Acuario Exploris

Experiencia positiva: Carino anche se piccolo . Adatto a famiglie con bambini fino a 10/12 anni .

Experiencia fantástica: Veri good exposition. Very nice from all people. My chidren in awe.

Experiencia fantástica: We loved our visit. We took our time walking around and had lunch in the cafe. I advise you to take your time and enjoy each area. There is a small soft play for younger children which is great too but the main attractions of the sea life, seals, penguins and other animals are greet to view. I would definitely recommend eating lunch in the cafe as it was really lovely and you get a view of the seals from the cafe. We also bought a few things in the gift shop as it was reasonably priced ice-cream is also sold in the gift shop. Great family day out

Experiencia positiva: It was nice but price was bit higher side

Experiencia positiva: Great for everybody. But do we really need it. Feel sorry for the penguins out of their environment and the seal pups sitting on their own without water.

Experiencia fantástica: Awesome place for the whole family to visit, and the restaurant the food was very well priced and good quality

Experiencia fantástica: We had such a beautiful day out. Would highly recommend for every age. Thank you for the valuable information today, Emmet.

Experiencia fantástica: Great aquarium. A nice gem in this area. It’s not huge but what it has is great quality. Kids will love the under-sea tunnel with fish swimming above them.

Experiencia positiva: A thoroughly enjoyable time was had by my Grandchildren and myself on our last visit to Exploris. The staff were friendly and helpful and the exhibits well layed out.

Experiencia fantástica: Great day out, the kids loved it.

Experiencia positiva: Great experience for children and the displays are very well put together. Unfortunately the experience was marred by the gift shop, where staff didn't seem friendly which is odd considering this should be an exciting area for children to end their visit. The staff gave the impression that we were distracting them from their admin. When they did come to the checkout they didn't have any emotional intelligence or soft skills whatsoever.

Experiencia fantástica: Not a big aquarium but good enough, I really like the tunnel under the fish tank

Experiencia negativa: What a terrible hospitality here, you bring a coach with a group and you’re not even allowed in unless you pay the full entrance.

Experiencia positiva: Whilst it was a great experience for the children it is overpriced for what it provides.

Experiencia fantástica: First visit in years. The updates and new layout are brilliant. Loved the underwater Tunnel and the Penguin and Capybara additions as well as the stamps kids can add to their map as they go round.

Experiencia negativa: Absolute awful. It was fantastic years ago when it first opened.

Experiencia negativa: Do not waste your money as I was so disappointed as we had driven a fair distance to bring the children here, it was very rundown looking and a sad choice of fish and animals to see. We were in and out in 30 minutes and that was us taking our time and to be honest I was absolutely disgusted by the experience as it definitely wasn’t one that I would do again or recommend to anyone else

Experiencia fantástica: Loved the exploris aquarium! Had an amazing time visiting. ❤️

Experiencia fantástica: Lovely experience at Exploris. It was brilliant seeing the seals. The Kraken restaurant serves delicious food, would highly recommend it.

Experiencia fantástica: A great day out for the family, always enjoy coming here.

Experiencia positiva: A great day but I really miss the way you can touch the fish , the added animals was nice.

Experiencia negativa: I was looking forward to going here with my family for a wee day trip. I was a bit taken back by the aquarium. The tanks were dirty so it wasn’t always easy to see and I felt the sea life looked a bit on the rough side. I thought it was maybe just my interpretation of my trip but a friend of mine had went a week apart from me and shared the same view. I’m not sure if they need more funding perhaps but definitely needs a revamp and maintenance done in my opinion.

Experiencia positiva: It's a bit disappointing after driving all the way there, to be around it in 30 minutes,

Experiencia fantástica: Great for kids, plenty to see, outdoor sections with capybara penguins and otters, interactive activities for kids and parents, access for wheelchair users, go on weekday as can get very crowded, went for son's first birthday and he absolutely loved it. Highly recommend & helpful informative staff.

Experiencia negativa: Booked 12 hours before attending and child awoke with vomiting bug , Exploris wouldn’t let us come or exchange that dates, £70 wasted as couldn’t attend, a bit of customer service wouldn’t go a miss. Not hard to let someone reschedule. I will not be back ever again

Experiencia negativa: Was not great- seems extremely dated. Old and tired looking environment. Interaction levels not great either due to half the animals not on display. The 3 busiest zones are the soft play, the kitchen and the shop on the way out. Staff seem 100% however it genuinely feels like your going back in time. It's a shame, needs a few million spent on it to upgrade.

