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Exploris Aquarium & Reptile Visitors Centre & Seal Sanctuary
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The No Picnic Rule

At Exploris we have some super tasty, locally produced treats that we would love for you to enjoy during your visit.
As such, we would appreciate if you could respect and adhere to our No Picnic Rule within the Aquarium.
However for those who wish to have a picnic we have a designated outdoor area within the grounds to meet our customers’ expectations.

Reviews

Brought a 12 year old and a 9 year old to the aquarium. Both of them really enjoyed it - as did the adults. Plenty of variety to see. Staff were very pleasant and helpful. Will definitely visit again.

Claire Lindsay

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-11-10T12:37:57+00:00

Claire Lindsay

Brought a 12 year old and a 9 year old to the aquarium. Both of them really enjoyed it - as did the adults. Plenty of variety to see. Staff were very pleasant and helpful. Will definitely visit again.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/really-enjoyed-it/
The Night At The Aquarium was a fantastic evening. It was great value for money and was really interesting to see the animals at different times and levels of activity than normal. The tour was very informative and interesting with lots of facts I didn't know. Our tour guide Peter did an excellent job and you can tell he is passionate about his job. Would love to go again.

Lara M

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2020-02-07T12:40:21+00:00

Lara M

The Night At The Aquarium was a fantastic evening. It was great value for money and was really interesting to see the animals at different times and levels of activity than normal. The tour was very informative and interesting with lots of facts I didn't know. Our tour guide Peter did an excellent job and you can tell he is passionate about his job. Would love to go again.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/night-at-the-aquarium/
The all new aquarium is absolutely brilliant...it has something for all ages! Definitely worth a visit!

WhiteRockSocks

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-10-19T11:09:33+01:00

WhiteRockSocks

The all new aquarium is absolutely brilliant...it has something for all ages! Definitely worth a visit!
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/fantastic-tourist-attraction/
A return visit after refurbishment. Definite improvements - could be likened to Sea Life in London - very child friendly with a 'Disneyesque' feel and music. Staff proactively engage visitors in a friendly and fun way. Thank you!

Joe Harris

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-11-10T12:46:26+00:00

Joe Harris

A return visit after refurbishment. Definite improvements - could be likened to Sea Life in London - very child friendly with a 'Disneyesque' feel and music. Staff proactively engage visitors in a friendly and fun way. Thank you!
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/definite-improvements/
We took our three kids (8,6 & 3) and had a top time. Staff were great and even though it was quite busy they made a real effort to ensure all queries were answered from all the visitors.

Bernadette M

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-10-10T16:14:10+01:00

Bernadette M

We took our three kids (8,6 & 3) and had a top time. Staff were great and even though it was quite busy they made a real effort to ensure all queries were answered from all the visitors.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/a-great-trip-for-all-ages/
The children had a real blast! Loved every minute of it from being welcomed at the entrance to the very pleasant staff helping along the way. Superb!

Jackie Branage

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-11-10T12:32:22+00:00

Jackie Branage

The children had a real blast! Loved every minute of it from being welcomed at the entrance to the very pleasant staff helping along the way. Superb!
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/loved-every-minute/
We were able to touch the dogfish in the first touch pool and later on the sting rays. All very friendly! We loved the Nemo and Dory type fish too.

Gillian W

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
4
2016-10-19T11:10:01+01:00

Gillian W

We were able to touch the dogfish in the first touch pool and later on the sting rays. All very friendly! We loved the Nemo and Dory type fish too.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/loved-it/
Excellent day out with all the family! Would highly recommend. Staff were brilliant with children. 10 out of 10...we WILL be back!

Louise McCusker

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-11-10T12:30:57+00:00

Louise McCusker

Excellent day out with all the family! Would highly recommend. Staff were brilliant with children. 10 out of 10...we WILL be back!
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/staff-were-brilliant/
We had a great family day out with 2 adults, 14 year old, 5 year old and a baby. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the Halloween set up was entertaining for all. Great work Exploris! P.S. Great, friendly staff.

N. Johnston

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-11-10T12:36:18+00:00

N. Johnston

We had a great family day out with 2 adults, 14 year old, 5 year old and a baby. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the Halloween set up was entertaining for all. Great work Exploris! P.S. Great, friendly staff.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/great-work-exploris/
Very fun and educational, we loved all of the animals especially the beautiful seals. Had an amazing time (Halloween event) finding the clues and working out the final puzzle. Hopefully my son wins the prize. Very helpful staff - will definitely be back.

