1 / 2Oceanarium
📍 Bournemouth, Greater London
Features sharks, Humboldt penguins, otters, sea turtles, and West African dwarf crocodiles. Animal feeding experiences available, plus birthday parties for ages 3–10 and seasonal activities. Wheelchair accessible with pram parking.
The Bournemouth Oceanarium is absolutely lovely and well deserving of 5 stars. It’s a fantastic place for children, with so many engaging, colourful exhibits that really spark curiosity and excitement. At the same time, it’s just as enjoyable for adults, whether you’re taking your time admiring the sea life or, of course, being a slightly spoilt girlfriend in the gift shop! I loved visiting with my family; it felt relaxed, welcoming, and thoughtfully laid out, making it easy to enjoy every section without feeling rushed. The atmosphere is calm yet exciting, and you can tell a lot of care has gone into creating an experience that’s both educational and fun. A wonderful day out for all ages, and somewhere I’d happily return to again.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
A reliable half-day activity in any weather, especially for families with younger children. The feeding talks are delivered by knowledgeable staff and are a genuine highlight. Wheelchair and pram access is well managed. Visit early or on weekdays to get the most from the space before peak-time crowds arrive.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →6,968 Google reviews
Unnecessary To Know
a month ago
“The Bournemouth Oceanarium is absolutely lovely and well deserving of 5 stars. It’s a fantastic place for children, with so many engaging, colourful exhibits that really spark curiosity and excitement. At the same time, it’s just as enjoyable for adults, whether you’re taking your time admiring the sea life or, of course, being a slightly spoilt girlfriend in the gift shop! I loved visiting with my family; it felt relaxed, welcoming, and thoughtfully laid out, making it easy to enjoy every section without feeling rushed. The atmosphere is calm yet exciting, and you can tell a lot of care has gone into creating an experience that’s both educational and fun. A wonderful day out for all ages, and somewhere I’d happily return to again.”
Djamel Makhlouf
a month ago
“Fantastic Oceanarium, with incredibly helpful and knowledgeable staff! I bought my fiance a shark feeding experience for Xmas, and she absolutely loved it, Lukas was so helpful and knowledgeable, and I even got to accompany for the behind the scenes elements before retiring to become her photographer! it was incredible value for money, as is the Oceanarium in general! Pre book your tickets for extra savings, the only negative is that the gift shop is lacking compared to similar attractions, but that saved us money!”
Hywel Morris
a month ago
“Much better than I was expecting. Penguins never cease to make me smile. This attraction is both entertaining and educational. My four year old grandson loved it. It was busy on a wet Sunday afternoon in half term but not crowded or unpleasant.”
Saqr Al-Hetmi
3 months ago
“Fantastic place to visit, especially if your enjoying marine life. The display are organized, educational and enjoyable for all ages. Its perfect for families, couples, ans solo travelers 🧳 like me. I can’ say no more give it try 😁”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Bournemouth Oceanarium packs sharks, Humboldt penguins, otters, sea turtles, and West African dwarf crocodiles into a compact and well-organised space. Animal feeding experiences run throughout the day, and birthday party packages are available for children aged 3–10. Facilities include an on-site cafe, wheelchair access, and dedicated pram parking. Seasonal events such as Easter egg trails add variety across the year.
