Open Tomorrow : 10:00AM - 05:00 PM

  • Monday : 10:00AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tuesday : 10:00AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wednesday : 10:00AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thursday : 10:00AM - 05:00 PM
  • Friday : 10:00AM - 05:00 PM
  • Saturday : 10:00AM - 05:00 PM
  • Sunday : 10:00AM - 05:00 PM

Sit back and enjoy our blogs. Filled with fun fishy facts, incredible insights and colourful pictures there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Learn about conservation efforts around the World and what you can do to help.

Meet the Pipefish: Everything You Need to Know

Oceans are home to one of the widest range of creatures on the planet, with huge variation even within species...
Green Moray Eel

Nine fascinating facts about Green Moray Eels!

Here are nine fascinating facts about Green Moray Eels (Gymnothorax funebris) – the first is that they’re not actually green!...

Octopus Quiz: Do You Know Your Octopus Facts?

The octopus has been on this earth for an incredibly long time, with ancestors of this majestic creature spanning back...

How Big is an Octopus? Comparing the World’s Octopuses

Octopuses are some of the most intriguing and fascinating creatures on the planet, with its name literally meaning “eight legs”...

Types of Seahorses and How They Differ

Aside from the fact that they’re kind of adorable, how much do you really know about seahorses (Hippocampus)? Did you...

Which Sea Creatures can be Found off the Coast of Hastings?

Here at Hastings Aquarium, we’re in a very fortunate position. Not only are our wonderful exhibits brimming with rare, colourful...

What is an Archerfish? 5 Facts You Should Know

The oceans are full of marine life that we still don’t know much about, and there’s no doubt a number...
Meet a Mermaid this Summer Holiday

MEET A REAL-LIFE MERMAID THIS SUMMER HOLIDAY!

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th of August 2023 11.30am – 16:00pm @ Hastings Aquarium This summer holiday, Hastings Aquarium is...
The Common Octopus

An exciting new addition to Hastings Aquarium!

There is much excitement at Hastings Aquarium this summer as we welcome our newest, most enigmatic resident—the common octopus. This...

A Guide to Holidays in Hastings

Hastings might be famous for a lot of its historical and cultural influences, but there’s definitely more to it than...

Are Fish Reptiles?

Ever wondered whether fish are reptiles? They both live in water, so they must be right? The similarities don’t stop...

What’s the Difference Between a Squid and an Octopus?

Octopuses and squids are basically the same, right? Not quite! Although they’re both cephalopods and share similar visual characteristics, the...
Hastings old town at sunset, East Sussex, England, UK

What is Hastings Famous For?

So what exactly is Hastings best known for, and why is it worth visiting? Here, we’ll share all the things...

What are Invertebrates?

We love to teach you about the exciting creatures living all around us, both big and small. So today let’s...
Hastings Castle ruins which date from the Norman invasion of 1066 AD - perched on the cliff above Hastings and set against the sparkling light of the English Channel

6 Unusual Things to Do in Hastings

If you’re ready to uncover the more unusual side of Hastings, you’re definitely in the right place! This guide is...

22 Facts About Pythons

Pythons are incredibly popular here at Hastings Aquarium, so we thought we’d help you get to know them a little...
Gift Vouchers at hastings Aquarium

Christmas gift vouchers now available at Hastings Aquarium!

Christmas gift vouchers now available at Hastings Aquarium! Magical memories and an amazing day out await at Hastings Aquarium this...

How To: Buy Online With Tesco Clubcard Reward Partners

Exciting newsWe are now able to accept Tesco Clubcard Reward Partner vouchers online when purchasing Standard, Junior or Concession Day Passes*!! Below...

Happy New Year from Blue Reef!

A very happy new year from the Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings Team! We hope you’ve coped with everything that 2020...

Our Re-opening has been delayed

UPDATED Thursday 26th of May: Due to matters beyond our control, we have had to postpone our scheduled reopening this...

Love is in the air in our Clownfish Tank

We don’t know whether it’s down to the effects of lockdown but our Clownfish pair at Blue Reef Hastings have...

Ask the Aquarist… with Lauren

How do I become an Aquarist? What sort of teeth do sharks have? Aquarist Lauren answers YOUR questions...
Black tip juvenile shark at Hastings Aquarium grey

Lights, Camera, Aquarium!

Read all about it! Big news for the Aquarium over Lockdown! A huge restoration project, an internet webseries and lots...

The Blue Planet Effect & the Plastic Problem

Junior Aquarist, Rebecca Hansell, revisits the BBC'S groundbreaking documentary series 'Blue Planet II'. What effect has this programme had...