Sinead Fleming

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-11-10T12:43:40+00:00

Sinead Fleming

Very fun and educational, we loved all of the animals especially the beautiful seals. Had an amazing time (Halloween event) finding the clues and working out the final puzzle. Hopefully my son wins the prize. Very helpful staff - will definitely be back.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/loved-all-of-the-animals/
Great to have the aquarium up and running again. A brilliant interactive experience with very approachable and knowledgeable staff. Thank you.

Wes Irvine

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-11-10T12:19:33+00:00

Wes Irvine

Great to have the aquarium up and running again. A brilliant interactive experience with very approachable and knowledgeable staff. Thank you.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/brilliant-interactive-experience/
We visited Exploris today with our son & granddaughter. We were very impressed with this attraction. There was plenty to do; face painting, a treasure hunt and a talk on snakes & reptiles. The staff were all very helpful.

Joyce Willis

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-11-10T12:26:36+00:00

Joyce Willis

We visited Exploris today with our son & granddaughter. We were very impressed with this attraction. There was plenty to do; face painting, a treasure hunt and a talk on snakes & reptiles. The staff were all very helpful.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/very-impressed/
Great day out - lots to see and plenty of interaction. Kids loved the treasure hunt and staff were all very friendly, helpful and informative.

Ryan Bowes

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-11-10T12:41:39+00:00

Ryan Bowes

Great day out - lots to see and plenty of interaction. Kids loved the treasure hunt and staff were all very friendly, helpful and informative.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/plenty-of-interaction/
Fantastic day out. Lovely, well thought out and designed zones. Our 3 year old loved the Halloween event and all the little treats that he was given along the way. All the staff were so friendly and helpful. Great to see the place opened again.

Patricia Mulholland

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-11-10T12:34:50+00:00

Patricia Mulholland

Fantastic day out. Lovely, well thought out and designed zones. Our 3 year old loved the Halloween event and all the little treats that he was given along the way. All the staff were so friendly and helpful. Great to see the place opened again.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/friendly-helpful-staff/
We had a great day and would highly recommend it. The staff were helpful and friendly too.

Joanne S D M

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-10-10T16:10:23+01:00

Joanne S D M

We had a great day and would highly recommend it. The staff were helpful and friendly too.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/fantastic-day-out/
Very enjoyable day. I have a 10 year old boy and a 7 year old who had lots of fun. So much to see. Very friendly and helpful staff.

Lisa Reeves

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-11-10T12:24:52+00:00

Lisa Reeves

Very enjoyable day. I have a 10 year old boy and a 7 year old who had lots of fun. So much to see. Very friendly and helpful staff.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/so-much-to-see/
Came with my nephew who is 1 - even at that age he loved it! Especially the fish, the low level exhibitions meant he could see from the pram which was great! The staff were all lovely and helpful! Loved it and will definitely come again.

Hannah Acheson

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-11-10T12:39:57+00:00

Hannah Acheson

Came with my nephew who is 1 - even at that age he loved it! Especially the fish, the low level exhibitions meant he could see from the pram which was great! The staff were all lovely and helpful! Loved it and will definitely come again.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/could-see-from-the-pram/
We had a wonderful time, brilliant exhibits, great variety of species and an enchanting experience. Can't wait to go back again, and spend more time reading about the different species.

Marina H

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-10-19T11:08:51+01:00

Marina H

We had a wonderful time, brilliant exhibits, great variety of species and an enchanting experience. Can't wait to go back again, and spend more time reading about the different species.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/fabulous-refurbishment/
The seals and otters are great to see at feeding times and the tanks are full of fish, ray's and a shark. Theres even a crocodile who is small at the minute but was told he'd grow to 16ft. All in all I'd definitely recommend it for a fun day out.

Arlene McAteer

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction
5
2016-10-10T16:07:39+01:00

Arlene McAteer

The seals and otters are great to see at feeding times and the tanks are full of fish, ray's and a shark. Theres even a crocodile who is small at the minute but was told he'd grow to 16ft. All in all I'd definitely recommend it for a fun day out.
https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/a-great-day-out/
4.9
19
Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction

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Opening Hours

Mon-Sun: 10am – 5pm
Last admission: 4pm

Quiet Sessions
Mon-Sun: 4pm – 5pm

The Craken Cafe & Restaurant closes at 4pm

Address

The Rope Walk
Castle Street
Portaferry
BT22 1NZ

View map on our contact page

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Contacts

General Enquiries
T: 028 4272 8062
[email protected]

Groups & School Bookings
Select Option 1
T: 028 4272 8062
E: [email protected]

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