If you’re looking for things to do in Portsmouth with kids this summer, Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth is a fantastic family attraction that deserves a spot on your list. Situated right on Southsea seafront, it’s the perfect place to spend a few hours, whatever the weather.
With the summer holidays just around the corner, we were kindly invited to visit Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth and see what it had to offer.
I have to be completely honest here… although it’s practically on our doorstep, we hadn’t been for years! The last time we visited, Mason was a toddler. It was cute, but if I’m honest, we weren’t overly impressed. We walked around in about 15 minutes and never really felt the need to return.
Fast forward a few years and Mason couldn’t even remember ever visiting, so when the invitation arrived we thought it would be lovely to give it another go.
We parked at the newly refurbished end of Southsea seafront and, thinking we’d only be there for a quick visit, paid for just one hour’s parking…
Well… we couldn’t have been more wrong!
After an hour we had to dash back to the car to top up the parking because we were nowhere near finished exploring!
First Impressions
As soon as we walked into Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth, we noticed how bright, modern and welcoming everything felt. The reception and gift shop have a lovely fresh feel, and the staff were incredibly friendly, making us feel welcome straight away.
The moment we entered the aquarium we were genuinely surprised by just how much there was to see and do. Within minutes we were greeted by a curious stingray who swam right over to the glass as if to say hello!
Mason loved stopping to read all of the information boards, discovering fascinating facts about the different sea creatures and taking part in the interactive activities dotted around the aquarium.
Animals You’ll See at Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth
One thing that really stood out to us was the variety of marine life on display.
During your visit you can see:
● Sharks
● Stingrays and skates
● Sea turtles
● Clownfish
● Seahorses
● Lionfish
● Moray eels
● Jellyfish
● Octopus
● Lobsters
● Crabs
● Starfish
● Colourful tropical reef fish
● Archerfish
● Giant Gourami
● Frogs and other amphibians
● Asian short-clawed otters
There really is something new to discover around every corner, making it a brilliant day out for children and adults alike.
Walk Beneath the Marine Life In the Underwater Tunnel
One of the absolute highlights of our visit was walking through the incredible underwater tunnel. Seeing sharks, stingrays and beautiful tropical fish swimming gracefully above your head is such an amazing experience and really makes you feel as though you’re part of the ocean.
Mason stood in complete awe watching the sharks glide overhead and we found ourselves walking through more than once because there was always something different to spot. It’s one of those moments that makes Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth so memorable and is definitely not to be missed.
Our Favourite Exhibits
Although the underwater tunnel was incredible, we also spent ages sitting in front of the large shark viewing window simply watching them swim by.
It was surprisingly peaceful and relaxing, and we could have happily stayed there much longer.
During our visit there was also a real-life Mermaid making appearances throughout the day. She chatted with families, posed for photographs and made the visit even more magical for younger children.
Don’t Miss the Splash Park!
Another lovely surprise was the outdoor area.
There’s plenty of seating if you’d like to bring a picnic, making it a great place to stop for lunch before continuing your visit.
There’s also a fantastic little splash park which we had absolutely no idea about before arriving.
Top tip… pack a towel and a spare set of clothes!
We definitely weren’t prepared and ended up taking home one very happy—but very soggy—little boy! Thankfully it was a beautiful hot day so he dried off pretty quickly.
How Long Should You Allow?
We ended up spending around 1½ hours exploring Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth, but honestly we could have stayed much longer.
We completely underestimated how much there was to see and unfortunately already had plans for the afternoon that we couldn’t change.
If you’re planning your own visit, I’d definitely recommend allowing at least two hours, especially if you have children who love watching the animals, reading the information boards and enjoying the outdoor splash park.
Is Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth Worth Visiting?
Absolutely!
This visit completely changed our opinion of the aquarium.
It’s clear that a lot has changed over the years and it’s somewhere we’d happily return to whenever we’re spending the day in Southsea.
Whether you’re looking for things to do in Portsmouth with kids, planning a family day out in Hampshire, searching for Southsea attractions, or simply need a fun rainy day activity in Portsmouth, Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth is well worth a visit.
We certainly won’t be leaving it so many years before returning again!
Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth Ticket Prices
At the time of writing, admission prices are:
● Adult (13+): £16.10
● Child (3–12): £12.90
● Under 3s: FREE
● Concession (65+ & Students): £15.10
● Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children): £56.00
● Grandparents Ticket (2 concessions & 2 children): £54.00
Booking online in advance is recommended, especially during weekends and school holidays.
Opening Times
Open daily from 10:00am–5:00pm (last admission approximately one hour before closing).
Top Tips Before You Visit
✔ Allow at least 2 hours to explore everything.
✔ Don’t forget a towel and spare clothes if your children want to enjoy the splash park.
✔ Check the daily talks and feeding times when you arrive.
✔ If you’re parking along Southsea seafront… pay for more than an hour! Trust us!
Final Thoughts
We had such a lovely afternoon at Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth, and it genuinely exceeded all of our expectations.
It was fantastic to see how much the aquarium has evolved since our last visit, with engaging exhibits, plenty of interactive learning opportunities, the incredible underwater tunnel, outdoor splash park and so many amazing animals to discover.
A huge thank you to the team at Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth for inviting us. As always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely our own.
If you’re planning a visit to the South Coast this summer and are looking for a family-friendly attraction that’s fun, educational and suitable whatever the weather, we can highly recommend adding Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth to your itinerary.
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