Opening Times

  • Monday: 10am – 5pm
  • Tuesday: 10am – 5pm
  • Wednesday: 10am – 5pm
  • Thursday: 10am – 5pm
  • Friday: 10am – 5pm
  • Saturday: 10am – 5pm
  • Sunday: 10am – 5pm

Sit back and enjoy our selection of interesting and insightful blogs!

Learn about what’s new at Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth, some fun stories about our animals, conservation tips and even a few behind the scenes snippets!

If you’d like to see anything in particular here, you can always contact us to make a new suggestion, we’d love to hear from you!

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 ...

INSTAFISH WEEK

This February Half Term we want to invite you to share your incredible photos of our animals for a chance ...

12 Trees of Christmas!

Christmas Fun this December Half TermSaturday 18th December – Sunday 2nd January Take the ultimate undersea safari at Blue Reef ...

Frankenfish and the lost Pumpkins Week

Frankenfish and the lost Pumpkins WeekHalloween Fun this October Half TermSaturday 23th – Sunday 31st October 2021 Take a spooky ...

Secrets of the Solent

THIS SUMMER Uncover the hidden Secrets of the Solent at Blue Reef Aquarium. In partnership with Hampshire & Isle of ...

Blue Reef Aquarium Opening Monday 17th May!

Blue Reef Aquarium Opening Monday 17th May!

Following 5 months of closure, on the 17th May Blue Reef Aquarium will open its doors to welcome visitors once ...

Beach Club and Splash Play Re-opening!

Beach Club and Splash Play Re-opening!

We are pleased to announce we’ll be opening our Beach Club and Splash Play from 12th April for £5. Under ...

Exploring the Anatomy of a Stingray

Exploring the Anatomy of a Stingray

From their fins and stingers to their eyes and mouth, we\'ll take a closer look at the unique physique of ...

12 Trees of Fishmas

12 Trees of Fishmas

12 Trees of Christmas!Christmas Fun this December Half TermSaturday 19th December – Sunday 3rd January Take the ultimate undersea safari ...

Second Temporary Closure for Blue Reef Aquarium

Second Temporary Closure for Blue Reef Aquarium

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

10 of the Most Unusual Fish Discovered in the Ocean

10 of the Most Unusual Fish Discovered in the Ocean

We\'ve uncovered 10 of the most unusual and amazing sea creatures to be found in the world\'s oceans. ...

What is an Axolotl and Why Are They Endangered?

What is an Axolotl and Why Are They Endangered?

In this guide, we’ll be filling you in on the remarkable axolotl, from its amazing genetics to where it’s found ...

Gills and Ghouls Week

Gills and Ghouls Week

...

What do Otters Eat and Where Do They Live? Incredible Facts About This Amazing Animal

What do Otters Eat and Where Do They Live? Incredible Facts About This Amazing Animal

Here, we\'ll present some amazing facts about otters, including their habitat, what they like to eat, and just why they ...

An Introduction to Ocean Conservation in 20 Key Facts

An Introduction to Ocean Conservation in 20 Key Facts

we’ve created an informative intro to ocean conservation, detailing the key facts and most crucial information to help get you ...

Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth displays a wonderful Banana Eel!

Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth displays a wonderful Banana Eel!

Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium has a new, young Banana eel on display for visitors to see. The Banana eel (Gymnothorax ...

Leave your lunchbox at home!

Leave your lunchbox at home!

Leave your lunchbox at home! Eat Out to Help Out this August at the Blue Reef Aquarium Driftwood Kitchen Café! ...

Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth is o’fish’ally Open!

Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth is o’fish’ally Open!

Following 103 days of closure, on Saturday Blue Reef Aquarium opened its doors to welcome visitors once again and is ...

Coronavirus (COVID 19) Information for visiting guests.

Coronavirus (COVID 19) Information for visiting guests.

Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth would like to reassure visitors that we are doing everything we can to ensure the safety ...

Things to Do in Portsmouth: 10 Family Activities for This Summer

Things to Do in Portsmouth: 10 Family Activities for This Summer

Portsmouth may be one of the smallest cities in England, but it’s got one of the richest and most fascinating ...

Weird and Wonderful Fish You’ve Never Heard Of

Weird and Wonderful Fish You’ve Never Heard Of

From the renowned Goldfish to the iconic Carp, we’ve all heard of the fishy classics. But what about the extraordinary ...

Amazing Creatures to Look Out For in Rockpools

Amazing Creatures to Look Out For in Rockpools

Rockpooling is a very traditional British seaside activity. Investigating the cracks and pools in the rocks to discover a fascinating, ...

7 species of ocean life you won’t believe you can find in the UK

7 species of ocean life you won’t believe you can find in the UK

If you’re planning on dipping your toes in the water at the English seaside this summer, you might be surprised ...

