pay you get your hand stamped and this stamp allows you to leave and re-enter again as many times as you like on that day.
As has been mentioned in previous reviews admission to Seaquarium is not cheap. Prices are adults £7.99, children £6.99 or a family ticket £27.99 for 2010. Too be honest it's not worth that much. Fortunately the weekend before I visited with my daughter I picked up a copy of a free events magazine called "Raring 2 Go" which included a voucher to get free admission for a child with a paying adult so we paid a far more reasonable £7.99 for both of us.
UPDATE - You can also download a printable 2 for 1 voucher from the Raring 2 Go website (http://www.raring2go.co.uk/offerMenu.php?#offers) .
As the name suggests the aquarium is devoted to sea creatures rather than freshwater animals. You'll see a variety of fish including lion fish, clown fish, sharks, rays and conger eels. Other exhibits include crabs, lobsters, starfish and octopi.
There is also an outdoor area with sealions and seals. Shows are put on at set times during the day and there is a seated area if you want to watch. This is actually quite good, I've seen the sealion show at Colwyn Bay Zoo several times and it can be difficult, especially for small kids, to find a decent viewpoint there. The banked arena here means that there is no problem with seeing the display.
The aquarium is set out as a trail and the final section takes you through the underwater tunnel where you can watch the fish, including sharks, swin over your head.
As you leave the underwater tunnel you find yourself in the middle of the canteen. Presumably the idea is to encourage you to stay for lunch. You can also have a browse in the gift shop which is next to the canteen.
All in all an expensive but enjoyable hour or so but if you are planning to visit my advice would be to visit the Tourist Information Centre beforehand and try to find a copy of 'Raring 2 Go". I'll give it four stars but would have been three if I'd had to pay full price. read more