Overview
Exploris is the only public aquarium in Northern Ireland, and the part worth planning a day around is the seal sanctuary. Rescued pups are nursed here from the day they arrive until they’re fit for release, and the sanctuary is set up so you can watch the process; adopt a pup and you can follow its recovery, including after it’s gone back to the sea. The building sits on The Rope Walk in Portaferry, County Down, right on Strangford Lough, an hour’s drive from Belfast down the Ards Peninsula.
The indoor route runs from local species out to the tropics; the outdoor area holds the seals, otters, penguins and a few surprises. If you only have an hour, spend it on the seal sanctuary and the underwater tunnel through the new Ocean Tank.
The tanks and the tunnel
The galleries open with the water immediately outside the door: native Irish Sea and lough species, with panels on the Viking heritage of Strangford Lough and on the tides that shape it. The lough’s narrow mouth funnels one of the strongest tidal flows in these islands through the channel twice a day, which is why the marine life here is what it is. Keeper-staffed touch-pools let you handle starfish, sea urchins and crabs.
The set piece is the Ocean Tank, the largest at 250,000 litres, with an underwater glass tunnel that puts you beneath the sharks and rays. From there the route warms into the Tropical Ocean zone, where the coral reef displays hold over 100 species – clownfish, seahorses, neon gobies. Keepers run feeding sessions and short talks through the day on filtration, coral and the state of the world’s reefs.
The seals and the outdoor animals
The seal sanctuary is built around a large, naturally graded pool where rescued pups swim and rest under veterinary care until they can be returned to the wild. Around it: two families of Asian short-clawed otters, Humboldt penguins on their rocky bank, and – in the refurbished duck pond – Hector the capybara, who does very little at his own pace. The picnic area runs a seasonal BBQ and ice-cream service in good weather.
For families
This is a genuine full-day option with young children. The two-tier, aquatic-themed soft play has separate zones for babies, toddlers and juniors up to eight, with slides, ball pools, climbers and swings. A stamping trail marked on the aquarium map sets trivia questions and rewards kids for finding the stations. School and youth groups can book curriculum-linked programmes. Quiet sessions run daily from 16:00 to 17:00 for anyone who wants the galleries at a lower volume.
Eating, and a night at the aquarium
The Kraken Bar & Grill is fully licensed and does a bistro menu built on local suppliers, down to home-made scones. The more unusual option is the Night at the Aquarium, held every Saturday evening: a fully guided after-hours tour followed by a three-course meal in the licensed Kraken Restaurant, booked separately from day admission.
Getting there
Take the A20 from Newtownards down the peninsula, or come across on the Strangford–Portaferry car ferry (foot passengers and cars) and drive up – Exploris is signposted from the village. The ferry crossing is short and turns the approach into part of the day out.
Parking is the one thing to plan around. The venue’s own car park is small; there’s public parking in the park next to Exploris, and more spaces throughout Portaferry. The Portaferry Visitor Information Office, inside the aquarium reception, has maps, local literature and a touchscreen if you’re building a day around the area.
Close by are Castle Ward with its gardens and woodland walks, Portaferry Castle, Strangford Bay Alpacas, and the Winterfell Tours Game of Thrones filming locations – all within a short drive.
Practical information
- Opening hours – Apr–Oct 10:00–18:00 (last admission 16:30); Nov–Mar 10:00–17:00 (last admission 16:00). Check before travelling in winter.
- Admission – Adult £6.90, child (4+) £4.00, concession £4.00, family (2 adults + 4 children) £20.00 at the time of writing. The family ticket is the best value for a group.
- Accessibility – Fully accessible throughout: wheelchair hire, two lifts, level pathways, and accessible toilets including an adult changing room.
- Dogs – Not permitted; assistance animals are welcome.
Exploris first opened in 1987, closed in late 2014, and reopened in August 2016 after a £1.5 million refurbishment. For current event listings and ticket availability, see the official site at https://www.explorisni.com/.