Exploris Aquarium

Exploris Aquarium Exploris Aquarium is Northern Ireland's only aquarium and seal sanctuary featuring a fully licensed restaurant, events programme and gift shop

Today, we celebrate a remarkable milestone at Exploris as our Queen Bee of the Kitchen, Patricia, retires.Patricia has b...
30/08/2026

Today, we celebrate a remarkable milestone at Exploris as our Queen Bee of the Kitchen, Patricia, retires.

Patricia has been part of our kitchen team since 2019 and has been like a second mummy to many of the staff throughout the past 7 years.

As we bid her a fond farewell, we express our deepest gratitude for her tireless dedication and wish her a retirement filled with adventure, joy, and fulfilment. We can't wait to hear about her thrilling travels and the amazing experiences that await her!

🌊🦈 AN EVENING BENEATH THE SEA 🦈🌊Get ready for a dining experience with a difference at Exploris Aquarium!Join us after h...
27/08/2026

🌊🦈 AN EVENING BENEATH THE SEA 🦈🌊

Get ready for a dining experience with a difference at Exploris Aquarium!

Join us after hours for a magical evening beneath the sea, including:

🍽️ A delicious 3-course meal in our newly themed Under the Sea Shark Shack Restaurant
🌙 A guided tour of the aquarium at night
🦈 Discover our incredible sharks and marine life after hours
✨ Experience Exploris when the doors close and the lights go down

And with prices from just £25, it’s the perfect night out for family, friends or someone special.

DINE. EXPLORE. DISCOVER.
Make dinner an adventure!

🎟️ Spaces are limited and booking is essential.

👉 Book now at www.explorisni.com

📣We are pleased to announce that our Visitor Experiences for September are now available. 📣🦈 Shark Feed Experience🐠 Aqua...
27/08/2026

📣We are pleased to announce that our Visitor Experiences for September are now available. 📣

🦈 Shark Feed Experience
🐠 Aquarist for the Day (Limited Availability)
🦫 Capybara Lunch

Follow the link below to book your experience today.

https://explorisni.axess.shop/en/Products/Tickets/Category?cID=3

🧡 10 YEARS OF EXPLORIS – CELEBRATE WITH US! 🦭🐧This August marks 10 years since Exploris Aquarium reopened following a tr...
07/08/2026

🧡 10 YEARS OF EXPLORIS – CELEBRATE WITH US! 🦭🐧

This August marks 10 years since Exploris Aquarium reopened following a transformation on 15th August 2016.

To celebrate this incredible milestone, everyone pays just £10 when you book online in advance!

Over the past decade we've continued to grow, bringing you exciting new experiences including:

🌊 Under the Sea Ocean Tank
🐧 Penguin Zone
🦫 Capybara Pool
🦈 Shark Shack Restaurant
🌴 Tropical Rainforest
🦜 Parrot Aviary
🎈 Soft Play Centre
🛍️ Extended Gift Shop
🐢 Turtle Zone
⚓ Marine Machine Interactive Zone

Join us as we celebrate 10 amazing years of adventure, conservation and unforgettable family memories.

🎁 Expect some special surprises and giveaways throughout the day!

🎟️ The special £10 offer is available exclusively when booking online.

Book now:
www.explorisni.com

We can't wait to welcome you as we celebrate 10 Years of Exploris! 💙🧡

🌊💙 A Huge Thank You! 💙🌊We'd like to give a massive shout-out to everyone who has adopted one of our rescued seals so far...
03/08/2026

🌊💙 A Huge Thank You! 💙🌊

We'd like to give a massive shout-out to everyone who has adopted one of our rescued seals so far! 🦭✨

Your support helps us continue the vital work of rescuing, rehabilitating, and caring for seals in need. Every adoption makes a real difference, and we couldn't be more grateful for your kindness and generosity.

The good news? Monaghan, Clare, Down, Tyrone, and Kerry are still available for adoption! 🥰

As a thank you, we'll send you a batch of rewards including:
👉An adoption certificate
👉An A2 infographic poster
👉A wooden seal puzzle
👉Stickers
👉A keyring
👉You'll also get one admission to Exploris so you can visit your seal in person.

If you'd like to be part of their journey, click the link below to find out more. Together, we're helping these amazing animals thrive! 🌊🦭❤️ https://www.explorisni.com/seal-adoption/

Ever wondered what it takes to care for our amazing animals? 🐠🦈🐢Step behind the scenes and become an Aquarist for a Day!...
02/08/2026

Ever wondered what it takes to care for our amazing animals? 🐠🦈🐢

Step behind the scenes and become an Aquarist for a Day! Experience life as part of our animal care team as you discover what goes into looking after our incredible residents every single day.