Experiencia positiva: Went with my 2 kids aged 8 and 12, all had a brilliant day. The talks were very informative, the staff were very pleasant. Would love to see more information at each area though and the food at the Kraken restaurant was very poor, my daughter's pizza was inedible, my scone was very dry my cup was dirty. Will definitely return to Exploris, just not the restaurant!

Experiencia fantástica: Great experience for all the family, lots to see and beautiful food in the Kracken. Only downside was trying to get parked, it was extremely busy, give yourself extra time for parking.

Experiencia positiva: Took our grand daughter here Easter Monday We had a fab day there were two people in particular who made our day brilliant the girl at the penguin enclosure she answered all our questions and the fella who spoke to us about the capybara he was so knowledgeable. We thank them both. It was a busy day but sure you have to just go with flow . Keep up the good work Exploris ❤️❤️

Experiencia positiva: Great for the kids,bit disjointed regarding signage, but a good day out for the kids.

Experiencia negativa: Went with my two kids aged 11 and 8. They were bored. I wouldn’t be going here again. Not worth the price and nothing much to see. The animals looked sad and bored too.

Experiencia fantástica: This might be alot to read but worth the read if your unsure if it's worth the trip Me and my six year old travelled here today after many years ago since I last went (I was kid). We enjoyed every bit of it we took our time going round it all as it not a massive place but it's lovely when you do spend time looking and reading. The fish/starfish/seahorses and sharks etc are very lively and plenty of windows to see them. The wee turtles are beautiful. The sealions are happy and well looked after we couldn't see them when we first came to that enclosure but near the end there's a wee window and luckily we made it for feeding time which was great to see them up close. There's an inside part with a crocodile and a huge open tank with fish and starfish in it and the fish were friendly like coming up to the top. The penguins were so funny it's like they had a wee game going on which was entertaining. We also packed a picnic (money saver!) Even though there is a restaurant but it was packed out and probably expensive as a small redbull was £2.50. So wee sat on the wee benches near the penguins. Overall the place its self is clean and there's bins everywhere the animals are looked after and that's what really matters. I do want to comment on the staff at the gift shop weren't overall helpful as we were sent the wrong way when we first went in to be honest I got the vibe she didn't want to work today. The second time in the gift shop a different girl was being abit off too didn't tell me the price of stuff I was buying just kinda took money and set the change down and left... I don't expect staff or anyone to be overly excited or anything but maybe a nicer attitude I guess. (The staff at feeding time or even when you seen them around were lovely). Overall we enjoyed ourselves and definitely planning to go back in the summer

Experiencia fantástica: Really good day out. And spotless and all the animals seems healthy and well taken care of.

Experiencia positiva: Really great experience, better than expected.

Experiencia positiva: Been here a few times, even since the renovations. Pleasantly happy to find capybaras there and love the otters. Food at the kracken was very nice and staff are nice. My 2 daughters enjoyed it. However the soft play area is a bit small, little seating area and unmanned. The aquarium for NI is good but compared to the international ones it's a bit small and not much to see.

Experiencia fantástica: Lovely experience brought my 4 month old baby who loved it. Staff all very friendly and nice and helpful

Experiencia positiva: Some enclosures were looking a little tired. The plcae could do with some investment. Best to see the seals when it's not feeding time as there's not much space to see them. Aim to see them 10/15mins after and your will have them all to yourselves.

Experiencia fantástica: My visit to Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry was a truly enriching and enjoyable experience. I was thoroughly impressed by the diverse collection of marine life and wildlife on display, and it was evident that the utmost care and attention were given to their well-being. The habitats provided for each species appeared meticulously maintained, reflecting a strong commitment to their health and comfort. Furthermore, the staff members I encountered were exceptionally knowledgeable and welcoming, readily offering insights and demonstrating a genuine passion for the animals under their care. Their kindness and dedication contributed significantly to the positive atmosphere of the aquarium. Overall, the entire experience was not only educational but also deeply reassuring, highlighting the commendable standards of animal husbandry and the dedication of the team at Exploris Aquarium.

