Located on Towan Beach in the heart of Newquay itself, the Blue Reef Aquarium (also known as Newquay Sea Life Centre) is an exciting aquarium attraction that is designed to be educational and informative as well as entertaining – all in the same breath. With wondrous displays of marine life just waiting to be discovered, it is one of the more popular attractions in Newquay and for good reason too.
Stunning Array of Creatures
It goes without saying that much of the appeal of the Blue Reef Aquarium lies in the ocean life that resides within it. Encompassing an expansive collection of themed habitats that cover the local Cornish coast as well as more far-flung regions, the creatures on display are varied – to say the least.
Within the multi-leveled, underwater display, visitors can wander around on their very own tour of the habitats. From giant pacific octopus, blue reef sharks, loggerhead turtles, seahorses, and more – the rich collection of species is seemingly never-ending, from stunning emperor and clown fish, to the more scary wolf fish, there is plenty to see.
While visitors to the centre are welcome to come and go as they please throughout the day, it would be a good idea to plan in advance and make a point to attend one of the feeding sessions and talks. Taking place at regular intervals, the feeding sessions are a great opportunity to watch the sea life in their element – and the talks that accompany or are held after these sessions are an educational treat too.
Of particular note is the Tropical Ocean Feed and Shark Talk held at 2.30 pm daily. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays it includes a Shark Feed too – which is definitely a crowd favorite.
Educational Group Trips and Events
If you’re visiting the Blue Reef Aquarium in a group or interested in organizing an event at the location then you’ll find that it is certainly accommodating. Not only does the centre cater to group trips, but it also allows for parties and other events to be hosted at its venue.
For group trips you can choose between going on a guided tour with a member of the centre’s team of aquarists, or a full-fledged youth group tour that has a special theme and program. In either case, it is going to be an informative experience that will help you to learn more about the ocean and the species that live within it.
When it comes to events the centre provides packages that cater to birthday parties that includes a special guided tour of the aquarium and rock pool encounter along with a themed party bag for every child attending the party. It also caters to corporate events and so if you want to host your next team-building session in a unique and flexible space – it would be worth getting in touch.
It is safe to say that regardless of whether you visit the Blue Reef Aquarium on your own or with your family and children in tow, or even on a school trip – it is going to be a memorable and distinct experience in its own right.
Afterwards, why not walk along Towan Beach, and investigate some of the rock pools to see what other sea life you can find in the wild?