Sea Life Manchester

On a rainy Sunday morning we decided last minute to visit the Sea Life Manchester aquarium at The Trafford Center – well, Barton Square. It was a great decision because A) it was open from 9.30 and we are early risers, so Sunday opening hours annoy us on a weekly basis, and B) Dexter loves aquariums. The only downside is that you pay the higher rate if you book your visit for the same day.

So, to pay on the day (turning up, or online) it costs £21.95 for an adult or to book in advance it’s £17.50. We didn’t mind too much about the price as Dexter makes everything worth it, and I can confirm that he absolutely loved it!

We booked our time slot for opening (9.30am) Sunday morning, and as The Trafford Center doesn’t open until 12pm, the Sea Life Center was empty. We were numbers 15 to 17 to walk in. I don’t know if that is the norm, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you ever want to visit. This allowed Dexter to run around (literally, there is no stopping him) freely, and not get in any other visitor’s way.

Once we checked in with our tickets, we had photos taken with a green screen – which was actually pretty affordable. The package we paid for was £20 – we got digital downloads, 2 prints of our choice, 2 magnets, and 2 wallet photos. I can’t pass these opportunities up, we have so many now.

After having our photos taken, we then had a little show to watch. We were the only ones in there, with the presenter. It is an interactive 3D projection show of Turtle Beach – super cute! Once you have watched the show – it’s no more that five minutes – you enter the aquarium.

Walking around the aquarium, you go through different sealife zones. Rocky Hideout, Jellyfish Seas (this is so beautiful), Shark Shipwreck, Coral Reef, Ocean Tunnel, Ocean Window, Stingray Bay, Sea Ranger, Rock Pool (you can touch some beautiful Star Fish!) and Giant Crab Lair.

There is so much that is interactive for little ones, the first being Jelly Fish Seas. The display for the Jelly Fish was mesmerising, but you could also change the light colour of the tank, which was very soothing to watch.

Coral Reef and the Ocean Tunnel were a favourite for all of us. They allow you to get up-close and personal with the fish, through tunnels and places to pop your head through to feel like you’re in the tanks! This was a big hit for the baby.

Oh, and they have an indoor play area, about two thirds of you way through, located near the toilets. This was great to let Dexter get all of his energy out to then carry on with the aquarium!

We saw so many beautiful creatures here, including lots of Nemo’s! Definitely a place not to be missed with your little ones! Especially considering you have free parking, and you could make a day out of it by shopping, eating, playing at the arcade or maybe taking a visit to the Odeon – all of which is within The Trafford Center.