Experiencia fantástica: Great experience for both adults and children. Great to see and know how care and love goes into helping the rescued seals, don't ever try to do this, if see a seal on rocks or on a beach. Leave it alone, it will be resting. Unless it is injured then phone Exploris.. go have fun and enjoy.

Experiencia fantástica: Very good, kids really enjoyed it. It's vastly improved since I was last there. Bit expensive but just take your time going round it

Experiencia positiva: First time visiting and I was genuinely surprised at how good it is. It is particularly good for kids and is very interactive.

Experiencia fantástica: I recently had the pleasure of visiting Exploris Aquarium, and I can't say enough good things about it! The experience was nothing short of fantastic. First off, the food at the café was divine. Each dish was prepared with care, and the flavors were exquisite, making it a delightful treat for the whole family. The gift shop was another highlight of our visit. It was spectacular and offered a wide variety of items to choose from. Whether you're looking for souvenirs, educational toys, or unique gifts, there's something for everyone. I could have spent hours browsing through all the wonderful selections! What truly impressed me was how well the animals are looked after. It was clear that the staff genuinely cares for the creatures, ensuring they are healthy and happy. Plus, the soft play area was a massive hit with my kids! They had an absolute blast running around and exploring. Speaking of staff, they were amazing—friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to help. Overall, Exploris Aquarium is a must-visit destination for families. We can't wait to go back!

Experiencia fantástica: Amazing place to spend time with your kids. But even a couple could still go and have a good time

Experiencia positiva: Interesting visit enjoyed by all, other than eating in the onsite Cafe. Food was extremely disappointing as was the wait. Recommend you eat elsewhere or bring your own picnic.

Experiencia negativa: We love going to exploris. But this time I have been very underwhelmed. There were very few animals to see, lots of places empty, the beautiful pirate decor nearly all gone… for 30 pounds and a 15 minutes visit. I don’t know what happened, it used to be really lovely. I hope things will improve so we can come back more often

Experiencia fantástica: Had a fantastic day! Hadn’t been in many years and the aquarium has had a great revamp since then! Clean facilities throughout and animals all showing content, natural behaviours. I will be back

Experiencia fantástica: Love Exploris Aquarium - have been the to aquarium a few times as a child and it was always an enjoyable experience, been back twice as an adult and it's just as enjoyable, if not more as I now am able to take in the information. Clean place, great food in the Kraken, and easy to navigate around the aquarium as there are signposts the entire way round.

Experiencia negativa: Some time ago me and my daughter went here. Place was nice but an enclosure was full of goats and other land animals INSTEAD of marine animals like promised! Place was good the rest of the time though. No clue why kid’s play area is age restricted for “3-8” years the “older kids” area and “6 months- 2 years” for younger! I get the 6 mths - 2 yrs restriction but my daughter is over the max big area age and she can still fit in there! Unbelievable! Also zoos are hurting animals so we’ll boycott this place. Everyone should! Two stars. Would be five if that big area issue was resolved and animals were no longer being forced to interact with tourists and visitors.

Experiencia fantástica: Nice aquarium. Has a soft play area for babies and toddlers. Cafe too

Experiencia fantástica: Fun and educational,its been years from i last went to exploris

Experiencia fantástica: Visited with large family of 7 adults and 6 children from 1-6 years old. We had an amazing time, the kids loved everything. Staff were very helpful, informative and kind to the children. We ate in the cafe afterwards and it was lovely. Definitely a place we would visit again.

Experiencia negativa: Really disappointing. This was our 1st time back in 8 years and taking our little 5 month old boy. I knew they had put money into it so had expected better things but it was worse than ever before. What seems like way less animals and a lot of empty or sparse tanks. Some places in disrepair and dirty just lacking in a lot of aspects. As for the cafe, oh my goodness can hands down say worse panini of my life!!! £8.95 for 2 thin slices of chicken and the (tikka) colour can only be described as something that comes out of my babies back end. The bread was stale it was just awful. Not to mention this was my second choice as the first choice I wanted to was (not available). Honestly such a let down!!

