Blue Reef Aquarium

As part of our ongoing commitment to environmental awareness, Blue Reef is running a competition in association with local and national conservation groups to highlight the environmental issues facing our marine world.

A selection of sea-going super dads are taking center stage this weekend at Blue Reef. Along with talks and a special guided tour focusing on the aquarium's hard working fathers, Blue Reef is also showcasing some real fishy father figures including clownfish, bangaii cardinal fish and the famous seahorse

Swashbuckling fun for younger visitors - discover all about pirates, privateers and buccaneers. There's storytelling sessions, workshops, flag designing classes and even special talks about some real life Pirates!

Can you find the real life 'Nemo' and his fishy friends? All the animated characters from the blockbuster movie were based on living creatures. Visit Blue Reef and follow the 'Nemo' trail to see which familiar faces you meet on your journey

The National Glass Centre will be visiting to make some Blue Reef inspired glass paintings!

Blue Reef is a great place for visitors of all ages to find out more about the wonders of the deep. Whatever the weather, Blue Reef's innovative displays, informative talks and feeding demonstrations keep the family fully entertained. 

Draw sea creatures with visiting National Glass Centre exhibiting artist Ben Lawson!

Following the enormous success of its breeding programmes, Blue Reef is devoting a weekend to the seahorse, a creature that has captivated humans since the dawn of civilization. Discover the secret life of these amazing fish and the dangers they face in the wild.

We are organising a litter pick on Longsands Beach on Saturday September 20th as part of Beachwatch 2008 - a nationwide campaign run by the Marine Conservation Society. Volunteers will be issued with collecting bin bags, a pair of gloves and a reporting form to record their finds. The data is then used to help the Marine Conservation Society identify major polluters and form recommendations for action to reduce the sources of marine and beach litter.

If you would like to help please contact us on 01912581031

Become an artist for the day as part of The Big Draw event. Sketch a seahorse, paint a puffer fish or create your own fishy work of art inspired by the amazing variety, patterns, colours, shapes and sizes of marine creatures. Pictures will be entered into our Young Marine Artist of the Year competition.

Following the success of last year's competition, Blue Reef is aiming to make this year's event even bigger and better! Throughout the Autumn term, you are invited to connect with your creative sides and get drawing.  The competition is a celebration of our seas and oceans. This year's theme is 'Sea Monsters' and the only condition is that all entries must be inspired by the marine environment. 

Blue Reef is inviting visitors to discover the secrets of the underwater world this Saturday and Sunday.  In association with Aquanorth, the weekend aims to provide a fascinating introduction to both the sport of diving and the rich variety of North Sea marine habitats.  Local diving school Aquanorth will be on hand throughout the weekend to offer an introduction to diving in the North East, as well as bringing in various pieces of scuba equipment for you to look at.

Blue Reef will be taken over by Sea Monsters for the October half-term holidays. As well as revealing the truth behind some of the world's most famous sea monster stories there's even a chance to come face to face with some real monsters of the deep!

It may be winter outside but we are open all year (closed Christmas Day only) and you are guaranteed a warm welcome - whatever the weather!  With naturally themed tropical displays and underwater walk through tunnels, the aquarium is an oasis of light and colour, even on the darkest days.  Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of a bustling coral reef, it's easy to forget the winter blues and imagine yourself basking in the sunshine of another perfect tropical day!  And what better day to relax and unwind than to watch graceful Black Tip sharks glide effortlessly by or hundreds of brightly coloured reef fish go about their daily lives!