From preparing meals and feeding animals to handling experiences and learning about their daily routines, this is the ultimate adventure for animal lovers and aspiring aquarists alike! 💙

✨ Experience T-shirt included
🎁 Goodie bag included
🔞 Strictly 16+
📅 Limited dates available

Ready to dive in and see what happens beyond the glass? Click the link below to find out more and book your experience today!

https://explorisni.axess.shop/en/Products/Tickets/Category?cID=3

Launching September 2026As the evenings begin to draw in, why not make the most of them with our brand-new Evening Benea...
01/08/2026

Launching September 2026

As the evenings begin to draw in, why not make the most of them with our brand-new Evening Beneath the Sea experience?

Starting from just £25PP, this unique after-hours event offers the perfect opportunity to discover Exploris from a completely different perspective.

Start by enjoying a fascinating one-hour guided tour, where you'll uncover the weird, wonderful, and surprising stories behind some of our most popular residents. From incredible marine life to unforgettable animal encounters, there's plenty to discover as the aquarium comes alive throughout the evening.

After your tour, make your way to our recently renovated and fully licensed Shark Shack Restaurant, where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a delicious three-course meal in a unique and welcoming setting.

Whether you're looking for a memorable evening out with friends, a unique date night, or simply something different to brighten the darker evenings, Evening Beneath the Sea promises an experience to remember.

Tickets from just £25 per person. Pre-booking is essential.

https://explorisni.axess.shop/en/Products/Tickets/Calendar/2020/3/12

📸 Capture the Beauty of the Ards Peninsula!From the stunning shores of Portaferry and Portavogie to the charm of Greyabb...
01/08/2026

📸 Capture the Beauty of the Ards Peninsula!

From the stunning shores of Portaferry and Portavogie to the charm of Greyabbey, Kircubbin, Cloughey, Ballyhalbert and everywhere in between, we want to see what makes the Ards Peninsula such a special place to live and visit. [not Donaghadee or Newtownards as we've already ran photo comps there]

Whether it's a breathtaking landscape, a spectacular sunrise, local wildlife, historic landmarks or a favourite hidden gem, share your best photograph and you could win one of three fantastic prize bundles!

📸 How to Enter
✅ Follow Homes NI
✅ Upload your photo in the comments below
🗓 Entries close Friday 7th August

👍 Public voting (via Facebook likes) will then start and run until Wednesday 12th August - 1pm

🏆 Prize Bundle 1
🍽️ £100 Restaurant Voucher kindly donated by JK Estate Agents, Kircubbin
🥩 £50 Gift Voucher from B Arthur Butchers, Portaferry
☕ Breakfast for Two at Bestie's Cafe by The New Quays Portavogie

🥈 Prize Bundle 2
🛍️ £50 Gift Voucher from Harrisons of Greyabbey
🐧 Family Pass to Exploris Aquarium, Portaferry

🥉 Prize Bundle 3
🍔 £30 Gift Voucher from Captain Jacks Portaferry/ Jack's Bistro

📷 By submitting your photograph, you are giving HomesNI permission to feature it (with credit) on our website and social media channels.
📷 Photographs must be your own work.
📍 Open to Northern Ireland residents.
🎁 No purchase necessary.
❤️ Let's celebrate the incredible scenery, communities and hidden gems of the Ards Peninsula together.

📸 Tag someone who loves taking photos and help us showcase this amazing part of Northern Ireland! fans

🌊 Exploris is on the road today! 🌊Our Pop-Up Aquarium is at the Antrim Show today – and as always, it’s proving to be on...
25/07/2026

🌊 Exploris is on the road today! 🌊

Our Pop-Up Aquarium is at the Antrim Show today – and as always, it’s proving to be one of the star attractions! ⭐🐠

It’s fantastic to see so many families getting experience with marine life, asking questions, and discovering the wonders of our local seas.

Looking for something different for your next event?

Our Exploris Pop-Up Aquarium is available to hire for:
🎪 Festivals
🎡 Fairs
🎉 Fun Days
🏫 Community Events
🌊 Educational Events

Bring an unforgettable, interactive marine experience to your visitors!

📧 Email [email protected] for more information and availability.

Address

The Rope Walk, Castle Street
Portaferry
BT221NZ

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+442842728062

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Exploris Aquarium posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Exploris Aquarium:

Shortcuts

Share

Category