SEA LIFE Weymouth is in Lodmoor Country Park, two kilometres north of the town centre at the far end of the seafront, and it is one of the largest sites in the SEA LIFE chain.
Its distinguishing feature, and the reason visitors rate it above most others in the group, is that it is a mixed indoor and outdoor attraction on a substantial site rather than a single building.
Aquarium galleries — tropical and reef tanks, an ocean tunnel, rays, sharks, jellyfish, seahorses and native British species, with a rockpool touch tank.
Otters — a firm favourite, and one of the animals visitors name most often.
Fairy penguins — little blue penguins, the smallest species, with a dedicated enclosure and feeding sessions.
Seals and a rescue and rehabilitation programme.
Turtles, in a large tank.
Crocodiles and a tropical house.
Outdoor grounds with animal enclosures, ponds and gardens.
Talks and feeds through the day, which are what structure a good visit — take the timetable at the gate.
The other half of the site, and the thing that makes it a full day in summer.
A water play area with slides, fountains, sprays and shallow pools, open in the warm months and included in the admission.
Families consistently say this is what turns a two-hour aquarium into a five-hour day out. Bring swimwear and towels — visitors who did not know it was there arrive without them and regret it.
There is also a large play area, rides and a caterpillar train.
Two things come up repeatedly.
The layout is unusually good. More than one visitor who has been to many SEA LIFE centres describes this one as the best-organised, with a route that flows and does not double back. That includes visitors bringing autistic family members, who specifically praise the layout and the experience — worth knowing if that is a consideration.
The combination of indoor and outdoor is what people rate. In rain the aquarium carries the day; in sun the splash park and grounds do.
Admission charged; booking online in advance is substantially cheaper than the gate.
Time: two hours for the aquarium; a full day with the splash park in summer.
Facilities: cafés, picnic areas, shop, toilets, baby changing.
Parking: on site, charged — and a widely used tactic is to park here and walk across to Weymouth Beach, which is directly opposite.
Access: largely level and accessible.
Season: open year-round; the splash park is seasonal.
Lodmoor — the RSPB reserve immediately behind the centre, free, with hides, reedbed and marsh, and good birdwatching including bearded tits, marsh harriers and wintering wildfowl.
Weymouth Beach is directly across the road.
Greenhill Gardens is between here and the town centre.
Weymouth town centre is twenty-five minutes’ walk along the seafront.
Yes, and it is open in the warmer months. Bring swimwear and towels.
Two hours for the aquarium alone; a full day in summer with the splash park.
Yes — the aquarium is entirely indoors, and the outdoor sections are the bonus in good weather.
Yes, it is substantially cheaper than the gate price.
Lodmoor, an RSPB reserve, free to walk, with hides and good birdwatching.