A cynical Londoner I have always thought London SeaLife was just for tourists. Put off by the thought of heaving crowds and inflated prices, it was a place I had simply never bothered to visit. That all changed on a rainy day at the tail end of the summer holidays. Desperate for a last-minute treat before the return to school me and my four children aged three to nine, decided to take the plunge. The attraction exceeded all expectations – here is our London SeaLife review.
The aquarium’s location couldn’t be more central. It sits right on the South Bank, surrounded by other major attractions like the London Eye, the London Dungeon, and Shrek’s Adventure, with fantastic views across the river to Westminster and Big Ben. Despite the prime location and the fact that it was a busy day, we didn’t have to queue thanks to the pre-booked, timed entry slots. The kids were hooked from the very first moment, walking across a glass walkway with sharks gliding silently beneath their feet. It was a thrilling start and a perfect taste of the underwater world that awaited us.
What can I expect to sea at SeaLife London?
The aquarium is made up of a series of themed zones, accessed by a lift that takes you deep underground. The most spectacular of these is undoubtedly the Ocean Tunnel, which is the heart of the huge central tank filled with sharks, rays, and turtles. This incredible space is home to over 500 different species, and my children could have spent hours pressed against the glass, watching the creatures glide effortlessly by.
My children also really enjoyed the Rainforest Adventure, where they were fascinated by a colony of leafcutter ants diligently marching along a series of pipes on the walls. It was also a surprise to discover one of three crocodiles basking on the banks there. Another unexpected highlight was Penguin Point, where you can watch penguins waddle and dive, proving that SeaLife isn’t just about fish! While it’s a great feature, it does pale in comparison to London Zoo’s extensive Penguin Beach, but it was still a fun and memorable part of our visit.
In addition to the main exhibits, the aquarium offers many opportunities for learning and interaction. My kids loved getting hands-on with some of the artifacts, including a giant tortoise shell that staff members were holding for guests. The rock pool exhibit was another highlight, where my children had the chance to handle real shark eggs and other marine life, making the educational aspect of our visit truly memorable.
While my eldest was disappointed that there was no octopus on-site—You may need to manage this expectation!—this was more than made up for by the spectacular jellyfish section. These mesmerising fluorescent creatures were the unanimous favourite.
Tips for Families:
How long should I allow for my visit?
The SeaLife Aquarium is pretty epic in size meaning you really do fell like you get your money’s worth! It took us close to three hours to get around the aquarium factoring in long spells of tank watching and a snack break. It was busy on our visit (peak holiday season) but not cumbersomely so.
Are there toilets onsite/ refreshment stops?
Thankfully there were two or three toilet stops throughout the trail, a snack kiosk selling drinks, crisps and chocolates and a larger cafe with seating toward the end.
Are you able to take your own snacks?
Yes I noted many savvy families enjoying a foil wrapped sandwich and avoiding the tuck shop junk food on sale.
What other hidden ‘extras’ are there?
There is a shark VR experience which you can book in advance or pay for on the day as well as a Hurricane simulator which my kids loved. There was also an unexpected face painting station early on in the visit and a brilliant gift shop on exit. There were thankfully quite a few tidbits for under £5 to satiate the obligatory gift shop treat.
Accessibility/ Buggies allowed:
London Sealife is accessible to both wheelchairs and buggies.
What’s the cheapest Way to visit SeaLife London?
With tickets averaging between £30-£40 per person, a family trip to SeaLife London can prove quite spenny. A great way to leverage the cost is by investing in a Merlin Pass. The Merlin Pass not only makes the entry process seamless (you get to dodge the queues!) but also opens up a whole world of other family days out.
The Merlin Pass gives you access to over 20 top UK attractions, so a single pass can pay for itself in just a handful of visits. In London alone, it includes entry to the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, The London Dungeon, and Shrek’s Adventure! London, all of which are right on the South Bank. Beyond the capital, the pass unlocks a year of adventures at major theme parks like Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, and LEGOLAND® Windsor.
Beyond the free entry, a Merlin Pass comes with additional perks, including discounted food, drinks, and shopping at the attractions, as well as reduced rates on short breaks at Merlin resorts. It’s a fantastic option for families who love to explore and want to make their days out more affordable and enjoyable.
Is SeaLife worth the money?
There’s no getting around the fact that a day at SeaLife London is a significant expense, and for many, it would be considered a major splurge. However, we were genuinely surprised by the value we found. The attraction is far more extensive than it appears from the outside, filled with a huge variety of unexpected highlights that kept all four of our children, from the three-year-old to the nine-year-old, completely captivated for hours.
The lasting impression it made on them was unexpected—in a post-trip conversation, my kids even cited the aquarium as their absolute favourite day of the entire summer, trumping even our overseas holiday.
For a family outing that created such lasting memories and genuine joy, I would say the splurge is worth it.The only problem is my kids are now asking when we are going back – might be time to invest in that Merlin Pass!
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