The building's iconic shape is designed to resemble the bow of a ship emerging from the water.
The aquarium holds the largest shark collection in the United Kingdom.
The main tank, 'Endless Ocean,' is 10 meters deep and utilizes acrylic panels weighing several tons.
The Deep operates as a registered educational and scientific charity rather than a commercial zoo.
It was constructed as part of the UK's Millennium Commission projects to regenerate Hull's waterfront.
The facility utilizes a sophisticated life support system that processes the entire water volume multiple times daily.
It is home to the UK's only colony of Gentoo penguins.
The site uses a geothermal heat pump system to help regulate water temperatures sustainably.
The Deep is an award-winning aquarium located at the confluence of the River Hull and the Humber Estuary, housed in a distinctive building designed by Sir Terry Farrell. It is an independent educational charity that focuses on marine conservation and research. The facility contains approximately 2.5 million liters of water and maintains a collection of over 3,000 sea creatures. Key features include an underwater viewing tunnel and a glass elevator that travels through the main tank. The exhibits trace the history of the world's oceans through themes such as the 'Endless Ocean' and 'Kingdom of Ice'. It serves as a base for marine biologists conducting research on shark and ray conservation. The aquarium is built on the site of a former shipyard, integrating historical industrial heritage with modern architectural design.
The glass lift as it descends through the central 'Endless Ocean' tank provides a panoramic view of the sharks and rays.
Book your entry slot online in advance to guarantee access, as the venue frequently reaches capacity during weekends.
Check the daily schedule upon arrival for specific feeding times and diver presentations.
Utilize the re-entry pass if you wish to leave for lunch and return to the aquarium later the same day.
Don't rush through the first few galleries, as the detailed information panels provide vital context for the larger tanks later in the walk.
Closed annually on December 24th and 25th.
Maintain a quiet volume near the tanks to avoid startling the marine life; photography is allowed without flash.