Ask the Aquarist… with Rob

Do fish get thirsty? What's the fastest fish in the sea? Our ocean oracle, Rob, answers YOUR aquatic questions...

Fish and Marine Animals Named After Celebrities

Here, we're diving into the world’s waters to uncover some amazing fish and marine animals that have been named after...

Third Temporary Closure for Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings

As of Saturday 19th of December 2020, Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings will sadly close its doors once again in response...

Blue Reef is Re-Opening!

We are delighted to announce that Blue Reef is BACK. As of Wednesday 2nd of December, 2020 we will be...

Christmas Gift Ideas with Blue Reef Aquarium!

What could be a better gift experience than visiting over 250 species of breathtaking sealife from around the globe?! With...

My Octopus Teacher – A Blue Reef Review

Rebecca Hansell, Junior Aquarist at Blue Reef Hastings and film-fan, shares her insight and opinion on Netflix’s new hit documentary...

Second Temporary Closure for Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings

Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings will sadly close its doors once again in response to the country’s second lockdown. The site...

10 Living Descendants and Relatives of Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs died out millions of years ago, yet some of their relatives are still around. Click here for our guide...

Aquarium Therapy: How Fish Tanks Can Reduce Stress and Improve Wellbeing

Watching colourful fish swim is fun for all, but did you know it can also have a positive effect on...

Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings is OPEN

Staff at the Aquarium welcomed visitors back on Saturday 4th July. They were pleased to see people enjoying their visits...

Blue Reef Aquarium Closes Temporarily in Response to COVID-19

Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings Closes Temporarily in Response to COVID-19 As a precautionary measure and in an effort to protect...

Dinosaurs Descend on Blue Reef Aquarium this Easter

A huge Tyrannosaurus Rex is returning to Blue Reef Aquarium during the Easter holidays. On Tuesday April 7th, guests to...
Gift Vouchers at hastings Aquarium

Diving Santa at Blue Reef Aquarium

DIVING SANTA AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM Father Christmas will be donning his wetsuit and jumping into Blue Reef Aquarium’s main...

The world’s scariest underwater predators

Ahead of our spooktacular Pumpkins and Predators event this October half term, we’ve put together this list featuring some of...

Discover The Animals Of The Coral Reef

Hiding beneath the waves of the ocean are huge tropical structures known as coral reefs. Found all over the world...

DINOSAURS DESCEND ON BLUE REEF AQUARIUM 

DINOSAURS DESCEND ON BLUE REEF AQUARIUM A huge Tyrannosaurus Rex is returning to Blue Reef Aquarium during the summer holidays...

Do male seahorses give birth? Five fishy facts about these deep sea dads

In the world of fishy fathers, nobody grabs the reigns more tightly than the noble seahorse. In fact, they’re nearly...

Where are the most beautiful sea creatures in the UK?

Rays, octopuses, sharks, seahorses you might think we’re describing the creatures you’ll find at Blue Reef Hastings. And you will...

Monster Week at Blue Reef Aquarium

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium will be taken over by sea monsters as part of a special week-long event which runs...

What’s On in Hastings This Easter

It’s Easter time! The time of year that brings joy, longer days, and plenty of chocolate eggs! With many top...

‘MERMAID’ SWIMS ASHORE TO MEET AQUARIUM GUESTS

‘MERMAID’ SWIMS ASHORE TO MEET AQUARIUM GUESTS Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is playing host to a breath-taking, real-life mermaid during the Easter holidays. On Friday April 19th...

Festive Fun at Blue Reef Aquarium

This Christmas at Blue Reef Aquarium is set to be the most magical yet as guests are invited to a...

NEW SHARK JOINS AQUARIUM COLLECTION

NEW SHARK JOINS AQUARIUM COLLECTION A baby shark has made his debut at Blue Reef Aquarium in Hastings just in...

7 Mind-Blowing Facts About Octopuses

Everyone knows that octopuses have rounded bodies, bulging eyes, and eight long arms; you may even know that the correct...

Sea Creatures of the World

The underwater kingdom fascinates people all over the world. From Australia, all the way around the world to the picturesque...

‘MERMAID’ SWIMS ASHORE TO MEET AQUARIUM GUESTS

‘MERMAID’ SWIMS ASHORE TO MEET AQUARIUM GUESTS Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is playing host to a breath-taking, real-life mermaid during...

DINOSAURS DESCEND ON BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

DINOSAURS DESCEND ON BLUE REEF AQUARIUM A huge Tyrannosaurus Rex is set to descend on Blue Reef Aquarium during the...

