News - Exploris Aquarium & Reptile Visitors Centre & Seal Sanctuary

Vulnerable Loggerhead Turtle in care at Exploris Aquarium

Thu 17th January 2019

On the early hours of Monday morning the seal rescue team at Exploris Aquarium made the 5 hour journey from Portaferry to Co.Donegal to follow up on reports of a very lost loggerhead turtle which had been washed up on the beach.

‘Seal’ you later Loki, Freya and Juno!

Wed 31st October 2018

On Sunday morning the public and the Exploris Aquarium seal rescue team gathered at Knockinelder beach, Co.Down to say farewell to common seals Loki, Freya and Juno. They were released back to their natural home after being successfully rescued and rehabilitated at the Exploris Aquarium seal sanctuary. The recovered seals had been saved from various…

It’s a boy… and 3 girls for the Exploris Aquarium otter family!

Thu 9th August 2018

Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary are currently celebrating their third otter litter, which is the largest they’ve welcomed to date. On the 26th June Asian Short Clawed Otter, Sungari, gave birth to 4 healthy pups. Now 5 weeks old the news had been kept under wraps to protect the new born and ensure that all…

Adopt A Seal Pup

Thu 19th July 2018

Adopt a seal pup today and help the rescue and rehabilitation of seal pups who visit the seal sanctuary in Exploris Aquarium, Portaferry. This is the perfect gift for animal lovers as your adoption will help fund the seal pups journey through rehab.

Otterly Beautiful, as Exploris Otter Family Continue to Grow

Tue 2nd January 2018

Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary is delighted to confirm that our family of Asian Small-Claw Otter’s has had a new addition to their family.

Lobsters are One in a Million at Exploris Aquarium

Mon 11th December 2017

Our white lobster is effectively an Albino, lacking any ability to produce any pigmentation. The white that we see is the natural colour of the shell. Most crustaceans produce a shell made from calcium carbonate (limestone) which is white in appearance.

Hans and Albert epic journey to the North Coast

Seals Epic Journey To The North Coast

Wed 29th November 2017

Exploris Aquarium along with support from DAERA and the Conservation Team at the Coastal Zone in Portrush will release 2 seals (Albert and Hans) into Ballintoy during a low tide to give them the best start to their new life in the wild.

Tourism NI award Exploris Aquarium a five star visitor attraction rating

SEAL OF APPROVAL FOR EXPLORIS AQUARIUM & SEAL SANCTUARY AHEAD OF HALLOWEEN’S ‘FISHY GOINGS ON’

Wed 25th October 2017

Tourism NI has awarded Northern Ireland’s only aquarium and seal sanctuary a five star visitor attraction rating.

HRH, Duke of Kent welcomes 150,000 visitor to Exploris Aquarium

Sat 22nd July 2017

Exploris Aquarium, Portaferry enjoyed a double celebration today (20 July 2017) when it welcomed its 150,000 visitor during an official visit from HRH, The Duke of Kent. The hugely popular Aquarium has enjoyed an incredibly successful year of operation since it reopened to the public in August 2016 following a £1.5M refurbishment. Funding was provided…

Common Seals George and Teacake who were successfully released back into Strangford Lough as part of last season’s programme

Exploris talks ‘common’ sense at the ‘common’ seal pupping season

Wed 5th July 2017

We are now in the ‘common seal’ pupping season. Do you know what the correct protocols are in the event that you encounter a potential sick or injured seal?

Reviews

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

5.0

2016-11-10T12:26:36+00:00

Joyce Willis

https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/very-impressed/

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

5.0

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 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

4.0

2016-10-19T11:10:01+00:00

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/

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

5.0

2016-11-10T12:37:57+00:00

Claire Lindsay

https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/really-enjoyed-it/

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

5.0

2016-10-10T16:07:39+00:00

Arlene McAteer

https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/a-great-day-out/

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

5.0

2016-11-10T12:34:50+00:00

Patricia Mulholland

https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/friendly-helpful-staff/

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

5.0

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 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

5.0

2016-11-10T12:36:18+00:00

N. Johnston

https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/great-work-exploris/

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

5.0

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/

The all new aquarium is absolutely brilliant...it has something for all ages! Definitely worth a visit!

WhiteRockSocks

Exploris Aquarium Northern Ireland Tourist Attraction

5.0

2016-10-19T11:09:33+00:00

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/

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

5.0

2016-10-10T16:14:10+00:00

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/

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

5.0

2016-10-19T11:08:51+00:00

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/

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

5.0

2016-10-10T16:10:23+00:00

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/

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

5.0

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/

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

5.0

2016-11-10T12:39:57+00:00

Hannah Acheson

https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/could-see-from-the-pram/

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

5.0

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/

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

5.0

2016-11-10T12:43:40+00:00

Sinead Fleming

https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/loved-all-of-the-animals/

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

5.0

2016-11-10T12:46:26+00:00

Joe Harris

https://www.explorisni.com/testimonials/definite-improvements/

4.9

The No Picnic Rule

Reviews