SEA LIFE Manchester Review
SEA LIFE Manchester
Reviewed by Debbie Talbot
My 7 year old loves SEA LIFE and is animal mad so we have been waiting in anticipation for SEA LIFE Manchester to open. We were lucky enough to be invited to a preview event.
When we arrived we were taken inside and my daughter rushed straight over to see the huge fish tank in reception. We then had to wait a few minutes for the talk about Turtle Beach. We walked into a room to watch and listen to an interactive display about turtles and their babies. It was really interesting. Children and adults of all ages were mesmerised while the talk was going on. Once it had finished we walked through pretend water into the next room where there were real creatures.
We walked past various tanks, each which had a touch screen with details of the species inside the tank. You could touch the species on the screen to get more information about it. There were also signs throughout the attraction which educate you about what SEA LIFE is doing to protect various species and also what we can do to do so.
The educational aspect was fantastic for my 7 year old who excitedly pressed on the various screens to learn more about all the creatures on display. At one point my daughter could crawl underneath a tank and pop her head up inside it and be close to the creatures. There was also a tunnel children could go through.
There are various interactive displays throughout the attraction, for example an egg you can touch and a temperature comes up on an LCD screen. Whilst we didn’t go in the play area it looks fantastic and the toilet facilities were clean, spacious and well equipped. My daughter loved putting her hand on the turtle tank and watching the turtles try and ‘gobble’ her fingers.
My 10 month old twins were so excited to see the Stingray tank and watched the fish swimming around. They both stood up holding onto the side of the tank for ages. I loved walking through the tunnel with sharks and other creatures swimming above my head.
We didn’t go into the shop but when I peeked I saw some fantastic items which would make an ideal memento of a special trip to SEA LIFE Manchester.
The attraction is the perfect size for the children I had with me to not get bored part way through. We are keen to go again soon, in fact, one of my twins went back the next day and enjoyed another visit.
Book online from just £12 per person. (pre-opening online offer) – See www.visitsealife.com/Manchesterfor more information.
Rating: 5/5 
Reviewed by Dawn McCafferty
Today we visited the new Sealife Centre Manchester at Barton Square. In our group there was 2 adults, 6 children aged from 3-8 and 3 toddlers aged 18 months.
The older kids loved the experience and their favourite part was walking through the tunnel where the rays, fish and sharks with swimming overhead. The toddlers loved the last part where the turtles of all different sizes were swimming around. What was good about the turtle area was that the glass of the tanks were at ground level so the babies could see the turtles easily by themselves and they were amazed at how close they were to them!
The first attraction as we went in was an interactive area called Turtle Beach, where a guide gave a short talk on the turtles. The talk was fantastic and just the right length of time without it being too long for the kids. They were all fascinated by the effects of the baby turtles running around the beach, and I must admit even I was caught by the wow factor at this point!
The experience was great overall and enjoyed by all. Although we didn't get to see the touch pool it looked great, and when we visit next time I'm sure we will get to use it then! Fantastic attraction for all ages, and just the right size to walk around with your toddlers without them getting tired out or bored.
Rating: 5/5