Watch out for the paparaz-sea! Meet a V.I.P SEA-lebrity at the National Marine Aquarium
**Extended opening hours confirmed during summer period**
To celebrate the school summer holidays, the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth is hosting an unmissable programme of events and celebrating in style with a SEA-lebrities summer theme.
Taking place from 28th July - 2nd September, the Aquarium will be celebrating some amazing sea animals,showcasing what makes them special and how they are vital to the underwater eco-system.
Daily summer shows will offer visitors the chance to learn more about some of the famous animals that call the Aquarium home. The Big NMA Summer Show will introduce different ocean ambassadors through a series of fun interactive competitions. We will be showing off why they are important and how they are saving their ocean habitat. Visitors will then decide which ocean animal comes out on top.
The Aquarium’s famous Eddystone Reef exhibit will also be transformed to include a red carpet with the NMA hosts taking on the role of the paparaz-sea!
This year is also a special year for the Aquarium, which is celebrating its 20th birthday. As an education and conservation charity the NMA has been instrumental in connecting people with our Oceans and promoting pro-Ocean behaviour over the past 20 years. Its world-class husbandry team look after more than 4,000 animals, including Lemon Sharks, Sand Tiger Sharks, Sting Rays and Friday the Green Turtle, to name just a few, and leads groundbreaking research and breeding projects.
Helen Gowans, Public Engagement Coordinator at the National Marine Aquarium, commented: “There are some incredible creatures living in our Oceans, and some of the most famous live here at the Aquarium! At the National Marine Aquarium we want to help give visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of our SEA-lebrities.
“The summer activity will be perfect for the whole family and any budding explorers. There is plenty of interactive fun planned for all ages, with everyone being able to get involved and vote for their favourite species. From giant Turtles to Sandtiger Sharks, visitors will be able to take selfies at our NMA selfie stations and we can’t wait to see you there!”
In response to the peak summer period, from 28th July, the Aquarium will be extending its opening hours. The venue will be open daily from 9.30am to 6.00pm, giving even more time to explore the exhibits and make the most of the summer showcase.
Extra activities throughout the summer period include an interactive SEA-lebrities summer trail and a Marine Media Myth Busting station, exploring the way the various SEA-lebrities are portrayed in the newspapers, on TV and in film. As well as learning more about the animals, visitors can have the opportunity to be snapped with the SEA-lebrities at the selfie stations situated around the Aquarium.
On top of all this, the Aquarium will also be hosting another popular sleep over event. Taking place on 18th August, visitors will have an exclusive chance to see what happens in the Aquarium’s underwater world after the lights go down. The presence of sharks gliding silently overhead whilst visitors sleep will mesmerize anyone daring enough to spend a night in their company.
With the extended opening hours from 28th July, the Aquarium’s popular Café will also be open longer, offering an upgraded breakfast deal and hot food until 5pm.
To book tickets and to find out further information about SEA-lebrities, SEA-lebrities Sleep Over or the boat trips, visit www.national-aquarium.co.uk
As an educational and marine conservation charity, the NMA relies on visitor funds and donations to continue its mission to connect us with our Oceans. For more information, to book tickets and learn more about how you can support the NMA, visit: www.national-aquarium.com.