Family day out: Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay, Cornwall

We’ve racked up quite a few zoo visits across several countries so far. But strangely enough, we don’t seem to have managed too many aquariums (aquaria?!). Because both Minnie and I find them pretty fascinating – the corals remind me of past scuba dives, while she’s fascinated by the colours and unusual creatures.

review visit*

So the Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay was one of the highlights of our Cornwall trip – the Newquay Aquarium is set right on Towan beach with a shark tunnel and giant octopus among its attractions.

We started off on Towan Beach itself, checking for rockpools, scooping up great wet handfuls of sand (Minnie, not me) and enjoying the waves.

Then the Blue Reef Aquarium is just a few steps off the sand – also handy if you’ve got mixed weather and need somewhere to find somewhere in Newquay in the rain quite quickly!

There are talks and events throughout the day, so it’s worth trying to time your visit – I’d had the octopus feeding recommended, so we headed down for lunchtime.

The aquarium itself is divided into different sections over two floors, from local Cornish sea creatures to more exotic marine life found in the Amazon, cold and tropical seas.

There’s a system to guide you round so you don’t miss anything, although it’s easy to wander back if you want to catch a particular talk or feeding session, as we did with the Giant Pacific Octopus.

So I’ll start there, as that was a huge highlight. Peering into the tank originally, we thought we’d identified a tentacle or two – but when feeding time started, and the giant octopus started to unfurl and glide through the water, I realised we’d been looking at completely the wrong thing.

You wouldn’t think you could miss a giant octopus but she was evidently very well camouflaged.

Ed, the keeper, gave a fascinating talk while we watched, telling us all about this particular two-year-old.

They only live until around five or six, so she’s more middle-aged than toddler, but with a distinct sense of mischief. As strong as two adults, she could pull a person into her tank – and would give it a try, according to Ed, if he was distracted.

With her three hearts, doughnut-shaped brain and blue blood, thanks to the copper in it, it really does feel like you’re discovering an alien, especially with 200 suckers per tentacle – so a whopping 1,600 in total. And despite her size, she can shrink through the tiniest gaps the size of her beak.

Living in very cold water, around 7-8C, she only needs a tiny amount of food which has to be alive – in this case, a very small crab which she rather elegantly chased and ate the meat while discarding the rest.

But if that tank alone was a highlight, there was so much else to see – seahorses (or seesaws, as Minnie calls them) for starters.

Then more lethal marine creatures including fire prawns (best name ever) and lionfish.

And a fantastic glass tunnel with sharks, turtles, rays and a whole host of fish – Minnie was fascinated walking in and being able to look at the sea life in every direction.

Not to mention countless other species of marine life from across 40 different habitats…

It seemed just right for toddlers as well – not too far to walk, plenty to look at, and ideal whether they were easily mesmerised or for shorter attention spans.

But at the same time, there’s a lot to learn for older visitors, children and adults, not to mention interactive sessions. There’s also information on conservation and a captive breeding programme, so plenty to educate all ages as well.

And, naturally, a gift shop with every stuffed furry marine animal you can think of, plus plenty of other ways to spend pocket money – before a cafe at the end. Nothing particularly exciting, but there are pasties and cream teas, as well as other snacks.

Then back onto the beach, to stare thoughfully at the endless sea and contemplate its inhabitants. Over ice cream, naturally.

For more ideas of family days out in Cornwall, check out my guide to Cornwall with kids

Need to know: Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay

Tickets cost from £14.75 for adults if you buy online and £11.35 for kids aged three to 12. Under-threes are free and there are family tickets available.

Tickets are for specific dates only. Do be prepared to queue at busy times – tickets don’t allow you to jump the queue.

The cafe has high chairs, bottle warmer and microwave. The site also says baby food is available, although I didn’t spot any myself.

The aquarium is open every day from 10am (with the exception of some public holidays) and closes at 5pm in the summer, with last entry at 4pm. Opening times vary throughout the year. There are also three other aquariums in the Blue Reef Aquarium group in Hastings, Portsmouth and Tynemouth.

Get more tips on things to do in Cornwall in the rain with kids

PIN FOR LATER: NEWQUAY AQUARIUM WITH A TODDLER

Disclosure: Our entry was courtesy of the aquarium and Visit Cornwall. All opinions and inability to spot very large cephalopods are our own.

Images and video copyright MummyTravels

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