The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, England, is the largest aquarium in the United Kingdom. Opened in May 1998, it aims to connect people with the ocean and foster an understanding of marine environments.
Exploring the Exhibits
The aquarium is organized into four main zones: Plymouth Sound, British Coasts, Atlantic Ocean, and Blue Planet, offering a journey from local waters to global marine ecosystems. The Plymouth Sound zone features 17 tanks, including a rock pool and a wave tank, showcasing approximately 80 species of fish and invertebrates native to the area, such as local sharks and rays. This exhibit highlights the diverse habitats found along Plymouth’s coastline.
Moving through the British Coasts, visitors encounter the Eddystone Reef exhibit, the largest native marine life display in Britain. This tank provides views of creatures found on the Eddystone reef, including conger eels, mullet, pollack, bream, smooth hound sharks, flatfish, rays, lobsters, and crabs.
The Atlantic Ocean zone contains the UK’s deepest tank, holding 2.5 million liters of water and housing around 1,000 Caribbean fish. This exhibit features nurse sharks, lemon sharks, sand tiger sharks, barracuda, southern stingrays, and tarpon. The “Ocean Drifters” exhibit within this zone displays moon jellies, Japanese sea nettles, and upside-down jellyfish.
The Blue Planet zone includes the Biozone and the Great Barrier Reef exhibits. The Biozone highlights the biodiversity of the world’s oceans, featuring unique creatures such as longhorn cowfish, lionfish, giant Pacific octopuses (Enteroctopus dofleini), and various seahorses. The Great Barrier Reef exhibit, the aquarium’s second largest tank at 700,000 liters, is home to over 70 species of colorful fish.
Tips for Your Visit
The National Marine Aquarium recommends pre-booking tickets online, especially during peak periods, to ensure entry. While walk-ins are possible, admission is not guaranteed without a reservation if the aquarium reaches capacity. Opening hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, with last entry at 4:00 PM. During school holidays, the aquarium may open earlier, at 9:30 AM.
A day ticket purchase includes a complimentary annual pass, allowing unlimited return visits for 12 months from the purchase date.
Ticket prices are:
- Adults: £26.00
- Children (ages 3-15): £16.00
- Seniors (60+) and Students: £23.00
Children under 3 receive free entry.
The aquarium is wheelchair accessible throughout, with ramps and lifts connecting different levels. Manual wheelchairs are available for loan. Disabled parking spaces are available at the rear of the aquarium. The closest general parking is at Harbour Car Park, a short walk away. A visit duration is 2 to 3 hours.
Beyond the Tanks: Conservation and Learning
The National Marine Aquarium operates as a registered charity under the Ocean Conservation Trust. Its mission focuses on marine conservation through engagement, research, and education. It was the first UK aquarium established specifically for these charitable aims. The organization actively pursues various conservation and research projects, including seagrass restoration, breeding programs for marine species, and initiatives like the “Plymouth Plan for Plastics.”
The aquarium also offers educational programs and experiences for visitors of all ages. This includes curriculum-linked education sessions and opportunities to learn about ocean literacy and marine citizenship. The Ocean Conservation Trust collaborates with institutions like the University of Plymouth to develop educational materials and training programs. The aquarium participates in rescue efforts, providing a permanent home for injured marine animals that cannot be returned to the wild.