Ultimate Guide to SEA LIFE London Aquarium

Set on the ground floor of County Hall on London’s bustling South Bank, the SEA LIFE London Aquarium has been wowing wide-eyed visitors with its kaleidoscope of aquatic critters since it opened back in 1997. Penguin-waddle into our underwater world for the ultimate guide to this top-tier London attraction, including information on what to expect, when to visit, and the best ticket options in town…

SEA LIFE London Aquarium: The Lowdown

Attracting over a million visitors every year, the SEA LIFE London Aquarium is one of the South Bank’s most popular attractions. That’s largely thanks to its state-of-the-art aquaria, spine-tingling underwater Shark Walk tunnel, cool gentoo penguin colony, and 5,000-or-so marine creatures that range from tiny clownfish to majestic sharks, turtles, crocs, rays, and octopuses.

Immersive exhibits at the aquarium mean you can get really up close and personal with these spectacular beasts of the deep. And we mean really really close – over, under, and with your inquisitive face pressed right up against the glass. Heck, there’s even a touch pool where kids young and old get the rare chance to handle sea stars, crabs and other rock pool regulars.

It takes most people between one and two hours to explore the various zones of the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, but there’s no time limit on your visit, meaning kids mesmerized by staring through bubble windows at the magical underwater worlds within can do so for literally hours on end. 

There are also several ranger talks on the many species here, from rays to rainforest dwellers, as well as scheduled feeding times, when you can see the penguins diving for their supper or catch an unmissable piranha feeding frenzy. You can even feed the turtles and go snorkeling with the sharks!

SEA LIFE London Aquarium Zones

• Open Oceans. The replica ribcage of a great gray whale makes for a fine habitat in the Open Oceans exhibit, where colorful purple tangs, snappers, triggerfish and other tropical critters flash brilliantly across the bleached bones. The essential highlight of this zone is the glass tunnel that passes beneath the huge tank, promising tantalizing glimpses of green sea turtles and huge southern stingrays soaring overhead. This is also where you can spot sharks – or head up a level to get an aerial view of these majestic creatures of the deep.
• Coral Kingdom. Experience a kaleidoscope of color at the UK’s largest living coral reef, an awesome underwater oasis that extends some 40 feet and teems with clownfish, seahorses, angelfish, butterflyfish, pufferfish, regal blue and yellow tangs, and other reef dwellers. Take the clownfish challenge as you yourself get the opportunity to bob, weave and shuffle your way through a simulated reef environment.
• Polar Adventure. Slip and slide your way to one of SEA LIFE London Aquarium’s most popular zones to meet the resident colony of playful gentoo penguins. These cute little blighters, with their distinctive white ‘headbands’ and bright orange bills are a joy to observe as they swim, splash, socialize and snooze their way around their icy environment. State-of-the-art 3D and augmented reality technology also brings giant polar bears and orca whales to life in this thrilling Antarctic adventure.

• Rainforest Adventure. Adventure of an altogether different kind awaits in the aquarium’s Amazonian rainforest, where tropical temperatures support life for a fantastical array of exotic animals. This one’s for the creepy crawly connoisseur, the reptile rhapsodizer, the frog fanatic. For here’s where you can meet some of the planet’s most fearsome beasts, among them the poison dart frog, the West African dwarf crocodile, the Chilean rose tarantula, he UK’s largest collection of piranhas, and a snapping turtle named Bowza!
• Ocean Invaders. Mesmerizing and dreamlike in their slow, languid movements, jellyfish are among the ocean’s most fascinating creatures. Brainless and composed of more than 95% water, these amazing animals have been present in our seas for some 500 million years – even longer than our most ancient reptiles! Step into the Ocean Invaders zone to observe several species in all their graceful glory, including the translucent, bell-shaped moon jellyfish, the fearsome looking (and sounding!) Japanese sea nettle, and the more self-explanatory upside-down jellyfish.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium: When to Visit

Opening hours vary throughout the year but are generally around 10AM–5PM in the cooler months, increasing to 9.30AM–7PM in summer and during school holidays., and last entry is an hour before closing time. Check the official SEA LIFE London Aquarium website for opening hours on the specific dates you want to visit. You’ll need to book a time slot for entry during peak times (weekends, school holidays and public holidays). If you fancy a less crowded experience, pop by on weekdays towards the beginning or end of the day, when advance booking is rarely required and the tourist crowds are relatively minimal. 

SEA LIFE London Aquarium: Tickets

One of the best money-saving ways to experience the SEA LIFE London Aquarium is with an Explorer attraction pass from Go City. You can save up to 50% with the pass, which gives you 60 days to experience up to seven London tours, activities and attractions. Entry to the SEA LIFE London Aquarium is included with the pass, as are bucket-list big-hitters including the London Eye, Up at the O2, the London Bridge Experience, Westminster Abbey, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London Zoo, The View from The Shard, and many more.

You can also book direct via the SEA LIFE London Aquarium website, where options include multi-attraction tickets and VIP experiences with the penguins, sharks and turtles.

Closest Transport Links to SEA LIFE London Aquarium

SEA LIFE London Aquarium is a short stroll from Waterloo station, as well as Charing Cross and Westminster Underground station just across the river. After emerging from any of these, simply head towards the London Eye and you won’t go too far wrong!

Save on London Tours, Activities and Attractions

Save on admission to 100+ London attractions with an Explorer or All-Inclusive pass from Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.