EXPLORIS, THE NORTHERN IRELAND AQUARIUM
The Rope Walk, Castle Street, Portaferry, County Down BT22 1NZ - Northern
Ireland
Telephone: +44 (0)28 4272 8062 - Fax: +44 (0)28 4272 8396
Exploris, The Northern Ireland Aquarium, is ideally sited on the shores of a marine nature reserve and area of special scientific interest - Strangford Lough.
A visit to Exploris enables the visitor to view and learn about the marine species that are indigenous to Strangford Lough and the coastline of the island. Marine communities are recreated to enable the visitor to gain a better understanding of the complex inter-relationships between different species.
The
Open Sea Tank, the largest tank in the aquarium, contains animals of the
open sea such as sharks, conger eels and rays. Touchtank demonstrations,
delivered by experienced guides, run at regular intervals throughout the
day. These not only give visitors the chance to have their questions about
our local marine life answered but also touch and hold a number of species.
The Seal Sanctuary affords the visitor the opportunity to view the process
of rehabilitation of rescued seal pups from their arrival through to full
health when they are re-introduced to the wild. If particularly interested
in seeing seals the public should ring ahead to ensure there are seals
at Exploris at the time of their visit.
The
Aquarium has a cafe and shop with gifts to suit all ages and pockets.
Exploris is a fully accessible facility.
How to get there The Aquarium is situated in Portaferry. To get there by road from Belfast take the A20 through Newtownards and on to Portaferry.
To get there by ferry from Strangford take the A25 from Downpatrick to the Strangford ferry – the journey to Portaferry across the Lough takes less than 15 minutes. For timetable information on the Strangford Ferry, telephone 028 4488 1637.