Festival of Fishes

Festival of Fishes

Summer event from 24th July to 3rd September Make a splash this summer and join Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth for ...

Beautiful sea creatures and where to find them in the UK

Beautiful sea creatures and where to find them in the UK

You might be able to get a good look at the seahorses and rays that are swimming around at Portsmouth ...

Armed Forces Weekend 29th & 30th June

Armed Forces Weekend 29th & 30th June

To thank you for your service, Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth is offering free admission to all services personnel. Join us ...

Claws Week 25th May – 2nd June 2019

Claws Week 25th May – 2nd June 2019

Claws Week 25th May – 2nd June 2019 Join in the fun at Blue Reef Aquarium for Claws Week during ...

D-Day 75 Commemorations in Southsea

D-Day 75 Commemorations in Southsea

In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, Portsmouth City Council will be hosting a wide variety of events from ...

5 Reasons Coral Reefs Are Way More Important Than You Might Think

5 Reasons Coral Reefs Are Way More Important Than You Might Think

Across the world, coral reefs play an essential part in the lives of humans and aquatic wildlife alike. They protect ...

5 Places to Spot Wild Otters in the UK

5 Places to Spot Wild Otters in the UK

Few animals among Britain’s native wildlife are as endearing as otters. Following a period of serious decline between the 1950s ...

The Big Blue Easter: 6th – 22nd April 2019

The Big Blue Easter: 6th – 22nd April 2019

We know you can’t wait to find out what’s inside your eggs this Easter… But wait until you discover what’s ...

What can you do to help protect our marine environments?

What can you do to help protect our marine environments?

What can you do to help protect our marine environments? Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth strives to help the environment, and ...

Monsters Week 20th – 28th October

Monsters Week 20th – 28th October

Daily Talks & Activities Come face to face with some of the fiercest underwater animals this October half term for ...

6 of the Scariest Sea Predators

6 of the Scariest Sea Predators

All around the world, the seas are filled with fascinating creatures of every colour, shape, and size, and you can ...

Portsmouth Half Term: What’s On?

Portsmouth Half Term: What’s On?

Half term is just around the corner, so it’s time to get ready to have fun with the family! This ...

Autumn in Portsmouth: What’s On?

Autumn in Portsmouth: What’s On?

Summer may be over, but, that doesn’t mean the fun stops there! The coming Autumn months in Portsmouth are jam-packed ...

7 Amazing Sharks You’ve Never Heard Of

7 Amazing Sharks You’ve Never Heard Of

Dun dun, dun dun, dun dun dun dun DUNNN! Recognise that theme tune? Of course you do! Along with the ...

Jurassic Shark: A Timeline of Shark History

Jurassic Shark: A Timeline of Shark History

Sharks have swum in the oceans for almost 450 million years – they’re among some of Earth’s oldest lifeforms, outlasting ...

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Sharks

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Sharks

Sharks are known as fierce predators, but there is much more to these fascinating creatures than that stereotype – which, ...

Are Sharks Endangered? Answers to Your Questions About Sharks

Are Sharks Endangered? Answers to Your Questions About Sharks

Are sharks endangered? How many species are there? How do sharks hear? Are sharks mammals? If you’ve always wanted to ...

Top 7 Most Poisonous Water-Dwelling Creatures

Top 7 Most Poisonous Water-Dwelling Creatures

There’s no two ways about it: our planet is a dangerous place. In order to survive in hostile habitats, some ...

5 School Trip Ideas to Inspire and Educate

5 School Trip Ideas to Inspire and Educate

Your teaching may need a little extra ‘something’ from time to time, because sometimes, reading from a textbook just doesn’t ...

7 Fish That Live on Portsmouth’s Shores

7 Fish That Live on Portsmouth’s Shores

Portsmouth is one of the most popular seaside towns in the country, fact! But did you know that our shores ...

Conservation: Tips and Facts

Conservation: Tips and Facts

You’d be surprised how easy it is to help protect the environment by changing just a few things in your ...

Rockpooling: What Creatures Will You Find?

Rockpooling: What Creatures Will You Find?

Throughout the summer, the beaches surrounding Portsmouth can offer hours of entertainment for families, whether they are tourists or locals. ...

5 Otterly Amazing Facts About Otters

5 Otterly Amazing Facts About Otters

With their adorable looks and their playful natures, it’s easy to see why everyone loves otters. But how much do ...

AQUARIUM UNVEILS THE MONSTERS OF THE CARIBBEAN THIS HALF TERM!

AQUARIUM UNVEILS THE MONSTERS OF THE CARIBBEAN THIS HALF TERM!

