Blue Reef Aquarium is Newquay’s aquarium, sitting right on Towan Beach in the middle of town. Inside you walk under sharks and rays in a glass ocean tunnel, meet turtles, a caiman, octopus and seahorses, and catch daily talks and feeds. It is one of the best things to do in Newquay when it rains, and an easy 1–2 hour family visit at any time of year. This guide covers everything you need before you go: what you will see, tickets and saving money, parking, the best time to visit, accessibility, food, and what else to do nearby.

Thinking of booking? See our Blue Reef Aquarium listing for contact details and the map, and our full guide to things to do in Newquay.

What is Blue Reef Aquarium?

Blue Reef Aquarium is a seafront aquarium built into the cliff at the back of Towan Beach, one of Newquay’s town beaches. It is the original Blue Reef site – the Blue Reef chain began in Newquay – and today it is run by Aspro Parks, the group that also runs several other UK aquariums and attractions.

It is not a huge attraction, and that is part of its charm. There are more than 40 living displays spread over several levels, laid out as a short walk from the cool, rocky waters off the Cornish coast to tropical rivers and warm coral seas, finishing at the big Ocean Tunnel. Small children can see everything without getting tired, and the daily talks give you a reason to stay a little longer.

When people search for “Newquay aquarium”, this is the place they mean. There is no separate Sea Life centre in Newquay – Blue Reef is the town’s only big public aquarium.

What you will see at Blue Reef Aquarium, zone by zone

The aquarium is set out as a journey through different waters. Animals move between displays and some go behind the scenes from time to time, so treat the list below as a guide rather than a promise of every species on the day.

1. Cornish Waters

The visit starts close to home, with the kind of sea life you might find in a rockpool or off the harbour wall in Newquay. Look for starfish, brittle stars, crabs, shells and native fish. It is a great way to get children excited before a beach day, because they can go and look for the same creatures in real rockpools at low tide.

2. Tropical Rivers

Next you step into warm, green river displays. This is where you will find freshwater fish such as the long, silver arowana, freshwater turtles and terrapins, and the aquarium’s caiman – a small relative of the crocodile from Central and South America. The caiman often lies perfectly still, so take a moment to spot it. There is a Tropical Rivers talk and feed most days.

3. Cold Seas

The cold-water displays are home to crustaceans and the aquarium’s octopus. Blue Reef has kept giant Pacific octopus, one of the largest and cleverest octopus species in the world. Octopuses like to hide, so if you cannot see it at first, come back later in your visit. Cuttlefish are another highlight, and there is usually a cuttlefish talk in the early afternoon.

4. Warm Seas

This is the colourful part of the aquarium and the one children remember. Bright reef fish swim among corals and anemones: clownfish (yes, “Nemo”), blue tangs (“Dory”), butterflyfish, angelfish, pufferfish and many more. Some tanks are dimly lit to suit the animals, which makes the colours glow.

5. Ocean Tunnel

The star of the show is the walk-through Ocean Tunnel. You stand underneath a huge tropical ocean display (around 250,000 litres of water) and watch sharks, rays, turtles and shoals of reef fish swim over your head. Blacktip reef sharks, which can grow to nearly two metres, glide past at eye level. Take your time here – the best moments often come when a turtle or ray drifts slowly over the top of the tunnel.

Blue Reef is also well known for its sea turtles. One resident loggerhead turtle, Omiros, has been described as the aquarium’s oldest resident – a large, blind turtle thought to be well over 40 years old. Ask the team about the turtles’ stories at the Ocean Talk.

6. The nurseries

Don’t skip the small nursery tanks near the end. Here you may see shark eggs (sometimes called mermaid’s purses) with the baby shark wriggling inside, and tiny seahorses. Children love trying to spot the movement inside the egg case. Note that the nursery area is the one part of the aquarium that is not step-free.

Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay photos

Want to see what it is like inside before you go? Here are a few more photos from around the aquarium, from the round floor-to-ceiling tank to the gift shop at the end of your visit.

Photography tips: phones work well in the brighter tanks and the tunnel. Turn your flash off – it reflects off the glass and can disturb the animals – and hold the phone close to the glass to cut down reflections.

Talks and feeding times

Talks and feeds are included in your ticket and run through the day. A typical day’s timetable on the aquarium’s website looks like this, but times change, so check the board at the entrance when you arrive.

Tip: arrive by about 1.15pm and you can see the cuttlefish, shark and ocean talks in one relaxed visit – and still be there for the quieter time after 3pm.

Blue Reef Aquarium tickets and prices

These are the admission prices shown on the official Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay website in November 2026. Prices change from time to time, so always check before you book.

Good to know about online tickets:

• Online e-tickets are valid for one visit within six months of buying, so you can book ahead without fixing a date.
• They are non-refundable.
• They are not fast-track tickets – on very busy days you may still queue outside.
• Show the code on your phone or print your confirmation email.
• Tickets are valid from 10am until last admission. If you want to leave and come back in later, ask at the desk on the day.

