A visit to the Brighton SEA LIFE Centre

Living in West Sussex for most of my childhood, I always looked forward to a visit to the aquarium at Brighton to see the dolphins.

Fast forward a few years (I’m not counting, but it’s a lot), the dolphins are now gone and the aquarium has been transformed into Brighton SEA LIFE Centre.

SEA LIFE Brighton is set outside Palace Pier and is the oldest operating aquarium in the world, built in 1872 and features 3,500 mesmerising creatures including jellyfish, rays, turtles and octopus.

SEA LIFE Brighton

The first thing that strikes you as you head inside, is just how spectacular the building is and I loved the rainbow of colour changing lights that illuminate up the huge vaulted ceiling.

SEA LIFE Brighton

They have married old and new well, with interactive exhibits for the kids to get involved with.

SEA LIFE Brighton

SEA LIFE Brighton is a not as large as SEA LIFE Weymouth, where we visit regularly, however, there are plenty of added extra’s to keep the family entertained, including a behind the scenes tour and Rainforest Adventure.

SEA LIFE Brighton

Like Weymouth, they have a new conservation cove, which helps both children and adults to understand how shopping and fishing habits are affecting our oceans and what they can do to help.

SEA LIFE Brighton

The SEA LIFE centre was still doing refurbishments during our visit, which should be completed by half term next week and will see the glass bottom boat and ocean tunnel re-open to the public.

SEA LIFE Brighton

It didn’t spoil our visit though.

SEA LIFE Brighton

Entry to SEA LIFE Brighton is free for Merlin Annual Pass holders or the best value way to purchase tickets is online, in advance, with prices starting from £10.50 per person at www.visitsealife.com/brighton/tickets/general-admission/.

SEA LIFE Brighton

We hope to head back to Brighton soon to do the i360 and can’t wait to head back to SEA LIFE to see the finished refurbishments!

SEAHORSE

Have you visited SEA LIFE Brighton before?

24 thoughts on “A visit to the Brighton SEA LIFE Centre”

  1. This looks like such an amazing SeaLife Centre to go and visit! I have to admit I’ve not been to one in ages, I might have to try and see if I can convince the other half we need a trip to our local one soon!

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  2. First time I read about this. I have visited Brighton for the vegan festival a couple of years ago, didn’t had a clue you had an aquarium! It’s so cool, love the colors and designs.

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  3. The Sea Life center looks amazing. We love to visit aquariums and treat vacations as learning experiences for our family.

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  4. I love how there are behind the scenes tour and Rainforest Adventure which are quite unique as we don’t usually get to see what is behind the scenes. It sure lights up the kids imagination.

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  5. Looks amazing, we’ve been to the Birmingham and Chessington one’s a couple of times. My kids love sea life, we used to have our own marine aquarium but they take so much looking after.

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  6. What a neat place to visit! It sounds like a perfect place to check out with the family. I studied marine science in college and I love visiting different aquariums.

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