AQUARIUM CELEBRATES ‘COUPLES’ IN HONOUR OF ROYAL WEDDING

AQUARIUM CELEBRATES ‘COUPLES’ IN HONOUR OF ROYAL WEDDING Guests are being invited to join in the royal wedding celebrations this...

SEA MONSTERS WEEK AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

‘SEA MONSTERS’ WEEK AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium will be taken over by sea monsters as part...

Creature Case Study: Giant Pacific Octopus

Commonly known as the giant Pacific octopus, but scientifically called Enteroctopus dofleini, this is the largest type of octopus. Growing...

MERMAID ANNA MEET AND GREET

A breath-taking real life ‘mermaid’ is returning to Blue Reef Aquarium this Easter half term. On Thursday April 12th, visitors...

Dinosaur Day, Easter Half Term

A huge Tyrannosaurus Rex is set to descend on Blue Reef Aquarium this Easter half term. On Wednesday 4th April...

VISITORS HELP TO NAME NEW OCTOPUS

Aquarists at Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium have picked a winning name for their newly-arrived Giant Pacific Octopus after a hugely...

HASTINGS’ AQUARIUM SPREADS CHRISTMAS CHEER WITH RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

HASTINGS’ AQUARIUM SPREADS CHRISTMAS CHEER WITH RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS Blue Reef Aquarium in Hastings is appealing for nominations after...

BLUE REEF LAUNCHES COMPETITION TO NAME GIANT OCTOPUS

  Visitors to Blue Reef Aquarium in Hastings are being invited to come up with a name for their newest...

GIANT DINOSAUR DECENDS ON BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

Guests to Blue Reef Aquarium were wowed by a huge four metre dinosaur and its baby siblings during October half...

Autumn Beach Clean

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE WEATHER Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is inviting volunteers to join them on...

HALF TERM HALLOWEEN FUN AT DISCOVER HASTINGS

Three of Hastings’ most popular visitor attractions are set for a horribly entertaining Halloween half term. Running from Saturday October...

AQUARIUM INVITES TODDLERS TO MEET TIDDLERS ON TUESDAYS

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is trialing a scheme to encourage more young families to visit during the week. As part...

MERMAID RETURNS TO AQUARIUM FOR HALF TERM FUN

MERMAID RETURNS TO AQUARIUM FOR HALF TERM FUN A breath-taking real life ‘mermaid’ is returning to Blue Reef Aquarium this...

DINOSAURS DESCEND ON BLUE REEF AQUARIUM 

A huge Tyrannosaurus Rex is set to descend on Blue Reef Aquarium this October half term. On Thursday 26th October...
Black tip juvenile shark at Hastings Aquarium grey

AQUARIUM INUNDATED WITH NAMES FOR BABY SHARKS

Aquarists at Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium have announced the names for their newly-arrived blacktip reef sharks following a naming competition...

VISITORS INVITED TO NAME BLACK TIP REEF SHARKS

Visitors to Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium will have the chance to name their newest arrivals over the summer holidays (July...

‘Mermaid’ swims ashore to meet aquarium guests

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is playing host to a breathtaking, real-life mermaid this summer.   On Saturday, August 19th visitors can take part in a meet and greet with Mermaid Anna, a mythical and magical interactive...

EASTER EGG-CITEMENT AT DISCOVER HASTINGS

Three of Hastings’ biggest tourist attractions are promising guests an EGG-cellent time over the school holidays with fun-filled Easter trails...

FISHY FUN AS AQUARIUM LAUNCHES NEW ENRICHMENT SCHEME

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is giving its animals a ‘Fish-tastic’ time as part of new scheme. The Rock-a-Nore Road attraction...

Blue Reef Aquarium Plans Beach Clean

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is inviting volunteers to join them on a pre-spring beach clean next month. Staff from the...

Visitors invited to help with Stock Take

The annual stock-take is taking place over the February Half Term holidays (Feburary 11th-19th) at Hastings Blue Aquarium with their...

Exotic pets not just for Christmas

Experts at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium are urging people not to buy exotic pets unless they are committed to giving...

Blue Reef Donates Tickets to Women’s Charity

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium has donated tickets to a local women’s charity.  The Rock-a-Nore Road attraction has offered a set...

Reindeer Trail at Blue Reef Aquarium

Visitors to Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium are being invited to help Santa Claus find his missing reindeer. The Rock-a-Nore Road...
Gift Vouchers at hastings Aquarium

Santa to take the plunge at Blue Reef Aquarium

Santa Claus is taking time off from preparing for Christmas by taking the plunge at Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium on...

