Manchester Social 101 was invited to take a sneak peek at the brand new SEA LIFE attraction in Barton Square at the intu Trafford Centre. As an avid scuba diver I’m a big fan of the sea and sea life so this was a real treat that didn’t disappoint!
The attraction is expecting a huge wave of visitors to the centre to marvel at the 1 million litres of water and 5,000 species cared for at the aquarium, including star attraction Ernie, a giant green sea turtle. Who is fab BTW!!!
In addition to the 30 spectacular marine displays and incredible underwater ocean tunnel, guests will be treated to a fully interactive experience where they can hold a crab or touch a starfish in touchpools. There will also be a range of creatures unseen in the region before, including sharks, rays, seahorses and jellyfish.
The attraction is a celebration of the sea from start to finish, providing an excellent focal point for education and marine conservation in the region. With over thirty years experience in looking after creatures the brand has a three-pronged approach to conservation – breed, rescue and protect – which is at the heart of everything that SEA LIFE does.
The centre is also home to Sea TREK, an exciting European first, hosting an experience that enables visitors to get closer than ever before to the sharks, rays and the giant Green turtle in the brand new attraction’s ocean tank.
Sea TREK is a thrilling sea bed walk through the largest tank in the Manchester aquarium giving visitors the chance to explore the underwater world without time consuming, specialised training.
Sea trekkers will be kitted out in a special dive suit, complete with a fully waterproof helmet (100% safe for a full face of make up!), before they are lowered into the ocean tank which is filled with 480,000 litres of water and is home to 1,092 creatures of 35 different species. They are then walked through the tank, stopping to take closer looks at some of the creatures, such as hermit crabs and, of course the king of the tank giant Green sea turtle Ernie.
The SEA TREK experience will cost £60 per person (including admission to the attraction) or just £45.90 to annual pass holders and is available to guests aged 8 and over. The experience will last for approximately one hour with 10 minutes under the water. A maximum of five people can be in the tank at one time and they will be accompanied by support divers at all times.
All wet suit equipment is provided, guests just need their own swimming costume and towel.
The aquarium, which is the 14th SEA LIFE in the UK, is situated in a 36,000 square feet site in Barton Square at the intu Trafford Centre, next to Merlin’s very popular LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, which opened in March 2010.
The Centre will be open from 10am seven days a week, remaining open until 7pm daily, with the last admission at 5pm. Tickets are available online from just £12 per person or annual passes start at £40.
For more information about SEA LIFE visit http://www.visitsealife.com/ or call 0871 221 2483. A definite must-see!!!
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