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Aquariums

Hastings Aquarium

📍 Hastings, South East

★4.2(3,020 Google reviews)💰£13-£16.50👶All ages

Compact aquarium on Hastings seafront with varied fish and reptile exhibits, keeper-led feeding sessions, educational talks, and all-day tickets valid for six months. Pairs well with nearby Old Town and Smugglers Cove.

✓ Keeper talks✓ All-day ticket✓ Explorer's Guide✓ Marine variety✓ Multi-venue ticket

🏆 Funzaroo Verdict

Best for families with children who respond well to hands-on marine education and keeper interaction. The Explorer's Guide booklet deepens the visit considerably for school-age children. The compact size means a single pass through takes under an hour — the all-day ticket format and nearby Old Town make it easy to build a fuller day.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

💡Pick up the Explorer's Guide booklet at the entrance to extend engagement for school-age children
⏰Time your arrival to catch a keeper feeding or talk — check the daily schedule at the desk
🎟️All-day tickets allow you to leave for lunch in the Old Town and return without repaying
🚗Multi-venue tickets covering the castle and Smugglers Cove offer better overall value

💬 What Families Are Saying

View all reviews →
4.2
★★★★★

3,020 Google reviews

G Reviews from Google

L

Lemmy Morgan

6 months ago

★★★★★

“Hastings Aquarium is such a wonderful experience, especially if you’re a nature and marine life lover like me. I picked up the Explorer’s Guide booklet, and it really enriched the visit – giving interesting facts about the different species and making the whole journey even more engaging. There’s a fascinating variety of creatures to see: from jellyfish, crabs, prawns, seahorses, and sharks, to stingrays, starfish, eels, octopus, lobsters, turtles, and even clownfish and other colorful tropical species. Each tank is well presented, and you can take your time learning about the animals while enjoying the calming atmosphere. The facility itself is well thought out – there’s a well-maintained toilet, easy access to fast food joints nearby, and a car park close to the seashore which makes visiting very convenient. What really stood out to me was the picturesque view of the mountains and coastline around Hastings, which adds to the overall experience when you step outside. Yes, the ticket price might feel a little high at first, but once you’re inside, it’s absolutely worth it for the knowledge, the atmosphere, and the joy of being up close with such amazing marine life. I’m uploading plenty of videos and photos to capture the experience, but nothing beats seeing it in person. Highly recommended for families, couples, or anyone who loves the ocean!””

S

Seetal Patel

a month ago

★★★★★

“We visited Hastings Aquarium at the start of January just after my daughter's birthday. As she had a school training day, we thought that it would be a good time to go. The aquarium was very small, but there was still lots to see and we enjoyed walking around. The best part of our day was when we listened to a talk about Archerfish and learning about how they shoot down their food by spraying jets of water. We also liked walking through the tunnel and seeing all the sea animals swimming above our heads.”

N

Niamh Kerr

5 months ago

★★★★★

“I really enjoyed our visit, the staff were compassionate and knowledgeable on the species they cared for on site. We were lucky to see a feeding and I would highly recommend. The site is accessible for the most part, but may require planning if stairs need to be avoided. However, the staff are quick to help without needing to be asked and it makes the whole experience feel welcoming and supported.”

💬 What parents mention

Educational keeper sessionsAll-day ticket flexibilityMarine life varietyCompact and engaging

Overview

Hastings Aquarium houses a varied collection of marine life and reptiles across well-maintained tanks, with keeper-led feeding sessions and educational talks running throughout opening hours. All-day tickets are valid for six months, allowing families to leave for lunch in the Old Town and return the same day. Multi-venue tickets bundle entry with Hastings Castle and Smugglers Cove for additional savings. Most of the venue is step-free; staff assist for sections requiring stairs.

🕐 Opening Hours

Monday10:00 – 17:00
Tuesday10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday10:00 – 17:00
Thursday10:00 – 17:00
Friday10:00 – 17:00
Saturday10:00 – 17:00
Sunday10:00 – 17:00

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