Family day out: Visiting Sea Life Brighton
It’s not often that my daughter’s knowledge outstrips my own – although I’m sure this will be happening more and more over the years. But a dedicated obsession with Octonauts means my three-year-old can identify a spider crab at 20 paces… as I discovered at Sea Life Brighton.
review visit/contains affiliate links*
Frankly, even if she’s wrong, she’s so convincingly positive that I’m ready to agree. So if there’s an aquarium within scampering distance of our hotel, it’s on our list.
I’d been to Sea Life Brighton on a previous trip to the city, before Minnie made her appearance and had a fantastic time there. So when Holiday Inn invited us back to the seaside, that was one Brighton family attraction we weren’t going to miss. Especially given the rainy weather forecast.
The world’s oldest operating aquarium, it’s right on the seafront in a historic Victorian building. So even if the 150 different creatures don’t capture your attention, the unusual architecture is an added bonus.
With the high arches lit in a rainbow of different colours, it all contributed to a rather fun effect (if some slightly mood-lit photos/video…).
And even though part of the centre was closed for emergency construction during our visit – we still had plenty to entertain us for several hours, without going to any of the feeding demos or talks.
UPDATE: Three new areas launched in 2016, followed by a string of additions since then, including a £2.7 million upgrade to open new exhibit Day & Night in 2019.
Visitors can experience 24 hours on a coral reef, home to black tip reef sharks, nurse shark and two green turtles, among 840 different creatures, as they walk through an ocean tunnel on a journey from daytime to nighttime on the reef, seen through a 5 metre window.
There’s also a behind-the-scenes option and glass-bottomed boat taking you into one of the tanks above a glass tunnel, if you want a few extras. All together, you could very easily spend a whole day here.
But as we didn’t have a full day to spare, we kept it simple – which still kept Minnie very happy and gave a good taste of everything there is to do.
Following the main route, armed with a little booklet of activities such as stroking a starfish and answering conservation questions, she collected a string of stamps along the way (although was mildly aggrieved that the closed section meant she couldn’t get her complete set, and has already insisted we return another day).
The aquarium is divided into sections for different habitats or creature types, starting with smaller tanks as well as some rather clever versions which let children go ‘inside’.
A small tunnel takes you in to a dome, not unlike being inside a old-fashioned diving helmet, so you’re right in the heart of the exhibits.
I couldn’t fit in with her and Minnie wasn’t convinced about staying in solo, but it was a big hit with some older kids visiting the same day.
Leading past our old friends the stingrays, terrapins galore, piranhas and poison dart frogs, you reach the glass tunnel itself.
I always find these quite mesmerising, watching sharks, a huge green turtle and another big ray float gently around, fish floating and flitting between them.
Sadly the seahorses were in the closed section, but we did at least have a spot of time travel to finish our visit. Well, virtual time travel.
Jurassic World takes you back to the age of the dinosaurs, and how the seas would have looked so long ago, including those creatures which have survived from the depths of prehistory.
There are also a few games where you can grab a joystick and try feeding virtual creatures (including a plesiosaurus) although that was also a bigger hit with slightly older visitors.
But even for a three-year-old (perhaps especially for a three-year-old!) the combination of dinosaurs and the sea was a definite hit.
Then out into the shop, where Minnie’s attention was so distracted by the enormous range of fluffy marine life toys and snapping shark heads on sticks that she totally failed to spot the Octonauts merchandise on a shelf nearby.
Armed with new facts about mudskippers (rather than any more plastic CBeebies toys), we both left with a smile.
Need to know: Sea Life Brighton
Under-threes are free and you can save if you buy tickets online in advance, with rates from £16 for kids and £19 for adults. There’s a 10-minute time slot or you can also buy anytime tickets.
There are also annual passes available. The behind-the-scenes tour costs extra. The aquarium is open daily from 10am to 5pm with last admission at 4pm.