Aquarium inviting visitors to do their thing for Children In Need

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is hosting a week-long series of fundraising events and activities for the BBC Children in Need...

Sprats Amazing – Giant shoal driven on to Hastings beach

Visitors to Rock-a-Nore beach were shocked to witness a rare marine phenomenon in which hundreds of sprats became stranded on...

Blue Reef diver helps wedding proposal go swimmingly

Romantic wildlife lover Matt Bridges enlisted the help of a diver at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium to propose to his...

Halloween Half Term Fun

Two of Hastings’ most popular visitor attractions are getting in a mischievous mood for a horribly entertaining Halloween half term...

World Octopus Day

Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium is holding a series of special events and activities to celebrate World Octopus Day on Saturday...

Donated Eel and Puffer get new home

A giant moray eel which outgrew its tank is settling in to a spacious new home at Hastings’ Blue Reef...

Autumn Beach Clean

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is inviting volunteers to join them on an autumnal beach clean next month. Staff from the...

Blue Reef Aquarium recreates mini Amazon riverbed

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium has recreated a miniature section of the Amazon riverbed as part of a new feature. The...

Baby Snakes Born

Staff at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium are celebrating the birth of a pair of royal pythons. The baby snakes hatched...

Giant Clownfish invited to ‘Finding Dory’ Premier

Blue Reef Aquarium’s cuddly costume character Charlie the Clownfish will be guest of honour at the premiere of the new...

Aquarium awash with AR Pokemon

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is awash with a host of bizarre new Pokemon Go characters. Staff at the Rock-a-Nore Road...

Pirate Day Fun

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium, Smugglers’ Adventure and Hastings Castle are joining forces this weekend (Sunday, July 17th) to celebrate the...

Sharky Joins George

A metre-and-a-half-long nursehound called ‘Sharky’ is the newest arrival at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium. After spending time in quarantine, the...

Hastings Castle Play – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Hastings Castle will be transformed into ancient Athens for an outdoor performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ later this year...

Royal Births Due Next Month

Staff at Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium are preparing themselves for no fewer than three royal births next month. The royals...

June Beach Clean

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is once again inviting local people to take part in a beach clean this weekend. Staff...

May Half Term Event

Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium is going green for the May Half Term holidays (Saturday, May 28th– Sunday, June 5th). The...

New Arrivals – ‘Smiling’ Tiger Salamanders

A pair of tiger salamanders has gone on display at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium. Originally from America, the tiger salamander...

Bumper Haul for Blue Reef Beach Clean

A record number of volunteers helped staff from Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium collect 35 bags of rubbish in just 90...

Volunteers Needed At Aquarium

If you have passion for the aquatic world then Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium would like to hear from you. The...

RARE ALBINO SHARK’S ALL WHITE

An extremely rare albino shark has gone on display at Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium. The native dogfish, which measures close...

Fishy Stock Take Event

An annual stock-take with a difference is taking place over the February half term holidays (Feb 15th-21st) at Hastings Blue...

Lizard Naming Competition

Visitors to Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium over the half term holidays (Feb 13th-21st) will have the chance to name their...
Gift Passes

Themed Birthday Parties!

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is helping parents to combat party planning in winter weather, with its indoor children’s birthday parties...

Spider named after Potter star

A spectacular Chilean rose tarantula is to be named Snape, in honour of the Harry Potter star, by staff at...

Smugglers: Torchlight Tour

Intrepid visitors to the famous Smugglers Adventure in Hastings will have a second chance to take part in a special...

‘Queenie’ The Triggerfish Rules

A giant triggerfish which outgrew its tank at a local garden centre is enjoying a spacious new home at Hastings...

Fishmas Dinner

Keepers at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium have been providing some special festive treats for their residents in the run up...

Donation to Homeless Charity

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium has donated tickets to a local homeless charity in the run up to Christmas. The Rock-a-Nore...

Poison Dart Frog Baby Boom

Dozens of tiny baby poison dart frogs are thriving after being born at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium. The little froglets...

Deeply Creepy Halloween!

Two of Hastings’ most popular visitor attractions are getting in a mischievous mood for a deeply creepy Halloween half term...

New Tree Python

The newest arrival at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium has been named after Lord Voldermort’s favourite reptile companion. Staff have named...

Octopus Play Time!

A giant octopus at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium has formed an unlikely attachment with a child’s toy given to him...

