Information
Landmark: London AquariumCity: London
Country: United Kingdom
Continent: Europe
London Aquarium, London, United Kingdom, Europe
Overview
Perched on the South Bank of the Thames and just steps from the London Eye, the SEA LIFE London Aquarium-once simply the London Aquarium-draws crowds eager to see sharks glide through its glass tunnels.One of the UK’s biggest and most varied aquariums, it lets you peer into shimmering tanks filled with creatures from every corner of the ocean.The aquarium belongs to the larger Merlin Entertainments group, which also runs a mix of London attractions like Madame Tussauds and the eerie, torch-lit corridors of the London Dungeon.The SEA LIFE London Aquarium opened its doors in 1997, a fresh splash among the city’s long list of attractions, right on the South Bank with the Thames just outside.Perched on the banks of the Thames, it lets visitors wander in from the riverside, then head off to explore landmarks just steps away.The aquarium sits inside County Hall, a grand stone building that once served as Greater London’s local government headquarters, placing it right in the heart of the city’s bustling tourist hub.The aquarium’s goal is to teach people about marine conservation and aquatic ecosystems, and to show why protecting our oceans matters-like keeping coral reefs alive for future generations.It’s both a place to unwind and a hub for learning, attracting visitors from across the globe who come to see and study the sea’s remarkable creatures-like the shimmer of a jellyfish drifting in blue light.The aquarium bursts with marine life, from darting clownfish to drifting jellyfish, and invites visitors to explore themed zones that highlight the many faces of the underwater world.Visitors can spot everything from bright, darting tropical fish to massive sharks gliding past, along with eerie deep-sea creatures and hardy species from icy northern waters.First.Ocean Invaders: Jellyfish Experience invites you to discover one of the sea’s most hypnotic creatures-the jellyfish, their translucent bells pulsing like slow, glowing heartbeats.In the Ocean Invaders exhibit, several tanks hold jellyfish of many species, their translucent bodies glowing in brilliant blues and golds that drift and pulse like slow-motion fireworks.At SEA LIFE London, you can discover how jellyfish live and behave-creatures that have pulsed through the oceans for hundreds of millions of years-then test your nerve on the Shark Walk, a glass bridge hanging over a tank where sharks and stingrays glide silently beneath your feet.This exhilarating encounter lets you peer down at towering sharks from just inches above, as if you’re skimming the surface of the water, and the Rainforest Adventure exhibit surrounds you with the dense greenery and humid air of the world’s tropical jungles.Visitors can spot everything from sleek Amazonian piranhas flashing silver in the water to bright poison dart frogs, along with tiny tree frogs and slow-moving turtles.The exhibit brings the humid, lush feel of a rainforest to life, complete with flashes of bright feathers and the calls of unseen birds.One highlight is Penguin Point, where a bustling colony of gentoo penguins waddles across the ice while guests discover how they live and thrive in the wild.The penguins live in a custom-built enclosure that feels like home-chilled air, rough gray rocks, and all the stark beauty of the Antarctic.Visitors love watching penguins dart through the water and splash around.Just a few steps away, the Ocean Tunnel surrounds you with a sweeping, 360-degree view of a vast tank teeming with shimmering fish and other sea life.Walk through the tunnel and you’ll see sharks glide above, rays drifting like shadows, and silver schools of fish flashing past, wrapping you in the underwater world.The tank teems with marine life-loggerhead turtles gliding past and giant stingrays sweeping the sandy floor-while Coral Kingdom celebrates the vivid biodiversity of the world’s reefs, with flashes of bright coral, darting tropical fish, and countless other reef dwellers.Here, you can discover why coral reefs matter so much to ocean life-and how climate change and human actions are putting them at risk.Just steps away, the Sea Turtle Sanctuary highlights efforts to protect these endangered creatures from habitat loss, pollution, and poaching, with rescued turtles gliding slowly through clear, sunlit water.At the sanctuary, you can learn how SEA LIFE London helps protect turtles and see green sea turtles gliding through the water-one of the ocean’s most common species.The aquarium also showcases creatures from closer to home, like those living in the murky River Thames, and from faraway places, including the lush Amazon rainforest.The tanks recreate the creatures’ habitats, so visitors can watch them drift through spaces that feel like home-rocks, swaying plants, and all.The exhibits show visitors how human actions shape these fragile ecosystems, from coral bleaching to dwindling fish stocks.All year long, SEA LIFE London Aquarium keeps things fresh with special events, changing seasonal displays, and hands‑on programs for every age.These might include Halloween and Christmas celebrations with glowing pumpkins or twinkling lights, aquarium sleepovers where families unroll sleeping bags beside the shark tank and join guided tours or behind-the-scenes walks, interactive talks and feeding times that let visitors watch a ray glide up for its meal, and a range of conservation and education programs, as the SEA LIFE London Aquarium plays an active role in protecting marine life.It partners with a range of organizations and charities, teaming up to protect the ocean, support research, and encourage sustainable fishing-right down to helping small coastal communities keep their waters healthy.The aquarium works to spark awareness about why our oceans matter, from the crash of a breaking wave to the glint of a darting fish.The aquarium backs several conservation efforts, from safeguarding endangered species to restoring bright coral reefs and cutting down the plastic that drifts through the ocean.SEA LIFE London also offers hands-on ways to learn about marine conservation, from classroom workshops and lively school trips to interactive displays where you can peer into a tank and watch a starfish cling to the glass.These programs aim to spark curiosity about aquatic ecosystems and nurture the next wave of environmental stewards.The SEA LIFE London Aquarium opens daily, with longer hours when the summer crowds roll in.Before you go, check the website so you’ve got the latest on hours and any special events-like that weekend jazz night they sometimes host.You can buy tickets for SEA LIFE London online or at the door, and families or groups often get a discount-enough for an extra scoop of ice cream by the river.Buying your tickets early can save you money-sometimes enough to cover a coffee at the station.You can also choose from several ticket bundles, giving you access to multiple London attractions-maybe a ride on the London Eye with the wind in your face, or a visit to Madame Tussauds.Family-Friendly: SEA LIFE London Aquarium makes a perfect family day out, with hands-on exhibits and the shimmer of fish gliding past just inches away.
