Blue Reef Aquarium

It may be winter outside but Blue Reef Aquariums are open all year (closed Christmas Day only) and you are guaranteed a warm welcome - whatever the weather!  With naturally themed tropical displays and underwater walk through tunnels, the aquariums are an oasis of light and colour, even on the darkest days.  Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of a bustling coral reef, it's easy to forget the winter blues and imagine yourself basking in the sunshine of another perfect tropical day! 

The annual stocktake takes place this weekend at Blue Reef with our very own 'fishy census!'During the weekend, Blue Reef is inviting you to volunteer to help spot and record the number of certain species including seahorses, sharks, octopus and lionfish.  The experts at Blue Reef will then do an official check and the child who most accurately reports the population of each of the above animals will win a year's free membership for them and their family.

In celebration of the amazing Octopus, join us for SUCKERS! weekend. Discover how these fascinating creatures have adapted to survive in our oceans.In celebration of the amazing octopus, join us for Suckers Weekend.  Discover how these fascinating creatures have adapted to survive in our oceans and enjoy close encounters with members of the cephalopod family from the giant Pacific octopus to the prehistoric nautilus.

the world's seas and oceans are home to some truly revolting creatures with equally disgusting habits.  This week-long event highlights a selection of gross behaviour ranging from starfish that throw up their own stomachs to fish that eat poo!

Discover more about the smelliest, squidgiest and slimiest marine animals and why their disgusting habits are essential for surviving in the depths.  Events include workshops and the chance to get 'hands on'. Talks and feeding demonstrations will also take place throughout the day.

Celebrate Mother's Day and come along to Blue Reef and find out all about Fishy mums! Also every Mum with a full paying child gets in absolutely free!

National Science Week is an annual event to celebrate science and highlight its importance to our everyday lives. All week Blue Reef is offering you the chance to become a marine biologist for the day and to take part in some observational and hands on experiments around the aquarium

As part of our ongoing commitment to environmental awareness, Blue Reef is running a competition in association with local and national conservation groups to highlight the environmental issues facing our marine world. We want children to help us on our campaign and design a poster using persuasive writing to voice their own concerns about the marine environment.  Entries open at the beginning of April 2009 and the closing date is 1st July 2009

From stingrays to sharks, lionfish to jellyfish, the aquatic world is home to some highly efficient hunters.  Discover the amazing techniques marine animals have developed to survive and thrive in this never-ending underwater battlefield.

From comical hermit crabs and 'fashion-conscious' decorator crabs to giant lobsters and crawfish, this exciting feature offers a fascinating insight into the incredible world of crustaceans. Follow the Claws Trail and quiz to discover all about these amazing armour-plated creatures.

Despite their reputation as man-eaters, sharks worldwide are under threat from man. Learn all about the secret world of these amazing creatures and what we can do to help protect them in the wild. Regular talks and feeding demonstrations throughout the week.

Learn about the different Conservation programmes that Blue Reef is involved in and how you can do your bit to help protect our seas.

Sustainable Fisheries - discover how you can make a difference and support sustainable fisheries and prevent our seas form being overfished.

Shark Fin - support a ban on shark fining by signing our petition, find out which local restaurants have pledged not to serve shark fin soup

Marine Reserves - progress update on the Campaign for Marine Reserves

8^th - 14^th June Save the Whale Week in conjunction with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society

World Ocean Day is an annual event aimed at raising awareness of the marine environment. Come and join Blue Reef's own day of activities and become part of a worldwide celebration of the planet's seas and oceans.

A selection of Sea-going super dads are taking center stage this weekend at Blue Reef. Along with talks and a special guided tour focussing on the aquarium's hard-working fathers, Blue Reef is also showcasing some real fishy father figures including clownfish, bangaii cardinal fish and the famous seahorse.

Blue Reef is a great place for visitors of all ages to find out about the wonders of the deep.  Whatever the weather, Blue Reef's innovative displays, informative talks and feeding demonstrations keep the family fully entertained.  Tickets are valid all day so you could join the Dawn Patrols, enjoy a Rockpool Encounter or discover more about the ultimate predator during Shark Hour!

Can you find the real life 'Nemo' and his fishy friends? All the animated characters from the blockbuster movie were based on living creatures. Visit Blue Reef and follow the 'Nemo' trail to see which familiar faces you meet on your journey around the Aquarium.

Become an artist for the day as part of The Big Draw event. Sketch a seahorse, paint a puffer fish or create your own fishy work of art inspired by the amazing variety, patterns, colours, shapes and sizes of marine creatures. Create your own Seamonster and add it to our underwater collage!

Following the success of last year's competition, Blue Reef is aiming to make this year's event even bigger and better! Throughout the Autumn term, you are invited to connect with your creative sides and get drawing.  The competition is a celebration of our seas and oceans. This year's theme is 'Sea Monsters' and the only condition is that all entries must be inspired by the marine environment.  More info on website.

Whether you are an experienced diver or have an interest in the sport Blue Reef Aquarium will have something for you this weekend. Find out about the amazing variety of marine life Cornish waters has to offer divers and chat to local dive teams about how you could experience it for yourselves.

Blue Reef will be taken over by Sea Monsters for the October half-term holidays. As well as revealing the truth behind some of the world's most famous sea monster stories there's even a chance to come face to face with some real monsters of the deep!

Whether you've been keeping fish for years or are simply thinking about starting the hobby, this weekend provides the perfect opportunity to have all your questions answered by our experts. Subjects covered will include fish compatibility and responsible pet ownership, maintaining a healthy aquarium and the latest in new technology.

It may be winter outside but Blue Reef Aquariums are open all year (closed Christmas Day only) and you are guaranteed a warm welcome - whatever the weather!  With naturally themed tropical displays and underwater walk through tunnels, the aquariums are an oasis of light and colour, even on the darkest days.  Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of a bustling coral reef, it's easy to forget the winter blues and imagine yourself basking in the sunshine of another perfect tropical day!