Experiencia negativa: Animals were playing hide and seek and they won and so was the food as we got about 10 chips for a portion of chunky chips which were then undercooked

Experiencia negativa: Had a lovely morning spent at Exploris. However this was spoilt by the quality of some of the restaurant food.The kids burger meals had blood visible on the burger bun and was served cold.

Experiencia positiva: Great experience for kids and parents.Brilliant Exposure to marine animals especially seals and penguins .Kids will enjoy the display initially and the best part ;they would love the soft play area for sure .Tickets bit costly .

Experiencia negativa: We went today. A wet Saturday with a 4YO and 1YO. Whilst they seemed suitably impressed I was underwhelmed. Half of the exhibition is outside which is not ideal in the rain - most of these outside exhibitions were empty. The internal exhibition could be viewed in 15 minutes.m so not really worth the £36 for 2 adults and 1 child (the infant being free). It all smacked of run down seaside town attraction. I have grown up in Co. Down and wouldn’t return.

Experiencia fantástica: Lovely day out with the family, the best aquarium in Ireland that we've visited so far

Experiencia fantástica: Exploris Aquarium is a fantastic destination for all ages, offering an engaging and educational experience. The variety of marine life is impressive, and the interactive exhibits, like the touch tank, make it even more enjoyable. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to share interesting facts. A great day out for families and nature enthusiasts! Highly recommended!

Experiencia positiva: All round good time, good variety of fish and animals. Could do with a face lift, niece loved it though!

Experiencia fantástica: Have you say this place is well worth the visit great range of animals and well laid out, we also had bite to eat and where well impressed with the quality and price of the food on offer.

Experiencia fantástica: Its quite small but very educational and the kids loved it. Fairly priced and we stopped off for some food afterwards which was nice. I'm sure we will be back again.

Experiencia fantástica: Fantastic day out. The new tunnel under the water is brill for the kids. The restaurant for lunch is beautiful & excellent quality. Also a indoor soft play area for the kids. The interaction tank is also great for kids to learn & play.

Experiencia fantástica: Well laid out family friendly and lots to do and interact with, the staff have a great knowledge of all the animals and great to interact with.

Experiencia fantástica: Went as A family outing being an animal lover it was a great experience for all ages. So much to see but id take my time next time as we went through it too quick. We had our dinner in the restaurant afterwards food was delicious and quick service would definately recommend. Will most certainly visit it again

Experiencia positiva: Enjoyed it but the price at £14.50 felt a little steep, but the I guess it goes towards the care of the animals. Felt so sorry for the parrot, it was shredding it's wee tail feathers. The environment was clean and the young staff friendly. The kids seemed to get a lot out of it.

Experiencia fantástica: Great place for a family day out. I hadn't been in a long time, and it was a great experience at the underwater tunnel.

Experiencia fantástica: It's not very big, but lots of fun. Very nice for a day trip. As we are from Belfast, it takes a nice trip to get there. Some areas didn't have animals, but this could be due to the time we went or renovations. Still, child loved it.

Experiencia positiva: Brilliant been here a few times everytime we have been here though seals have been away other from the baby ones that they rescue! Would love to have a pay for experience where you can hold a seal would be amazing but definitely would recommend takes about an hour to do! Staff are excellent, food in the restaurant was actually decent as well!

Experiencia positiva: It's expensive for what it is. We have been twice in the last few months and each time it has felt unfinished with tanks empty etc. Staff not terribly helpful and nowhere to store buggy's but very congested with them in the aquarium. Sadly nowhere to picnic under cover as they want you to eat in the restaurant which seems unreasonable as it's already an expensive visit. It just seems a bit sad compared to 20 years ago - bring back the touch tanks, they were the best bit!

Experiencia positiva: Worth going to see if you take your time over the exhibits. Large skates very impressive. Some of the exhibits were closed and there was no crocodile in the crocodile enclosure, no seals and nothing at all in the outside exhibits. Expensive for a family though

Experiencia fantástica: Really nice aquarium to keep the kids amused and we loved the new "underwater" tunnel to walk through. It was lovely to see close ups of the fish and sea life. My kids love the penguins and otters outside and there's a picnic area outside too.

Experiencia negativa: Visited yesterday after years of taking the grandchildren to exploris it was time to take the great grandchildren for their first visit. Drove an hour and a half and was sorely disappointed. The price charged for entry was absolute extortion considering the fact that half the enclosures were either empty or under construction. Highly do not recommend.