How to save money at Blue Reef Aquarium

• Use a family or group ticket. The Family of 4 ticket is cheaper than paying separately.
• Under 3s go free, so this is a good-value day out with a baby or toddler.
• Carers go free. One official carer with a paying disabled visitor gets in free (proof needed – see accessibility).
• Check the official “Ways to Save” and annual membership pages. If you live locally or are staying for a week, a membership may pay for itself.
• Time it around the talks. Plan your visit so you see two or three talks and feeds – it makes the ticket feel much better value.
• Park smart. Park once in town and walk to the aquarium, beach and shops.
• Pair it with free things. Balance the cost with a free afternoon – see our guide to free things to do in Cornwall for families.

Opening times and the best time to visit

Blue Reef Aquarium is open every day of the year except Christmas Day, usually from 10am to 5pm with last entry at 4pm. Times can change at short notice, so check the official website or social media before you set off.

Visiting in winter? Have a look at our Christmas in Cornwall guide and what’s on in Cornwall this month for festive events to add to your day.

Parking and how to get to Blue Reef Aquarium

The aquarium’s address is Blue Reef Aquarium, Towan Promenade, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 1DU. It sits at beach level on Towan Beach, below the town centre.

Parking

Blue Reef does not have its own car park. These are the nearest car parks recommended by the aquarium:

Blue Badge holders: there is no disabled parking on site, but there are a small number of Blue Badge bays near the aquarium, first come, first served. Passengers can also be dropped off on Beach Road, which is a dead end leading down towards the aquarium. Call the aquarium on 01637 878134 before you travel if you need help planning.

By bus

Bus services 21, 25A, 85 and 87 stop at Newquay Bus Station, about 5 minutes’ walk away. In the summer holidays, Newquay also runs a Park & Ride from a site opposite Hendra Holiday Park, with buses into the bus station – handy if the town car parks are full.

By train

Newquay station is on the branch line from Par, with trains roughly every two hours. The aquarium is about a 10-minute walk from the station – head down towards Towan Beach and follow the signs.

On foot

From the town centre, follow the pedestrian signs to Towan Beach via Beach Road. It is a steep hill, so allow extra time on the way back up with small children or a pushchair.

Accessibility at Blue Reef Aquarium

• Step-free: ramps run through the aquarium, which is set over several levels. The only area that is not accessible is the nursery tanks.
• Lift: a lift serves the first floor, café and gift shop.
• Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are welcome. The aquarium does not hire out wheelchairs, but Newquay Tourist Information Centre on Marcus Hill does.
• Toilets: there is one accessible toilet, on the first floor.
• Lighting: some areas are dimly lit to suit the animals.
• Carers: one carer per disabled visitor goes free with proof, such as a dated benefit letter (within the last 12 months) or a letter from a GP or consultant. Access Card is also accepted. Additional carers pay the concession price.
• Dogs: pets are not allowed. Fully trained assistance dogs are welcome (the aquarium notes that assistance dogs in training are not admitted).
• Beach wheelchair: in peak season the aquarium has a beach chair that can be booked for use on Towan Beach (call 01637 878134; a cash deposit is needed).
• The hill: the aquarium is at the bottom of a steep slope from the town. If walking is difficult, use the drop-off on Beach Road.

Food, café and gift shop

There is a café and a gift shop, and the lift reaches both. The gift shop is full of soft toys and ocean-themed gifts, so it is worth agreeing a pocket-money limit before you go in.

For more choice, you are a few minutes’ walk from the cafés, bakeries and restaurants of Newquay town centre. On a fine day, grab a pasty and eat it on Towan Beach – and if you fall in love with Cornish pasties on holiday, you can have them sent home with our guide to Cornish pasties by post.

Is Blue Reef Aquarium good for toddlers, kids and adults?

Honest view: Blue Reef is smaller than big city aquariums, and some visitors feel it is short for the price. The best way to get full value is to time your visit around the talks, take it slowly in the Ocean Tunnel, and make it part of a day in Newquay with the beach and the town.

A simple rainy-day plan for Newquay

What to do near Blue Reef Aquarium

One of the best things about Blue Reef is its location. Within a short walk or drive you have some of Newquay’s best family days out.

Towan Beach

Right outside the door. A sheltered town beach with rockpools at low tide and the famous “Island” house on its rock, linked by a suspension bridge. Check our best beaches in Cornwall guide for more.

Newquay Zoo

A short drive (or a 20-minute walk) away in Trenance Gardens, Newquay Zoo makes a great second day out – see our Newquay Zoo listing.

Fistral Beach

Newquay’s famous surfing beach, on the other side of the headland. Watch the surfers or book a lesson. The landmark Headland Hotel sits above it.

Newquay Harbour

A short walk along the cliffs. Fishing boats, crabbing and – if you are lucky – grey seals near the harbour wall. Our guide to where to see seals, dolphins and puffins in Cornwall has more wild sea-life spots.

Further afield

• The Eden Project – another great rainy-day choice, with its huge indoor rainforest.
• 52 things to do in Cornwall – our full list of the county’s best days out.
• Fun things to do in Cornwall – for when you want more ideas.

Other aquariums and sea-life attractions in Cornwall

Blue Reef is the main aquarium in Cornwall, but if you love sea life there are a few other places worth knowing about.

Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay FAQs

This guide was updated in November 2026 using information from Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay’s official website. Hello Cornwall is an independent guide and is not connected to the aquarium. Prices, times and animals can change, so please check with the aquarium before you visit.