Hop on board the Blue Reef Aquarium’s monsters event this school holiday to celebrate the release of a new block ...

AQUARIUM LAUNCHES NEW EXHIBIT FOR AN EGG-CITING EASTER

AQUARIUM LAUNCHES NEW EXHIBIT FOR AN EGG-CITING EASTER

Blue Reef Aquarium is hosting Monsoon Magic in their brand new exhibit this school holiday. The Easter event will allow ...

AQUARIUM INVITES VISITORS TO MEET ‘TOXIC TEN’

AQUARIUM INVITES VISITORS TO MEET ‘TOXIC TEN’

Visitors to Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium are being invited to meet their deadliest denizens of the deep over the half ...

VISITORS INVITED TO TAKE STOCK AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

VISITORS INVITED TO TAKE STOCK AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

The annual stock-take takes place from Saturday, January 14th to Sunday, January 15th at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium with their ...

AQUARIUM LAUNCHES ‘AFTER SCHOOL OFFER’

AQUARIUM LAUNCHES ‘AFTER SCHOOL OFFER’

Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium is launching its ‘After School Offer’ in January aimed at mums and dads on the school ...

BLUE REEF’S FESTIVE FAREWELL TO GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF

BLUE REEF’S FESTIVE FAREWELL TO GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF

Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium paid its own animal-inspired festive farewell to Mel, Sue and Mary – with a unique version ...

AQUARIUM DIVES IN TO SUPPORT  CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY

AQUARIUM DIVES IN TO SUPPORT CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY

A daring diver jumped head first into the waters of Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium to give some early support for ...

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

Younger visitors to Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to make their very own ‘star-fish’ Christmas tree decorations over ...

BLUE REEF CELEBRATES BEST OF BRIT-FISH

BLUE REEF CELEBRATES BEST OF BRIT-FISH

Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium is holding a weekend of special talks, feeds and themed activities to celebrate the very best ...

MONSTERS WEEK AT THE BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

MONSTERS WEEK AT THE BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

Visitors to Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to enjoy some extremely close encounters with a variety of creepy ...

PILOTS FOR BLUE REEF SHARKS

PILOTS FOR BLUE REEF SHARKS

Tropical sharks at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium are being given their own pilots. The pilot fish – known as golden ...

FISHY FUN AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

FISHY FUN AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

Younger visitors to Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to join in some crafty, fishy fun over the weekend ...

AQUARIUM INVITES VISITORS TO CATCH FISH ON FILM

AQUARIUM INVITES VISITORS TO CATCH FISH ON FILM

Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium is inviting visitors to catch their fish on film as part of a special photographic workshop ...

AQUARIUM INVITES VISITORS TO CELEBRATE ROALD DAHL’S CENTENARY WITH ‘ESIO TROT’ CHANT

AQUARIUM INVITES VISITORS TO CELEBRATE ROALD DAHL’S CENTENARY WITH ‘ESIO TROT’ CHANT

Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium is inviting visitors to join their celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of Roald Dahl’s birth ...

AQUARIUM TO STAGE THEIR OWN ‘GREAT BRITISH HAKE OFF’

AQUARIUM TO STAGE THEIR OWN ‘GREAT BRITISH HAKE OFF’

Staff at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium are celebrating the return of the ‘Great British Bake Off’ next week by launching ...

AQUARIUM CELEBRATES AQUATIC OLYMPIANS

AQUARIUM CELEBRATES AQUATIC OLYMPIANS

To coincide with the Rio Olympics, Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium is launching a month-long celebration of some of the aquatic ...

CLAWS – INCREDIBLE CRUSTACEANS!

CLAWS – INCREDIBLE CRUSTACEANS!

Visitors to Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to enjoy close encounters with weird and wonderful crabs and lobsters ...

BLUE REEF’S REGAL TANG TOUR HIGHLIGHTS FILM STAR FISH

BLUE REEF’S REGAL TANG TOUR HIGHLIGHTS FILM STAR FISH

Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium is launching a brand new film-inspired fishy trail for the summer holidays. The ‘Did You Forget ...

AQUARIUM DONATES SOFT TOYS TO PRIMARY SCHOOL

AQUARIUM DONATES SOFT TOYS TO PRIMARY SCHOOL

Blue Reef Aquarium has donated more than 30 fishy-themed soft toys to a Portsmouth primary school. The toys were handed ...

AQUARIUM OFFERS SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF AMERICA’S CUP RACING

AQUARIUM OFFERS SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF AMERICA’S CUP RACING

Visitors to Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the racing during the forthcoming America’s ...

FLOODED FOREST FEATURE UNVEILED AT AQUARIUM

FLOODED FOREST FEATURE UNVEILED AT AQUARIUM

A spectacular new freshwater display based on a flooded tropical rainforest is set to open at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium ...

