School trips and educational sessions
Each year we welcome over 3000 school visitors of all ages and we pride ourselves on offering an educational and exciting day out for everyone.
Our school experiences are designed to relate to the Primary Schools National Curriculum and cover Key Stages 1-2 from ages 1-11. We also welcome older children through Key Stage 3-4 too.
We’re all indoors so enjoy a trip to the aquarium whatever the weather!
What is included with your booking?
Our fun and interactive sessions cover topics such as habitats, life cycles, food chains, biology, survival and identifying and classifying animals. Each presentation is tailored to meet the needs of your year group.
A presentation of your choice is included with your visit, with a number of options to choose from:
- Rockpool Encounter
- Shark Workshop
- A Guided tour
Choose a presentation
Rockpool Encounter
Key stages 1 – 2, recommended for Years 1 – 6
An opportunity to meet live rock pool creatures in an interactive, hands-on encounter. Learn all about these fascinating animals and how they have adapted to survive in one of the toughest habitats on earth. Topics covered include food webs, adaptation, identification, and habitat conditions including changes between tides.
Shark Workshop
Key Stages 2, recommended for Years 3 – 6
This presentation focuses on Sharks, their habitats, adaptations to their environment, variations, life cycles, conservation. We also discuss anatomy and physiology with a focus on the difference between these organism’s skeletons and other vertebrates. This workshop also includes a close look at a shark’s dentition, the different types of teeth and their primary uses. Props are also used so your student’s can get up close and personal with shark jaws, teeth, skin and egg cases!
Guided Tour
Key Stages 2, recommended for Years 3 – 6
These tours are focussed on relating our animal displays to specific broad curriculum topics such as living things and their habitats, life cycles, food chains and classification. The curriculum points covered will be dependent on the school year and the topic chosen.
Choose a presentation
Terms and Conditions
All schools must pay the full balance of the visit on arrival at Blue Reef Aquarium Cash and Credit cards are accepted (with the exception of American Express).
An Invoice may be raised with prior arrangement and must be paid in full before the date of the visit. A receipt will be provided on the day.
Bookings are taken on a first come, first served basis and you are strongly advised to book early for peak periods (May, June and July).
Blue Reef is not responsible for personal items damaged or lost within the attraction or surrounding ground and car park, other than in circumstances covered by our Public Liability Insurance.
All groups are advised to take out their own personal insurance for out-of-school visits and activities.
Blue Reef Aquarium would like to remind all visitors that for operational or other circumstances, certain exhibits, attractions or facilities may be unavailable at any time.
Blue Reef reserves the right to ask any individual or party to leave the premises if they are causing disruption or acting in a way that offends or disturbs other visitors. No monies will be refundable in this event.
Enquire about school trips
Plan your visit
Open All Year!
Open All Year!
Get ready for a fin-tastic day out! Blue Planet Aquarium is open daily from 10am (closed only on Christmas Day), with the last entry one hour before closing.
Our closing times change with the seasons, so be sure to check back before your visit to make the most of your underwater adventure!
Current Opening Times*
Current Opening Times*
Getting Here is Easy! Whether you’re driving (with free on-site parking) or hopping on a quick 15-minute train from Edinburgh to North Queensferry, reaching Deep Sea World couldn’t be simpler.
By Car
From the South: Follow signs for Forth Road Bridge. Once across the bridge, take the first exit left and follow the brown tourist signs for Deep Sea World.
From the North: Turn off the M90 at Junction 1 and follow the brown tourist signs for Deep Sea World.
By Train
Our nearest station is North Queensferry
For more information on how to get to us, visit our How To Get Here page!