Blue Reef Aquarium, Portsmouth

Close encounters with sharks and shimmering shoals of brightly coloured tropical fish in giant walk through tanks are just some of the undersea highlights at the Blue Reef Aquarium in Portsmouth.

Open every day, the Blue Reef Aquarium also includes the chance to meet rays up close thanks to the use of open-top tanks as well as hands-on tide pools and crashing surf displays which recreate the sea's many different aspects.

The aquarium also stages special events and educational talks daily, with the October half-term given over to a special Sea Monsters show, which claims to reveal the truth about some of the world's legendary sea monsters and even promises visitors the chance to come face-to-face with some of the monsters thought to have inspired mythical beasts such as the Kraken.

Address: Blue Reef Aquarium, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3PB.

National Express runs bus and coach travel services to Portsmouth from major towns and cities across the UK. To go by National Express coach, please use our journey planner for coach travel times and cheap ticket options.

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