Strangford Lough, adjacent to the aquarium, is Northern Ireland’s first Marine Conservation Zone.
The aquarium's seal sanctuary has been operating since 1989, rescuing injured or orphaned common and grey seals.
The facility is integrated into the site of a historic ropeworks factory, reflecting Portaferry's industrial past.
The large ocean tank houses species specifically native to the North Atlantic and Irish Sea rather than tropical imports.
The aquarium provides educational programs on the conservation of Strangford Lough’s unique biodiversity.
Exploris Aquarium is Northern Ireland's only aquarium, located on the shores of Strangford Lough in Portaferry. The facility focuses on the biodiversity of the Irish Sea and the surrounding marine environment. It features a dedicated seal sanctuary that rehabilitates rescued pups from the local coastline. The aquarium showcases a large ocean tank, an indoor rainforest exhibit, and a penguin enclosure. Visitors can view native species such as catsharks, rays, and conger eels in habitats designed to replicate the Lough’s unique tidal conditions. Interactive touch pools allow guests to get closer to starfish and urchins. The site acts as both a tourist attraction and a conservation hub for marine life in the region.
The glass tunnel area provides an immersive view of the large tank for clear underwater photography.
Check the daily schedule upon arrival for the designated seal feeding times, which provide the best viewing opportunities.
Combine your visit with a walk along the Strangford Lough shoreline to see the local seal colony in the wild.
Visit on a weekday if possible to avoid the peak crowds that gather on weekends during school holidays.
Do not attempt to feed animals outside of the official, staff-led feeding sessions.
Open daily throughout the year, though specific exhibit access may vary during maintenance periods.
Maintain a quiet volume near the seal sanctuary to avoid stressing the recovering animals; do not tap on glass enclosures.