AQUARIUM OVERRUN WITH VR POKEMON

AQUARIUM OVERRUN WITH VR POKEMON

Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium has unexpectedly become home to a host of bizarre new Pokemon Go characters. Staff at the ...

HUMMING CONGO FROGS IN TUNE AT AQUARIUM

HUMMING CONGO FROGS IN TUNE AT AQUARIUM

A type of African frog which hums to attract a mate has gone on a breeding spree at Portsmouth’s Blue ...

VISITORS INVITED TO GET THEIR TEETH IN TO SHARKS’ WORLD

VISITORS INVITED TO GET THEIR TEETH IN TO SHARKS’ WORLD

Visitors to Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium will have the chance to immerse themselves in the world of sharks and rays ...

BIRTHDAY TREAT AS OTTERS REACH MILESTONE

BIRTHDAY TREAT AS OTTERS REACH MILESTONE

A trio of otters celebrated their tenth birthday together at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium over the weekend. Asian short clawed ...

BLUE REEF PLANS MONTH OF CELEBRATIONS FOR OTTERS’ TENTH BIRTHDAYS

BLUE REEF PLANS MONTH OF CELEBRATIONS FOR OTTERS’ TENTH BIRTHDAYS

Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium is going otterly crazy as it celebrates the tenth birthday of one of its most popular ...

POT LUCK AS FISHERMAN LANDS WHITE LOBSTER

POT LUCK AS FISHERMAN LANDS WHITE LOBSTER

A Hampshire fisherman has hauled up a bizarre white lobster in his pots. The white crustacean, which has been nicknamed ...

AQUARIUM INVITES VISITORS TO TEST THEIR SKILLS AGAINST ANIMAL SUPERSTARS

AQUARIUM INVITES VISITORS TO TEST THEIR SKILLS AGAINST ANIMAL SUPERSTARS

As part of National Science Week, Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium is inviting younger visitors to test their skills against some ...

LEAP YEAR PUTS SPRING INTO TOXIC TOADS

LEAP YEAR PUTS SPRING INTO TOXIC TOADS

A colony of toxic fire bellied toads has delighted keepers at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium by laying eggs. It’s the ...

SEX-CHANGE SCARLET SKUNK SHRIMPS

SEX-CHANGE SCARLET SKUNK SHRIMPS

Aquarists at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium are confident love is in the water after two of their scarlet-coloured skunk shrimps ...

CLAWS – INCREDIBLE  CRUSTACEANS!

CLAWS – INCREDIBLE CRUSTACEANS!

Visitors to Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to enjoy close encounters with weird and wonderful crabs and lobsters ...

UNDERSEA ARTS AND CRAFTS AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

UNDERSEA ARTS AND CRAFTS AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

Visitors to Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to create their very own jellyfish hats, funky fish and octopus ...

BABY SHARK AND RAY BOOM AT BLUE REEF

BABY SHARK AND RAY BOOM AT BLUE REEF

Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium is looking after a dozen newborn sharks and rays after an unexpected New Year baby boom. ...

FISHY STOCK-TAKE AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

FISHY STOCK-TAKE AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

The annual stock-take takes place from Saturday, January 16th to Sunday, January 17th at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium with their ...

XMAS TREATS FOR OTTERS

XMAS TREATS FOR OTTERS

A family of otters at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium is enjoying some early festive cheer thanks to their keepers. Staff ...

HALLOWEEN TREAT IS OTTERLY DELICIOUS

HALLOWEEN TREAT IS OTTERLY DELICIOUS

A family of otters at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium are enjoying their own version of trick or treat in the ...

MONSTERS WEEK AT THE BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

MONSTERS WEEK AT THE BLUE REEF AQUARIUM

Visitors to Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to enjoy some extremely close encounters with a variety of creepy ...

Aquarium celebrates shark birth

Aquarium celebrates shark birth

Marine experts at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium are celebrating after the successful hatching of a British shark. It’s the first ...

CLAWS – INCREDIBLE CRUSTACEANS!

CLAWS – INCREDIBLE CRUSTACEANS!

Visitors to Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to enjoy close encounters with weird and wonderful crabs and lobsters ...

Rare Banggai babies born at Blue Reef Aquarium

Rare Banggai babies born at Blue Reef Aquarium

A rare species of fish that is found in only one place in the world has given birth for the ...

RESCUED DRAGONS ADDING  NEW FRILLS TO AQUARIUM

RESCUED DRAGONS ADDING NEW FRILLS TO AQUARIUM

A pair of rescued frilled dragons are settling in to their new home at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium. The bizarre-looking ...

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