The Big Draw 2015

The Blue Reef Aquarium in Hastings is inviting the public to create their own marine-themed works of art. Inspired by...

Endangered Tadpoles Hatch

Delighted aquarists at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium are celebrating the birth of nine rare phantasmal poison frog tadpoles – believed...

Aquarium Finds Nemo

Delighted staff at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium are celebrating finding their own Nemos after the arrival of four captive-bred baby...

Beach Clean

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is appealing for volunteers to take part in a beach clean this weekend. Staff from Blue...

Claws Week

Visitors to Hastings’s Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to enjoy some close encounters with a variety of weird and...

Shark Named After Frozen

A female shark is to be named ‘Elsa’ in honour of the animated heroine from ‘Frozen’ following a competition at...

Matchmaking Chameleons

Keepers at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium are aiming to play matchmaker to a pair of shy chameleons. Staff at the...

Big Bellies On Show Along The Seafront

A group of captive-bred big belly seahorses has gone on public display at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium. The 20-strong colony...

Breeding Programme For British Pipefish

Aquarists at Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium have set up a breeding programme for one of the UK’s most unusual fish...

Big Daddy Ray Joins Offspring

A giant southern stingray has joined his offspring at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium. Earlier this year a quintet of captive-bred...

Shark Week Feb Half Term

Visitors to Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium will have the chance to immerse themselves in a world of sharks and rays...

Mantis Shrimp packs a powerful punch

Marine experts at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium are taking no chances with their latest arrival – a trigger-happy peacock mantis...

Keepers Name Baby Stingrays After 1D

A quintet of baby stingrays are settling in to their new home at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium. The southern stingrays...

January Beach Clean

AQUARIUM APPEALING FOR NEW YEAR BEACH CLEAN HELPERS   Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is appealing for volunteers to take part...

Diving Santa!

SANTA TAKES THE PLUNGE AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM   A scuba-diving Santa Claus took time off from preparing for Christmas by...

Aquarium Jelly Babies

AQUARIUM AWASH WITH JELLY BABIES Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is awash with dozens of baby jellyfish.  The horde of moon...

Tiny Terrors at Aquarium

A quartet of tiny terrors is set to go on display in Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium’s Jungle Room. The Rock-a-Nore...

Deeply Creepy Halloween Fun

Two of Hastings’ most popular visitor attractions are getting in a mischievous mood for a deeply creepy Halloween half term...

Dumped Turtles Spark Warning

Aquarists at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium have issued a stark warning over the growing problem of ‘exotic’ pet dumping. Their...

BEACH CLEAN!

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is appealing for volunteers to take part in a beach clean next month. Staff from Blue...
Black tip juvenile shark at Hastings Aquarium grey

Baby Shark Gets A Name!

Aquarists at Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium have picked a name for their newly-arrived blacktip reef shark with the help of...

Fishy Stocktake

A stock-take with a difference is taking place from Monday, September 15th to Sunday, September 21st at Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium with their...

Baby Shark Needs Naming

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is asking youngsters to come up with a name for their newly-arrived baby blacktip reef shark...

Bizarre Hovercraft Fish!

A bizarre cowfish, which resembles an armour-plated box and spits water when it’s hungry, has gone on display at Hastings’...

Claws Week!

Visitors to Hastings’s Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to enjoy some close encounters with a variety of weird and...

Predators Week at Blue Reef

Visitors to Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to come face to face with some of the aquatic world’s...

Blue Reef Sponsors Panto

It was perhaps appropriate that a giant clownfish and a large cat should be on hand to officially launch Blue...

Rare Babies on Display

Eight rare fish babies have gone on display in a special nursery tank at Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium – complete...

Charlie’s Day Out

A two-metre-tall clownfish has been enjoying a day out at the seaside in Hastings. The giant orange and white fish...

Giant Iguana Goes Walkabout

Keith, the giant iguana, is making the most of the recent spell of hot weather by enjoying going for walks...

Sea Monsters Week

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium will be taken over by sea monsters as part of a special week-long event which runs...

Shark Week at Blue Reef

Visitors to Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium will have the chance to immerse themselves in a world of sharks and rays...

Ray Eggs Born

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is hoping to hear the splash of tiny fins in the coming months with the arrival...

Geckos Go On Show

A species of gecko, thought to be extinct until a single specimen was rediscovered following a tropical storm in 1994...

Easter Shark Egg Hunt

Visitors to Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to join in with an Easter Egg Hunt with a difference...

Jungle Room Expansion

Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium has added a total of 10 new displays to its ‘Jungle Room’ as part of a...

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