Aquariums · County Down
Exploris Aquarium
📍 BT22 1NZ
Photo: Ardfern (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons
- See seals at the seal sanctuary
- New Under the Sea Experience open
- Touch pools with dogfish and sting rays
- See sharks, otters, rays and a crocodile
- Guided tours available for groups and schools
Exploris Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary is an aquarium in Portaferry, County Down, where you can see seals, sharks, otters, turtles, penguins, rays, reptiles and a crocodile, plus touch pools where you can handle dogfish and sting rays. There's a new Under the Sea Experience, along with guided tours suited to families, school groups and other organised visits. It's open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last admission at 3:45pm, and quiet sessions each morning for those who prefer a calmer visit. The Kraken Bar & Grill on site serves food from 11am. If you're planning a longer stay in the area, there are 2 bookable places to stay within 5 miles on BritStays.
Practical details
- Open
- Monday to Sunday, 10am–5pm, last admission 3:45pm
- Booking
- Book online to guarantee entry
- Best for
- Families and school groups
- Accessibility
- Quiet sessions offered daily
From the attraction's own website on 20 Sep 2026 — check before you travel.
Facilities
- ✓ Bar
- ✓ Restaurant
- ✓ Cafe
- ✓ Creche
- ✓ Toilets
- ✓ Gift Shop
- ✓ Guided Tours
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Make a proper break of it — these stays are all within 25 miles.
1.4 mi
2.7 mi
4.5 mi
5 mi
5.3 mi
6.4 mi
🗓️ Make a break of it
Turn a visit to Exploris Aquarium into a proper getaway — ready-made plans, and the drive worked out with fuel, EV charging and the best stops.