Bristol is regarded as a port city. We’ve got the harbour, we’ve got the bridges, we’ve got the boats, the ferries, the locks, the wildlife and now, thankgod, we’ve got the aquarium too! Winner!

Located in the heart of the harbourside development, just behind the waterfront, Bristol Aquarium opened its doors earlier this year after more than twelve months in the making and £4million of investment. Inside, the building is a professional and fascinating spectacle that educates and lets you enjoy the boundless diversity of the aquatic world.

To make things a little less overwhelming, the aquarium is divided into various themed sections: The entrance has been done up like the neglected hull of a sunken ship with beautiful curved portholes permeating the rusty, metal walls as you walk along; there’s a tropical rainforest section with luscious vegetation, wooden walkways and a crashing waterfall; and a laboratory area where you can learn about the animals more intimately. The designers have also cleverly incorporated the Imax Cinema into the experience so you can watch an amazing 3D film about dolphins, whales and other creatures that would never fit in an aquarium.

The centrepiece of Bristol Aquarium though has to be the gigantic display tank (full of 260,000 litres of water) which you can view from above, from the side or from underneath via the stunning walk-through tunnel. Looking inside it’s like a busting underwater city full of various fish, sharks and crustaceans, all vying for position and forever swimming on their way to somewhere. And that brings us on to the real attraction of the aquarium – the animals! Bristol Aquarium has around 7,000 individual creatures made up of around 250 species including cod, eels, lobsters, turtles, puffer fish, sea horses, living coral, piranhas, starfish, dogfish, catfish, jellyfish, clown fish, over 15 species of sharks and rays, and one beautiful Giant Pacific octopus.

In the worlds of Sebastian; “Life is much better, down where it’s wetter!”

www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk

Matthew Whittle www.matthewwhittleblog.blogspot.com
Illustrations by Amy Rhian