Photo: Chensiyuan (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Aquariums in Dorset
Sharks, rays and rockpools — the aquariums near Dorset make a brilliant all-weather day out — think Tropical lagoon, Rainforest and Harbourside. Distances and reviews below.
Aquariums
18.7 mi from Dorset
Oceanarium
The Oceanarium is a tropical aquarium on Bournemouth's seafront, home to sharks, a loggerhead turtle, otters, jellyfish, clownfish and a colony of Humboldt penguins. You can walk t...
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Where to stay near Dorset
Places to stay within easy reach of these days out.
More around Dorset
Itineraries
- A weekend in Bournemouth: an accessible itinerary · 2 days
- A weekend in Bournemouth with the kids · 2 days
- A weekend in Bournemouth · 2 days
Haunted Britain
Make a day of it
Aquariums are the classic wet-weather fallback, so they're busiest on rainy school-holiday days — go early or late for a quieter tank-side view.
See everything on one page with things to do in Dorset, or turn the day trip into a break with places to stay in Dorset.
Frequently asked questions
How far are these from Dorset?
Every attraction shows its distance from Dorset — most families find up to 30 miles workable for a day out, and the list is sorted nearest first.
More ways to explore
Not booked yet? See the best places to stay in Dorset.