For more ideas for days out with kids in Brighton and family attractions, check out my list of the top 15 things to do in Brighton with kids as well as my top things to do in Sussex with kids
PIN FOR LATER: VISITING SEA LIFE BRIGHTON
Disclosure: Our tickets were courtesy of Sea Life Brighton. All opinions and spider crab trivia are our own. This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission
All images and video copyright MummyTravels
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We visited Birmingham Sealife in the October half term holidays. The exhibits looked amazing like they do at Brighton but it was so busy we did not really have the chance to enjoy them. Your photos are great Cathy, it is so difficult to take decent photos against glass in a dark room!
Ah thank you! I’d love to visit the Birmingham one too – I can imagine how busy it gets though.
aww Sealife is probably one of my favourite indoor aquariums. Even though we have a few other ones really close I would rather travel to Sealife x
It is rather special isn’t it – definitely worth the trip.
What a clever girl she is obviously interested in Aquarium species! I love the rainbow lights adorning the architecture it is beautiful!
It amazes me how much she remembers sometimes – and this one is definitely a fun aquarium to visit with her.
I’ve heard good things about Sea Life Brighton – I love the idea of the glass bottomed boat. Shame the seahorses weren’t open for show. Monkey would love it here.
I know, my daughter loves the seahorses too – but still a great day out.
I have only been to Birmingham and it was just to busy. We have family in Worthing so may try the Brighton one in the summer when we visit.
I’ve heard that from a few people – I’m not sure how Brighton is in school holidays, to be fair, a wet Monday in January is never going to be quite so busy. A good one for the list though.
I really loved the video and the music. It was fantastic and something I hope to learn to do. Sealife Brighton sounds and looks great and visiting a place like this is on our bucket list for the year! Angela
Thank you! That music always makes me think of the beach – and Brighton definitely has that bonus along with the aquarium.
Even though we live in Pembrokeshire, on the coast, we don’t have a Sealife! This one looks such a great place to visit – Pickle loves the Octonauts too – was there an Immortal Jellyfish there at all? 😉 Great review. Kaz x
That is definitely a missed opportunity on such a lovely coast. No immortal jellyfish this time 😉 Although that’s one I’d be fascinated by too! Thanks x
The coloured arches are iconic to my childhood! Shame that the sea horses were shut last time we visited it was the octopus. Its such an old setting I think they are continually trying to improve the experience. The lion fish are Monkey’s favourite he knew what they were at 18 months old he was that fascinated by them. Glad you had a great time x
The octopus was too unfortunately (or hiding!) – as you say, it’s such an old building there’s always so much to do and a January weekday is the best time I suspect. My daughter loved the lion fish too 😆
You can’t go wrong with an aquarium- my daughter loves them…although not sure her knowledge is quite as good as Minnie’s. I love the sound of the interactive displays and the glass-bottomed boat too. Great to know it’s completely set up for kids! Will have to pay it a visit. #citytripping
They really are fascinating for kids aren’t they – my daughter still talks about the one we visited in Cornwall last year too. I’m sure Mrs T would love Brighton as well.
I haven’t been to sea life for year, but there is so much to learn for kids. We keep saying we will visit the Cheshire one but haven’t got around to it yet x
I hadn’t realised there was one in Cheshire too. They are so great with kids. x
It’s a good Sealife isn’t it? I’ve been a handful of times, and it’s always a good experience. Charlie particularly loved meeting the Octonauts (his absolute heroes) 😉
It is great, isn’t it. We haven’t managed to visit one with the Octonauts although Birmingham is on the list for that. I think my daughter might explode with excitement 😀
My girls go crazy over any aquarium and this one would surely captivate them – I agree, the architecture looks pretty amazing too…those rainbow colors are incredible!
It is a lovely one – my daughter loved the lights here too 🙂
A great description of your trip – I felt like I’d been there with you! It sounds like a great aquarium to visit and something else to add to my list of things to do in Brighton.
