Sadly the aquarium has gone downhill since we last visited a few years ago, ironically it's also got more expensive during this time. Whilst it's still an enjoyable experience, it's very over priced for what it is at £14.95 per person. When you get there, you no longer get a ticket instead your hand is stamped and you're sent on your way. The stamp is then difficult to wash off. One of the highlights for me personally used to be the otters however I was saddened to hear that Ralph and Selma had passed away. Their enclosure has been replaced with a shark tank with 3 sharks in it and a few fish, these were previously in underwater tunnel enclosure so it feels like Blue Reef have spread the animals out to fill the space instead of perhaps bringing animals in from other zoos or aquariums. My advice would be to definitely go round twice, once to discover what there is to see, the second time to really appreciate your favorite parts. The highlight for me this time were the stingrays, they seemed to have their own personalities and were enjoyable to watch. I found the shop at the end to be over priced and poorly stocked, almost as if there was too much space for the stock they had. A few years ago you could buy postcards in there which I was hoping to do but found none available.

It was good to make a return visit to blue reef as I hadn't been since pre-pandemic & having read some of the reviews on here I was a little a apprehensive as to what I might find when I arrived - I need not have worried . The site itself is good with a wide variety of sealife to see & talks advertised to listen to - though it was sad to see that the otters have now gone . There is clearly some upgrade work going on with a new shark pool having been built & a new turtle tank being constructed ; but I still think some of the reviews on here are perhaps a little harsh. Yes it's a little over priced whilst the work is ongoing - perhaps £9.95 rather than £14.95 would be a fairer price - & yes the shop is very understocked & over priced for what it is . We went round twice & really enjoyed it & will certainly return again in the future .

Very disappointed. Expensive 1 hour experience. As a family we have visited several sealife centres, so were really looking forward to our visit. There are several tanks with fish to look at , but overall it was disappointing. The majority of the information labels on several of the tanks are difficult for an adult to read as they are so dark with signs asking not to use flashlights etc which I understand but a little bit of illumination on the information labels is not too much to ask. I would not recommend or make a 2nd visit unless several simple improvements were made first

I’ve not visited in 8 years so was sad to see the aquarium in such a sorry state. The high entry price does not reflect the experience you’ll receive. The aquarium is in my opinion very rundown and dirty. There are some nice bits for a one off trip in bad weather and the animals are interesting for little eyes. Nothings been cleaned for many years by the looks of it. But my gosh the toilets were absolutely filthy, I mean beyond filthy. There’s an outdoor area with very unsafe broken play equipment (please don’t let your kids on it). I would never visit again. I hope the owners invest in it or rehome the animals before they all perish!

Tired and run down, shark tank closed and empty. Whole experience took about 30 mins to walk round, stopping and looking at every tank. Used to be so much better a few years ago when I last visited. There used to be an area with otters which is now closed and an outside area which is now closed and an eye sore. The ladies toilets were out order so had to use the accessible toilet, it was filthy and absolutely stunk. This is also the baby changing area. I would not want to take a baby in there. It obviously hadn’t been checked or cleaned during the day. On the plus side the tanks were clean, full of interesting sealife with lots of educational facts dotted around but just not worth the entrance fee Another plus worth mentioning, the reception staff were lovely and friendly.

We stopped here on our way home as we love visiting aquariums. Sadly this place really wasn’t worth the money. If it was cheaper then it would have been ok but £50 for a family of four although I did use my Tesco vouchers to get £11 off was steep. We got through the aquarium in around half an hour and that included the little park and the gift shop. The aquarium itself looks nice and the animals seemed well cared for, staff were friendly too. Probably wouldn’t visit again.

Sadly very disappointed. Went years ago and recall a good experience. Looked tired and in places scruffy. Overpriced and not enough to see. You can do it in 45 minutes tops. Poor graphics. At one talk the guide talked fast and failed to engage children by doing so. Some interesting tanks but nothing really out of the ordinary. Had to go to the helpful café next door to fill child's water bottle on a hot day. Advice - save your money.