Deep Sea World — Attraction in North Queensferry

The highlight of our visit to Deep Sea World was undoubtedly the underwater tunnel. This impressive glass walkway transports you into the heart of the ocean, offering an up-close view of the marine life swimming all around you. As we strolled through, we found ourselves surrounded by sharks, rays, and a variety of fish, gliding effortlessly above and alongside us. It felt like being submerged in the ocean itself. The graceful movements of the creatures, coupled with the soft, atmospheric lighting, created a dreamlike ambiance. It was especially magical to watch our little one’s wide-eyed wonder as the marine life swam by—truly a moment of joy for us all.

One of the most captivating experiences was the outdoor seal enclosure. We had the chance to watch the seals swimming just beneath the walkway, their playful behavior a delight to witness. It was amazing to see them glide gracefully through the water just inches below our feet. Their feeding time was another highlight—watching them dive and interact with their keepers was both exciting and entertaining, making it a special moment during our visit.

Another must-see was the feeding time inside the aquarium. We watched as the typically lazy fish suddenly sprang into action, leaping out of the water in pursuit of their meal. It was a burst of energy that added an unexpected thrill to the peaceful atmosphere of the aquarium.

Beyond the underwater wonders, the aquarium also offers a fascinating collection of Amazonian wildlife and amphibians. We were enchanted by vibrant frogs, colorful reptiles, and unique creatures native to the Amazon’s lush ecosystems. These exhibits added variety and depth, enriching our experience further.

For those looking for an even more immersive experience, Deep Sea World offers a behind-the-scenes option. For just £4.50, you can venture behind the scenes to see the inner workings of the aquarium, from the care of the animals to the fascinating life-support systems that keep the exhibits running. It’s a great opportunity to get a deeper understanding of the facility and its conservation efforts.

Before all of this, we stopped for a bite at the café. The New York burger was a real treat. As soon as I took the first bite, I could taste the tenderness of the perfectly cooked beef patty, juicy and bursting with flavor. Each bite was an indulgence, with the juices dripping down as I savored the rich, savory taste. The burger was stacked high with fresh ingredients, the crispy bacon adding a delightful crunch and the melted cheese adding a luscious creaminess. It was one of those burgers that, despite its indulgence, left me wanting more. We also tried the fish and chips, which were just as enjoyable, though the mushy peas had a slightly “greeny” flavor—not unpleasant, just a bit different. The best part of the meal was the serene view from the café, where we could watch the seals being fed, which kept our little one entertained and engaged.

The combination of delicious food, captivating marine life, and unique experiences like the outdoor seal exhibit, feeding times, and the behind-the-scenes tour made our visit to Deep Sea World unforgettable. While the venue could benefit from a bit of renewal and modernization to keep up with the times, these moments of wonder—along with the fascinating Amazonian wildlife—more than made up for any imperfections. A little extra space and some updates would really elevate the experience, but overall, it was a perfect escape into the beauty of the ocean and the wonders of nature, leaving us with...

Fantastic family day out! Staff are so friendly and helpful. Different talks and feeds throughout the day. We meet Sean at the Temple of Frogs talk. He was so lovely and knowledgeable, answering questions our children had. We again met Sean up at the BrickLive event, just as helpful and friendly.

Seal Rock:- Seeing the Seal Feed was a brilliant, fun experience to watch and learn about them. Lovely big viewing area, wheelchair friendly as well!

Shark Classroom:- Fantastic interactive room for the children to design their own fish. Colour / draw your own fish and scan it onto the large aquarium wall. ( The kids had so much fun I forgot to take a photo! )

The underwater tunnel... Obviously, it was fantastic! What an experience for the kids! Wheelchair friendly.

Gift Shop:- Such a big selection. We got the 3 kid's a book as they had an offer, 3 for 2. Then they all got a shark teeth ball. Then they got some random things.. Dinosaur watch, digging set, painting, and magnet. They loved doing the crushed 1p at the wee machine.

Toilets:- This unfortunately was a bit of a mess. One disabled toilet, wheelchair friendly, but not the biggest. Female & Male toilet either side but half the toilet cubicles were closed. We then noticed around the side baby changing and more female & male toilets. In the females, only the middle cubicle was available. The other and the baby changing cubicle were closed off. It was really uncomfortable for my kids. Only a few toilets could actually be used. Plus, due to the small space, you couldn't go in with them.

Cafe:- So the children's pizza was awful, cold frozen pizza not even cooked properly. I did ask to add pepperoni to one of the children's pizzas but was told no... so, probably due to them being frozen? The adult (or large pizza option) was alright. We got the pizza deal we were told about at the till, which was £26.50 for a pizza, two portions of chips and two draft drinks. Perfect sharing option for three adults. We bought 3 kid meals (2 pizzas & 1 chicken strips). Juice was also included for the kids. Cafe totally was £52.30.

It was a fantastic day out. We spent over £150 between tickets, cafe, and gift shop. For 3 adults & 3 children I think it was good value and we'll definitely go back next summer. The kids really enjoyed this experience...

I did the shark dive experience over the weekend and for me, it was absolutely incredible - I loved it! It's not cheap but for me, was worth every penny.

As well as the full days admission for myself and my sister (who got to watch me from the tunnel), I got taken behind the scenes to have the briefing and get kitted up (drysuits are used because the water is around 12 Celsius). I was able to get in the water to do the skills training before being allowed into the main tank (this can take a while depending on the progress of everyone taking part so bear that in mind!).

Once I got in the main tank, the experience was absolutely incredible and I managed to get to see the Sand Tiger Sharks, Stingrays and other marine life get extremely close to me, which was absolutely mind blowing. The instructor even did a few cool tricks to make things more fun. He even went the extra mile for me by adapting the experience to my Autism and skill level as I'm close to qualifying as a diver anyway, meaning it felt more natural for me and certainly more enjoyable. But even if you're a beginner who has never dived before and are just trying this out for fun, I'm in no doubt you'll love it regardless!

But to literally have the Stingrays and Sharks come so close to me - and right above me - so close and yet be so calm was just amazing. You won't know how it feels until you try it yourself.

It felt extremely magical and I even made it fun for the children watching from the tunnel by signalling to them and waving back at them - that really made a lot of them laugh and smile.

While I was getting ready, my sister was given a bit of a tour of the place and looked after by another guide who kept her informed of progress, whilst also making sure all spectators were in the best parts of the tunnel at the right times to see the divers coming through.

I also appreciated being given two free spectator tickets (you can buy more at a discounted rate on the day if needed) and the total lack of any upsells whatsoever (plus, your spectators can take as many photos of you as they want for free!) meant that the £250 I paid really did feel like exceptional value for money.

Overall, a really cool place and possibly the best aquarium shark dive in the UK....