Experiencia positiva: Lovely aquarium with beautiful animals. Lovely food in restaurant.

Experiencia positiva: We went today having booked in advance but apart from public holidays you could probably just turn up and get in without any issues. Getting there was a long journey from Ballymena but we had a great time (especially our little girl who loved seeing everything and getting all of the stamps on the back of her map!) We made it there just in time to see the penguins being fed and the staff member who was doing it shared lots of great info about them - definitely check out the feeding times and try to get to one or two. The seals weren't out in the enclosure yet as they were still being looked after or rehabilitated - and the map said there were still a couple of new things coming soon - so it's definitely worth a visit. We actually spent 2hrs there which is longer than I imagined we would.

Experiencia positiva: A good one to take your little ones. Felt a bit smaller.

Experiencia negativa: Very disappointing. Inside was dirty, looked like outside of tanks had not been cleaned in months. When compared to what else is on offer for a day out, there are so many others for value for money.

Experiencia positiva: Been coming here since 2007. Always improving. Looking forward to visiting again when current renovations are finished.

Experiencia fantástica: It is a very educational and well maintained Aquarium. A lot of interesting information that is displayed/presented in nice and modern way. Definitely worth a visit when in the area. Many of the display tanks with expected species but also a good few surprises which I won't spoil here. Just a nice glimpse into the endless capabilities of our Incredible mother nature.

Experiencia positiva: Not a bad place to visit if you are gonna be in the area and the weather isn't great. Really young kids will get bored easily but the soft play area is pretty good at the end. You'll find the whole experience lasts 30-40 minutes, then you will find yourself in the restaurant and gift shop. The last couple of times we struggled to get parked so if you see a spot on the sea front grab it and dander up to the entrance. The price might seem steep, but the overheads to run this place are high and you can see they are doing their best to offer value for money.

Experiencia positiva: It's good place with the kids although it is a little steep in price for all it is 45mins to an hour and your through it

Experiencia fantástica: We're members for Exploris and have been many times. I enjoyed this visit as some of the fish had moved around and all the sick bay seals were out in the water looking fit and healthy and some cute ones too. The discount in the gift shop is a massive bonus for us

Experiencia fantástica: Haven’t been in many years but went on Easter Tuesday with my granddaughter and son. Love the recommended route, the sea tunnel, exotics and the “new” additions of otters and the penguins. Soft play area is a great addition too. Cafe food looked amazing too. Well managed on a busy day. We will be back.

Experiencia negativa: Really poor visit with TERRIBLE customer service... Really disappointed first visit to Exploris. After hearing mostly good things, we booked for two kids and two adults. I actually had to change the date that we had originally booked, I emailed to try and change the date and received no response (still waiting). I had to phone on two occasions to change the date and both times received awful customer service. The woman I spoke with was very matter of fact and not helpful at all, explaining that we had to "forfeit" the online rate and pay extra to change the date. This was with over a weeks notice. I just paid the extra and changed the date. Today we arrived at Exploris after a long drive to get there. The woman on reception was just so unhelpful and very unwelcoming, didn't crack a smile and it just felt very awkward. She then explained that the on site restaurant was closed but also that we weren't able to leave the premises for food and come back, if we left we wouldn't get back in. With a no picnic policy and me standing with 2 young children I was aghast. We had intended to stay all day and make the most of it, especially when it was so far away. It was bad enough what she was saying but it was how she said it - so matter of fact and it was just "policy". Thankfully the manager came along at that time who was a bit more helpful and explained that on this occasion we would be allowed back in and provided a recommendation of where to go for lunch. The woman just stood there and offered no help whatsoever. Some training in customer service would go a long way. Exploris itself is just okay - quite expensive for all it is. The site is very small, there isn't that much to see, the indoor bit that has been renovated is nice but the outdoor bit is so grubby and rundown. The toilets were disgusting and the smell coming from them was even worse. The place was freezing, it felt like the heating hadn't been put on in weeks, especially in the soft play bit. It is quite a far drive away from us and on this occasion it wasn't worth the drive and we wouldn't return or recommend.

Experiencia fantástica: I was absolutely enjoyed visiting to Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry today and all of fishers and animals are so adorable.

