Dive into the Depths

Take the plunge beneath the waves and enter an alien world. Your journey starts here at the National Marine Aquarium, where towering reefs and teeming coral seas are home to awe-inspiring creatures of the deep. It's an experience guaranteed to open your eyes - and change the way you look at the sea forever. Stand transfixed in front of the panoramic 2-storey high Atlantic Reef. Look up from the seabed to the surface while majestic rays sweep past and 2 metre congers lurk in dark crevasses. Then visit the Mediterranean Seas and tiptoe to the edge of a giant ravine, experiencing the sensation of total underwater immersion, where fish swim all around and even above you - only 9cm of acrylic separating your world from theirs. Suddenly, gliding out of the gloom, an awesome Sand Tiger shark confronts you, nose-to-nose.

As close as you can get without getting wet

The bright and busy metropolis of the coral seas will entrance you with its flashing neon colours, amaze you with its fantastical and sometimes comical inhabitants - maybe you will even spot a human trespasser diving to deliver food.

Hunt for hidden treasure

Take a trip to the seashore and peer into rock pools, where starfish, crabs and sea anemones make their home. There are daily talks and friendly guides on hand to make sure you don't miss a thing - and remember the more you look the more you see!

Enter the secret world of seahorses

Enjoy Britain's largest collection of seahorse species. Watch these shy and delicate creatures perform a magical underwater ballet as they dance and twist before your eyes!

Spying behind the scenes

Discover for yourself the work that goes into maintaining Britain's Biggest Aquarium and enjoy a privileged glimpse of the marine nursery, where the serious work of conserving our planet's precious marine ecosystems continues.

Shipwreck

Flooded portholes, the sound of rushing water, flashing red warning lights ahead - and then a klaxon marks the beginning of the multi-media show, Monsters of the Deep. Travel with us to an alien world of perpetual darkness, untouched by the light of day. Return to the surface and go eye-to-eye with a real life monster of the deep - a preserved giant squid - Britain's only specimen on display. Over six feet long and not even fully grown, imagine the size of its parents!

Holiday Workshops for Children

Don't miss our holiday workshops, available at no extra charge during the Easter, summer and half term holidays. They're the perfect opportunity for families to have fun together. Great entertainment, making your visit even more worthwhile.

How to find us

The National Marine Aquarium is located in the Coxside area of Plymouth. Most visitors find the easiest route is the A38 to Marsh Mills (Sainsbury's) then along the A374Embankment Road, Follow the brown and white fish signs, which can be found on all entry roads into the City. The route for the Aquarium and Barbican car park (main Parking for the Aquarium) is signed from here.

Parking

If you are travelling to Plymouth by car, many visitors use the Park and Ride at Milehouse, only a few minutes from the A38. Take the Manadon exit, following signs to Plymouth Argyle Football Club. Please phone Citybus on 01752 222221 for details.

We have a limited number of disabled parking bays, these are available on a first come first served basis, to those displaying a valid disabled badge. There is no other parking available at the National Marine Aquarium, please use either the Coxside or Lockyers Quay pay & display car parks, adjacent to the site.