SEA LIFE Centre Blackpool Review

SEA LIFE Centre
Blackpool

www.visitsealife.com/blackpool

Reviewed by Kathryn Carr

I visited the SEA LIFE centre in Blackpool with my 10 month old daughter over the Easter holidays. Based almost under the resort’s famous tower, the attraction couldn’t be any more central and an easy reach to all who venture there by foot, car, rail or tram.

With an advertised ‘over 2,000 creatures’, I did expect the place to be on the larger side and your ‘dive down into the depths’ is more of a wander through a maze of dark corridors. Nevertheless, there is plenty to see and the huge viewing tanks allow children and adults alike to come face to face with an amazing array of ocean animals.

From starfish to stingray to sharks, visitors can explore from shore to ocean floor as they pass through ten themed zones including the Submarine Explorer, Rainforest Adventure and Rockpool. I wondered how engaging the trip might be for our under one but be it the lights in the tanks or the colours of the fish, even your youngest party member will be transfixed.

One of our highlights involved crawling under a tank and emerging in a’bubble’ surrounded by the ocean and a 360 degree view of the underwater world. Fish were swimming right under our noses!

The staff on arrival were most helpful, handing out a map and an activity pack for the little one, who although too young to attempt the wordsearch, enjoyed flicking through the pages. For those with prams, you’ll be directed to the lift. Although fully accessible for those with wheels, there is a buggy park which worked for us as we spent a lot of time holding our daughter up to the tanks to get a closer look.

With our visit being both over the weekend and during the school holidays, we probably experienced the centre at its busiest. I’d recommend getting there early doors for more chance of really getting involved and making the most of opportunities to hold a crab or touch a starfish. I certainly like their concept of collecting a free wristband from the gift shop that allows you to exit the attraction and come back as many times as you like throughout the day. Ideal for rainier times and for getting your money’s worth.

The SEA LIFE Centre isn’t cheap so keep an eye out for online deals and promotions (I saw someone using their Clubcard vouchers) and if you’re at the seaside for the duration, look out for the Blackpool Big Ticket – a 7 attraction discount.

Whilst the baby loved trying to grasp the ‘Nemo’ fish (from the other side of the glass of course), my favourite part of the visit was our walk through the Ocean Tunnel which put us right in the middle of a Jaws film.

For older children, there’s plenty of fun, fascinating facts and interactive activities that easily disguise education as entertainment.

The new Jurassic Seas display will see them using state of the art technology to find out all about prehistoric sea creatures.

The Blackpool SEA LIFE Centre is small in comparison to other attractions I’ve visited of a similar nature but if you or your family are interested in learning about the underwater world and its inhabitants, it’s certainly worth taking a dip!

Rating: 3.5/5

Single tickets cost £17.50 (adult) and £14.50 (child), children under 3 go FREE. Book online in advance for a 20% discount.

Want to visit more than once or other SEA LIFE centres? Take advantage of the SEA LIFE Annual Pass with prices from £40 per person or the Merlin Annual Pass to visit all Merlin attractions throughout the UK with prices starting from £129 per person.

For more information or to book tickets visit www.visitsealife.com/blackpool

SEA LIFE Blackpool, Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 5AA