Experiencia fantástica: Lovely place to take the grandkids. Plenty to see and do. Very educational.

Experiencia fantástica: Lovely place to take the grandkids. Very educational. Would definitely recommend.

Experiencia positiva: Great family day out. Be sure to take your time otherwise you will be around everything in 45 mins.

Experiencia fantástica: Used to love going here as a kid, but it always felt a bit lacking. Not anymore. This place is simply amazing now, with an amazing variety, super knowledgeable and helpful staff, and a much nicer and better layout. Can't wait to go back again.

Experiencia fantástica: Myself and my Partner visited on 16/01/24 as we had some free time together during a trip visiting some family. We had an amazing day and went round the site twice to make sure we saw all the animals and made the most of our trip. The keepers / aquarists we had the pleasure of speaking with were amazing, lovely and welcoming staff with a plethora of knowledge regarding the animals and aquatics they look after. Myself and Callum had the pleasure of speaking in depth with Blair and Rebecca who exude passion for animal care, welfare and education whom made the day an all-round 10/10 experience. Special thanks also to Brendon from estates and maintenance who was more than hospitable, happily chatting away with us even if we distracted him from painting. Wonderful team, will recommend you to everyone, we will certainly be back. Thanks again - Megan and Callum. <3

Experiencia fantástica: its awesome, there are so many types of different fish and so much detailed facts about them everywhere, i want to thank the person who drew the art for the fish facts on the screens around the aquariums because their art is just the one of the best i've ever seen. I went there for my birthday and it was so fun (personally because i love fish so so much) and i think anyone would find this aquarium really fun to be in. Not only do they have a wide variety of fish, they have (i think) crocidiles, seals, turtles, penguins, ducks, geese, a capybara (i think) and some other animals. there is also a list of times each animal is fed at and the staff (who are all so awesome) talk about and give facts about too. I cant talk much on the other animals in the aquarium because i mainly spent my time looking at the fish so idk. they also had a renovation since the last time i've been there and from what i've heard there are more fish to come soon like their black tip reef shark or sharks??(im not sure i dont remember right) Overall, great aquarium, also a really good gift shop at the end with a ton of fish stuff and other stuff at reasonable prices which i love so yeah awesome aquarium.

Experiencia fantástica: We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Very entertaining and educational. The highlight was the seal pup feeding.

Experiencia fantástica: Exploris Aquarium offers a captivating underwater experience with diverse marine life.The tunnel tank adds an exciting dimension to the visit, allowing visitors to walk through a submerged tunnel surrounded by marine life. The immersive feel of being surrounded by water and sea creatures enhances the overall experience. The tunnel design is well-executed, providing clear views of the underwater world. The seals showcase playful behavior and are a delight for visitors, while the penguins offer a quirky and entertaining spectacle. Makesure, early visiting is quite appreciated, feeding time would be made appropriately during visit. The staff's expertise in explaining these processes enhances the overall experience, making it both entertaining and informative. There's a bar and grill at the top which would add more energy to the visitors

Experiencia fantástica: Fantastic. Been upgraded for the better. Kids enjoyed it. Highly recommended for young children.

Experiencia fantástica: Great little spot with everything you'd expect from an aquarium of this size.

Experiencia fantástica: Well kept aquarium with lots of exciting sea creatures to look at! Staff are excellent and display great knowledge at feeding times. (Seals, otters, penguins.)

Experiencia fantástica: I love how they rescue sick and abandoned seals then release them wen theyre better

Experiencia fantástica: This was definitely one of the best ever aquariums I have visited. The staff were very friendly and they had a wide range of animals from fish to capybaras. There was even a soft play area for kids!! I would definitely recommend going there if you are in town.

Experiencia fantástica: We had an awesome day here! My daughter and grandson loved it! We will be back again soon!!

Experiencia fantástica: Great place to visit kids, and adults loved it

Experiencia positiva: Great day out learning about various fish& habitats. Alot to be seen and a lot of areas to visited - recommend going early to make use of the full day. They had various interactive feedings scheduled throughout the day so was nicely broken up as you walked around - only issue would be the lack of sound systems so you need to be there early to get a good spot so you are able to hear what is being talked about, if you are further back it is very hard to heard.