Portaferry / The Aquarium

 Exploris Aquarium


My next Journey was to Exploris Aquarium in a small town called Portaferry! 


I had a faint memory of going to the aquarium when I was a child but I could hardly remember it now at the ripe old age of 20. I wanted to see if it lived up to its hype in my head or if it was another washed up area that I didn't notice as a child.


Travel

Heading down to Portaferry I was actually quite nervous. Not only did I not know the way but as the name states, you take a ferry across the water to get to the aquarium. For me personally from Craigavon, it took about 1.5 hours, including the ferry. The ferry isn't that long of a wait as it goes every half an hour back and forth, which is handy if you plan your trip accordingly.

Now for the ferry....!!! I was terrified of driving on to it and the closer we approached it, the worse my nerves became. Once you enter the quaint town of Strangford, you whip around a tight corner and there it it...The Ferry. I actually stopped driving once I saw it and let the car behind me pass so I could see just how to manage this feat. Eventually the time came to drive on or risk missing my aquarium booking. So I sucked it up and drove on, internally (and maybe externally) screaming. 

It WASN'T AS BAD AS YOU THINK! Now I know you have no reason to believe me but I promise, other than the steep ramp to drive on the ferry, the rest isn't that bad. The workers direct you exactly were to park and you pay for your ticket once you've boarded. Now it was time to enjoy the short journey across the water to finally make it to the aquarium. 

The parking at the aquarium, although limited, was easily manageable and very accessible to the entrance.




Exploris Aquarium 

Now for the main event! Once we arrived, we waited for a bit until it was our session and then we entered. Once you enter you are immediately in the gift shop but from the side so that you are just at the front counter. There a woman checked my booking, gave us a map and sent me on my way to explore.

As you enter the room is quite dark and almost spooky, until you enter a circular room that is filled with fish and other aquatic life. They had a massive circular closure in the middle filled with shrimp and star fish, as well as a tank as big as a wall, showing you different kinds of fish and just before you exit to the next room a hidden octopus that made it's way out of hiding to show itself off to me and my friend.

The aquarium has so many different types of animals ranging from starfish, turtles, sharks, seals and goats!? Yes goats. In the outside enclosures they had a few goats climbing on hills and staying clear of the ducks they shared the area with.  

I could go on and on about all the animals we saw from the penguins to watching the otters get fed to a stealthy crocodile. But it's something you have to see for yourself and with 15 enclosures and even more being built, this place is a must see for anyone from families to a group of adult friends.











Food


Now lets not forget what's really important. For eating you have a few options, you can bring a packed lunch and sit at the picnic tables offered by the aquarium or enjoy one of the cafe's or restaurants right outside Exploris. Or like me you can head upstairs to the café and get a bite of something delicious. I chose to have chicken strips, chips, garlic dip and onion rings, while my friend chose soup and bread. Both our meals were delicious and while enjoying them we also got a cool overlooking view of the outside enclosures of the aquarium. 


Overall this was a great day out with nonstop beautiful views and wonderful memories created. I highly recommend anyone and everyone to visit this lovely place.

And to remember you can stop by in the gift shop and purchase and keepsake. I chose a fluffy seal that I haven't let go of since.










 

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