It is one of Ireland's flagship visitor attractions. This year the aquarium hosted more than 100,000 people from countries ranging from Australia to Zimbabwe. Much more than an 'aquarium', Exploris aims to provide a more intimate marine experience.
Huge glass tanks house more than one thousand different species of fish and marine life.
All are natives of Strangford Lough and the Irish Sea. In addition to the vast glass walled tanks there are touch tanks, displays, constantly changing exhibitions, a themed shop and an interactive gallery where computer screens bring the mystery of the underwater world to life. A favourite with kids of all ages is the seal rehabilitation centre. Here baby seals which have been injured or accidentally separated from their mothers are brought back to health before being returned to the Lough. The Strangford area has large populations of both common and grey seals, Strangford Lough in fact has the largest colony of common seals in Ireland.