As a coastal girl you would think that the last place I’d want to visit is an Aquarium. But Sea Life Center Great Yarmouth opens your eyes to so much more than what I’m lucky enough to have right at my doorstep.
Family fun
The coastal attraction has been a long standing family attraction on the promenade in Great Yarmouth. It welcomes thousands of visitors each year. They have recently undergone some refurbishment to include a new rock pool explorer room. My kids love the fact you could get hands-on with inhabitants. It’s been an age since I’ve touched a star fish, I remember them being very common when I was a child. The other Zones are equally as impressive. Our favourites are the Ray-Dar zone and the Ocean Tunnel. I could stand there for hours watching the sharks and huge sea turtle swim over our heads. I wonder if you can guess the turtle’s name?
How long can you spend there?
This is the great thing about Sea Life Center Great Yarmouth. You can return anytime during the same day for free. We normally walk through at least twice per visit. The first time the kids are so excited to see the next bit, they don’t soak up as much as they could. There’s so much to see and do. Whatever time of year you visit, there’s an activity sheet and trail. The fact sheets are just as enjoyable for the adults too. You always leave with some interesting knowledge about what lies beneath. That being said you could easily whizz through in 40 mins if you wanted to as it’s a walk-through attraction. My advice would be to take your time, stop for the feeding talks and soak up the atmospheric soundscape, vibrant colours and beautiful creatures. It’s a great relaxing sensory place.
What else to expect
Sea Life Centre Great Yamouth is committed to conservation. You can help out by joining the Sea Life Trust or help out on a beach clean. There’s a large stand devoted to their Beluga Whale Sanctury – a world first – and the team are knowledgeable and keen to answer questions about the animals and their inhabitants. Sea Life Center Great Yarmouth is also very inclusive, sign language posters are dotted all over in addition to the information plaques and it’s very wheelchair/buggy friendly. The toilets are clean and spacious and there’s a cafe at the end. The shop is also well worth a visit and has some lovely keepsakes for a variety of budgets.
A trip to Sea Life Centre Great Yarmouth will cost you from £17.05 for an adult if you book online but they do offer some packages. Don’t forget, Sealife Center is part of the Merlin entertainment group who regularly have 2-4-1 offers online or on cereal packets, and especially during the summer. Ask your local travel provider and other tourist information points too about any offers to make your trip more affordable.
We loved Sea Life Centre Great Yarmouth, it’s like therapy and is the most beautiful relaxing place. It ticks the boxes when it comes to educating our young about not just what’s under the sea but what effect we are having on it and what positive choices we can make to ensure we protect it for future generations. We always have lots to discuss over chips on the way home.