Sealife Brighton
Sealife Brighton
Marine Parade,
Brighton
Sussex BN2 1TB
Tel: 01273 604 234
About Sealife Brighton
Sealife is a network of innovative centres across the UK, Europe and beyond that operate both as a family attraction and great family day out, and also as a conservation and education organisation. Sealife helps millions of people to discover the marine world through its coastal sanctuaries, such as Gweek, in the West Country, and its hi-tech, all swimming all dancing centres in Birmingham, Great Yarmouth, Blackpool, Brighton, Scarborough, Weymouth and Loch Lomond. Each Sealife centre helps to safeguard the seas and their inhabitants for the future and for all of us, by sponsoring conservation efforts and through increased public awareness among visitors on their family day out.
Dedicated Sealife projects include regular contributions to conservation and marine animal welfare schemes, and a special programme to manage and develop these activities: Save Our Seas – S.O.S.
Among the Sealife SOS success stories this millennium are a petition that led to a heavy fine for the Greek government and forced it to improve protection for nesting beaches for Loggerhead Sea Turtles on its coastline; a petition that helped to bring about a ban on the shark-finning industry in European national waters; pressure to reduce the slaughter of dolphins and porpoises in fishing nets and to implement overall cuts in fishing quotas; and funding for a new turtle rescue centre on the Greek island of Zakynthos. Ongoing Sealife campaigning includes an effort to eliminate rogue fishermen dodging EU quotas by flying flags of convenience.
Other Sealife work at its centres includes the creation of a spacious enclosure for families of Asian short-clawed otters, allowing them the freedom and enjoyment that visitors get from a family day out at Sealife. A ticket will also allow access to seahorses and the research done on them that has cast serious doubt on their much-vaunted monogamy! And that’s not the only family attraction at this family attraction!
There’s the rapidly growing Sealife seal rescue network for common and grey seals, and a ground- (or is it sea) breaking programme of shark conservation, which had rehabilitated the creatures both literally and in the public psyche. All of these things, and much more besides, make a visit to any Sealife centre an intriguing and informative family day out. Just the ticket for an all year round family attraction that the weather can’t spoil.
Sealife Brighton is on the Marine Parade of the Suffolk coast resort and is the biggest Sea Life Centre in the country, as well as the oldest operating aquarium in the world. Housed in a redoubtable Victorian edifice, it’s considered by connoisseurs of marine conservation to be among the world’s finest, and it’s certainly a grand family day out. A ticket to Sealife Brighton opens up a plethora of marine marvels, with 57 exhibits including a tropical reef and an underwater tunnel from which to view creatures like turtles, sharks and rays.
Among Sealife Brighton’s Tropical Reef are over 150 species, including black-tipped reef sharks and a pair of giant sea turtles (one weighing in at 27 stone!), not to mention its own shipwreck. The walkthrough underwater tunnel provides spectacular views and extra viewing windows and a walkway over the top of the tank further impress. The same can be said for the populations of pre-historic Horseshoe Crabs, Decorator Crabs and Giant Japanese Spider Crabs, plus Lion fish and other exotic species. Additionally, The Kingdom Of The Seahorse has rockpool displays teaming with life, and the resident piranhas provide a blood-curdling sight – just the ticket!
The family attraction engages in conservation work, and the daily feeding of juvenile rays as aprt of the entry ticket makes for an unforgettable experience and a family day out to tell friends about. Adding to the wow factor are opportunities to handle sea crabs, learn about the shoreline and observe schools of sea bass. The ticket also features The Victorian Explorer, which allows the visitor to take a Journey Into The Ocean via The Submarine.
The main aquarium hall itself, at nearly 70 metres long, is a wonder of the Victorian era, housing a Victorian Tea Room serving hot and cold drinks and snacks, as well as housing a Souvenir gift shop. Originally opened in 1872, the Aquarium was designed by Eugenius Birch, designer of Brighton’s West Pier, and cost £130,000.
Sealife Brighton’s monumental hall features an arched, domed ceiling, ornate ironwork and back-lit tanks that add up to a unique gothic splendour, reputedly haunted by at least one ghost!
Among the more down to earth (and underwater) sights of the variegated family attraction are a sandy seabed, an old harbour, a Titanic disaster exhibit, a children's play area and Education centre with painting and clay modelling, and Captain Nemo's Nautilus. Regular feeding sessions and informative talks are available, adding up to an educational and splendid family day out.