Thinking of visiting Sea Life Brighton? Read on to find out my honest review!
For the very first time Connor and I went on a marine life adventure at the oldest aquarium in the world, right here in Brighton. Sea Life was designed by Eugenius Birch, a brilliant architect from the late 1860s who also designed the west pier of Brighton. The aquarium first opened its doors to the public in 1872 and this year they will be celebrating their 50th anniversary!
We began our visit by learning the background of the aquarium, from the start of the construction to its current state, which was displayed on posters at the front of the aquarium. This was an eye opening read and made us realise how much this place had gone through historically.
Of course, we then had to do the obligatory greenscreen photo shoot just before entering the world of the sea. After reading about the aquarium and taking our picture, we were handed a treasure map with the goal of finding the missing word. All we had to do was find the missing letters hidden in the aquarium and at the end, a prize would be awarded.
It was then finally time to go from the grounded earth to the vast oceans and with the snap of our fingers, we were immersed in the humble home of a diverse marine life community. The lights and decor were magical, as well as the themed music. We felt like we were in The Little Mermaid! It was beautiful to be surrounded with such a variety of fish and learn all about them.
Connor and I were able to spot coral reef inhabitants and sharks, which was fascinating. Every tank had a description of the fish inhabiting it including a background of the species, its origin, and its traits.
Following our discovery of the aquarium we had the opportunity to take part in an interactive activity with anemones and starfish. Connor and I couldn’t wait to try and touch these specimens. As soon as my fingers entered the water and touched the starfish I instantly jumped as I could feel a foreign rusty texture.
On the other hand, the anemone had a slimy surface which felt completely different from the starfish. It was an interesting discovery, and I would recommend it to any curious chap.
Next it was Connor’s turn to take part, and as soon as he touched the starfish he jumped in shock. It was hilarious as all the kids waiting in line were making fun of him for exploding, including the instructor who was almost crying with laughter. No, I am just joking, he was doing absolutely fine, I was the one who got scared and therefore jumped… anyway, moving on.
Next, we continued on to the rainforest section where an anaconda and too many ants lived; it gave me the shivers. I felt like they were crawling all over me throughout this part of the visit. I felt like I was in their environment and being intrusive even though they were in a box. However, Connor seemed amazed by what he was seeing and learned plenty of fun facts about these tiny omnivores.
Finally, we met the famous sharks – yes, you read that correctly: the sharks. I do not have a particularly strong fear regarding these predators; however, I couldn't help but hear the song from Jaws which brought me back to the horror film for a minute.
We then went under a water tunnel surrounded by sharks and turtles, which was surreal. It was amazing to have an insightful perspective of their tank and their cohabitation. Connor and I took a couple of pictures and selfies to keep as memories.
We terminated our tour with a wonderful prize as we were able to find all the missing letters to complete our word. You will have to go with your family or friends to find out, and you may win a prize. All we can say is that it was delicious, and I reassure you that we did not eat any fish.
Overall, we had a wonderful time at the Sea Life Brighton Aquarium and would recommend it to anyone and everyone. It is a wonderful experience for a day out with family, friends or a loved one to discover a different world.