Thanks! It is a lovely one, Brighton has so much to do but this definitely tops my list.
Octonauts is a brilliant way of teaching children about marine animals and fish and sounds like Minnie loved seeing them at Sea Life Brighton. I love those rainbow lights – so pretty. What a shame the starfish were in the closed section. The Jurassic World section sounds like it was interesting though.
It is, isn’t it – I think I’m learning plenty too! And the Jurassic World section was a nice unusual addition too.
looks like a fun day out. We visited sealife in porto and in melbourne. The kids love these sights.
Very fun, thanks – I think an aquarium is always a hit with kids.
Although we’ve been to Brighton many times, I’ve never been to the Aquarium. Always got distracted by the Lanes and the rides on the Pier. Next time I’m going to suggest a visit to the Aquarium. It looks neat!
It is! Although there’s plenty in Brighton to distract, especially when it’s sunny, so I can understand why you haven’t made it there yet.
Aquariums are so cool! I learn something new every time I visit one. Plus, it is a great way to see species native to the area. And, they are a great idea on a rainy day.
Absolutely – I’m a bit of a fan myself too.
How good is Octonauts?! My kids were obsessed with this show for a couple of years and, like your daughter, knew the names of sea creatures that I didn’t even realise existed! We’re big fans of aquariums but we’ve never been to the Brighton one, we’ll put in on the list for the next time we visit, thanks!
Isn’t it! I’ve discovered the existence of a Combtooth Blenny this morning… 😉 The Brighton aquarium is definitely worth a visit too.
As an adult with no kids, I enjoy going to underwater world aquariums 🙂 We have one in Kuala Lumpur at the Petronas Twin Towers building and that aquarium was set up a couple of years now but I still haven’t visited it! Your post is inspiring me to do just that in the next coming months 🙂 #citytripping
That’s great! I think they are fascinating at any age.
Very nice photos! I really like the rainbow arches and the crab. Looks and sounds like a great aquarium.
Thanks! It’s a lovely aquarium – and the rainbow lighting is a very fun twist.
I am quite sure we could spend a whole day here, yes. I wonder how we’ve missed it whenever we’ve been in Brighton. I must say I’m impressed it’s the world’s oldest.
To be fair, Brighton has a lot of other tempting distractions. I hadn’t realised this one had such history before either.
I really love the sea life centre, justing popping by again from #CityTripping thank you so much for hosting xx
Thanks for linking! (And commenting again)
I love Brighton aquarium, I even remember going there on a school trip when I was a kid, back then they even had dolphins! We haven’t been in a long while, but I’m glad I read this post as my daughter turns 8 next month and we are hoping to take her to the London Sea Life centre. Kids knowledge always amazes me. Sarah #whatevertheweather
That sounds a very fun birthday treat. It always amazes me how my daughter can remember what an angler fish looks like but apparently not how to put her socks on 😉
Oh wow what a fantastic aquarium. It looks bigger to ones that I’ve been in before. There is something so peaceful about aquariums. I’ll definitely make a note of this one for next time i’m in Brighton. Thank you for sharing your adventure with #whatevertheweather xx
There is, isn’t there – low lighting and just the sound of the water (and a few excited preschoolers). This is a lovely one, I think.
It looks like an amazing place to visit for a few hours, a shame about the closed section, but you’ll just have to take Minnie back on another day! It looks like there is a lot going on there to see. Interesting that it’s so old as well, I never really thought of sea life centres being old before. The dinosaurs and Sealife section sounds a bit more unusual, great to get kids to understand that dinosaurs roamed the sea as well as land.
Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x
Definitely – we never need much excuse to go back, but I would have loved to see the giant octopus and seahorses too.
We live in Brighton so my little boy has been to the Sealife Centre a couple of times (I also have a similar post) and it’s perfect for a rainy day. Polly
It’s lovely, isn’t it – and thanks for letting me know about the linky, will definitely be over to check that out!