Exploris Aquarium
📍 Portaferry, Central Scotland
Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry features seals, sharks, rays, jellyfish, otters, penguins, and turtles alongside an underwater walk-through tunnel. Soft play area for young children and The Kraken Bar and Grill on site.
Loved our time here! My 2 year old had a great time looking at all the animals especially the seals and overhead aquarium 😍 Great place for a family day out.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with babies, toddlers, and children up to around age 8, who respond strongly to the seals and the immersive underwater tunnel. The compact size means visits typically run two to three hours — right for young children's attention spans and less overwhelming than a large zoo. Soft play gives a natural break point.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →3,089 Google reviews
Ieva Savičienė
5 months ago
“Loved our time here! My 2 year old had a great time looking at all the animals especially the seals and overhead aquarium 😍 Great place for a family day out.”
Crew C
7 months ago
“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 😊”
Craig Schonenberger
7 months ago
“What an absolutely amazing visit to aquarium. Took our 3 month old granddaughter and here face was an absolute picture she loved the under water tunnel . Great range of all aquatic animals and seeing the baby seals was so cute. A great couple of hours was had very well recommended”
Kenneth Keen
6 months ago
“Extensive site with lots of places to picnic but on the day we arrived the buildings were closed. I've been before and it takes a full day to take in all the various exhibits. Really important are the three wheeled human powered tricycles made in 1880 which were deliberately destroyed by what became the automobile industry. The competition was a danger to big industry but several images and even original tricycles can be viewed by those broadminded enough to comprehend their significance to the environment and economies world wide.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Exploris Aquarium covers marine and aquatic life across a compact and well-stocked site. Highlights include the seal sanctuary — a particular favourite with young children — the walk-through underwater tunnel, a penguin enclosure, and a jellyfish display. A soft play area provides an alternative for younger children who need a break. Group guided tours and a cafe with waterside views are available.